Correctly Handle the Word of Truth
By Sarah Barry
University Bible Fellowship
“Do your best to present yourself to God
as one approved, a workman who does
not need to be ashamed and who
correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher
Principles of
Inductive Bible Study
Observation
Interpretation
Application
Observation
What do we look for?
I. Observation
What does it say?
“I have six faithful serving men
who have taught me all I know
Their names are:
Who, Where, What, When, How, Why.”
I. Observation
Literary forms
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Prose narrative : (The gospels)
Parables : (Mark 4, Matthew 13)
Poetry : (Psalms)
Logical discourse : (Romans, Epistles)
Apocalyptic literature : (Daniel, Revelation)
Drama : (Job)
Proverbs : (Proverbs)
I. Observation
Content
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Biographical--Historical ---Chronological---Geographical---Laws-------
Joseph’s story
1 & 2 Kings
1st day,2nd day
Paul’s journeys
Exodus 20-23
Leviticus
RELATIONSHIPS
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Comparison
Contrast
Cause and effect
Repetition
Continuation
Turning point
Climax
Relationships
COMPARISON
Meditates on word
Like a tree planted by streams of water
Psalm 1
Relationships
CONTRAST
The Blue Mosque and a Bible house in Turkey
Relationships
CONTRAST
John’s gospel contrasts light and darkness, truth and lies,
belief and unbelief
“The light shines in the darkness, but the
darkness has not understood it. In him was life
and that life was the light of men”
John 1:4-5
Continuation
IRelationships
Prayer and answer; Prophecy and fulfillment
Jesus – Peter Jn 13, 18
Turning Point
Relationships
Luke 5:5 (5)
“Master, we’ve worked
hard all night and haven’t
caught anything. But
because you say so, I
will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:4-8
CLIMAX
• When Simon Peter saw this he fell at his
knees and said, “Go away from me
Lord, I am a sinful man.”
• “Don’t be afraid, Simon. From now on you
will fish for people.
» Luke 5:1-11
Relationships
Cause and Effect
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
REPETITION
REPETITION
• “And God said…and it was so. Ge 1: (7 times)
• God saw that it was good -(7 times)
• In those days Israel had no king..Jdg 21:25,
17:6,18:1,19:1
• Everyone did as he saw fit –Jdg 21: 25, 17:6, Dt
12:8
• Matthew 5: eight “Blesseds”
I. Observation
Whole-Parts-Whole
Genesis, John’s Gospel----Charts
I.
Aids to observation
Draw a picture.
II. Interpretation
What does it mean?
II. Interpretation
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Pray.
Think about what you observed.
What is the writer’s meaning?
Pray again. Ask God to teach you what the
passage means.
II. Interpretation
Interpretive questions
Why?
What for?
What does it mean?
Why is it here?
How does it fit the context?
II. Interpretation
What does the writer mean?
Scripture interprets Scripture
Hebrews 11:24-26 (Moses faith) Ex 2
Galatians 3:8 -- Genesis 12:3
Romans 4: 3– Ge 15:7
Common sense-most reasonable explanation
Context – historical, Biblical
Use Resources after personal study
Compare translations, Bible dictionaries, study bibles, commentaries
III. Application
What does it mean to me?
III APPLICATION
• Anything of which to repent?
• Are there any promises to claim?
• Any commands to obey?
Love one another
Feed my sheep
Go into all the world and make disciples
Pray for the campuses of the world: Russia,
Mongolia, USA, Argentina, Africa
Application
Pray for campuses of the world
Follow incarnational principle
Show Jesus’ love
Professor Shepherd
(salt and light)
“Do your best to present yourself to God
as one approved, a workman who does
not need to be ashamed and who
correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
A Kingdom of Priests and A Holy Nation