How to Effectively Study the Word

1
How to Effectively Study the Word
2
Layout of the Lessons

• Introduction and Preparation
• Literal Interpretation
• Principle I Examine Word Meanings /
  Relationships
• Principle II Observe The Context
• Principle III Determine The Historical Setting
• How To Productively Study The Word (Steps 1-4)
• How To Productively Study The Word (Step 5 -
  Interpretation)
• How To Productively Study The Word (Step 6 -
  Application)

3
How to Accurately Understand the Word

• Matthew 2223-33
• Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err,
  not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of
  God. (v 29)
• Lack of understanding of the scriptures
• 2 Timothy 215
• Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
  workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
  dividing the word of truth.
• dividing "cutting straight" (as in
  road-making, in plowing a furrow, or in the
  cutting of stones by a stone mason)
• The Problem Interpretation
• There are numerous groups in Christendom, as
  well as various cults and sects, all of whom
  appeal to this verse or that verse to support
  their particular doctrines and practices Word
  Alive

4
How to Accurately Understand the Word

• The Solution Proper method of biblical
  interpretation
• Hermeneutics The science and art of biblical
  interpretation.
• Most differing interpretations of the Bible
  occur primarily because men either totally or
  partially utilize erroneous methods of
  interpreting Word Alive
• Trying to fit scripture to traditions (Mk 713)
• Trying to fit scripture to our preconceived
  theology
• Basing a doctrine on one isolated part of
  scripture w/out knowing the entirety
• Handling the Word deceitfully for wrong motives
  (2 Cor 42)

5
Gods Communication Process

• Revelation / Inspiration
• Starts with the desire on the part of God to
  communicate with man
• Deut 2929 The secret things belong to the LORD
  our God but those things which are revealed
  belong to us and to our children for ever
• Amos 37 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
  unless He revealeth His secret unto His servants
  the prophets (KJV21)
• 2 Tim 316 All scripture is given by
  inspiration of God
• Inspiration God-breathed
• Transmission
• The process by which the original Words of God
  were recorded
• John 1426 the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
  send in my name, he shall teach you all things,
  and bring all things to your remembrance,
  whatsoever I have said unto you.
• The process by which the Hebrew and Greek
  manuscripts were copied as accurately as possible
  over the centuries
• Mt 518 Until heaven and earth pass away, not
  the smallest letter of stroke shall pass away
  from the Law

6
Gods Communication Process

• Translation From the original language into our
  own
• Literal - Attempts to keep the exact words and
  phrases of the original text.
• Galatians 33 Are you so foolish? Having begun
  by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the
  flesh? (New American Standard)
• Dynamic Equivalence Updates the writing style
  and grammar mildly.
• Galatians 33 Are you so foolish? After
  beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to
  attain your goal by human effort? (New
  International Version)
• Paraphrase - Not constrained by the original
  words or language. Tries to get the gist of the
  message. Not always exact because it depends upon
  the translators.
• Galatians 33 How foolish can you be? You started
  the Christian life by the Holy Spirit. Do you
  think you are going to become better Christians
  by your old way of worship? (New Life V ersion)

7
Gods Communication Process

• Interpretation and Illumination
• Interpretation - To explain or tell the meaning
  of
• The moment the Bible student has in his own mind
  what was in the mind of the author or authors of
  the Biblical books when these were written, he
  has interpreted the thoughts of the Scriptures
  International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Illumination - The ministry of the Holy Spirit to
  enlighten us
• The Spirit enables us to perceive spiritual truth
  (1 Cor 29-12)
• The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (Jn
  1613, 1 Jn 220,27)
• Application
• Bringing of truth to bear on our experience so
  that transformation results
• We must be DOERS of the Word (James 122-24)

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Preparation for Interpretation

• Approach the Word with Humility
• Matthew 1125 I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
  heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these
  things from the wise and prudent, and hast
  revealed them unto babes.
• Approach the Word with reverence and
  attentiveness
• Neh 83 the ears of all the people were
  attentive unto the book of the law 5 Ezra
  opened the book in the sight of all the people
  and when he opened it, all the people stood up
• Prov 420 My son, attend to my words incline
  thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not
  depart from thine eyes keep them in the midst of
  thine heart.
• Treat the Word as authority over all human
  teaching
• Acts 1711 These Bereans were more noble than
  those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
  word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
  scriptures daily, whether those things were so
• Treat it as living and directly applicable for
  you today
• Heb 412 For the word of God is living and full
  of power, and is sharper than any two-edged
  sword (BBE)
• Approach the Word with desire
• Psa 11948 My hands also will I lift up to your
  commandments, which I have loved and I will
  meditate in your statutes.
• Psa 119148 148 In the night watches I am
  awake, so that I may give thought to your
  saying. (Psalm 119148, BBE)