HOW TO STUDY
YOUR BIBLE
OBSERVATION
What Do I See?
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INTERPRETATION
What Does It Mean?
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APPLICATION
How Do I live?
THE MORE TIME IN OBSERVATION
The more accurate the interpretation
OUR GREAT NEED…
LEARN WHAT
TO LOOK FOR
You can see a lot by
just looking.
---Yogi Berra
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THE GOAL
Changed Lives
THAT
Change Lives
As we all “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now
and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2Peter 3:18)
DO YOU OBSERVE
LIKE DR WATSON OR
SHERLOCK HOLMES?
• Holmes: “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is
clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which
lead up from the hall to this room.”
• Watson: “Frequently.”
• Holmes: “How often?”
• Watson: “Well, some hundreds of times.”
• Holmes: “Then how many are there?”
• Watson: “How many? I don’t know.”
• Holmes: “Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have
seen. That is just my point. Now, I know that there are
seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed”
• From: “A Scandal in Bohemia” in The Complete Sherlock
Holmes [New York: Doubleday, 1927]
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE
STUDY TO BILLY GRAHAM
Billy Graham was once asked…
“If you had to live your life over again, what
would you do differently?”
Graham replied…
“One of my great regrets is that I have not
studied enough. I wish I had studied more
and preached less. People have pressured
me into speaking to groups, when I should
have been studying and preparing.”
THE REAL BIBLE CODE
THE ART OF BIBLICAL “CRYPTOGRAPHY”
I) INTRODUCTION - Discovering the Priceless Treasures
II) CONTEXT - Text before & after the text
III) CONVERSATION - Pray,meditate,trust Teacher the Spirit
A) CROSS-EXAMINE - Interrogate with 5W’s & H
B) CRUCIAL - Keys Words/Phrases  Use to Make Lists
IV) CONNECTIVES - Words that link &/or amplify meaning
A) CONTRASTS - “But” >4000 times in the Bible
B) CONCLUSION TERMS - Therefore, for, because
C) COMPARISONS - “Picture talk” - Simile, Metaphor
V) CHRONOLOGY - When, then, after, until
READ WITH AN EXPECTANT
PRAYERFUL ATTITUDE
Ps 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wonderful things from Thy law.
When we open our Bible
we should ask the Author to open our heart.
Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, that I
may observe Thy law, and keep it with all
my heart.
HOW TO BLUNT YOUR APPETITE
& STUNT YOUR GROWTH
1Peter 2:1 Therefore, putting aside all malice
and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all
slander, 2 like newborn babes, long for the
pure milk of the word, that by it you may
grow in respect to salvation
Unconfessed sin in our life
will blunt our appetite
for the pure milk of God’s Word
and stunt our spiritual growth!
CONTEXT
THE TEXT
BEFORE & AFTER
THE TEXT
CONTEXT UNVEILED
environment in which something
• Context is the _____________
lives
______
before and ______
after
• Context is the text that comes ______
the Biblical text we are studying.
• Any time we break into the middle of a passage, we
context
always need to examine its _________.
king in the realm
• Always remember that context is ____
of Biblical interpretation.
• A Biblical text taken out of context can be a
pretext (= an excuse given to hide
dangerous _______
real reason for doing something).
cult is built upon a violation of this
• Every major _____
basic principle of interpreting Scripture in context.
CONTEXT
CONTEXTUS REX
CONTEXT IS KING
IN THE REALM OF
INTERPRETATION
HOW CULTS BEGIN -TAKING SCRIPTURE
OUT OF CONTEXT
Colossians 1:15 And He (Christ) is the image of the invisible
God, the first-born of all creation.
Connective by Him all things were
Colossians 1:16 For (__________)
created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created by Him and for Him.
SO WHAT?
Jehovah's Witnesses interpretation = Jesus "was God's first
creation, and so he is called the "firstborn" Son of God.
(Colossians 1:15) Jesus is the only Son that God created by
himself.” (Their Official Website)
HOW TO HAVE A
CONVERSATION with GOD
interrogative mindset.
Cultivate an _________
5 W’S & H
5 W’S & H
Never read a passage without asking at least one 5W/H question!
Who is speaking? Who are the recipients?
What is repeated? What is happening?
Where is this taking place?
Why is this mentioned now?
When does (or will) this take place?
How is the truth illustrated?
What do I learn about God?
WHY IS AN INTERACTIVE
MINDSET FOUNDATIONAL?
Study at UT Austin concluded that we recall…
1) 10% Of what we read
2) 20% Of what we hear
3) 30% Of what we see demonstrated
4) 50% Combining #2 and #3
5) 70% Combine #4 with writing what you learn
6) 90% All of the above + practice
The more we interact with Scripture especially by
practicing interrogating the text with the 5W’s & H, the
greater will be our retention and understanding of the text.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
PRACTICE INTERROGATING GOD’S
WORD with 5W/H QUESTIONS
• John 7:1 After these things Jesus was
walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to
walk in Judea because the Jews were
seeking to kill Him.
• Who? Jesus Focus On The Obvious: FOTO=people, places, events
• When?After these things -Time Phrase Ask: What time is it?
• What? What are “these things”? - Check Context
• Where? Walking in Galilee (not Judea) - Check a Map
• Why? Unwilling to walk in Judea - For explains purpose
• Why not Judea? Jews seeking to kill Him
SIT AT HIS FEET AND INTERACT
WITH THE WORD OF LIFE
2Timothy 1:10-12 but now has been revealed by the
appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished
death and brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel,11 for which I was appointed a preacher and
an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also
suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know
whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is
able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that
day.
PAUSE A MOMENT TO INTERROGATE WITH AS MANY
5W&H QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN MUSTER!
E.g., What is Paul contrasting? When is “now”? What did Jesus’ appearance
accomplish? What’s is the gospel? Why does Paul suffer? What “things” does
he suffer? Why is he not ashamed? Who does he know? What does he know
about Him? How is he able to endure suffering-what truth stabilizes him?
CONTEXT:
KEY WORDS/PHRASES
• Like keys, these help “unlock”
_______ the __________
meaning
of a
passage, paragraph, chapter or book.
repetition but not always
• Usually identified by __________
understanding the passage &
• Key Words are vital to ______________
cannot be removed w/o affecting meaning
synonyms closely related phrases
• May include pronouns, __________,
judgment
judging
(eg, judge, ___________,
________.)
always key .
• God, Jesus, Spirit – ________
&H
• Remember to ask the 5W’s
________for
each key word or phrase
• Mark key words in a distinctive way – using symbols, color,
make them easily to remember.
ILLUSTRATION OF
A KEY WORD
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
What is the key word?
John1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt
among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of
the only begotten from the Father, full of grace
and truth.
These are the only 2 occurrences
of “Word” in John chapter 1.
DO YOU HAVE EARS TO HEAR &
A HEART TO WELCOME THE WORD?
James 1:21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness* and all
that remains of wickedness, in humility receive** the
Word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But
prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely
hearers who delude themselves.First: Interrogate the text
What is “therefore” there for? What must we do before we
read the Word of God (our responsibility)? What must be
the attitude of our heart? Why humility? What’s the
opposite? How does James picture the Word? What is
the effect of the Word? What is the clear contrast in v22?
*Filthiness: Greek = rhuparia fr rhupos = wax in the ears.
Wax in the ears, makes a man “hard of hearing”.
Unconfessed sin in one’s heart can make a man
spiritually deaf to God’s Word!
**Receive = Put out the “Welcome Mat” for God’s Word!
“CLEAN OUT THE WAX” OF SIN FROM YOUR EARS
IN ORDER TO HEAR THE SPIRIT'S TEACHING!
THEN -- “JUST DO IT!” -- ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT
CONNECTIVE:
CONTRASTS
Connective = in Grammar any word that connects phrases, clauses, etc
Contrasts indicate a change of direction in a passage, paragraph, book.
Contrasts depict things that are unlike or dissimilar – but, yet, etc
But is one of the most important words you’ll ever come across in your
study of Scripture. Whenever you see it, always stop and ask, what is the
contrast being made? (Howard Hendricks)
What should the word but encourage you to do?
Observe preceding text noting what “change of direction” author is taking
What 5W/H questions can you often ask when you see but? what, when, etc
This exercise will help establish the context.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly states…
“You have heard that it was said … but I say to you” (Matthew 5).
THE CLARIFYING
EFFECT OF CONTRASTS
Eph 2:1 You were dead in your trespasses & sins…4
sins… BUT God being
rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us
1Samuel 11:1 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings
go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and
all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged
Rabbah. BUT David stayed at Jerusalem.
Ro 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, BUT be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of
God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Note that in each of the preceding passages a “change of
direction” is associated with significant change in outcome! In
the first 2 examples you must examine the context in order to
discern the specific consequences, while in the third passage,
the consequence is apparent.
INTERROGATE A FEW
MORE CONTRASTS
Job 42:5 "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, BUT NOW my eye
sees Thee. 6 Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.“
Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, BUT NOW I keep Thy word.
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision,"
which is performed in the flesh by human hands--12 remember that you were
at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God
in the world.13 BUT NOW in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have
been brought near by the blood of Christ.
1Peter 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, BUT NOW you are THE
PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have
RECEIVED MERCY.
1Peter 2:25 For you were continually straying like sheep, BUT NOW you have
returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
DON’T FORGET THE LITTLE
CONNECTIVE WORD“AND”
AND is can be just as crucial & clarifying as “but, etc”
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; AND He will give
you the desires of your heart
John 15:4 Abide in Me,
Me AND I in you
James 4:8 Draw near to God AND He will draw near to
you
CONNECTIVES:
TERMS OF CONCLUSION
Always be alert for these important connecting words for they will
introduce an explanation or a conclusion and beg questions like
“Why is therefore, there for?”, “What is the author explaining?”, etc
FOR
BECAUSE
THEREFORE
SO THAT
FOR THIS REASON
CONNECTIVES:
CONCLUSION TERMS
Romans is full of therefores, as Paul
works his way through a tightly
structured argument.
The Old Testament prophets use
therefore extensively. Over and over
they state their case against the people,
and then cry, "Therefore, thus says the
Lord."
PRACTICE INTERROGATING THE
TEXT & CHECKING THE CONTEXT
Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures
Before you click the next point, pause and interrogate this text
with the 5W’s & H questions…What is the “time sensitive”
word?
When is “then”? What has transpired? Who is “He”? Who is He
speaking to? What do the Scriptures refer to? What does Jesus
teach regarding how we can (or cannot) understand the
Scriptures?
.
Luke 24:44 Now He said to them (must check context), "These are
My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all
things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the
Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
LOOK FOR EXPRESSIONS OF TIME
Look for words like "then", "after this", "until", "when", "soon", "now"
Expressions of time identify timing or sequence of events
Of the "5W's & H" questions, time expressions answer "When?“
Mark significant time phrases in your margin with circle or clock face
Observe what you learn "When" something occurs
Ps 73:15 Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.
THE COW
OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATION
FROM A 10 YEAR OLD STUDENT
The cow is a mammal. It has six sides. Right, left, an upper and below. At the
back it has a tail on which hangs a brush. With this it sends the flies away so
that they do not fall into the milk. The head is for the purpose of growing horns
and so that the mouth can be somewhere. The horns are to butt with and the
mouth is to moo with. Under the cow hangs the milk. It is arranged for milking.
When people milk the milk comes and there is never an end to the supply. How
the cow does it I have not yet realized. But it makes more and more. The man
cow is called an ox. It is not a mammal. The cow does not each much, but
what it eats, it eats twice so that it gets enough. When it is hungry it moos, and
when it says nothing it is because its inside is all filled up with grass.