1. How To Study The Bible

2. Basic Hermeneutical Principles 1. The Bible is the inspired and thus inerrant Word of God. (Bible Study is a spiritual transaction.) 2. The Bible is an organic unity; the OT and NT form an indivisible whole. 3. The Bible is Christocentric and Theocentric. 4. The Bible, through the use of responsible, Spirit-led exegesis, is understandable. ( Language must be allowed to have its natural, normal, and literal sense unless the context demands otherwise. ) 5. There must be a willingness to heed and obey what is discovered and learned. 5

3. How To Study The Bible Bible Study Techniques 1. The Microscope 2. The Telescope

4. The Microscope Look for details: Who, What, Why, Where, When & Immediate Context Exegesis - Out of the Text 1

5. The Telescope Systematics - The Big Picture Immediate context Larger context Biblical context 2 Panning Out:

6. How To Study The Bible KJV NKJV ESV NASB NIV Get several good translations:

7. How To Study The Bible Dictionary Bible Dictionary Concordance Commentary Set Notebook Computer Program Great tools to have:

8. 1.Get ready a.try to be in a spiritual mindset b.confess your sins c.be humble, teachable, ready to obey

9. 2. Ask questions a. who was writing b. to whom were they writing c. when were they writing d. what was happening when this person wrote e. what else has the writer written?

10. 3.Read passage (several times through) a.several translations b.out loud and to self c.have others read to you or listen on audio Bible d.get the big picture; ask yourself: “broadly, at least, do I understand the passage”

11. 4.Be aware. (Look for:) a.key words (words that the passage hinges on) b.repeated words c.repeated phrases d.parallelisms (especially in the Psalms and OT) e.contrasts f.take notes (don’t mark in your Bible yet; mark in a notebook or computer)

12. 5.Draw preliminary conclusions a.start piecing the picture together b.concentrate on what you do understand in the passage c.what are the principles derived from the specifics?

13. 5.Confirm conclusions a.do your conclusions fit with larger Biblical context b.Spirit of Prophecy c.Bible Commentaries (always remember these are the words of man) d.others’ interpretation (friends, pastor, journals, etc.)

14. 7.Apply a.listen to the voice of the Spirit b.examine own life (not others!) c.is there a key verse you should memorize that will help you to apply lesson in life? d.make Spirit-led effort to apply principles e.pray f.share