THE BIBLE - A GOOD READ BUT HOW DO I GET A GRIP?

....as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him“ 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. I Corinthians 2 : 9-13

What does the Bible say about itself?  This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate upon it, day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it – for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Joshua 1 : 8

 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1 : 1 - 3

 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. Psalm 19 : 7 – 10

 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path Psalm 119 : 105  “Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23 : 29

 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3 : 16  The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4 : 12

 Hermeneutics - the art/science/method of interpreting – what did it mean then, what was the context?  Exegesis - to explore and explain the meaning, to discover its significance, relevance, its application – ‘what does it mean to me?’  Metaphor – “one thing standing for another” (Euan age 7)