Why did they write? Background and Context Why is it important for us to understand background and context when we read the Bible?

Why did they write? Background and context We are the second recipients of Scripture. The biblical authors were writing to address readers in their own time. To be fair to the biblical authors – both the human author and the Holy Spirit - we must take time to understand the author’s original purpose and meaning. A passage may not mean to us what it did not mean to the original author.

Inductive Bible Study 1. Observation – What does the text say? 2. Interpretation – What did the text mean to the original readers? 3. Application – What does it mean for us? Adapted from Roberta Hestenes Using the Bible in Groups (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983),

Observation What does the text say about the author and purpose of the passage? What is happening in the passage? (who, what, where, when, how) Are there any repeated words or phrases?

Interpretation Are there any unfamiliar words? Are there any theologically dense words? Are there any customs that need to be explained? How does this passage relate to the rest of the book? To the rest Scripture? In a narrative passage, why did the people do what they did? What does it mean? What is the author’s main point?

Application How does the main point of the passage apply to us today? How are we the same as the original readers? How are we different? How does this principle apply in our own lives? What area of our lives is touched by this passage (thought, action, beliefs)?

Types of Literature in the Bible What kinds of literature are found in the Bible?

Types of Literature in the Bible History Poetry Parables Letters Prophecy Gospels Wisdom Literature

Types of Literature in the Bible Two good tools Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

Finding the Author’s Purpose “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31).”

Finding the Author’s Purpose Tools Introduction in your own Bible Bible study booklets How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart American Bible Society

Context Context of the passage at hand

Our Task Identify Type of literature Author Original audience Date The author’s purpose for writing Texts 1John Philippians Psalm 8 Psalm 2

Coming Up What’s in a word? Word Studies When did they live? Old Testament Chronology