Bible Study for Dummies the Rest of Us

1. Bible Study for Dummiesthe Rest of Us I can do this! A “How to” Guide for Reading the New Testament

2. Count the F’s in the following sentence. Count only once, don't go back a 2nd time. Read this sentence: FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-IC STUDY COMBINED WITHTHE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

3. Count the F's in the following sentence. Count only once, don't go back a 2nd time. Read this sentence: FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-IC STUDY COMBINED WITHTHE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

4. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

5. Inthebeginningwasthewordandthewordwaswithgodandthewordwasgodhewaswithgodinthebeginningthroughhimallthingsweremadewithouthimnothingwasmadethathasbeenmadeinhimwaslifeandthatlifewasthelightofmenthelightshinesinthedarknessbutthedarknesshasnotunderstood it

6. How Do We Read the New Testament?

7. 1. Devotional Reading • As if the Words were written to me • As if the Words apply to my context • God, through His Spirit speaks to us in this manner

8. 1. Devotional Reading • Dangers: • The meaning of a text becomes “subjective.” The primary source of meaning becomes me. • Not the author’s meaning • Not the text; words and context • Every time the word “you” appears in the Bible, you assume it refers to you.

9. 1. Devotional Reading Example: 1. Read Jeremiah 29:11 2. Now Read Jeremiah 29:10 Answer this question: Is this passage a universal promise for all people of all ages?

10. 2. Original (Historical) Reading • As if the Words were written to real people • As if the Words apply to a real historical context

11. 2. Original (Historical) Meaning • Pros: • In writing through his apostles, we hear God speaking in history • Words have a “stable, objective” meaning • Dangers: • Does God cease to speak directly to me?

12. 2. Original (Historical) Meaning • How do we find the Historical Meaning? • 1st Ask: What the Text MEANT • 2nd Ask: What the Text MEANS • What principles from the passage apply to me today? • and • What aspects are time or culture bound to the ancient world?

13. 3. Community Reading As if the Words were written to the church (think “WE” not “ME”) As if the Words were given to a real historical context and still have an eternal significance

14. 3. Community Reading • We read the Bible how it wants to be read • We read “in context” • Literary Context • Historical/Cultural • Remember, CIE

15. 3. Community Reading • Problem: • We must learn the NT materials and the NT World in order to be modern disciples

16. 3. Community Reading 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" (Act 8:26-31 NIV)

17. 3. Community Reading • Acts 8:30 “Do you understand what you are reading?” • Acts 8:31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”

18. How Did the New Testament Come to be Written?

19. How did the NT Come to Be Written? John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. John 17:14 I have given them your word • Given by Jesus • to his Apostles

20. How did the NT Come to Be Written? Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke 1:1-2 2. Given by Apostles and/or Eyewitnesses to others (Luke).

21. How Does the New Testament Want to Be Read?

22. How to Read NT [Jesus says] All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:25-26

23. How to Read NT • In Small Group, answer • Who will do the instructing? • What is being taught? • Describe how this teaching take place? Be specific • 4. So, How does this apply to us today? Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)

24. How to Read NT Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

25. How to Read NT • In Small Group, answer • Who is speaking? • Who is listening? • What is being taught? Who is doing the teaching? Be Specific. • So, how does this apply to us today? Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)