Practice #9 - Luke 7:36-50 36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Phari- see’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had in- vited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a pro- phet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hun- dred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fra- grant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Condense SUM IT UP: VITAL IDEA: Continued on next page... STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
PRACTICE #10 SUGGESTIONS: Components Summed Up: A Pharisee and a Sinner Connections greet Jesus 2 | DIG DEEPER The Vital Idea: \"Forgiven much and forgiven little\"
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COMPONENTS: DIVIDE IT UP! Review & Practical Steps... Now that you’ve had a chance to sum up some passages, we want to talk about step two, dividing the passages into logical components of thought and trying to discern the thought flow that the Holy Spirit incorporated into them. Imagine trying to study a Bible that did not have chapters and verses. It would add considerable challenge. Just as chapters and verses were added to the Bible to enable easier understanding, so doing your own break- down of the passage you are studying will make your study more helpful and attainable. In a certain sense this process simply involves reading the passage enough times to become very familiar with it and carefully examining how it moves from one verse to the next. But there are other things that will help us too. They are listed below: 1. USE THE FOLLOWING HELPFUL QUESTIONS: Who, What, When, Where and Why. a) Who is central to the passage? As you read along, make note of who the main characters are. b) What are the characters doing? Or if it is not a “story” passage, what are the verbs or action words in the passage? c) When is the action in the story taking place? d) Where are things taking place? What is the setting of the passage? e) Why are these things being presented in the manner they are in the passage? 2. LOOK FOR TRANSITION WORDS. Finding TRANSITION WORDS: the point where one idea or event moves on to the next one is challenging. But once we • Therefore • Then are able to find these points more readily, • Wherefore • For this it really will be a big help in understanding reason the passage we are studying. •Because • So that • Since • And There are words that are consistently used • If •But to make transitions and once we get into 2 | DIG DEEPER
the habit of looking for them it will make it easier to TIME see where things are moving from one idea to another. WORDS: This is especially helpful when we study the epistles of the New Testament. • Then • When When it comes to those parts of the Bible that are •The next day story based, it is helpful to look for words related to • There was the passing of time. That is only natural when you • Came think of a story and how it unfolds chronologically. It • Went is also worth noting when the Bible mentions a date • Morning and any references, for example, to Jewish Feasts • Evening and to a particular hour in the day. • And •But But don’t discount the idea of time when you study doctrinal passages. It can be important in these passages too, as there are often references to ideas past, present and future. 3. TAKE NOTE OF WHAT JESUS HAS TO SAY. The words of the Lord Jesus are always full of meaning, wisdom and importance. Red letter Bibles, which print the words of Jesus in red, reflect how worthwhile it is to pay attention to His words. It is also important to note that often what Jesus says will flow out of something that He has just done or is going to do. His words will give deeper insight into why He has done these things and will Then give us “object lessons” for the accompanying teaching. Jesus said... Jesus words are also sometimes connected or motivated by events that are happening around him. Focusing on His words will give us context and understanding of these events. 4. COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS. The Bible frequently utilizes contrasts and especially comparisons. Seeing the similarities or differences between things is a very helpful way to gain an understanding of an idea or concept. Be on the lookout for contrasts or comparisons in the passage you are stu- dying. They appear more frequently than you think. Comparisons Think of some of the broad contrasts the Bible presents to us: those who are Believers and those who are lost; light and darkness; heaven and hell. Think of the times Paul presents a list of positive activities for a believer to pursue and then sets it in contrast with a list of negative activities to avoid. Contrasts STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
When it comes to comparisons, think of all the symbols that the Bible com- pares the Lord Jesus to: a Lamb; the OT Tabernacle; the Greek letters Alpha and Omega; the Word (Logos); a Door; a Shepherd; heavenly Bread; a solid Rock. The list goes on and is a rich source from which to learn more about the Lord Jesus. Christians are likened to salt, well watered trees, sheep, stars and candles. The Christian life is spoken of as a marathon race, as walking, as an athletic endeavour, as a journey, as a sacrifice. There is so much to be gleaned from our Bible study by paying attention to any comparisons and contrasts we find in our passage. 5. PUT YOURSELF IN THE STORY. One of the most helpful things I have learned to do in my Bible study is to really make an effort to put myself in the story. Several benefits come from this. First of all, these stories happened in real time. After our first read of the Bible we know the outcome of the stories it tells. We know that Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego will survive the fiery furnace. But they didn’t know. We know that the ship carrying Jesus and His disciples made it through the storm to the other side. It’s good to remember that these stories happened to real people who experienced them minute by minute. That “in the moment” appreciation and understanding of the story is very important. Secondly, it is important to try and see the Bible and its stories through the lens of the society, social interactions, history and culture of the time. We do not even realize how much the lens of our own thinking, culture, society and place in history colours our thinking. Do your best to immerse yourself in the time and place of the Bible and you will notice things from a completely different perspective. 6. ASK QUESTIONS: As you read along, you should be actively engaged in asking questions about the passage. For some reason many people read passages and just pass over things they don’t understand. There are 2 | DIG DEEPER
concrete questions to ask such as where a particular story takes place or who a certain group of people were and there are abstract questions to ask such as why God allowed such a thing or why Jesus acted in the fashion He did. Whether concrete or abstract, asking all kinds of questions will bring clarity to a passage, deepen our understanding and can only help us to know our Bible better. Writing them down will keep a record of our thoughts and also will be a blessing as we find answers to what we have asked. 7. MEDITATE. To meditate simply means to spend some time thinking about something. Meditation is something that God asks us to do in relation to His Word (Josh. 1:8), so that divine admonition in itself should make us interested in doing it. As is usual with God’s commands though, mediation will also prove highly beneficial to us. Many a passage will be further opened up to us as we take some time to think about it. Our world is an incredibly noisy and distracting place. We can let our minds be filled with all manner of things to think about but meditating on a passage will bring great blessing and insight. Getting a summary statement understanding of a passage is challenging. So too is the process of breaking a passage into its components and getting a sense of its thought flow. But once you have done these things on your own, you will have really accomplished something worthwhile As we have already discussed, a commitment of time is going to be critical to this process as is continuing to patiently work at it. Don’t be discouraged if it is not easy at the start. Keep at it! All skills take time to hone and perfect. Martin Luther said: “I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest might fall. Then I shake each limb and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf.” What a great image and a good template for our own approach. Practice Passages Now that you’ve thought a little bit about how to break down a passage into its components, go back to the passages that you made summary statements for and try work on breaking them down. Try and give a title to each section and explain how the flow of thought is moving from the beginning of the passage to the end. STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
CONNECTIONS – EXPAND IT OUT! Review & Practical Steps... The third basic activity to consider when studying a passage is to search out various ways in which the passage connects with other passages in the Scripture. Perhaps a custom is mentioned that is tied to an Old Testament ritual. Perhaps another story is alluded to. In many cases there are principles that are expressed in other parts of the Bible that are illustrated by a story somewhere else, and we will be blessed when we are able to link them together. Many different subjects and doctrines are developed in different portions and books of the Bible. In fact, the whole of the Bible is interconnected and being able to draw these connections together brings great light to our Bible study. An excellent little rule to remember when studying the Scripture is that the Bible is its own best interpreter. Here are some different Biblical connections that you can search out in your own Bible study: TEXTUAL REFERENCES: When a passage specifically refers to another portion of Scripture we are literally being directed by God to make the connection to see why it is associated with what we are studying. This is particularly important in studying the New Testament, as there are numerous Old Testament allusions (see: John 3:14; Galatians 4:22-31; Acts 2:16-21). TOPICAL CONNECTIONS: The Bible is a book that is full of doctrines and various subjects. Seldom is one dealt with in totality in one place. To fully understand a subject we need to look at the different places that it is referred to. Sometimes it will only be a passing reference, sometimes it will be a fuller exposition, but all of the passages need to be considered to fully understand a subject. In connection with topical connections is the rule of First Mention. This rule of Bible study states that the first time a topic in the Bible is presented, you will always find very helpful information that will often 2 | DIG DEEPER
provide a good base for the rest of the Bible’s information on that subject (see: Genesis 18:2; Genesis 6:5,6, & 8:21). In connection with the rule of First Mention is the rule of Full Mention. This rule states that there is usually a place in the Scrip- ture where a considerable or “full” amount of information is given concerning a subject. While this passage will not provide all that there is to know about a subject, it is certainly an important source to investigate and will provide a good sense of what your topic is about (see: I Corinthians 13:1-8). These rules can certainly be helpful when it comes to getting an understanding of a Biblical subject but nothing replaces simply doing the work of searching out and studying the various places a subject is dealt with in the Scripture. ANALOGY (COMPARISON) CONNECTIONS: Many of the stories in the Bible are examples of truths and concepts that are presented in other places. This is especially helpful to us as Christians as God has given us pictures and ex- amples to help us grasp some of the doctrines and ideas associated with our salvation. Many of these examples are in the Old Testament but there are also examples in the Gospels and Acts. Take for example the issues associated with the exodus of the nation of Is- rael from Egypt. The events of that occasion mirror that of the Christian in our “salvation” experience—from deliverance through a lamb’s blood to passing through the waters of the Red Sea. In the Gospels of the New Tes- tament, there are five different occasions when people are healed of their blindness, reminding us of the truth of II Corinthians 4: 3-6, that a vital as- pect of salvation is being able to see clearly spiritually. EXEMPLARY CONNECTIONS: Associated with the previous subject but not exactly the same, exemplary connections are those Old Testament and New Testament stories and characters that give us examples as to how we should be living our lives. These examples are as broad as showing us how we should exercise faith in our Christian life (see: Hebrews 11) to the devastating effects of the tongue (see: I Samuel 22:6-23). These connections are particularly helpful for those who are communicating the Word of God to others as it al- lows us to make solid practical applications for their (and our own) benefit. STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
GEOGRAPHICAL CONNECTIONS: It is interesting to see how even the places where Biblical events took place can illuminate our understanding of the Bible. When a place is mentioned in a passage you are studying, it is often helpful to trace some of the other events that occurred there (see: Bethle- hem in Genesis 35:16-20; Ruth 1:1; Matthew 2:1). CHARACTER CONNECTIONS: Another interesting subject to make connections with is that of the characters of the Bible. God has given us the record of many different men and women in the Scriptures. Some show us what to do, and some show us what not to do, but all are helpful in some fashion or another. Beyond the original telling of their story it is surprising where these characters will be mentioned (see: Moses mentioned 11 times in Hebrews; Abraham mentioned 9 times in Galatians). WORD OR PHRASE CONNECTIONS: Sometimes it is interesting to trace the mentions of a particular word or phrase. In putting them together you can often learn a very stimulating lesson (see: “as for me”; “one thing”; the mentions of Christ’s “hour” in John’s Gospel). PRACTICE: Take a look back over the various passages we have already looked at and see if you can think of at least one Biblical connection for each passage. How does it enhance your understanding of this passage? CONSECRATION – TAKING IT IN! Review & Practical Steps... After we have worked our way through a passage it is important to think of ways in which we can apply what we have learned to our lives. God’s Word was never meant to be studied in a vacuum. Our first focus in Bible study should always be personal growth and application. It is not to accumulate knowledge or to prepare some thoughts for a message or somebody else’s benefit. As someone has said, “It is not how you are going through the Bible that counts, it is how the Bible is going through you”. As we study we want to grow and learn. Often applications jump out at us and touch a particular spiritual need that we are experiencing in that moment. Other times, the application is a little more work to dig out. In the chart on the next page, you will find some “categories” of application that will help us find helpful practical items wherever we have been studying. 2 | DIG DEEPER
HOW TO APPLY THE BIBLE TO YOUR LIFE I. Knowledge — We want to know more about the Bible and its subject matter. As you study each passage, ask your self how it deepens your knowledge of the four main themes of the Bible: the Person of God; the People of God; the Provision of God; or the Plan of God. All of these themes run liberally through the Bible and are lifelong pursuits for us. II. Examples — Does the passage I am studying give me an example to follow? The Bible is full of information designed to help us live as we should. What examples are in the passage I am studying and how can I put them into practice? III. Errors — The Bible also warns us about errors to avoid. Does the passage I am studying warn me of any sin or iniquity to avoid? Does it convict me about something I am doing that I need to forsake? IV. Commands — The Bible is very straightforward about many issues that concern us. In many cases, God gives us clear commands regarding our behaviour and activities. Are there any such commands in the passage you are studying? V. Promises — The Bible is also a Book of promises. God promises many things to His people, but we miss out on His blessings because we fail to claim them. We need to be look- ing for promises in our study passage and then claim them. VI. Prayer — Prayer is essential to the spiritual well being of Gods people. God has chosen to record many prayers in His Word so that we might learn from them. Is there a prayer in my study passage that I should be echoing? Are there prayer requests in my passage that I need to take before the Lord? VII. Doctrines — The Bible contains specific teaching that forms the basic foundational be- liefs that we as Christians hold and rest our lives on. We call these teachings doctrines. Does my passage contain teaching that is important for me to understand if I am going to grow as a Christian. Is there something about Salvation for instance, or Baptism or Church practices. All of these things are worth taking note of as we build up our understanding of the Bible. VIII. Principles — The Bible has many direct commands for Believers to obey and put into practice, but the Bible is also a book of principles. If the Bible tried to list and speak into every hypothetical situation that might occur in a person's life it would be an enormous book and still might not cover every contingency. Instead, God gives principles that we can apply to specific situations in our life and find guidance and help as to how to deal with them. For instance if I try and think about how i should act in front of my colleagues at work, I can apply the principle of letting my light shine before them and not hiding the light of my testimony under a bushel. Are there principles in the passage I am studying that will help me better live my life for the Lord Jesus? Take note of them. STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
Title page for last section
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The Character of God and the Person of Christ It seems worthwhile to give the closing word to the most important aspect of Bible study – God Himself and the living Word of God – Jesus Christ – the one who perfectly expresses who God is. The central focus of the entire Scriptures is to glorify God and reveal His character to us. As you go through a passage be on the lookout for what the story reveals about who God is and what aspects of His character are revealed. Of course, we know too that the Lord Jesus is to be found in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27) so as you look at your story, be sure to look for glimpses of Him. This will be much more concrete in the stories of the Gospels but as we read Old Testament stories we will find Him there too as He appears in symbol and picture. O Book of wondrous depths and heights, and glories ever new, which in ten thousand various lights brings jesus into view. — Wm Blane STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
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Appendix
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Example #2 STUDYING THE BIBLE | 2
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