Student’s Name:________________________

Opening Activity:! Using the verses below, underline the subject, double underline the ! verbs, circle any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives ! or predicate adjectives.) Disregard or cross out any other modifiers ! (adjectives, adverbs, preopsitional phrases, etc.)

Q. What is the subject? __________________

Q. What is the verb? ______

Q. What are the two main points that this passage is telling us about the subject?

1. It is _______________________

2. It is ________________________

I. Why Study the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete - thoroughly equipped for every good work.

! 1. It is _____________.! ! ! ! 1. For ____________

! 2. It is ___________________. ! ! 2. For ____________

! 3. It is ________________.! ! ! ! 3. For ____________

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 4. For ____________

The 4 Uses of Scripture:

1. Doctrine -

2. Reproof -

3. Correction -

4. Instruction -

As a means to what end?

So then, the goal of Bible study is __________________.

Scripture

UsefulGod-breathed

“... so that the man of God may be COMPLETE - Thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

How Do We Arrive At The Proper Application?

! ! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! !

! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! !

1. The Bible -

2. Hermeneutics -

3. Biblical Theology -

4. Practical Theology -

5. Application -

6.

! A.! “Literal” = “_________________________.” !! ! (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) - “According to the Scriptures...”

! B.! Non-Literal or Mythical Interpretation:

! ! “An interpretation of the Bible that believes the Bible ! ! is not _______________ historically, but that the ! ! ‘myths’ of the Bible are intended to teach ‘truths.‘

! ! That is, the Bible is filled with false stories with good ! ! ! moral ______________.”

! ! Eg. Adam and Eve

! ! Eg. The Resurrection

II. How Do We Interpret the Bible (2 Concepts)

Concept #1: We use a “___________” or “_____________” interpretation.

! C.! “Normal” Interpretation! ! * It is “NORMAL” in the sense that it makes allowances for . . .

! 1. Figures of speech

Eg. “HIM THAT PISSETH AGAINST THE WALL” = ______ __________(1 Samuel 25:22, 34, 1 Kings 14:10, 16:11, 21:21, and 2 Kings 9:8)

Eg. “John came out neither eating or drinking” = He _______________ invitations to dine. (Matthew 11:18)

Eg. “Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody...”

! = CLAIMING TO BE SOMEONE __________________. (Acts 5:36)

! 2. Hyperbole

! Eg. “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to ! me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” = “________ ___________” ! (Psalm 56:1)

! Eg. “They slandered me without ceasing.” = “__ ______.” ! (Psalms 35:15)

! 3. Metaphor

! Eg. “I am the door...” = “____ ________ ___ ! ____________.” (John 10:9)

! Eg. “LORD, my strength and my fortress...” = ! “__ _____________” (Jeremiah 16:19)

! 4. Parable

! Eg. “There was a certain man...” = “Let’s say there was this ! guy...” (Luke 14:16ff)

! 5. Poetic License

! Eg. “Every place wher you set your foot will be yours.” = __________! ______________________________. ! (Deuteronomy 11:24)

! Eg. “I am in the midst of Lions.” = _____! ______________________________. ! (Psalm 57:4)

! 6. Estimations

! (1 Corinthians 10:8 and Numbers 25:9)! (In dimensions of Solomon’s pool, pi ! isn’t exactly 3.1415927)

! 7. Sarcasm

! Paul sarcastically calls himself a fool. (1 Corinthians 11:16-21)

! 8. Etc. (Any normal tool of language)

A. The meaning of the text is in the text itself, not in the ____________ who is reading it. We don’t bring meaning to the text, the text brings ___________ to us.

B. Rhema Interpretation

“An interpretation of the Bible that believes that God presently reveals _____________ and ______________ interpretations of the

Bible to the reader today, and that these private interpretations are biblically _______________ even though they are completely

unconnected to the __________ _____________ of the passage.”

Eg. For the person going into battle, Jeremiah 34:4-5a could be taken as . . .

Eg. For the person dying with cancer, John 11:4 could be taken as . . .

Concept #2: We use an “OBJECTIVE” interpretation (vs. “subjective”)

Eg. Actual Case: A single female missionary to Japan met and fell in love with a Japanese man. After some time. he asked her to marry him. She wanted to accept, but was caught in a dilemma. He wanted to be a Japanese missionary to the U.S., and she wanted to be an American missionary to Japan. Should she accept or not? She did not know... until she read Ezekiel 27:32 in her devotions. Believing that God had given her a “rhema,” she decided to reject the man’s offer and stay in Japan as a missionary. Why? because Japan is “surrounded by the sea.”

4 Problems with “Rhema Interpretation”

1. It is ________________ in Scripture. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

2. Bible interpretation becomes ______________ to us, instead of us being _____________ to it!

3. The ______________ interpretation gets ignored.

4. We trust in promises that were never ______________ for us. If God does not follow through in the way we imagine (or desire), we lose _______________ in God.

! C.! 2 Types of Contexts

! ! 1. _______________ Context! ! Where does this fit in with history? What was different then ! ! compared to now? What was the same? What did or didn’t ! ! they understand? etc.

! ! 2. ________________ Context

! ! What type of genre is this? Why was it written in this genre? ! ! How should I interpret this in light of the genre?

III. Literary Genresof the Bible

1. Understand that narratives are ______________, not necessarily _________________.

! (1 Kings 11:1) Is that an argument for polygamy?

2. Look for the overall theme of each story. Watch how the story _______.

3. See how the smaller stories contribute to the greater story of the Bible.

1. Understand the relationship between _________ and the __________.

! a. The Church does not equal Israel.

! b. The Church is not under the “__________ of the Law.”

2. Look for the “__________” of the Law; not the “Letter.”

! Leviticus 1:3 - Do we need to offer that sacrifice at the tent?

! Deuteronomy 5:18 - Is it OK to commit adultery now?

Tips for Interpreting NARRATIVES

Tips for Interpreting LAW

3 Kinds of Laws and their Interpretation:

Symbolic Civil Moral

1.! Research the _______________.

! Why was this written? What did the original recipients need to know, ! believe, change or do?

2. Try to ____________ the argument of the book.

! Where is the author taking the reader? How does he get him there?

3.! Use “connector” words and phrases or repeated concepts to see how ! chunks of information relate to each other.

1. Pay attention to ____________ ____________ if given.

2. Don’t interpret it too _____________. Expect “flowery” language.

3. Treat it like poetry. That’s what it is!

Tips for Interpreting PSALMS

Because, Therefore, For this reason, For, so then, However, Now concerning..., As for..., In the same way, Although, But, etc.

Tips for Interpreting LETTERS

1. Understand Proverbs as basic principles of ________________.

! - Proverbs 3:9-10

! - Proverbs 10:27

2. Look at other Wisdom Literature to deal with the “_____________” issues (and apparant exceptions to the rules.)

! - Job or Lamentations

3. The fear of the LORD is the ________________ of wisdom. Don’t assume we get all the ______________ this side of heaven.

1. Don’t ________ the parables too far!

! - Luke 16:1-15 - Is it ok to cheat your boss?

2. Look at the ____________.

! - Why was a parable used in the first place?

! -What were they trying to teach? (Eg. 2 Samuel 12)

Tips for Interpreting PARABLES

Tips for Interpreting WISDOM LITERATURE

1. Prophecies qualified by _________________

The fulfillment is dependent upon the ______________ of the ________________. (See Deuteronomy 11:26 & Jeremiah 22:4-5.)

2. Prophecies qualified by _______________

The fulfillment is ________________; nothing can stop it. (See Jeremiah 7:15-16, 11:11, 14:10-12, Amos 1:3-13, and 2:1-6.)

3. Prophecies without __________________

The fulfillment is ___ ___ ______; if He chooses to follow through or not. (See Jonah 3:4, 2 Kings 20:1, & 1 Samuel 12:13-16.)

Tips for Interpreting PROPHECY