1. Reading And Understanding The Bible

2. The Bible claims it can be understood. Ephesians 3:3-5 Ephesians 5:17 Some basic principles to help us in reading and understanding the Bible:

3. Reading And Understanding The Bible Read It As It Is –1 Thessalonians 2:13 –Not as the word of men, but the word of God. Galatians 1:11-12 1 Corinthians 11:23 2 Timothy 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:13; Galatians 3:16

4. Reading And Understanding The Bible Read It With A Prepared Heart –James 1:21 –Heart = soil / the word = seed (Lk. 8:5-11) –Ezra 7:10 –Have a heart prepared to do what God’s word says (Jas. 1:22; Jn. 7:17).

5. Reading And Understanding The Bible Read It Recognizing Its Divisions –2 Timothy 2:15 –Divided into 2 Testaments: Old & New. –Divided into 3 Dispensations and 14 Periods of History.

7. Reading And Understanding The Bible Read Everything It Says On A Subject –Psalm 119:160; 139:17 –A partial view is often an inaccurate view. –Justification, an example: Romans 5:1 James 2:24

8. Reading And Understanding The Bible Consider The Context Of A Passage –First rule of grammar: No word is a part of speech until it first appears in context. –Error is taught by stringing verses together out of context (Mt. 27:5; Lk. 10:37; Jn. 13:27). –Note some examples: John 6:44 Romans 10:13 1 Corinthians 1:14

9. Reading And Understanding The Bible Consider Who Is Speaking And Who Is Being Spoken To –Who is speaking (Gen. 3:4; Job) –Who is being spoken to (Jn. 14:26; Gal. 6:10)

10. Reading And Understanding The Bible Recognize Figurative Language –Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah and Revelation are examples of books with figurative language. –Understand figurative passages figuratively and literal passages literally.

11. Reading And Understanding The Bible Realize One Verse Can Only Teach What Another Verse Will Allow It –Truth is consistent (Jn. 17:17). –Note some examples: Romans 10:13; Matthew 7:21 Romans 5:1; James 2:24 Romans 14; 2 John 9-11

12. Reading And Understanding The Bible