Bible study tool Kit

1. Bible study tool Kit Pastor Abraham & Dr. Henoch

2. Part I : Interpretation; Why do we interpret? • The aim is simply to get the “plain meaning of the text.” • Use common sense • Invariably we bring in to the text our own ideas • For example, when we hear the word “cross” we automatically think of two wooden crosses, but Jesus’ cross was more like a “T” shape, or the word “Sabbath,” (Genesis 2:2), which brings to mind Sunday service. But “Sabbath” literally means “stop working” or “cease to work.” • The Bible is a combination of both human and divine elements • Historical book • Eternal relevance • Bible as a book • The word of God was spoken through real persons in the real world

3. Part II: Exegesis • Definition • Think exegetically • The most important question to ask: “What did this mean?” • Learn how to use your own skills and tools and others’ work • Ask the right question of the text: How? • The Historical Context • The Literary Context • The Question of Content • Basic Bible study tools: good translations, a good Bible Dictionary, and good commentaries.

4. Part III: Hermeneutics • Definition • A proper interpretation begins with good exegesis. • The proper control of hermeneutics is to be found only in the original text

5. A few examples of bad hermeneutical error NOT controlled by good exegesis: • Three kings, Matthew 2:1 • Jesus was born at midnight, Luke 2:5 • Animals and a stable in the guest house where Jesus was born, Luke 2:7 • Marriage by faith, Mark 11:22 • Prosperity gospel and the American dream, 3 John 2 • A kingdom of priests and a holy nation versus believers’ priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9; Rev 1:6; Exodus 9:5-6; Isaiah 43: 2021. (People NOT geo-political idea of a nation.) • Man equal mission, Genesis 1:28

6. Hermeneutics • According to Fee/Stuart hermeneuticsis the second step in interpreting the biblical text; • careful exegesis investigates what the text meant to the people back then; • Applying the text to us and finding out what it means here and now is hermeneutics • Dr. J. Schafer compared hermeneutics with a ‘lense’ through which we read the bible; at times it’s good to take of the glasses and examine whether they are clean

7. A case for the gospel as a hermeneutical principle • Mike Bullmore argues: Gospel is cause and effect of scriptural revelation • cause: the good news is the very reason why the bible was given to us • effect: the bible serves to accomplish God’s purpose in the gospel

8. The bible came with a manual • Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out form my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” • Isaiah 55:5 “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

9. The bible came with a manual • Roman 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” • Luke 24:25,26 “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

10. Gospel-centered bible study • The good news is the very reason why God gave us scriptural revelation (cause) and also God’s instrument in how he carries out his saving work (effect) • Jesus himself understood all Scripture to be ultimately about Himself and His saving work (his death and resurrection and ascension) • This argues that the gospel has to be a crucial consideration in our bible study; our bible study ought to be Christ-centered and expose Jesus’ finished work

11. Let me give you one example • 1 Samuel 17

12. Let me give you one example • 1 Samuel 17 • 2 ways to read the story: • Be like David; Who is your Goliath? Go and conquer the giant! • To whom does David point to? How does Jesus fulfill this story? How do we participate in his victory?

13. A few examples of good hermeneutics CONTROLLED by good exegesis: • To protect the environment, Genesis 1:28 • Healing the sick, feeding the poor, Matthew 17:15; Mark 6: 34 • Secular, political and spiritual world, Matthew 22:21 • The kingdom of God is here, but not quite yet, Mark 1:15 • Nobody know when Jesus will come again, not even Mayans, only the Father, Mk 13:32

14. Exegesis Exercises: Luke 15:1-32 • What’s the point? • The lost sheep • What triggered this story? • What motivates the shepherd search for the lost sheep? (6b-7) • The lost coin • What motivates the woman’s action? (9-10) • The lost son: An infatuated young adult claims his right to future inheritance right now. The father gave away his “inheritance” to his sons (11-13). However, his younger son wasted all his money for simple pleasures. (14) After spending all he had, this young man was starving and no one would give him any food (15-16); that brought him to senses (17) so he decided to go back home (18-19). While he was still far off his father recognized his raggedy son. He was happy that his son was found (21-24). On the other hand, when the older son found that his father welcomed his foolish brother he was angry (25-30). The father said to him, “Everything I have is yours. But we have to celebrate your brother’s return. He was dead, but he came home and he is alive” (32). • What was the author Luke’s intent by telling these stories?

15. Genesis 26:5 • “…because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commandments, my decrees and my instructions.” • As far as we know, no laws or commandments or decrees was given to Abraham, but this passage says he obeyed them all. Moses writes as if Abraham received the law, but we know that the law was given nearly 430 years after Abraham died. • Why would Moses position Abraham’s life post-law when he knew that it was pre-law?