1. Hermeneutics
How to study the Bible

2. How to study the Bible
“I will visit you on July 23rd and plan to stay for two weeks.” Love, Mom

3. How to study the Bible What just happened?
You jumped to a conclusion without all the facts.
Upon further observation, your interpretation of the message changed, allowing you to come up with the proper application.

4. How to study the Bible Luke 4:7
“Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”

5. How to study the Bible
This verse was posted by someone on the internet to see what type of response he would get. Almost all the comments were praising God for all that He gives.

6. What’s the problem here?
How to study the Bible
What’s the problem here?

7. How to study the Bible
This verse is quoting Satan when he tempted Jesus!

8. How to study the Bible Observation (What does it say?)
We must learn to closely examine what we read. Without careful reading we are unprepared to make any conclusion about what a verse means or how it pertains to personal life. Avoid skimming over material. Take time. Discipline your mind. Work hard in studying the text. This takes practice.

9. How to study the Bible 1. General Procedure
a. Concentrate when you read! Resist mind wandering.
b. Make notes on thoughts and questions. Underline important words.
c. Read sentences and phrases rather than one word at a time.

10. How to study the Bible 2. Details to Observe
a. Key words often are apparent from repetitions.
b. Promises, warnings, examples should be identified.
c. Comparisons or illustrations explain things in terms of the familiar.

11. How to study the Bible
d. Is there a list or series of things? Is there evidence of one thing leading to the next?
e. What questions were asked?
f. What emphatic words were used (“truly,” “behold”)?

12. How to study the Bible
g. When you look at an incident or story, try to relive it personally by putting yourself into it as one of the characters. Who are the characters? Where is this taking place? How does the story begin and end? What is the response of each character? What attitudes are expressed or evidenced? Are the characters receptive or hostile?
h. Notice the verbs. Do they state a completed action, a present occurrence, or something in the future?

13. How to study the Bible
i. Pay attention to connective words. Connectives are important.
AND indicates continuation of an idea.
BUT shows a contrast between two ideas.
FOR gives us a reason or explanation for a statement.
BECAUSE indicates the cause of something.
THEN, THEREFORE, WHEREFORE bring us to a conclusion.
THAT shows the purpose in view.
IF is an important conditional word. Note any conditions stated or implied.

14. How to study the Bible Interpretation (What does it mean?)
To understand an author we must seek to grasp the meaning as he conveyed it under the direction of the Spirit of God. This differs from application to our own lives, a separate step, which occurs later.

15. How to study the Bible
The material you have gathered from observation becomes the basis for interpretation. It is important to ask yourself many questions in order to think things through. Why is this in the Bible? Is there any symbolic meaning to certain actions or words? Is the statement meant to be taken literally or is it a figure of speech? What is the context? (What went before this section and what came after?) The answers to these questions are vital to the interpretive process.

16. How to study the Bible
Here are three basic principles that should govern our general procedure for interpretation:
1. NOTHING BUT THE WORD is finally authoritative.
2. ALL THE WORD gives balance and correctness.
3. INTERPRET BY THE WORD is the most reliable method. (Use clear passages to help interpret the unclear.)

17. How to study the Bible
Think deeply. Have you prayed and meditated about this? Do you have a bias in any way that might have influenced your thinking? Have you consulted helps or other sources as a basis for comparing your ideas with others? Have you adequately studied cross- references to the same subject? Have you considered differing aspects of the same word or doctrine?
When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense seek no other sense.

18. How to study the Bible Application (How can I apply it to my life?)
Application is the fruit of genuine Bible study. What will you do about what you have read? Truths about God should have the effect of changing our lives. Otherwise, it becomes an intellectual game of accumulating knowledge and exchanging information. The method of the Lord Jesus was teach and do, not just teach.

19. How to study the Bible Ask yourself:
1. IS THERE A PROMISE TO CLAIM? (2 Peter 1:4) The assurance of the faithfulness of God’s promises rests upon His integrity. “God is not a man that He should lie” (Num. 23:19). Make sure you note who the promise is made to (i.e. to Israel or another specific group) and any conditions. Answered prayer, for example, can be conditional (James 1:5-8; 1 John 3:22; Psalm 66:18)

20. How to study the Bible 2. IS THERE AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW?
3. IS THERE A COMMAND TO OBEY? “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)
4. IS THERE A SIN TO FORSAKE OR A WARNING TO HEED? We may need to turn from something that is hindering us.

21. How to study the Bible 5. IS THERE AN ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN?
6. IS THERE COUNSEL TO TAKE?

22. How to study the Bible Then ask these questions:
1. What is the importance of this truth to my daily living?
2. Is this principle working in my life right now?

23. How to study the Bible 3. What do I specifically plan to do about it?
4. Why have I not acted before?
5. Who will verify that I have taken action and pray with me until it happens?

24. How to study the Bible
2 Chronicles 7:14 “and (if) My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

25. How to study the Bible How is this passage typically interpreted?
If Americans pray hard and turn from their sin, God will restore their country.
Is this a valid interpretation?

26. How to study the Bible
Unlike ancient Israel, America is not a covenant nation. God has made no promise to our physical ancestors that guarantees our national status. If Israel had to fulfill the conditions for divine blessing, even though God had covenanted with them as His chosen people, America certainly has no inviolable claim on the blessing of God. As long as unbelief and disobedience to the Word of God color the soul of our nation, we cannot expect the blessing of God. Israel didn't get it in her unbelief.

27. How to study the Bible
But for those of us who are Christians, the covenant blessings do apply. "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29). All the promises of salvation, mercy, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual prosperity are ours to claim as long as we remain faithful to God.

28. How to study the Bible
That is why the spiritual state of the church in our nation is the key to the blessing of the nation as a whole. If God is going to bless America, it will not be for the sake of the nation itself. He blesses the nation, and has always done so, for the sake of His people. If we who are called by His name are not fulfilling the conditions for divine blessing, there is no hope whatsoever for the rest of the nation.

29. How to study the Bible
On the other hand, if the church is fit to receive God's blessing, the whole nation will be the beneficiary of that, because the Word of God will be proclaimed with power, God will add to His church, and spiritual blessings of all kinds will result. And those are the truest blessings of all.