You need a Bible, writing utensil, and something to write on. BIBLE STUDY BASICS #1#1#1#1.

You need a Bible, writing utensil, and You need a Bible, writing utensil, and

something to write on.something to write on.

BIBLE STUDY BASICSBIBLE STUDY BASICS

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And you thought your job was bad…

3 Simple Steps

Context

QuestionsAsk & Answer

ApplyThe intended applicationMake it personal

John 17:17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

John 1:1-2In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was

made that has been made.

Matthew 4:4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread

alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.keep you from the Bible.

The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity, but to The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity, but to make you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a make you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a smarter sinner, but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill smarter sinner, but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill

your head with a collection of Biblical facts, but to transform your head with a collection of Biblical facts, but to transform your life.your life.

3 Simple Steps

Context



We’ll start with asking Questions

One of our problems is that we don’t ask enough questions. And without asking questions, we

don’t come up with the right answers (though we think we have the answers).

Know that if you can answer all your questions, you haven’t asked enough.

Do not use study notes and such until you’ve Do not use study notes and such until you’ve studied and prayed hard. studied and prayed hard.

Some Examples of why asking questions is so important:

Genesis 1:1What is the first thing we learn in the Bible (besides the fact that God is)?

Matthew 22:15-22 (Pay taxes to Caesar?)If the man had not been a skeptic, what would his next question have been?

QUESTION: In the beginning of what?Answer: In the beginning of TIME. Therefore God is eternal.

What then is God’s?I suppose Jesus might have said – look in a mirror. Whose image do you see? You are made in God’s image. Give to God what is God’s.

A professor had his class ask questions about John 3:16 – how many questions

do you think they came up with?

Over 800

One of our problems is that we don’t know One of our problems is that we don’t know how to ask questions. There is no better how to ask questions. There is no better

way to learn than to just practice.way to learn than to just practice.

Some Examples from

John 3:16

Psalm 119:18Psalm 119:18

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.in your law.

Let’s Ask QuestionsLet’s Ask Questions

Take a piece of paper – alone or in groups of 2 or 3. Go.Take a piece of paper – alone or in groups of 2 or 3. Go.

The Key thought here is that the wonderful things in The Key thought here is that the wonderful things in God’s Word are always there. We just have to have God’s Word are always there. We just have to have

our eyes opened to see them.our eyes opened to see them.

God must open our eyes or we are lost – Story – Deity of Christ

It has been said that the Bible is so deep that theologians It has been said that the Bible is so deep that theologians cannot touch the bottom, yet so shallow that babes cannot cannot touch the bottom, yet so shallow that babes cannot

drown. drown.

Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a

character, and you reap a destiny (anonymous)character, and you reap a destiny (anonymous)

The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity, but to The Bible was not written to satisfy your curiosity, but to make you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a make you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a smarter sinner, but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill smarter sinner, but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill

your head with a collection of Biblical facts, but to transform your head with a collection of Biblical facts, but to transform your life.your life.

3 Simple Steps

Context



1 John 1:91 John 1:9What does this tell us about how to What does this tell us about how to

be saved?be saved?

Revelation 3:20Revelation 3:20What does this tell us?What does this tell us?

Take a fish out of water and it doesn't Take a fish out of water and it doesn't function very well. The same holds for function very well. The same holds for Scripture when taken out of context. Scripture when taken out of context.

Context is that “stuff” (“stuff” is a technical term used

by youth pastors when they don’t know what other word to use) surrounding the information that

determines its meaning.

What is Context?What is Context?

Olga slept peacefully, unaware of his Olga slept peacefully, unaware of his presence as he silently crept into the presence as he silently crept into the

room. As he reached the bed, he room. As he reached the bed, he paused.paused.

Is this good or bad?

Scenario 1Little Grant woke up from a scary dream. He got up and went to his

mom’s room. Olga slept peacefully, unaware of his presence as he silently crept into the room. As he reached the bed, he paused. Then he said, “Mom. I had a scary dream and I think I wet

my pants.”

Scenario 2Steve was exhausted after working 14

straight hours on 2nd shift. He just wanted to fall into bed. Olga slept

peacefully, unaware of his presence as he silently crept into the room. As he

reached the bed, he paused.He sure would be glad when he got

moved to 1st shift.

Scenario 3Scarface just had one more person to kill, and there would be no witnesses. He put on his gloves and then took out

his knife. This would be one easy killing. Olga slept peacefully, unaware of his presence as he silently crept into the room. As he reached the bed, he

paused. This was just too easy.

Context is King!Many Biblical misunderstandings

are easily figured out when we take context into consideration.

Whenever we study God’s Word, we must understand the context first.

Not only do we need to know who is talking and who they are talking (writing) to, but we

also need to have at least a general understanding of their thought process or

outline.

The first two questions of Context:The first two questions of Context:

Who is talking (writing, speaking)?Who is talking (writing, speaking)?

Who are they talking to?Who are they talking to?

What is this?What is this?

““I looked at the trunk”I looked at the trunk”

What was I looking at?What was I looking at?

1 John 1:91 John 1:9What is the context?What is the context?

Revelation 3:20Revelation 3:20You figure out on your own – what is the context?You figure out on your own – what is the context?

2 Chronicles 7:14

Some think this is a message to America. We’re not a theocracy – and we definitely aren’t Israel.

““If a man’s Bible is coming apart, it is an indication that he If a man’s Bible is coming apart, it is an indication that he himself is fairly well put together.” himself is fairly well put together.”

The ultimate goal of Bible study is not to do something to the The ultimate goal of Bible study is not to do something to the Bible, but to allow the Bible to do something to you.Bible, but to allow the Bible to do something to you.

““My rule for Christian living is this: anything that dims my My rule for Christian living is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult is cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult is

wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” (Dr. Wilbur Chapman)(Dr. Wilbur Chapman)

3 Simple Steps

Context



HAVE A PLANHAVE A PLANHave a set time and a set place – make it sacred.Have a set time and a set place – make it sacred.

- Friend – no physical food until he’s had spiritual foodFriend – no physical food until he’s had spiritual food

Study through a bookStudy through a book

- This automatically gives you context - This automatically gives you context

Maybe Read through the Bible in a year - and choose a part of Maybe Read through the Bible in a year - and choose a part of it to really studyit to really study

- Possibly use the Discipleship Journal From the Navigators- Possibly use the Discipleship Journal From the Navigators

Have someone keep you accountable – someone who loves Have someone keep you accountable – someone who loves you enough to do ityou enough to do it

(parents; youth pastor; pastor; Sunday School teacher)(parents; youth pastor; pastor; Sunday School teacher)

WRITE STUFF DOWN – TAKE NOTES IN SOME WAYWRITE STUFF DOWN – TAKE NOTES IN SOME WAY

ROMANS 12:2

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so

that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

“Transformed”Who transforms us?Passive tense – an outside force transforms usGod will change us (renew our minds) from the inside

out as we fall in love with Him through His Word.

Our hunger for the Word of God will be in direct proportion to Our hunger for the Word of God will be in direct proportion to our obedience to the Word.our obedience to the Word.

Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.will keep you from the Bible.

Why I Love the Word of GodWhy I Love the Word of God

Like an infomercial guaranteeing financial success if you just buy Like an infomercial guaranteeing financial success if you just buy the video ...the video ...It’s like having an open book testIt’s like having an open book testIt’s like the electricity that goes to the fridge...It’s like the electricity that goes to the fridge...

Because Jesus believed it was powerful (Luke 4)Because Jesus believed it was powerful (Luke 4)(Jesus quoted it often)(Jesus quoted it often)Luke 4 - while being tempted by the DevilLuke 4 - while being tempted by the DevilIT IS WRITTEN!!!IT IS WRITTEN!!!

Because God created the world by His Word (Gen 1; Ps 33:6)Because God created the world by His Word (Gen 1; Ps 33:6)

Because it changes lives (2 Timothy 2:24-26)Because it changes lives (2 Timothy 2:24-26)Only God and prayer are talked of in any sort of similar terms.Only God and prayer are talked of in any sort of similar terms.

God has used a talking donkey - but normally, He uses His wordGod has used a talking donkey - but normally, He uses His wordRomans 12:1-2 - God must change us - we do NOT change HimRomans 12:1-2 - God must change us - we do NOT change Him

Because Salvation is impossible without it. (Rom 10:17)Because Salvation is impossible without it. (Rom 10:17)

Because it is foundational to the Church and the Christian life Because it is foundational to the Church and the Christian life (Acts 2:42)(Acts 2:42)

Notice that music is not foundationalNotice that music is not foundational

Because it is the only authority thing we have (2 Timothy Because it is the only authority thing we have (2 Timothy 3:16)3:16)

All else is subjectiveAll else is subjective

Because it keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:9-11)Because it keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:9-11)If you want to overcome sin - be in God’s WordIf you want to overcome sin - be in God’s Word

Because one of the great qualifications for being approved by Because one of the great qualifications for being approved by God is that we rightly use His Word (2 Tim 2:15)God is that we rightly use His Word (2 Tim 2:15)

God has exalted his name and word above all things

- Ps 138:2

Our hunger for the Word of God will be in direct proportion to Our hunger for the Word of God will be in direct proportion to our obedience to the Word.our obedience to the Word.

Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin Either the Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.will keep you from the Bible.

I hope these slides help you in some way I hope these slides help you in some way (feel free to delete this slide).(feel free to delete this slide).

Feel free to contact me for any reason. I have some Feel free to contact me for any reason. I have some handouts and extra info for some of the slides that I handouts and extra info for some of the slides that I did not include. There are also a few notes at the did not include. There are also a few notes at the

bottom of some slides, but not as much as I should bottom of some slides, but not as much as I should have. If you have some great ideas or help or have. If you have some great ideas or help or

criticisms, or just want to talk, give me a call or shoot criticisms, or just want to talk, give me a call or shoot me an email. me an email.

[email protected](515) 448-5414(515) 448-5414

mailto:[email protected]

You need a Bible, writing utensil, and something to write on. BIBLE STUDY BASICS #1#1#1#1.

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