Hermeneutics – Observation (week 1)
Equip – February 2010
R. Watson
Game/Table Mixer/Illustration
Puzzles (some are two puzzles combined, some have missing pieces, only one or two have the box with the
picture)
Compare to the Bible:
Its tough to piece together out of context
The more you work with it the more it begins to make sense
Sometimes there are missing pieces but you still know what the bigger picture is
Sometimes we try to use verses to explain something that are part of a completely different thing
So how do we decode this thing? How do we make sense of this complex but vitally important document?
Over the years people have misused this thing to lead people astray, cause wars, kill, steal, profit, guilt,
manipulate, and lose faith in God.
So how can we learn to use it properly? How can we tap in to the riches of wisdom, guidance, knowledge, and
direction found inside the pages of this book?
The next 3 weeks we are going to get very simple, and very practical on how to make this thing come alive in
our lives.
There are 3 steps to studying the Bible:
1. Observation
2. Interpretation
3. Application
Observation –
Context is key.
What does the following statement mean?
“Flying planes can be dangerous”
What if King Kong is talking. What if Charles Limburg is?
To understand the verses you must understand the setting for the verse. Often times single verses are quoted out
of context as meaning something different than what was in the context. The Bible can only mean what it has
always meant. We may understand it on a deeper level as history plays out but the meaning never changes.
How do we observe? Things to ask or look for…
1. Key Terms
2. Structure (subject, object, verbs, etc.)
3. Literary Form
Exposition: straightforward argument or explanation of a body of objective truth.
Narrative and Biography: stories
Parables: brief tale that illustrates a moral principle (fiction)
Poetry: distinctive appeal to emotions and imagination
The proverbs and wisdom literature: sharing insights to a teachable crowd
Prophecy and apocalyptic: proclaim the truth (forth-telling, not foretelling
4. Atmosphere - setting
Verses for tables
John 3:16
1 John 4:19
Matthew 22:37-38
Matthew 28:19
Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
2 Corinthians 5:7
2 Corinthians 6:14
Galatians 5:22-23
Philippians 4:4
1 Timothy 6:10
2 Timothy 3:16
Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 11:6
James 2:17
Revelation 3:20
Hermeneutics – Week 2
Interpretation
G. Suiter
Who remembers what we talked about last week?
“H” Word – Hermeneutics – Simply means the study of ancient writings.
You know, we always tell you guys, “You really need to be reading and studying your Bible.”
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
We realize that that’s much easier said than done. So we wanted to share with you a very basic but good way to
study the Bible. There are many different methods… some of them quite complicated… sometimes
unnecessarily complicated.
This way is so simple… but so SO good for really getting to the heart. We call it the O-I-A method. We
covered the “O” portion last week. Who remembers what “O” stands for?
Observation
And what are some of the principles of Observation?
Context – Author – Recipient – Literary Style – Etc.
Does anyone remember what the step of to O-I-A method is called?
Interpretation
This is the most important step of the process… and the most difficult.
Important because it determines EVERYTHING. Whether or not we correctly interpret God’s Words
determines how we live, how we worship, how/ if we serve, how/ if we pray… how we view life and the rest of
the world.
Think about it. WARS have been fought – people have been murdered – we’ve seen genocide, slavery and
oppression – we’ve seen racism and sexism – we’ve seen families torn apart and churches split and die – all
because people have failed to correctly interpret the Bible.
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good,
but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no
need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:14, 15).
In other words, do not be an idiot and use the Bible for your own arrogant and selfish arguments. Take it
seriously and handle it carefully.
And like I said, it’s important… but it’s difficult. So we’re going to give you some pointers and some tools for
interpreting God’s Word.
Notes on Interpretation:
-
There is only ONE TRUE interpretation of Scripture.
 God’s Truth does not change. What was true yesterday will be true tomorrow.
-
Interpretation is not subjective.
 “It means this to me.”
-
Interpretation is based on Observation and determines
 What we learn influences how we respond.
-
The best tool for interpreting Scripture is Scripture.
 We believe that Bible is inerrant. It will not contradict itself.
Application
Questions to ask for good interpretation:
What did the original readers/ hearers understand this to mean? (Context)
What does this tell me about God?
What does this tell me about humanity?
What does this tell me about how life works/ should work?
What does this tell me about myself –
Who I am, and who I should be?
Interpret the following verses
Matthew 5:29
Ephesians 2:8
James 2:20 (fruit not root)
Interpretation Hazards to avoid:
-
Misreading the text: adding/ subtracting words and meanings.
-
Distorting the text: taking words out of context.
-
Subjectivism of the text: making the text mean what you want it to mean.
-
Relativism of the text: claiming the original interpretation is outdated.
-
Arrogance: Assuming you are an authority on the Bible.
-
Blasphemy: Assuming you are an authority over the Bible.
Hermeneutics – Week 3 Application
Observation – Interpretation – Application
R.Watson
February 28th, 2010
Table Discussion:
Why does the world call Christians hypocrites?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
James 1:19-25
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the
anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant
wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
19
22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the
word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at
himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law,
the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his
doing.
Lets be honest – most of us in this room don’t know what is in this book. Some of us know a lot of information
in this book but that is all it is to us… information. And there are a few who seek the truth in this book to
transform their lives.
For those who are clueless on this thing we gave you some great tools for learning. Observation. Observation
tools are critical for understanding this book. For thousands of years people have been counting on other people
to tell them what this book says and it has led to the inquisition, church corruption, Mormonism, Jehovah’s
Witnesses, legalism, and hedonism. Interpretation is based on observation.
For the rest of us we know a lot of the information and with more background/observation we will know even
more. But that is the most dangerous place to be.
True faith is active faith. How can you trust that Jesus is the all powerful Creator sent to earth and murdered for
your sin in hopes that you might acknowledge him and be saved and not be changed by that?
The world calls Christians hypocrites because we often stop at information. We collect knowledge, we call it
truth, but we don’t let it change us. So either we are being idiots or its not truth.
What if I told you I had the cure for cancer right here what would you say? What if I never did anything with
it? Either this isn’t actually what I claimed it is, or I’m an idiot.
What if I told you this book has the answers to the greatest questions every person asks? What if I told you this
book carried the answers to sin, sorrow, and death. In this book is how to conquer death. It is the holy grail, the
fountain of youth, the greatest and only everlasting hope in a dark and dying world. What if I never did
anything with it? Either this isn’t actually what I claimed it is, or I’m an idiot.
Application.
The 3rd and final step in studying the Bible is the most vital and most forgotten step. It is applying what we
learn through the process of observing and interpreting.
Here are some questions to bombard the application step and find a practical next step…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Is there an example for me to follow?
Is there a sin to avoid?
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there a prayer to repeat?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there a condition to meet? (Many promises have conditions)
Is there a verse to memorize?
Is there an error to mark?
Is there a challenge to face?
The following is a recap of the book “Living by the Book” outlined by Cody Gustafson, a high school senior:
Living by the Book
by
Howard Hendricks and William Hendricks
Why People don’t study the Bible:
 Truths in the Bible are de-emphasized or ignored.
 “Folk religion”- popular belief based on misperceptions, misinterpretations, stereotypes, sentimentality, and
wishful thinking. None of these are Christianity.
 The only way to experience authentic Christianity is through 1st hand acquaintance with the Word.
 We can’t just be taught; we need to dive in ourselves.
 Reason we don’t study the Bible:
o Relevance: Bible is archaic (out of date)
o Technique: confused by inability to understand
o “I’m just a layperson”: the “I can’t study the Bible without training” type of mentality/belief
o Priorities: lower on the list or time is short
o Reliability/Authority: hard to believe
o Boring: isn’t important/applicable to life
Why Study the Bible:
 3 Essentials to reading the Bible:
o Essential to growth. 1 Peter 2:2
 Attitude to grab bottle of milk to sustain life.
 Appetite to crave (what we get out of it). There are 3 types:
 Nasty medicine (scripture is yuck!) but good for what ails you.
 Shredded wheat (scripture is nourishing, but dry).
 Strawberries and cream (can’t get enough of it!)
 Grow to Christ’s image.
o Essential to spiritual maturity. Hebrews 5:11-14
 Maturity comes through constant use of scripture over time.
 Not measured by how much that’s understood, but used
o Bible Study is essential to spiritual effectiveness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
 Jesus was effective against temptation (Matt 4:1-11) by using scripture
 Scripture is useful for 4 things:
 Doctrine (teaching): structures your thinking for structuring behavior.
 Rebuke (our wrongs): tells us what God wants for us.
 Correction (purifier): helps clean out sin and conform to God.
 Training in righteous living: gives positive guidelines.
 The Bible is a Unit that’s bound together with mankind.
 Revelation means “reveal” or “unveil.” Whatever is behind it is truth that cannot be speculated, conjectured, or
hypothesized.
 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that the Word of God is “inspired” which means “God-breathed.” The word “breath” also
means “Spirit” (links Holy Spirit into revealing truth to Authors).
 The Bible must either be 100% true or 100% false — no middle ground.
How this book can help:
 First, don’t jump into the deep end; take things slow and then accelerate.
 Advantages to learning Hermeneutics:
o You will find a simple and effective method out of Hermeneutics for application.
o You will gain valuable self-confidence in your ability to handle scripture.
o You will experience the joy of personal discovery.
o You will deepen your relationship with God.
 Costs:
o Scripture doesn’t yield fruit to the uncommitted. The greater the investment makes for a greater reward.
Do we want to know God intimately? Psalm 1:2 “Delight in His Word” and make it a central focus of our
minds day and night to receive God’s blessing. God honors diligence for desiring to know Him.
o It was written not to be studied, but to be applied. We should be after life change. Spiritual Growth is a
commitment to change. Romans 8:29 – Conform to Christ = change. Allow God into your character and
conduct by His Truth.
 Set goals and intended outcomes of these goals (acknowledge ALL motives)
Example: healing relationships—attitudes change/reinforced; habits established or broken (make personal
list).
 Adjust expectations appropriately (be realistic). Don’t overwhelm yourself, but don’t underestimate yourself.
Bible study is not speed, but direction.
 Getting a study Bible is worth the investment. Don’t become a “One-Testament” Christian by just having the New
Testament.
An overview of the process:
 Changing your life by diving into scripture (process).
o Observation: What do I see? What are the facts? Assume the role of a Biblical detective.
o Interpretation: What does it mean? (Quest for meaning)
 (Bible study can’t start out with interpretation; knowledge and sight is necessary to understand)
o Application: How does it work? How is it relevant?
 In observation, look for 4 things:
o Terms: not just a word, but a key word (unlocks meaning). Basic building blocks which construct
meaning. Example: Believe in John 3:16 (used 79 times in Gospel of John)
o Structure:
 1) Grammatical structure: What is the subject of the sentence? What is the object? What is the
main verb?
 2) Literary structure: There are questions and answers. There is a climax and resolution. There’s a
cause and effect.
o Literary form: genre (don’t ever treat 2 or more books of the Bible the same). In order to grasp the
message you must understand the rules and the genre.
o Atmosphere: pick up settings and feelings from Biblical text.
Example: Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always!”… Where was Paul? Prison! Transport senses into
passage. Involve yourself into the passage. Exercise the imagination.
 In interpretation (what’s the meaning) 3 things will help:
o Questions: bombard with questions (each passage). Determine if they can be answered.
o Answers: look for the answers in the text. The answers come from the building blocks of observation.
Remember—more time in observations: less time in interpretation. Less time in observation: more time in
interpretation.
o Integration: put questions and answers together. (Stage where you reconstruct the meaning of the passage
after disassembly to inspect details)
 Habits (good): read a passage, record notes/questions, reflect by meditating on its meaning and asking questions
for application to life.
 Application questions:
o How does it work for me? (Application [personal]) Avoid hypocrisy if you don’t have this verse/passage
applied.
o How does it work for others? (Empathy is needed)
The value of observation:
 Furthermore on observation: the basis for understanding/awareness of the Bible comes from observing.
o We overlook the importance and benefit of observation everyday. Many times we see but don’t observe.
o
Start with a verse: Acts 1:8

Find purpose of book, author, person/reason/people group directed to, time period, language, similar to any other
Books
 This verse is in a conversation (find purpose of specific details like these)
 Watch for cause-effect situations, order of events matter
 Define terms to clarify scripture
 Relate the verse to the Book as a whole
You must learn to read:
 Our culture has, in the last century, made a radical shift from a word-based society of readers to an image-based
society of viewers.
 Recommended books for superior reading: How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler & How to Read Better and
Faster by Norman Lewis.
 Learn to read as for the 1st time:
o Never approach a scripture saying, “Oh, I know the one…”
o Always approach as if never seen. (Discipline to the Word)
o Change versions of the Bible periodically to avoid the “I already know that.” (Gives us new eyes)
 Read the Bible as a Love letter:
o Come to the Word with desire, not dread
o If we came to the Word with zeal we would be a race of spiritual giants!
Ten Strategies to First-Rate Reading
1) Read Thoughtfully:
 Biblical Detective: assume there is one answer, but many possible ways it could have started.
 Read the Bible Thoughtfully: study it with your thinking cap on. The Bible can’t yield its fruit to the lazy.
o Search deep under for the precious resources of God’s Word, not on the surface.
2) Read Repeatedly:
 Read entire books at one sitting:
o People miss a sense of unity without this action
 Start at the beginning of a book:
o We don’t start a novel at any other chapter, but number 1


Read the Bible in different translations:
o Keeps the experience alive and you will be able to notice new things.
Listen to recordings of scripture:
o Change experience from visual to aural. This is original way scripture was (spoken before written)
o Hearing is a far more involving experience than reading
Read the Bible out loud:
o Reading out loud forces concentration on every word
 Set up a schedule for the Bible reading:
o Set up a schedule for Bible reading:
 Builds structure and motive. It is very useful
3) Read the Bible Patiently:
 Read the Bible patiently: expectations of instant gratification without effort are ridiculous.
o Fruit of the Word takes time to ripen:
 Look for enlightenment, not just entertainment
 Don’t jump to secondary sources (commentary) without the scriptures infatuated in your mind
o Develop stamina for Bible scripture; don’t just sprint-then-quit:
 Focus on a certain amount of scripture and dedicate time to it
o Look for the flow, purpose, material, and progression:
 Find key topics/ideas in scripture and then jump back to flow/purpose/material/progression to
grasp concept deeper (zoom in then zoom out)
o Be patient with yourself:
 Know what it takes to go the distance: effort and pace
 Give it time and relax: God’s Truth resides in the Bible
4) Read Selectively: catching important information
 Who are the people in the text?
o What’s said about the people? (Make note of their description)
o What do they say? (Purpose of scripture)
 What is happening in the text? (Or what is the conflict?)
o What is trying to be portrayed?
 Where is this taking place? (People, place to/from, where’s the writer/reader?)
o Good to have a map to capture and remember scripture
o Don’t assume any geographic standpoints
 When did the events take place according to scripture?
o When did the author write this?
 Why? (There are infinite)
o Find meaning
 Wherefore? (What difference can the truth do for me?)
o Gets us started doing something about our studying
o Keep change in focus, not satisfaction
5) Read Prayerfully: integrate prayer and Bible study
 Pray before, during, and after your reading of scripture:
o God can give us insight
 Prayer:
o Don’t imitate others (Don’t pray identically)
o Prayer is meant to be for God, not others
o Don’t pray identically or repetitive; make it from the heart
o Children and new believers say that best prayers because of their focus on God instead of their surroundings
o Don’t be a “white-washed” tomb
o God is moved by our heart, not our lips
 Turn scripture into prayer:
o Claim God’s promises in prayer
o Fill your mind with who is being addressed (God)
o Acknowledge God’s Holiness and our unworthiness
o Examples: Psalm 23, Isaiah 40: 28-31, Philippians 4:8-9
6) Read Imaginatively:
 Stay mentally motivated (spice things up)
 Use different translations and paraphrases
o Stimulates imagination (different versions)
 Rewrite the text in your own paraphrase



Read a translation of the Bible in a different language
Have someone read it out loud
o Have different people speak to clothe scripture effectively
 Explore different settings (places) to study the Word
o See the Word in a different point of view
7) Read the Bible Meditatively: reflect on it
 Close the connection between meditating on God’s Word and acting on it
 You become what you meditate on (Proverbs 23:7)
 Intelligence is irrelevant; diligence is significant
 Use spare time to meditate
8) Read the Bible Purposefully
 Looks for the aim of the author (no accidental occurrences) and discerns
 Find purpose through grammatical structure:
o Verbs: critical (watch for intended meanings)
o Subject and object: subject (acting) and object (acted upon)
o Modifiers: descriptive words such as adj’s and adv’s. Their purpose is to enlarge the word they modify
o Prepositional: tells us where action is taking place (in, on, upon)
o Connectives: and & but & therefore
 Find purpose through literary structure:
o Biographical: builds on key persons
o Geographical: here is the key place
o Historical: key events are basis of this
o Chronological: organization occurs around key times
o Ideological: based around theme and purpose. Find center: find theme and purpose.
9) Read the Bible Acquisitively: not only to receive, but to retain
 Make sure not just to hear or read, but to see and do (retaining these passages will be prevalent more when acted
upon)
 Do things to retain the information: don’t just study; experience
o Things like this should be making an act/presentation
 Do whatever it takes to retain it (the Word)
10) Read the Bible Telescopically: view parts of scripture in light of the whole
 Scripture isn’t just pieces of scrap metal, but integrated moving parts
o The whole of it is greater than the sum of it
 Don’t break it down without building it back together
o Understanding scripture: ½ breakdown, ½ build up
 When breaking down, look for:
o Connectives (and, but, therefore) help us pay attention to the whole
o Context (consult neighbors of verse/passage) demands wide-angles
o Evaluation (looks at purpose of passage in the book and books purpose)
o Historical context (leads relevance to otherwise insignificant details)
Work with a paragraph: Nehemiah 1:1-11a
Six Things To Look For
1) Things that are emphasized: Ideas, events, people, and other material.
 Amount of space: dedication to certain topics and how much there is.
o How much space is given to this subject?
o What is the writer emphasizing?
 Stated purpose: remark stated by author for direct focus on purpose.
 Order: strategic placement yields major insight into text.
 Movement from the lesser to the greater: building up to the climax or falling to the resolution.
2) Things that are repeated:
 We remember things when constantly acknowledged
 Terms, phrases, and clauses
 Characters: people who reappear
 Incidents and circumstances
 Patterns (scriptural comparisons and repetitions)
 New Testament passages of Old Testament scripture
 If something is repeated, make not of it
3) Things that are related: some connection
 Movement from general to specific: relationship between whole and parts
 Questions and answers: in scripture, questions are raised, then answered
 Cause and Effect: Starts ignition that causes explosion
4) Things that are alike and things that are unalike
 Similes: like or as (comparison)
 Metaphors: without using like or as, there’s a comparison.
 Things unlike: anomalies are attractive
 Use of but: change of direction is in the process (also, find contrast)
 Unlike metaphors: find opposites in comparisons to understand
 Irony: comparison that shows significance from a contrast of the norm.
5) Things that are true to life: authenticity. What does this passage tell us about reality? What aspects of the text resonate
with your experience?
 Fit in the shoes of the character. Look for their ambitions, goals, problems, feelings, and responses. Then compare
to what would happen if you were in their shoes.
 Recognize the personalities from text and their relationships to sin as well as God.
6) Start with and Overview
 Look for climactic positioning in scripture
 Grid chart
Mark 4:35 – 5:42
Miracle
Realm
People
Means
Results
Faith
Stilling of the
Physical
Advanced
Speaks
Great calm
No faith, only
storm
fisherman that
fear
were the
disciples
Demonic man
Mental
Jesus, man,
Speaks
Normalcy
Recognition and
(cast to swine)
people in town
(sitting, clothed,
desire to follow
in his right mind)
Woman with the Physical,
Jesus, woman,
Touch
Immediate
Her faith healed
hemorrhage
emotional
disciples
healing
her
Jairus’ daughter
Physical,
Jesus, Jarius,
Touch and
Stands, walks,
Great faith
raised
emotional,
daughter,
speaks
and eats
spiritual
disciples,
mourners
 How to study a section
o Read it all once or more
o Identify paragraphs and briefly summarize them with a title
o Evaluate paragraphs in light of other paragraphs
o How does the section as a whole relate to the book?
o Identify main point of section
o Record observations on notes or in the Bible
o Study people and places mentioned and relevance to section
o List questions about scripture
o Relevance to life (apply and challenge to lifestyle)
o Share results of study
Summarize your observations:
 The value of a chart:
o Navigates us
o Helps us visually perceive the entirety (relation of verses, paragraphs, sections, books)
o More memorable (provides landmarks)
 Making a chart:
o During reading, assign titles/labels to content to summarize
o What are the relationships? What am I trying to display? What’s this about? When finished, how will I
use it?
o Keep it simple—trim away the clutter to concentrate on foundation
o If too much information is prevalent, chop it into many charts
o Be creative
o Revise your charts in light of study
o Charts are a means to the end, but NOT THE END
Facts are stupid things until…
 Facts are useless until they’re connected with some general law
 It’s impossible to apply the Word until you understand it (Psalm 119:34)
 Do you understand what you are reading?
The value of interpretation:
 What do we mean by interpretation?
o There is only one true interpretation of scripture
o Meaning should never be subjective (based off of reaction to text)
o “Meaning” is not our subjective thoughts read into the text but God’s objective truth read out of the text
o Interpretation is the re-creation of the scripture: stand in authors shoes, think like them, feel like them,
etc.
o Ask this: What did this mean to him? They afterwards ask: what did this mean to us?
 The construction of meaning
o Observation excavates the land while interpretation erects a structure
o Quality of observation determines quality of interpretation
 Why interpret? Because time and distance have thrown up barriers between us and the Biblical text.
 Barriers in our way of Biblical text:
o Language: need to learn culture, mindset, worldview, etc of this language
o Culture: the Bible’s culture is different from ours. We need to study:
 Cultural context in the areas of communication, transportation, trade, agriculture, occupations,
religions, perceptions of time, etc.
o Literary: understanding genre and perspective differently
o Communication: knowing both points of view (our thoughts)
 We will never be able to explain/understand everything, for we are finite. How could we ever understand an
infinite Being? Take what is edible and leave what is impossible to understand up to God through faith.
Handle with care!
 Hazards to avoid:
o Misreading the text: adding words, subtracting the Word, or ignoring the Word
o Distorting: making scripture say something it never was intended to say
o Contradicting: using scripture to lessen God’s Word, deity, promises, etc.
o Subjectivism: meaning of scripture is in our subjective response
o Relativism: meant one thing during Bible era, but differently today
o Overconfidence: assumption of being a master at the text (1 Corinthians 8:1)
o The right to disagree: we have to understand that there is only 1 interpretation and that the disagreement is
in our understanding. (2 Timothy 2:15)
What type of literature is this?
 Determine intention of the Word and how it was meant to be used.
 Biblical Genres: style that encompasses each section of the Word
o Exposition: straightforward argument or explanation of a body of objective truth.
 Move from point to point in logical increments
 Good for 1st time readers. The meaning is at the surface
o Narrative and Biography: stories
 Find meaning through change/progression in the story and plot
 Characterization is important. Identify people and their situations
 In what ways is the story true to life?
o Parables: brief tale that illustrates a moral principle (fiction)
 Bypass peoples securities and apply to their imaginations (then heart)
o
Poetry: distinctive appeal to emotions and imagination
 Look for parallelism: 2 lined reinforcement, extension, or oppositional thought (alternative)
 Hyperbole: extreme/exaggerated language to convey a meaning

Who composed the material? Why? What’s the central theme? What emotions are involved?
What response does it produce? Does it question? If so, what is answered/unanswered? What
does it say about God? About people? Are there any references?
o The proverbs and wisdom literature: sharing insights to a teachable crowd
 Feast for the soul
o Prophecy and apocalyptic: proclaim the truth (forth-telling, not foretelling)
 Re-create situation to understand purpose (who, what, when, where, why, wherefore)
 Why is this book/passage included in God’s Word?
5 Keys to interpretation
1) Content: direct cause-effect relationship between content and meaning
 Consists of terms, structures, literary form, and atmosphere
 Who, what, when, where, why, wherefore? (asked)
 Looked for things emphasized, repeated, related, alike, unlike, and true to life
2) Context: that which goes before and after
 Taking out of context: ripping a verse from its desired purpose and placing it in an inappropriate scenario
 Several kinds of context:
o Literary context: words before and after the verse/paragraph/chapter/book
o Historical context: social, political, and technological advances
o Cultural context: ancient culture information brings insight
o Geographic context: where it happened and what it was like? Etc.
o Theological context: what was known about God by the author? Author’s relationship with God? How
much scripture did the writer and his audiences have access to? What other religions were prevalent?
3) Comparison: compare scripture with scripture (best insurance against distortion)
 The more we compare scripture with scripture, the more meaning is apparent.
 Remember: the Holy Spirit is the Author of it all (it’s integrated)
 Concordance: allows you to chase terms and concepts from one text to another
4) Culture:
 Bible must be seen in the right background with the right lighting to capture its meaning. Factors that led to the
writing of the passage, the influences the culture had on the text, and what happened as a result of the message.
 Don’t read from our cultural point of view
5) Consultation: the use of secondary resources that shed light onto text
 Always use text 1st, then secondary sources:
o Concordance: index of the Bible. Very essential and valuable
o Bible dictionaries: provide valuable information on subjects in text
o Bible handbooks: encyclopedia
o Atlases: fills in info of places in scripture (Macmillan Bible Atlas)
o Bible commentaries: offers insights from scriptural scholars
 Meant to evaluate a study; not to be the study source
 Getting a general commentary is helpful
 Beware of dependence on these resources. Be dependent only on the Word!
Coming to terms:
 Terms: word or phrase that an author uses to make his point
o Concordance looks up all words in Biblical text
 Great for word studies (exhaustive concordance)
o Bible dictionary looks at original language
o You have to come to terms with the author to understand the scriptures
Figuring out the figurative: determining if something is literal or beyond common sense
 Rules to help us govern expressions either literally or figuratively:
o Use the literal sense unless there’s a good reason not to.
o Use the figurative sense when the passage tells you to do so.
o Use the figurative sense if a literal meaning is impossible or absurd.
o Use the figurative sense if the literal meaning would involve immorality
o Use the figurative sense if the expression is an obvious figure of speech
o Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the context and scope of passage
o

Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the general character and style of the
book.
o Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the plan and purpose of the author.
o Use figurative sense if literal interpretation involves a contradiction of other scripture
o Use figurative sense if literal interpretation would involve a contradiction to doctrine (1 Corinthians 3:1617)
Figures of speech:
o Anthropomorphism: attribution of human features/actions to God. (Isaiah 59:1)
o Apostrophe: addressing a things as if it were a person, or an absent, or imagery as if the person were
present. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
o Euphemism: use of a less offensive expression to indicate a more offensive one. (Galatians 5:12)
o Hyperbole: exaggeration to say more than is literally meant. (2 Corinthians 11:8)
o Hypocatastasis: a comparison which likeness is implied rather than stated directly. (Luke 12:1)
o Idiom: expression peculiar to a particular people. (Judges 15:1)
o Merism: substitution of the two contrasting or opposite parts for the whole (Psalm 139:2)
o Metaphor: comparison in which 1 thing represents another (Matthew 5:14)
o Paradox: statement seeming absurd, self-contradictory, or contrary to logical though. (Matthew 16:25)
o Personification: ascribing human characteristics to things beside humans. (Isaiah 24:23)
o Rhetorical Question: question requiring no response, yet forces one to mentally respond and consider its
ramifications. (Psalm 56:11)
o Simile: comparison using like or as (Psalm 1:3)
[EXAMPLE CONTINUED]
Putting it all together:
Don’t stop now!
 The Word bears fruit not when understood, but applied. (James 1:21)
 Application is the most neglected, but most needed step in Bible study
The critical step of application:
 Make the Truth attractive: attractive truth is applied truth
 5 substitutes for application:
o Substitute interpretation for application: to know and not do is to not know at all. Knowledge needs to
create responsibility. The moment we know God’s Word, it’s our responsibility. Don’t be a Pharisee.
Application test: Matthew 5:20. In this excerpt, the righteousness portrayed was external. Knowledge
without obedience is sin. (James 4:17)
o We substitute superficial obedience for substantial life-change: applying Biblical truth to areas that
already “qualify” but remain oblivious to the areas that don’t (or ignore). We usually pat ourselves on the
back in praise of completion, but we don’t meditate in hopes to repent and apply daily.
o We substitute rationalization for repentance: when spiritual change becomes a possibility, sometimes our
defenses are raised (in the stance of sin to repentance). We attempt to justify ourselves instead of
repenting. Dishonoring God is always dishonoring God—period.
o We substitute an emotional experience for a volitional decision: we feel as if we can get emotional, and
then live our lives like nothing took place. No change is incorporated. The Truth is revealing; our decision
is penetrating.
o We talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk: if we speak/know a point of scripture we cause others to believe
that we’ve got that Biblical truth, but God isn’t fooled. He sees our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7, Hebrews 4:13).
If we let it, God’s Word will cut you to the quick; that’s what we need.

Every time we read the Word of God and are not changed by it, it is as if we are looking in a mirror and realizing
that you are a mess, but walk away and do nothing… if only we put our desire in other means of application.
 The alternative: the one who acts upon the Word will be blessed. (James 1:25)
Truth that transforms:
 The mirror of God’s Word: 4 ways the Word transforms lives:
o Come: read with observation and interpretation. Interpreting the Word only has one true interpretation,
but infinite application. The better understanding of a passage the better usage.
o Convicted by the Word: scripture highlights our sin and our need to stop. One of many reasons people
don’t read the Bible. The Bible isn’t meant for good people, but for *sinners* in need of a savior!
Diagnosing the disease is the 1st step to curing it. Conviction needs to take place so we can be freed!
(Psalm 38)
o Convincing us to walk in new life: the Bible tells us what we need to start doing and in what direction we
need to start going. Colossians 3:3,12-17 is an example of the lifestyle we should live. Sometimes desire
for repentance comes from witnessing rather than extortion. A light in the darkness brings hope to the
hopeless.
o Conversion: living differently as a result to the exposure of the truth. That occurs the moment we come to
faith. True conversion isn’t a one-time event; it is a process of becoming more and more like Christ
(Sanctification). We change not so God could love us, but in response to His love for us; that’s the
motivation for genuine transformation.
A transformed people:
 What changes as a result of God in our lives?
o God’s workmanship: our core identity never changes. Ephesians 2:10 says we are called to be His Bride
(created for good works). We are His workmanship. We must walk (live) for our purpose: to serve God.
 Be who you are: we don’t have to become someone else for God to work in our lives. There will be changes, but
not personality changes. Never try to become someone else; always be who God made you to be.
 Old vs. new (2 Corinthians 5:17): transformation, but not annihilation. Previously, we lived like Christ didn’t: old
beliefs, old values, old behaviors, old habits, old relationships, old outlook, old dreams, and old purpose.
Four steps of application:
 Overcoming the bias (negative) of spiritual inertia: they will help apply scripture
o Step 1, know: if you want to apply the Bible, 2 things are necessary:
 Know the text: master observation, then interpretation
 Know yourself: knowing yourself makes it easier to help others apply the Bible to their lives.
 Acknowledge assets: knowing these gives confidence. These are God-given
 Acknowledge liabilities: where God needs to develop us (have faith).
o Step 2, relate: when the Word is known, we need to relate it to our experience
 Acknowledge areas of need and relate the Word to it
 The working Word produces life change through Jesus Christ for those who want to apply
Biblical truth.
o Step 3, meditate: true meditation is pondering the truth with a view to letting it help and readjust our lives.
 Meditating in the Word constantly will give us spiritual prosperity (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-2)
 Give memory food to meditate upon (the Word)
 Meditation is the key to changing your outlook
o Step 4, practice: ultimate goal of Bible study is to practice the truth. It was written to train
athletes/warriors for Christ.
 Is there some area of my life where truth is needed?
 Have a spiritual inventory, identify area that growth can occur, have faith in God and obedience
to Him.
 Our hunger for the Word is in direct proportion to our obedience.
 The more that’s understood, the more that’s used (and vise versa!)
 2 sides of Christian living: need for food and need for exercise.
Customized Christianity:
 The truth does not change: the circumstances do, but we can’t apply it any way we want or neglect it any way we
want. It is applied only 1 way (correctly), but universally!
 Our individuality affects application in 4 ways:
o Education: all people learn differently according to their gifts.
 The ideal way we learn is how we should experience God’s Word.
o
Emphasis: different kinds of giftedness emphasize different things.
 Work with individual skills as well as corporate perspective.
 Look for and learn from other people’s giftedness.
o Execution: go and make disciples of all nations! Preach by the way God has gifted you.
 Identification of gifts becomes *imperative*
o Excellence: excel in the areas of strength, but struggle in weakness. (1 Peter 3:8)
 Being taught something doesn’t mean we are the masters at it.
 There are many ways for application, but 2 spectrums: strong vs. weak
 Do not exhort others for not possessing similar strengths as you do.
 Only God could speak truth that is so far-reaching, yet so unchanging.
 The way that the Word fits into our lives is our customized Christianity… basically our relationship’s foundation
[to God].
Nine questions to ask—bombard the application process with questions:
10. Is there an example for me to follow? (Look for personal experiences in the Bible)
11. Is there a sin to avoid? (Raises consciousness of moral issues)
12. Is there a promise to claim? (Only promises made to the church)
13. Is there a prayer to repeat? (What are in these prayers that I need?)
14. Is there a command to obey?
15. Is there a condition to meet? (Many promises have conditions)
16. Is there a verse to memorize? (Imperative)
17. Is there an error to mark? (Past assumed errors that can get correction)
18. Is there a challenge to face? (Spirit uses scripture to promote changes)
Now and then:
 Living out God’s truth demands that we plug it into our particular set of circumstances.
 What was the context then vs. now? What is the eternal truth?
 Studying culture: Always ask 6 W’s.
o Power: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Communication: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Money and economies: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Ethnicity: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Gender: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Generations: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Religion and world view: (all the questioning you can think of)
o The arts: (all the questioning you can think of)
o History and time: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Place: (all the questioning you can think of)
o Resources: (all the questioning you can think of)
The principle of the thing:
 The Bible’s primary subject is God and His relationship with us. It’s our responsibility to work out the
implications of that for everyday life.
 Importance of principles: Bible tells us fundamental truths to apply to humanity
 Principles that govern principles:
o Principles should correlate with the general teaching of scripture:
 Think of other passages that reinforce that truth
 Apply the Word sensibly and consistently
o Principles should speak to the needs, interests, questions, and problems of real life today: acknowledge
possibilities of application
o Principles should indicate a course of action.
 What am I going to do with this truth? When, where, and how am I going to apply it?
o Principles should be supported by other godly people
 Opposite (2 Peter 1:20 – the cult builder)
 Pay close attention to the community of Christ as we formulate and recognize principles from
God’s Word. (Check other believers)
 Seek the universal truth regardless; find Biblical truth
A process of life-change:
 Where do I begin? (Our good intentions are not the start)
o The focus on the end sways our motivation (seems like too much).
Steps:
1. Make a decision to change: make a decision to pursue it.
 Set objectives preparing for change (determining end goal).
2. Come up with a plan: (ask: how?)
 Specific course of action that defines how our objective can become reality.
3. Follow through: Get started! 3 strategies can help:
 Checklist, set up relationships of accountability, and evaluate progress
 Christ is our beachhead landing, but the war is not over.
3 Suggestions to get started:
 Too many churchgoers receive the flower, but it wilts from lack of water.
 Begin a personal Bible study
 Determine objectives to see if a Bible study is promising (yes or no decision).
 Establish priorities to determine how badly you want it.
 Set a schedule to identify means to reach objectives.
 Develop discipline to assure the Word is in the priorities list
o Ask where the heart is. This will insure you if you do get off track (by Satan’s trickery or lack of
motivation) that you have not lost your salvation. There’s always tomorrow.
 If putting the study into action, where to begin?
o Small amounts in the beginning are recommended.
 Form a small Bible study group: small groups are more affective than individual approach.
o Allows for participation and involvement
o Ages don’t matter, ethnicity doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, height/weight doesn’t matter, etc!
o Don’t make a study group too big (makes it uncomfortable)
 Leadership is key: good Bible studies are a result of good leadership.
o Avoid ridicule. Instead, commemorate creativity (abnormality)
o Do not fear saying: I don’t know (We don’t lose face)
 “Use me or lose me”: best way to keep info stored is to use it
o Evangelism: seek to spread
o Live the life, walk the walk, and talk the talk
 Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had set his heart to do 3 things: to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach
His statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
