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How to Study the Bible

How to Study the Bible. Understanding Bible Basics. The Bible is 66 different books Written by 40 different people Written over a period of 2,000 years Consist of 2 volumes called an Old and New Testament Although spread out in 66 different books, the Bible is a single message

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How to Study the Bible

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  1. How to Study the Bible The Berean Approach

  2. Understanding Bible Basics • The Bible is 66 different books • Written by 40 different people • Written over a period of 2,000 years • Consist of 2 volumes called an Old and New Testament • Although spread out in 66 different books, the Bible is a single message • Written in 3 languages: Hebrew, Aramaic & Greek The Berean Approach

  3. Enemies of Learning(things that will hinder your spiritual growth) • Presumptions • Hatred towards others • Ignorance due to laziness • Pride – the original sin. Pride will bring forth selfishness. Selfishness will bring forth covetousness. Covetousness will bring forth lust. Lust will bring forth stealing. Stealing will bring forth lying. Lying will bring forth hatred. Hatred will bring forth death. The Berean Approach

  4. How to Study the Bible • Sensitivity to the culture • Sensitivity to the definition of words in their original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages • Interpret passages in their proper context • Scriptural Comparison – Let the Bible Speak for itself • Remember, this is NOT an intellectual exercise, but rather a supernatural experience • Take the Berean Approach (Acts 17:11) • You CANNOT truly learn the depths of the Bible without accepting Jesus Christ and help from the Holy Spirit (John 14:25, 1 Corinthians 2:11-14) The Berean Approach

  5. The Berean Approach • Acts 17:11 - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. • 1 Corinthians 2:15 - But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test all things. Hold fast what is good. • 2 Timothy 3:15-16 - 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Return to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God The Berean Approach

  6. How will you view the Bible without taking the Berean Approach? Young Girl? Mature Woman? Which is it? Ask the author! The Berean Approach

  7. WRONG Quack! Quack! Quack! • if it looks like a duck; • if it walks like a duck; • and if it quack like a duck; • then it must be a duck. Right? 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” The Berean Approach

  8. Sensitivity to the Culture (some examples) What is Good Friday? Day generally recognized by the world as when Jesus was crucified. The Berean Approach

  9. NO! Sensitivity to the Culture What is Easter Sunday? The Berean Approach

  10. Sensitivity to the Culture What is Easter Sunday? Day generally recognized by the world as when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The Berean Approach

  11. By Dan Brown Secret life of Jesus Christ based on clues hidden in daVinci’s Last Supper painting. The Berean Approach

  12. Sensitivity to the Culture The Passover Meal • Exodus 12:5-8:5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. 8Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. • Exodus 12:18-20: 18In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’” The Berean Approach

  13. Famous Leonardo da Vinci Last Supper Tradition The Berean Approach

  14. Famous Leonardo da Vinci Westernized Last Supper Tradition The Berean Approach

  15. The Berean Approach

  16. The Berean Approach

  17. Actual Eastern Last Supper Tradition The Berean Approach

  18. NO! Leonardo da Vinci’s Painting The Berean Approach

  19. Sensitivity to the Culture(example #2) • Good Friday? Was Jesus crucified on a Friday? • Quote from www.churchyear.net, a Roman Catholic website: • “It is long-held tradition, based on the Biblical texts, that Jesus died on a Friday and rose from the dead on a Sunday, which would place the Last Supper on a Thursday night. Scripture tells us that Jesus rose from the dead "early on the first day of the week" (Mark 16:2, RSV). It was on the same day (the first day of the week) that Jesus met his apostles on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:1). John also confirms that Jesus rose on a Sunday (John 20:1).” The Berean Approach

  20. Sensitivity to the Culture(example #2) “The early Church Fathers universally held that Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, and worshiped on Sunday, "The Lord's Day." The Fathers also testify to the Institution of the Eucharist on a Thursday and a Friday crucifixion of Jesus. Even though Jesus tells us that he was to be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, in ancient Jewish reckoning, this included partial days. Thus, Jesus was saying that his time in the earth would span three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).” NOTE: This belief is derived from John 11:9 – “Are there not 12 hours in the day?” However, this passage is referring to daylight hours, not the total number of hours to a full day. The Berean Approach

  21. Sensitivity to the Culture(example #2) Continue: “Saint Justin Martyr (writing in 150 AD) testifies to both Sunday worship and a Friday crucifixion of Jesus: ‘But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples... (First Apology 67).’” The Berean Approach

  22. Sensitivity to the Culture(example #2) Good Friday? Was Jesus crucified on a Friday? Matthew 12:40 “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 18:18-19 “18 Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” The Berean Approach

  23. NO! Sensitivity to the Culture • Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34 teaches that Jesus died at 3:00pm (the 9th hour in the Judean culture) • Matthew 28:1-6 teaches that Jesus roused from the dead on early Sunday morning before dawn. Assuming a Friday 3:00pm Crucifixion Three Days and Three Nights NightsDays Friday Night Saturday Night Sunday Night • Saturday Day • Sunday Day • Monday Day • Resurrected Monday Night? The Berean Approach

  24. Sensitivity to the Culture • Question? How does the Western culture measure days? From 12:00am in the morning To 11:59pm in the evening 12:00am begins the new day The Berean Approach

  25. Sensitivity to the Culture • Question? How does the Eastern culture measure days? From 6:00pm sunset To 5:59pm sunset 6:00pm begins the new day The Berean Approach

  26. Sensitivity to the Culture • Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34 teaches that Jesus died at 3:00pm (the 9th hour in the Judean culture) • Matthew 28:1-6 teaches that Jesus roused from the dead on early Sunday morning before dawn. [ Assuming a Wednesday 3:00pm Crucifixion Three Days and Three Nights NightsDays Wednesday Night Thursday Night Friday Night • Thursday Day • Friday Day • Saturday Day • Resurrected Saturday night after 6:00pm The Berean Approach

  27. Jesus’ Warning • 1Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” • 3He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— • Matthew 15:1-9 - The Berean Approach

  28. Jesus’ Warning • 6then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: • 8‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, • And honor Me with their lips, • But their heart is far from Me. • 9And in vain they worship Me, • Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. The Berean Approach

  29. Sensitivity to Definition of Words(example) • The Bible was not originally written in English or Spanish. • Certain words may not translate well. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Berean Approach

  30. NO! Sensitivity to Definition of Words(example) Created Bara? The Berean Approach

  31. [ Bara? The Berean Approach

  32. NO! Word Definition & Scriptural Comparison(example) • Never build doctrine based on a single Bible verse. Always read the previous chapter of the verse, and the following chapter of the verse to ensure proper content (understanding). • Make sure the doctrine is consistent with the overall theme and message of the Bible. From Genesis through Revelation. • Always allow the Bible to translate itself. Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” This means we should never judge. Right? 2919 The Berean Approach

  33. Word Definition & Scriptural Comparison(example) 2919 • John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” • 1 Corinthians 2:15 “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.” • Judge = #2919 – krino, to distinguish, to decide, to choose, to be of an opinion, to approve, esteem, to prefer, to think, to deem….to judge! • Judge = #350 – (from #2919) anakrino, to scrutinize, to investigate, to interrogate, to to determine 2919 350 The Berean Approach

  34. TWO PITFALLS TO AVOID • Collapsing Content: combing two or more Bible passages that have nothing in common except similarity in certain words or metaphors to draw a conclusion that is different than the intent of the Author. THIS IS A CULT FAVORITE!!! COLLAPSING CONTENT The Berean Approach

  35. Psalm 34:15: The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous… Psalm 34:15(b): …and his ears are open to their cry 2 Samuel 22:16: …the foundations of the world were uncovered, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. Isaiah 1:20: But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 1 Samuel 13:14: The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart... Psalm 8:3: When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, … Psalm 28:5: Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands,… Isaiah 52:10: The LORD has made bare His holy arm… Psalm 18:9: He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet. COLLAPSING CONTENT • Psalm 91:4: He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. The Berean Approach

  36. LETTERISM • Letterism: forcing figurative language used in the Bible to be taken literally. • Parable • Proverb • Fable • Allegory • Type • Symbol • Simile • Metaphor • Idiom • Oxymoron • Ellipsis • Irony • Climax • Synecdoche Figurative language Use your common sense The Berean Approach

  37. Example: Matthew 3:4-6 4Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. Conclusion: The people of Jerusalem, and all the people of Judea and the region around Jordan were baptized by John the Baptist. LETTERISM “If the plain sense make sense then look for no other sense - or all you will end-up with is nonsense.” The Berean Approach

  38. Search the Scriptures Daily!DON’T BE SPOON FED “If you bring your gift to the altar, and remember there that you have something against your brother, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” • “If you bring your gift to the altar, and remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” • Next Step: Take it Matthew 5:23 & 24 - Seriously The Berean Approach

  39. The Problems with Christianity Not taken seriously The Birth of Christ Resurrection of Christ The Berean Approach

  40. The Problems with Christianity Not taken seriously Angels Satan and Demons The Berean Approach

  41. The Problems with Christianity Not taken seriously Hollywood’s distortion of evil spirits The Berean Approach

  42. The Problems with Christianity Not taken seriously Flood of diabolical films in recent times The Berean Approach

  43. The Problems with Christianity Movie’s that turn’s truth into fables: The Berean Approach

  44. The Falling Away! • The Falling Away: Strong Reference Number 646 apostasia – defection from the truth • 2 Timothy 4:3-5 • “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears AWAY from the truth, ……… and be turned aside to fables and lies.” The Great Apostasy! The Berean Approach

  45. The Falling Away! The Berean Approach

  46. The Falling Away! The Berean Approach

  47. Summary • Let go of your presumptions and let the bible speak for itself • Sensitivity to the culture • Sensitivity to the definition of words in their original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek languages • Interpret passages in their proper content • Scriptural Comparison – let the Bible translate itself • Remember, this is NOT an intellectual exercise, but rather a supernatural experience • Take the Berean Approach (Acts 17:11) • Take it seriously. BELIEVE!!! The Berean Approach

  48. Spirit Building Exercise Always begin your Bible study with prayer. Remember the Christian bar of soap – 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse of from ALL unrighteousness.” Put into practice what the Holy Spirit has taught you. Obey God, be quick to forgive and to pray for others. Even better to pray with others. Have daily devotional and Bible study. Do not neglect your own (alone) time with God. Start a journal of your Bible studies – writing down questions to God regarding anything you studied that you do not understand. Go to God in prayer and tell Him about the passage you do not understand and ask Him to grant you understanding. Have faith and believe that God will answer. Record your answer in your journal and give God the glory. PRAISE HIM! The Berean Approach

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