bible study methods - calvary fellowship - mason city€¦ · beginning with a method ... with a...

NOTES

BIBLE STUDY

METHODS

CALVARY CHAPEL BIBLE MINISTRY SCHOOL

(AUTHOR: DAVID A CUFF)

THIRD QUARTER

NOTES

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS ........................................................................... 5

CLASS OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................... 5

CLASS PROCEDURE ..................................................................................................... 5

COURSE TEXT ............................................................................................................. 6

Other Reference Material ..................................................................................... 6

CLASS SCHEDULE ....................................................................................................... 7

HOMEWORK SCHEDULE .............................................................................................. 7

LESSON ONE ................................................................................................................ 8

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE? ........................................................................................... 8

Bible Study Is Essential… ..................................................................................... 8 To Spiritual Growth ..................................................................................................... 8

For Spiritual Discernment ............................................................................................ 8

To Spiritual Effectiveness ............................................................................................ 8

Bible Study Is Our Duty… .................................................................................... 9 Scriptural Evidence ...................................................................................................... 9

Bible Study Is Exciting… ...................................................................................... 9

HOW DO WE STUDY THE BIBLE? ............................................................................. 10

The Process At A Glance… ................................................................................ 10 We Start By Observing The Bible Text To Be Studied .............................................. 10

The Next Step Is Interpreting What We Observed ..................................................... 11

The Final Step Is Applying What We Have Learned ................................................. 11

ASSIGNMENT #1 ....................................................................................................... 12

LESSON TWO ............................................................................................................ 13

OBSERVATION (PART I) ............................................................................................ 13

Beginning With A Method… ............................................................................... 13 Start By Reading Your Bible & Taking Notes ........................................................... 13

Look For Key Words Or Terms ................................................................................. 16

Other Important Key Words ....................................................................................... 17

ASSIGNMENT #2 ....................................................................................................... 19

LESSON THREE ........................................................................................................ 20

OBSERVATION (PART II) ........................................................................................... 20

Systems Of Observation ...................................................................................... 20 Synthetic Method ....................................................................................................... 20

Analytical Method ...................................................................................................... 23

ASSIGNMENT #3 ....................................................................................................... 25

LESSON FOUR ........................................................................................................... 26

OBSERVATION (PART III).......................................................................................... 26

Other Helpful Tools ............................................................................................ 26 Parallel Passages ........................................................................................................ 26

Cross References ........................................................................................................ 27

Old Testament Quotes ................................................................................................ 28

Footnotes .................................................................................................................... 29

Biblical Background ................................................................................................... 29

ASSIGNMENT #4 ....................................................................................................... 30

LESSON FIVE ............................................................................................................. 31

NOTES

INTERPRETATION (PART I) ........................................................................................ 31

Some Important Guidelines For The Process ..................................................... 31

Some Important Rules For The Process ............................................................. 32 Rule #1 ....................................................................................................................... 32

Rule #2 ....................................................................................................................... 32

Rule #3: ...................................................................................................................... 32

Rule #4 ....................................................................................................................... 32

Some Key Terms ................................................................................................. 33 Hermeneutics ............................................................................................................. 33

The Literal-Historical-Grammatical Method .............................................................. 33

Exegesis Vs Icegesis .................................................................................................. 34

ASSIGNMENT #5 ....................................................................................................... 35

LESSON SIX................................................................................................................ 36

INTERPRETATION (PART II) ....................................................................................... 36

Literary Forms ................................................................................................... 36 Basic Categories Of Biblical Literary Forms ............................................................. 36

Basic Forms Of Parallelism In Hebrew Poetry........................................................... 39

ASSIGNMENT #6 ....................................................................................................... 41

LESSON SEVEN ......................................................................................................... 42

INTERPRETATION (PART III) ..................................................................................... 42

Important Things To Consider ........................................................................... 42 Cultural Details .......................................................................................................... 42

Symbols And Types ................................................................................................... 43

Figures Of Speech ...................................................................................................... 45

Probing The Parables ........................................................................................ 49 Principles For Interpreting Parables ........................................................................... 50

Probing Some Parables............................................................................................... 53

ASSIGNMENT #8 ....................................................................................................... 56

LESSON EIGHT ......................................................................................................... 57

APPLICATION ............................................................................................................ 57

Application Is Asking Personal Questions ......................................................... 57

Where Do We Start? ........................................................................................... 58 We Start With Prayer ................................................................................................. 58

We Continue With Resolve ........................................................................................ 58

We Are Enabled Through Grace ................................................................................ 58

Next We Ask Ourselves Eight Specific Questions ............................................... 59 Is there an example for me to follow? ........................................................................ 59

Is there a sin to avoid? ................................................................................................ 59

Is there a promise to claim? ........................................................................................ 59

Is there a prayer to repeat? ......................................................................................... 60

Is there a command to obey? ...................................................................................... 60

Is there a condition to meet?....................................................................................... 60

Is there a verse to memorize? ..................................................................................... 61

Is there an error to mark? ........................................................................................... 61

LESSON NINE ............................................................................................................ 62

COMMUNICATION ..................................................................................................... 62

First To You Then Others ................................................................................... 62

Develop Questions For Others To Answer ......................................................... 62

Formulate Central Themes Of Application ........................................................ 63

BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................... 64

APPENDIX A .............................................................................................................. 65

―PARTS OF SPEECH‖ ................................................................................................. 65

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 65

NOTES

Nouns .................................................................................................................. 65

Adjectives ........................................................................................................... 66

Adverbs ............................................................................................................... 66

Prepositions ........................................................................................................ 66

Conjunctions ....................................................................................................... 67

Pronouns ............................................................................................................ 67

Verbs .................................................................................................................. 67

Interjections ........................................................................................................ 68

APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................... 69

11 ASPECTS OF CULTURE WITH EXAMPLES .............................................................. 69

Political .............................................................................................................. 69 Including national, international, and civil ................................................................. 69

Religious ............................................................................................................. 70

Economic ............................................................................................................ 72

Legal ................................................................................................................... 72

Agricultural ........................................................................................................ 72

Architectural ....................................................................................................... 73

Clothing .............................................................................................................. 74

Domestic ............................................................................................................. 74

Geographical ...................................................................................................... 75

Military ............................................................................................................... 76

Social .................................................................................................................. 76

APPENDIX C .............................................................................................................. 78

THE 17 LISTED TYPES IN THE BIBLE ........................................................................ 78

NOTES

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS

CLASS OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this class is to give the student an introduction

to the basic principles of studying the Bible. Within the nine

weeks of this class, most of the tools (principles) you will

need to study the Scriptures will be discussed. Unfortunately,

only some of them will have been demonstrated through class

discussion and homework assignments. The student is

encouraged to continue to study and practice all the given

principles discussed in this class. It is hoped that you will gain

a love for the study of God‘s Word that will continue

throughout your lifetime serving our Lord.

CLASS PROCEDURE

Some students are taking this class for credit toward a Cer-

tificate of Ministry or Associate or Bachelor‘s degree. Others

are here for personal enrichment. The lectures will be geared

for both students. The difference will be in the amount of

work required of the two groups of students.

Personal Enrichment students are encouraged to have regular

attendance as each lesson builds on the topics discussed.

Personal Enrichment students are not required to do the out-

side assignments (except for the reading).

Those students desiring the Certificate of Ministry or degree

programs will be required to have regular attendance, do the

required outside readings and assigned written work, and take

a final exam.

Regular attendance includes being present at the lectures for

nine weeks with no more than three absences. All absences

must be made up by purchasing and listening to the class

tapes and completing the assignments due for the week that was missed (this includes personal enrichment students also).

NOTES

COURSE TEXT

The text for this course is Living By The Book by Howard G.

Hendricks and William D. Hendricks. All required reading

will be from this book and the Word Of God. This book is

very practical and will assist you in a life long pattern of

studying God‘s Word.

Other Reference Material

There are a number of good ―How To‖ books that can be used

for further study. Some of these would include ―Simply

Understanding The Bible‖ by Irving L. Jensen, ―Independent

Bible Study‖ also by Irving L. Jensen, and Basic Bible

Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck. Feel free to consult them.

They can only enrich your overall comprehension of the

material covered in class.

These Books and other recommended readings can be

purchased through our bookstore at Calvary Chapel

MidValley (818) 461-0121.

Also, the instructor may be handing out support material

during the 9 weeks of the scheduled class time. It is

recommend that you inquire if any of these were handed out

should you miss any classes.

NOTES

CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes will be held every Tuesday excluded scheduled breaks

at 17500 Ventura Blvd. If for some unexpected reason, you

are unable to attend a class, you may make up the class

session by purchasing a copy of the recorded cd in our

bookstore. Also, it would be helpful if you called the school

and informed them of your absence before hand so your tapes

and any handouts can be made available to you.

HOMEWORK SCHEDULE

Topic / Week

(9 Week Class)

Suggested

Reading

Assignments

(Living By The

Book, Hendricks)

Assigned

Homework In

This Syllabus

(Required)

Introduction To The Class

Lesson One

Pg 1 - 34 (44 pages)

Pg 45 - 86 (41 pages)

Assignment #1-Pg 12

Lesson Two

Observation Part I

Pg 87 – 130 (43 pages)

Assignment #2- Pg. 19

Lesson Three

Observation Part II

Pg 131 – 192 (61 pages)

Assignment #3-Pg. 25

Lesson Four

Observation Part III

Pg 193 - 224 (31 pages)


Lesson Five

Interpretation Part I

Pg 225 - 251 (26 pages)


Lesson Six

Interpretation Part II

Pg 252 - 280 (28 pages) Assignment #6- Pg. 41

Lesson Seven

Interpretation Part III

Pg 281 - 308 (27 pages) Assignment #8- Pg. 56

Lesson Eight

Application

Pg 309 - 325 (16 pages)

Lesson Nine

Communication Pg 326-342 (16 pages)

NOTES

LESSON ONE

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

―It is only when truth is discovered that it is appropriated.

When a man is simply told the truth, it remains external to him

and he can quite easily forget it. When he is led to discover the

truth himself it becomes an integral part of him and he never

forgets." William Barclay

Bible Study Is Essential…

To Spiritual Growth

1st Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:17

For Spiritual Discernment

Hebrews 5:11-14, 2 Peter 2:3

For Spiritual Effectiveness

2nd

Timothy 3:16-17

NOTES

Bible Study Is Our Duty…

―We fail in our duty to study God‘s Word not so much

because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is

dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a

lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that

we are lazy.‖ R.C. Sproul

Scriptural Evidence

Matthew 11:29, 1 Timothy 4:4-6, 2 Timothy 2:1

Bible Study Is Exciting…

Bible study is a spiritual encounter with the Living God. The

Bible is not like any other book ever written. Other books can

be helpful, informative, artistic, and many other things, but

only the Holy Scriptures claim and prove to be alive (Hebrews

4:12). As we apply ourselves to its truths, God‘s Spirit applies

them to our everyday lives. As we discover for ourselves the

heart of God from His timeless Word, we will observe His

desires have become our utmost priority.

NOTES

HOW DO WE STUDY THE BIBLE?

The Process At A Glance…

Just like raising children, starting a company, forming a

government, or any other long-term endeavor, we need to start

with a plan. Someone has said ―failure to plan is planning to

fail.‖ So let‘s start by looking at the complete process briefly

before we look at each step in detail later on. This is kind of

like reading the Table Of Contents of a book before reading

the contents contained within its pages.

We Start By Observing The Bible Text To Be Studied

This is where we ask and answer the question, ―What do I

see?‖ We do this by reading and re-reading the Bible text we

are studying multiple times and writing notes of what we are

observing in the text. As we study this process later in the

next chapter, we will discuss various ways to read the text and

the different things to look for during our reading. This

process involves asking the same questions a detective would

ask while trying to obtain information from a situation he was

not able to witness first hand. Such as;

Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

OBSERVATION

“What Do I See?”

NOTES

The Next Step Is Interpreting What We Observed

This process involves making a decision as to what the

passage you are studying means. This is also known as

interpreting the Bible. Often the questions being asked while

observing the passage are answered during the interpretation

process.

One of the most important things to remember is that there is

only one correct interpretation for every passage of Scripture.

The only exception is prophecy that has a dual fulfillment.

For example Isaiah 61:1-2 had a partial fulfillment during the

First Coming of Jesus Christ (Lk 4:18-21), and will be

completely fulfilled at the Second Coming Of Jesus Christ.

While there certainly are many ways of applying the general

and specific truths of a passage (explained briefly in the final

step) there is only one true or correct interpretation.

The Final Step Is Applying What We Have Learned

The most exciting part of Bible study is being changed by the

power of God‘s Word. Our lives can change by applying or

appropriating the principle(s) derived from our interpretation

of Scripture. As we take the truths learned from our study of

Scripture and ask ourselves the question ―how does this apply

to my life?‖ we will have progressed in our task of being good

and faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

INTERPRETATION

APPLICATION

“What Does It Mean?”

“How Does It Work?”

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #1

Sometimes we get into reading habits that can keep us from

seeing everything in the text we are studying. This first

assignment should help us break those reading habits by

studying the words in the text by themselves.

The paragraph below contains 16 books of the Bible. They

can be found as a whole word or as part of two words. Do the

best you can at finding all sixteen. For the assignment to be

accepted at least 12 must be found.

Can you find 16 Books of the Bible?

Circle 16 books as they appear in the paragraph

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the

Bible. It was a lulu. Kept people looking so hard for

facts, and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a

jam. Especially since the names of the books were not

capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to

numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We

want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you.

Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others

may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it

usually takes a minister to find one of them and there

will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady

says she brews a cup of tea, so she can concentrate

better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for

there really are sixteen names of the Bible in this story.

NOTES

LESSON TWO

OBSERVATION (PART I)

Beginning With A Method…

“The believer who fears the Bible’s scope need not regard

Bible study as an impassable mountain. He can begin to

conquer the mountain by finding a practical and fruitful method of study.

2”

Start By Reading Your Bible & Taking Notes

“There is no substitute for firsthand exposure to God’s

Word.1” The first step in the observation process is reading the

specific text to be studied, then re-reading and re-reading

the text continually until specific observations become

obvious. Some of these may be realized upon your first

reading. As they do, make a note of them with a pencil.

This would seem obvious but is probably one of the most

neglected steps of Bible study… The formal term for this

process is Analysis.

Let‘s Look At Some Ways To Read

Read Thoughtfully

Think about what you are reading. Thoughtful reading

involves studying. Apply the same discipline you would to

any other subject in which you take a vital interest1. Use the

same intensity you use in other areas in life. Don‘t study the

Bible with a lazy mind.

NOTES

Ways To Read (Continued…)

Read Repeatedly

Start at the beginning and read until you come to the end of

the text being studied. Then do it again! Continue this

process making your observations each time through. If

possible read the whole book that your text is from. Make

sure you get a good sense of the whole passage you are

reading. Expose yourself to your text continually!

Read Patiently

Spend the time needed to settle your thoughts and emotions.

This will enable you to hear from the Holy Spirit. This is

essential to understanding God‘s Word.

Read Selectively

Note on paper and review in your mind the different questions

discussed earlier that are helpful in your observation of the

text. Ask such as questions as Who?, What?, Where?, When?,

How?, And Why?

Read Prayerfully

Prayer in Bible study is just like any other time in our life.

When we come to the Father in the Name of His Son Jesus

and ask Him to reveal His Word to us, our potential for

understanding the Bible becomes unlimited. James 1:5-6 tells

us to ask God for wisdom and He will grant it. Can you think

of any better time to ask of Him than when we desire to

understand His Word? And, as He answers with

understanding, thank Him during your study time. In this

manner, Bible study becomes a form of Worship and

communication with God.

NOTES

Ways To Read (Continued…)

Read Imaginatively

Read different translations. Re-write the text in your own

words. Attempt to feel what the author or those in your text

are experiencing. Can you imagine how the leper felt in

Matthew chapter 8 when Jesus not only touched him but also

healed him of his disease?

Read Meditatively

Continue to think on the different words and phrases until they

minister to you in a deeper way. Go beyond the time you have

allocated for study and think of the different words and

phrases during the day when you have time. Meditate on them

throughout your day as you have the time.

Read Purposefully

Decide at the start of your reading to acquire the basic

information from your passage. Look for clues as to the

overall theme. For instance, in Psalms 1, the basic theme is a

contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked. And the

difference is found in following God‘s Word or following

wicked counsel.

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the

ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of

the scornful; 2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in

His law he meditates day and night. 3

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its

season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does

shall prosper. 4The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff

which the wind drives away. 5

Therefore the ungodly shall not

stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the

righteous. 6

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But

the way of the ungodly shall perish.

NOTES

Look For Key Words Or Terms

The author of a passage will often use specific words that will

help us understand what is being conveyed. These words will

often be used more than once and are crucial to understanding

what is being said.

Let‘s Look At An Example Of A Repeated Word

In the Gospel Of John the word Believe is used seventy-nine

times and always as a verb. John uses this word for a reason

and the overall meaning of the book would not be the same

without it. We could say “Believe” is a key word to the

Gospel of John especially because of what John says in

20:30-31.

Let‘s Demonstrate With An Example

Open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

In this example, it becomes clear that the author Paul is talking

about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The key

word is used a total of 11 times (twice as a noun and nine

times as a verb) in this passage and is found to be the overall

theme of 1 Corinthians Chapter 15.

12Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some

among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13

But if there is no

resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14

And if Christ is not risen, then

our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15

Yes, and we are found false

witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom

He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16

For if the dead do not rise,

then Christ is not risen. 17

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still

in your sins! 18

Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19

If

in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

NOTES

Other Important Key Words

Other types of key words can be found to answer basic

questions in our process of Observation. Conjunctions assist

us in finding the context of a passage and Adverbs help

answer questions such as How?, When?, Where?, and Why?

Conjunctions

The following examples should help (taken from the book of

Ephesians).

Contrast: But (2:4,13)

Comparison: Just as (4:32,5:25)

Correlation: As…So (5:24)

Reason: Because (2:4,6:8); For (2:8); For this reason

(1:15,3:1,14)

Result: Therefore (2:11); Consequently (2:19); Then

(4:14).

Purpose: That (4:28); In Order That (1:12,18); So That

(1:17)

Conclusion: Then (4:1); So (4:17)

Time: When(1:13); Until (4:13; Finally (6:10)

Addition: Also (1:18); In Addition (6:16)

Concession: Although (3:8)

NOTES

Other Important Key Words (Continued…)

Adverbs – How, When, Where, Why

An adverb is a word that modifies or qualifies in some way a

verb, adjective, or phrase. The adverb is another very helpful

key word in our process of observing our passage. The

following are a few examples:

An adverb may suggest manner or quality, telling how: he

spoke softly; he prayed earnestly; he ran fast.

Adverbs may also suggest place, indicating where, as in the

sentences "he went away," "he ran ahead," "he ran

around the block."

An adverb may suggest degree, indicating how much, as in

"he ran enough.”

Adverbs may also indicate time, telling when: "he came

early," "you were formerly in darkness," "he ran

yesterday.”

Adverbs may suggest purpose or result, indicating why, as

in the example "he ran to lose weight.”

A brief definition of the most basic elements of the “Parts Of

Speech” are listed in Appendix A

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #2

Start this assignment by reading Psalm 23 with the methods

explained in Lesson Two. Observe key words, repeated

words, important verbs, and adverbs, and any other

information to help you understand the general theme and

meaning of the text. Make sure you write these down as

part of your assignment. Have fun and spend time

meditating with this wonderful portion of Scripture. You may

use the Observation Chart in the appendix section of this

syllabus, or create your own format if you choose.

An example of this assignment in a non-chart format from

another portion of Scripture (Rev. 22:1-5) is listed here below.

Revelation 22:1-5

Who? he (v1) God (v1) The Lamb (v1) The Nations (v2)His Servants (v3) Him (v3) They (v4) His x2(v4) Their (v4) They x2 (v5) The Lord God (v5) Them (v5)

What? Pure river of water of life (v1) Throne of God, throne of Lamb (v1 &3) Street (2) Tree of life (v2) Twelve fruits (v2)

Leaves of the tree (v2) Healing of the nations (v2) Curse (v3) Serve Him (v3) See His face (v4) His Name on their foreheads (v4) * No Night (v5) No Lamp (v5) No Light of the sun (v5) reign forever and ever (v5)

When? After The Great Tribulation (Rev. 6:1-18:24). After the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11). After John sees the

new Heaven and Earth (Rev. 21:1). After John sees the New Jerusalem or Holy City (Rev. 21:2). After John describes the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:9-27 and this text Rev. 22:1-5) Every month (v2) Forever and ever (v5)

Where? John’s vision (Rev 1:1) Island of Patmos (Rev 1:9) The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1) Throne of God and The Lamb (v1) Middle of its street and on either side (v2)

Why? Why did the angel show him? (v1) Why was the water flowing from the Throne? (v1) Why was the tree in the middle of

the street? (v2) Why was the tree on either side of the river (v2) Why did the tree bare twelve fruits, and one every month? (v2) Is there time in eternity? Why were the leaves for the healing and not the fruit? (v2) Why does the writer contrast the curse and The Throne (v3) How does His servants serve Him? (v3) What is His Name and How is it placed on their foreheads? (v4) Why is there no darkness? (v5) How does The Lord God give them light (v5)

Thoughts - We have seen His face, (dimly) but then face to face (v4). Darkness is just the absence of light (v5). To Live without water is impossible. The water from the throne is the only source. The river and the tree are useful symbols, but no more. Life comes from God and these come from before His throne (v1). To see God’s face was denied to Moses, but will be available to all God’s servants.

Key phrases (1) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the

Lamb. (2) In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (3) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. (4) They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Key Words (1) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the

Lamb. (2) In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (3) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. (4) They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

NOTES

LESSON THREE

OBSERVATION (PART II)

Systems Of Observation

While there are many ways to study the Bible, the two most

essential methods are Synthesis and Analysis.

Synthetic Method

Definition: Dr. Tenny – ―The synthetic method approaches

the book as a unit and seeks to understand its meaning as a

whole.‖

Method Description

Synthesis Telescope Perspective Parts To The Whole

Analysis Microscope Detail Whole To Parts

This is more of a crop-duster view of the book being studied

and gives the reader the context of the smaller portions of the

book. It will also help provide a structural framework for

analysis.

NOTES

This Synthesis (Clustering) process has 4 steps.

(Step-1) Give each paragraph a title that represents its basic

message.

(Step-2) Give the chapter a title that represents all of its

paragraph titles.

(Step-3) Give groups of chapters a title. This is called a Super

Title.

(Step-4) Give the entire book a theme that represents all of the

Super Titles. This process is often called clustering.

The cluster chart below diagrams a smaller portion of this

process.

THEME

OF

THE

BOOK

Super Title

Chapter

Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Chapter

Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Super Title

Chapter

Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Chapter

Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

Paragraph Title

NOTES

Examples Of Clustering

Listed here is a very basic example of clustering, otherwise

known as synthesis, from the Book Of Nehemiah. In the

Appendix are examples of clustering from Romans, and 1st

John.

The process of clustering called synthesis should give you the

overall theme of the book or large passage you are studying.

This will give you the context of the smaller verses to be

studied in the process of analysis.

This method should give you a crop duster‘s view of your

passage…

The Book Of Nehemiah

Theme: The Book Of Reconstruction

I. The Re-Construction Of The Wall (1-6)

1. Nehemiah’s Intercession (1:1-11)

2. Nehemiah’s Expedition (2:1-16)

3. Nehemiah’s Exhortation (2:17-20)

4. The Rebuilding Attempted (3:1-32)

5. The Rebuilding Obstructed (4:-6:14)

6. The Rebuilding Completed (6:15-19)

II. The Re-Instruction Of The People (7-13)

1. Re-registration Of The Remnant (7)

2. Re-inculcation Of The Law (8)

3. Re-consecration Of The People (9-10)

4. Re-population Of The City (11)

5. Re-dedication Of The Walls (12)

6. Re-extirpation Of Abuses (13)

--J. Sidlow Baxter

In The Beginning God Created The

Heavens And The Earth….Gen 1:1

NOTES

Analytical Method

Definition: Analysis is the separation of anything into

constituent parts or elements, or an examination of anything in

its separate parts. In synthesis we are putting together, in

analysis we are taking apart.

This process is accomplished by analyzing the text in the

smaller portions of the paragraph cluster created during

synthesis. This step of observation will take the most time but

will produce the basis for proper interpretation (discussed

later).

A simple example of this process taken from Revelation 22

can be found on page 19 as well as from Matthew 6:25 listed

below.

Scripture Passage: Matthew 6:25 Simple Observations

Therefore I tell you,

Do not be anxious about your life,

What you shall eat

Or what you shall drink,

Nor about your body,

What you shall put on.

Is not life more than food and

The body more than clothing?

Important connective – therefore

Emphatic statement – I tell you

Admonition – do not be anxious

Key words – anxious, life

Two illustrations – eat, drink

Repeated Words – life, body

NOTES

Word Studies

Definition: Determine what the individual words being

studied mean. Understand how the word was used in history

and how the author used it in the context of the passage being

studied.

While analysis has been briefly explained in Lesson #3, word

studies are another important tool to this process. Word

studies are essential to understanding what the Bible means

because words form the building blocks to ideas, concepts,

and truth.

Useful Terms To Help With Understanding Word Studies

Etymology: The origin and development of a word.

Cognate: Having a common origin; Especially culturally or

linguistically.

Tools Used In Word Studies

Concordance (Strong‘s), Lexicon / Dictionary, Interlinear

Bible

An Overview Of The Process

1. Discover the general context of your passage and word.

2. Look up the definition and its Strong‘s number.

3. Reference a more detailed Dictionary / Lexicon.

4. Follow the ―Circle Of Research‖ outlined to the left in

―Notes‖.

5. Read different translations of your passage (NKJ,NASB,

NIV,TLB)

6. Check to see if your findings agree with the context of your

passage.

(1) How Did The Author Use The Word In Its Immediate

Passage?

(2) How Did The Author Use The Word In Other Passages Of

Scripture?

(3) How Did Other Contemporary Authors Use The Word In Other

Passages Of Scripture?

(4) How Is The Word Used

Throughout The Whole Bible?

(5) How Is The Word Used Throughout

History Outside Of The Bible?

The Key is to get the context of the passage and research

the original languages (Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic).

Circle Of Research

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #3

(Part One)

Read and re-read the book of Ephesians. Then start on the

process of clustering the entire book (See Example on page

20). You have three weeks to complete the book of Ephesians,

have fun.

(Part Two)

Read and re-read the first chapter of the book of Ephesians

and start on the process of analysis. Continue with a

complete observation of Chapter One Verses 3-14. You

may use the Inductive Bible Study template at the back of this

syllabus. Keep your work, as you will need it for assignment

#5 when you will be required to interpret chapter one, verses

3-14.

(Part Three)

Do a Word Study on the word ―predestined‖ from Ephesians

1:5. Part Three will be due next week.

Ephesians 1:3-143

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the

world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5having predestined us to

adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6to the

praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches

of His grace 8which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

9having made known

to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10

that

in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ,

both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11

In Him also we have obtained an

inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to

the counsel of His will, 12

that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in

whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14

who is the guarantee

of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

NOTES

LESSON FOUR

OBSERVATION (PART III)

Other Helpful Tools

Parallel Passages

When studying through the Gospels it is essential to review

the parallel passages in the other Gospels to learn of any other

insightful information that will help you understand the

passage. If you have a Study Bible they often list parallel

passages at the beginning of the passage.

Let‘s Look At An Example

Mark 8:27-30

27Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of

Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His

disciples, saying to them, ―Who do men say that I am?‖ 28

So they answered, ―John the Baptist; but some say,

Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.‖ 29

He said to

them, ―But who do you say that I am?‖ Peter answered

and said to Him, ―You are the Christ.‖ 30

Then He

strictly warned them that they should tell no one about

Him.

Now read Matthew 16:13-20 and find out more

about this wonderful revelation that Peter was given.

NOTES

Cross References

Most modern Bibles contain Scriptural references that may

shed light to the passage you are studying. Often a Biblical

doctrine or theme is explained in more than one passage or

book and a good study Bible will reference these other verses.


Romans 12:6-8

Having then gifts differing according to the grace

that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us

prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let

us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in

teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who

gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence;

he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Now Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and learn more

about this great doctrinal truth about the Gifts of

the Spirit.

NOTES

Old Testament Quotes

Often the authors of the New Testament will quote from an

Old Testament passage of Scripture to make a point or to

support an argument. Finding the location of that quote and

studying it (use a concordance or study Bible) could be

invaluable in understanding that passage.


Galatians 3:5-9

5Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and

works miracles among you, does He do it by the

works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—6just

as Abraham “believed God, and it was

accounted to him for righteousness.”* 7Therefore know that only those who are of faith are

sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing

that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,

preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,

saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”**

9So then those who are of faith are

blessed with believing Abraham.

* Genesis 15:6

** Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14

NOTES

Footnotes

Footnotes can be used by the publisher of a Bible for many

things but some of the more helpful uses are Textual

Differences, Manuscript Preferences, And English Word

Definitions.

Biblical Background

When reading various narrative passages in the Bible it is

often helpful and at times essential to locate additional

passages of Scripture that bring more information to the

situation.

Let‘s Look At Two Examples

The Motive Of A False Prophet

The motive that causes Balaam to repeatedly inquire of God

for a curse against Israel is not immediately obvious in the

narrative passage from book of Numbers Chapters 22-24. But

review 2 Peter 2:15-16, Jude 1:11, and Revelation 2:14. These

verses can be found by looking up the name Balaam using a

Bible concordance.

The Faith Of A Servant

The reason Moses left the Egyptian palace in the book of

Exodus chapter 2 is explained in Hebrews chapter 11.

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #4

(Part One)

Find four examples of the different tools listed in Lesson Four

and listed here below. Then explain why each one qualifies as

an example.

Parallel Passages ................................................ Page 26

Cross References ............................................... Page 27

Old Testament Quotes ....................................... Page 28

Footnotes............................................................ Page 29

Biblical Background .......................................... Page 29

(Part Two)

Continue your clustering of the entire book of Ephesians

(See Example on page 20). You have two more weeks to

complete the book of Ephesians.

(Part Three)

Continue your process of Observing Ephesians Chapter One

Verses 3-14. See if any of the above tools will help you in this

process.

NOTES

LESSON FIVE

INTERPRETATION (PART I)

Definition: To explain or clarify the meaning.

―Acting on what God has said assumes that you understand

what He has said. That‘s why the second major step in

firsthand Bible study is the step of Interpretation. Here you

ask and answer the question, ‗What does it mean?‘‖ Howard

G. Hendricks

Some Important Guidelines For The Process

The foundation of Biblical interpretation is found in the

amount of time invested in observation. Spending time with

the Bible text forms the basis of proper interpretation. But as

we move to our own decision as to what the passage means

some guidelines should help.

They guidelines are as follows:

(1) Be Aware Of The Literary Form Of The Passage (Listed On Pg. 36)

(2) Be Aware Of The Context Of The Passage (Explained On Pg. 20)

(3) Be Aware Of Any Cultural Details (Explained On Pg. 42)

(4) Be Aware Of The Language Barriers (Use Word Studies –Pg. 24)

(5) Be Aware That There Is Only One Correct Interpretation

(6) Be Aware That The Bible Is The Best Commentary On The Bible

(7) Be Aware Of The Interpretation Of Others (Bible Commentaries)

NOTES

Some Important Rules For The Process

Rule #1

Take the Bible literally unless the passage is

obviously intended to be taken figuratively.

Jesus is the door (John 10:9)

Trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12)

Mountains and hills shall break forth into singing

(Isaiah 55:12)

Remember: If The Plain Sense Makes Sense Seek No Other

Sense!

Rule #2

God said what He meant, and meant what He said.

Don‘t spend time looking for hidden messages in the Bible

that were never intended to be there (i.e. The Bible Code).

Rule #3:

One interpretation but many applications

2 Peter 1:20-21 ―knowing this first, that no prophecy of

Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy

never came by the will of man, but holy men of God

spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.‖

Rule #4

Scripture best interprets Scripture

The best commentary on the Bible is The Bible

NOTES

Some Key Terms

Hermeneutics

"The science (principles) and art (task) by which the meaning

of the biblical text is determined."

In the technical sense the word means the art and science of

biblical interpretation. Hermeneutics is considered a science

because it has rules or principles that can be classified into an

orderly system. It is considered an art because communication

is flexible, and a mechanical and rigid application of rules will

sometimes distort the true meaning of the message.

The Literal-Historical-Grammatical Method

This refers to the interpretation of Scripture, which takes the

Bible literally, considers the historical setting, and considers

the grammatical aspects of the text. The Bible is to be

understood literally because the writers intended to

communicate actual facts and ideas. The Bible is to be

understood historically because the authors described actual

events, which happened in time. The Bible is to be understood

grammatically because the authors used the basic rules of

language to communicate their thoughts.

NOTES

Exegesis Vs Eisogesis

Exegesis is the determination of the meaning of the biblical

text in its historical and literary contexts. The basic definition

is to pull from the Bible passage the interpretation and

meaning.

Eisogesis would be just the opposite of Exegesis. It would be

to read into the Bible passage a predetermined idea or

meaning that comes from outside the passage being studied.

We Must Take From The Bible Our Understanding Of

Doctrine And Truth

Exegesis

Eisogesis

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #5

(Part One)

Finish your clustering of the entire book of Ephesians (See

Example on page 20). This is due next week.

(Part Two)

Begin and Finish your process of Interpreting Ephesians

Chapter One Verses 3-14. Write in five paragraphs or less the

basic meaning of Ephesians 1:3-14. This is due next week.

(Part Three)

Do a word study on the word ―Love.‖ Find all the different

Greek forms that are translated ―love‖ in English. Use the

procedures listed for you on page 24. This is due in two

weeks.

NOTES

LESSON SIX

INTERPRETATION (PART II)

Literary Forms

Another name for literary form is called literary genre (A

type or class, an established category of artistic composition.

French–―a kind‖). When reading the Bible it becomes

obvious that not every passage of Scripture has been written

from the same category of literature. It is very helpful to

know the type of literary form the book you are reading has

when studying the Bible.

Basic Categories Of Biblical Literary Forms

Exposition

Exposition is a straightforward argument or explanation of a

body of truth. It is didactic (teaching) or instructive in nature

and usually has a very structured progression. This form can

also be very exhortative. Most of the epistles (letters to the

churches) are of this form that are only found in the New

Testament.

Examples: Romans, 1st & 2

nd Corinthians, Galatians,

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st & 2

nd Thessalonians, 1

st

& 2nd

Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, James, 1st 2

nd Peter, 1

st, 2

nd, &

3rd

John, and Jude.

NOTES

Historical / Narrative

The word narrative means story. These are historical events

that often are described in chronological order. The book of

Genesis is the story of the life of Abraham, his son Isaac, and

his grandson Jacob. Often the pathos or emotion of the lives

of people can be felt as you read this form of literature.

Example: Genesis through Esther, The Gospels (all four), and

Acts. While these books contain other types of literary forms,

their basic form is historical / narrative. Also, other books in

the Bible not mentioned in this list contain portions of

historical / narrative passages such as the book of Daniel.

Parables

The word parable comes from the Greek New Testament and

is a compound word that means ―to cast or throw alongside.‖

So a parable is a heavenly truth cast alongside (or contained

within) an earthly story. Jesus told many such parables to

keep the attention of poor listeners and to hide truths from

those who did not really want to know His teachings. See

handout entitled ―probing the parables.‖

NOTES

Poetry

Biblical poetry is the arrangement of ideas and truths into

patterns. Often symbols and analogies are used to express

ideas. For example ―The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not

want‖ (Psalm 23:1) is an analogy of how our Lord cares for us

as a Good Shepherd cares for His flocks to the point where

they want for nothing.

While English poetry often consists of rhyming sentences,

Hebrew poetry often uses parallelisms, contrasts, and similes

(same as or like).

Examples: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song Of

Solomon. There are many other portions of Scripture that

contain poetry, but the five books listed here are referred to as

the poetry section of the Bible.

Psalms chapter one is a good example of Hebrew poetry

contrasting the Righteous and the Wicked and Proverbs 17:9

shows the contrast between a gossip and friend.

He who covers a transgression seeks love,

But he who repeats a matter separates friends. Proverbs 17:9

NOTES

Basic Forms Of Parallelism In Hebrew Poetry

There are three basic kinds of parallel thought.

Synonymous Parallelism - An idea may be expressed a

second or third time in a similar way.

Let‘s Look At An Example:

―Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech listen

to my speech!‖ Gen. 4:23

―Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me

from my sin.‖ Psalm 51:2

Synthetic Parallelism - The poet adds to the original concept.


In Psalm 1:1 Each phrase in the verse adds an additional

thought. To walk with the wicked may be the first stage; to

stand with sinners is even worse; and to sit with scoffers

would seem to be the ultimate.

Antithetic Parallelism - The poet contrasts one idea with

another.


―The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the

mouth of fools spouts folly.‖ Prov. 15:2

The second phrase generally gives a negative contrast to the

first phrase.

NOTES

Prophecy And Apocalyptic

Prophecy

Prophetic books of the Bible look ahead from the time they

were written. While many of the prophecies of the Old

Testament have been fulfilled, we can still learn much of the

person and nature of God from these passages.

The most striking feature is the tone of warning and

judgment that is used. A prophet was not to foretell the

future but to ―forth-tell‖ as God had spoken to them.

Examples: Most of the books from Isaiah through Malachi.

This section of your Bible is called the Major and Minor

prophets.

Apocalyptic

Apocalyptic literature is in a special category. It deals with

cataclysmic events of global proportions having to do with

the end of the world.

Examples: Revelation, parts of the book of Daniel, &

Matthew 24.

Revelation 6:12-17

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great

earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the

moon became like blood. 13

And the stars of heaven fell to the earth,

as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14

Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every

mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15

And the kings of

the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty

men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and

in the rocks of the mountains, 16

and said to the mountains and rocks,

―Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne

and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17

For the great day of His wrath has

come, and who is able to stand?‖

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #6

(Part One)

Find five examples of each of the three forms of Hebrew

Parallelism listed on page 39 and shown below. Do not use the

examples listed in the syllabus. This assignment is due next

week.

Synonymous – Five Examples

Synthetic – Five Examples

Antithetic – Five Examples

(Part Two)

List the general literary form of all the 66 books of the Bible.

Some of these will contain more than one form but just list the

basic form of each book. Example: While the book of

Matthew contains some poetry its main literary form is

historical/narrative.

For Extra Credit: list all the major literary forms within each

book.

Part Two will be due at the end of the quarter.

NOTES

LESSON SEVEN

INTERPRETATION (PART III)

Important Things To Consider

Cultural Details

Often one of the best sources of information that will help and

often change your understanding of a passage is found in the

cultural details of the time the passage was written.

Definition: ―The total pattern of human behavior that includes

thought, speech, action, and artifacts, and as the customary

beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious,

or social group.‖ Webster’s Dictionary.

Interesting Fact: When Hudson Taylor went to inland China

he forever changed modern missions by taking on the cultural

dress and customs of the Chinese people. This was done so he

could be used as an unobstructed vehicle for the proclamation

of the Gospel.

Just like the Chinese of Hudson Taylor‘s day, the cultural

setting of a passage of Scripture can assist us in understanding

and receiving the message the author of a book of the Bible

was originally trying to convey.


Why does Psalm 1:4 compare the wicked to chaff? This was to depict

that the wicked have no security. When farmers winnow wheat, the

chaff, light in weight, blows away. No farmer tries to retain and use the

chaff because it is useless. The wicked, like the chaff, have no security

and are worthless.

NOTES

Symbols And Types

Types

The New Testament and the Old Testament are related to each

other by types and antitypes, or shadows and fulfillments.

Paul mentions in Col 2:16-17 that the things of the Old

Testament were shadows of the things to come.

The word type itself comes from the Greek word typos. This

word is used 15 times in the N.T. and is translated in the

following ways: Jn 20:25-marks, Acts 7:43-pattern, Acts 23:25-follows, Rom

5:14- pattern, Rom 6:17- form, 1 Cor 10:6-examples, Phil 3:17- example, 1 Thes 1:7-

model, 2 Thes 3:9-model, 1 Tim 4:12-example, Titus 2:7- example, Heb 8:5- pattern,

1 Peter 5:3-examples

It is easy to see the word was used in a general way and not

only in a technical sense. The word itself comes from the

Greek word typo, "to strike." The thought is that the

impression left from a blow or a strike then resembles that

which gives the blow or imprint. The main idea associated

with a type is resemblance. The one thing must be similar to

the other.

Two other words (antitype & shadow) are used in the N.T. in

relation to this study. Antitype is used twice in the N.T. (1 Pet

3:21 & Heb 9:24). The first reference refers to the flood as a

picture of baptism, and the latter of the sanctuary as an

antitype of the Tabernacle in heaven. The word antitype

literally means, "answering to the type." Baptism answers to

the flood and the sanctuary relates to the true tabernacle in

heaven.

The third word skia (or shadow) is another word that is used in

the N.T. This word is used 3 times in the N.T. (Heb 8:5, 10:1,

Col 2:16-17). A shadow is something that is indefinite and

changing, but at the same time it speaks of resemblance. It is

clear that all three words are used in a technical sense every

time in the Bible. This makes it necessary to develop some

guidelines for distinguishing types in a technical sense from

mere examples and patterns.

NOTES

Six Qualities of a Type

1. Resemblance -The type should resemble or be similar to

the antitype. (Ex: The Sabbath and Christian Rest Col 2:17,

Heb 4:3).

2. Historical reality- Persons, events, or things in the OT

that are types of things in the NT had historical REALITY.

The OT should still be interpreted literally as a recorded fact.

(Ex: Aaron's Priesthood- (Heb 5:4-5)

3. Prefiguring- A type has a predictive or foreshadowing

element to it (Col 2:7). A type is a shadow, which points

ahead to the reality.

4. Heightening- The antitype is greater and superior to the

type. For example Christ is superior to Melchizedek (Ps

110:4, Heb 6:20).

5. Divine design- Types are not simply resemblances in the

Word but are planned by God. (Ex: The Tabernacle)

6. It Must Be Designated In The New Testament!

Types in the Bible

Using the six qualifications above only 17 items qualify as types. A list

of them is provided in Appendix C. The Passover is the only feast that is

actually designated as a type but Col 2:16-17 most likely has all the

feasts in mind. Heb 9:9-10 seems to imply all the sacrificial offerings

were types as well.

NOTES

Figures Of Speech

The Purposes of Figures of Speech:

Add Color or Vividness- Ps 18:2 "The Lord is my Rock."

Attract Attention- Phil 3:2 "Watch out for those dogs."

Abstract Ideas are Made Concrete-Deut. 33:27

"Underneath are the everlasting arms."

Aid in Retention- Hos 4:16 "The Israelites are...like a

stubborn heifer."

Abbreviate an Idea- Ps 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd."

What does being a shepherd entail?

Aid in Reflection -Ps 61:3 "For you have been a shelter for

me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

NOTES

Determining Figures of Speech

The following are rules that will help you to determine if a

phrase is to be interpreted figuratively or literally:

1. Always take a passage in its literal sense unless there is

good reason to do otherwise. (Ex. Rev 7:4-8- the 144,000 and

v. 9 the Lamb). (John 1:29)

2. Does the literal involve impossibility? (The earth obviously

does not have ears as in Micah 1:2 "Listen O Earth."

Jeremiah 1:18 - Iron pillar & bronze wall.

3. Is it absurd? (Is 55:12- the trees clapping hands).

4. Is it immoral? (John 6:53-58- eating the flesh of Jesus).

Cannibalism. There was no positive account of people eating

human flesh in Scripture, only negative examples.

5. Is the figure of speech followed by an explanatory note?

(1st Thes 4:13-16- those who have fallen asleep are those who

died).

NOTES

The Different Types of Figures of Speech:

1. Those involving comparisons:

a. Simile- A comparison where one thing explicitly resembles

another. The key words to look for are like & as. The

challenge is to determine the way the two objects are alike.

Ex: I Pet 1:24, Lk 10:3, Ps 1.

b. Metaphor- A comparison in which one thing is, acts, or

represents another but is basically not alike. The key is that

the verb is in the "to be" form, such as is, are, was, were and

have been. The challenge is to think of ways the two objects

resemble one another. Ex: Is 40:6 (All flesh is grass), Matt

5:13 (You are salt), John 10:7 (Jesus is the door).

c. Hypo catastasis- A comparison is implied by direct naming.

For example David called his enemies dogs in Ps 22:16, and

believers are called sheep in John 21:27.

The difference between the three can be seen in the following

sentences:

Simile: "You people from Buena Park are like flies."

Metaphor: "You people from Buena Park are flies."

Hypo catastasis: "You flies."

Review the following list to help you determine when one the

three forms are used:

Is 53:6 Simile

Ps 84:11 Metaphor

2 Pet 2:17 Metaphor

John 2:19 Metaphor

Is 57:20 Simile

Ps 23:1 Metaphor

Ps 1:3 Simile

NOTES

Five Guidelines for Interpreting Figures of Speech:

1. Determine if a figure of speech is involved and which kind.

2. Discover the image and non-image (referent) in the figure

of speech (Is 8:7).

3. State the point of comparison (Ps 1:3) (secure, prosperous,

fruitful).

4. Do not assume a figure always means the same thing. For

example dew in Hos 6:4 refers to the short duration of Judah's

love for God, but in 14:5 it refers to the Lord's blessing on

Israel.

5. Place legitimate limits or controls on the figure by means of

logic and communication (Rev 3:3).

NOTES

Probing The Parables

The word parable comes from the Greek words Para ―beside

or alongside” and ballow ―I throw.” Thus the word means a

story that has been thrown alongside the truth to illustrate that

truth.

A parable is a story to illustrate or illuminate a truth. Parables

were not only used to (1) reveal truths to His followers, but

also to (2) keep the attention of the poor listener. Parables

were also used to (3) conceal truths from those seeking other

things. An example is found in those who followed Jesus to

get their bellies full – John 6:26 and those who wanted to kill

Him John 5:16.

When Jesus told the Parable of the Soils in Mark 4 remember

that He gave the meaning of the parable to those who

remained with Him after the multitudes left. Those desiring to

know what He meant learned. Those who did not care, didn‘t.

So it is with us today…

NOTES

Principles For Interpreting Parables

STEP #1- Note The Story‘s Natural Meaning.

The Bible must be interpreted literally in order to understand it

properly. Parables try to illustrate a truth by analogy. There

are two points to a parable:

A true-to-life incident.

The spiritual truth it is illustrating or illuminating.

Since these two points are part of a parable it is imperative one

understands as much as possible the true to life incident. This

is where interpreting the Bible in light of its cultural setting

(The Historical Analysis) comes to play.

As the interpreter understands the true-to-life incident in light

of its cultural setting, he has a better chance interpreting the

parable accurately. For example, one must know the

background of a housewife's value of a single coin, a wedding

feast, talents, fishing nets, wheat and tares, the contempt for

tax-collectors, the Jews attitude towards the Samaritans, a

vineyard, etc.

NOTES

STEP #2- Determine The Problem, Question Or

Situation That Prompted The Parable.

Try to determine the reason Jesus told the parable. What is the

life incident that prompted the parable? What spiritual truth is

He trying to convey? The parables can be grouped into nine

distinct purposes that help the reader interpret them:

(1) Parables are used to answer a question (Mk 9:14, Lk

10:25/Matt 19:16, Lk 10:29, Matt 18:21).

(2) Parables are used to answer requests (Lk 11:5-8, 12:13).

(3) Parables are used to answer complaints (Lk 7:39, 15:2).

(4) Parables can be given with a stated purpose (Lk 18:1,

18:9, 19:11).

(5) Parables of the Kingdom due to Israel's rejection of the

Messiah (Jesus) (Matt 12:24, 48-50 thus Matt 13).

(6) Parables can follow an exhortation or principle (Mk

13:33, Matt 18:10, and 24:44).

(7) Parables can proceed an exhortation or principle (Lk 11:5-

8 with 9-10, Matt 20:1-15 with 16, Lk 14:28-32 with 33).

(8) Parables can be used to illustrate a situation (Matt 7:24,

26).

(9) Parables with the purpose implied but not stated (Matt

25:14-30, Mk 4:26-29). These parables are not a response to a

question or complaint, they don't follow a principle nor does a

principle follow nor do they have a purpose statement. The

meaning is usually pretty obvious.

NOTES

STEP #3- Ascertain The Main Truth Being

Illustrated By The Parable

A parable, like a sermon illustration, teaches a single truth.

Do not interpret every little aspect to the parable, unless

already done for you in the Word.

Don't assume similar parts mean the same thing in every

parable. (Matt. 13:3, 13:31)

In allegories (studied later), every part is significant.

When every part is interpreted it is left up to the

imagination of the interpreter to discover the meaning.

There are exceptions as in Matt 13:18-39.

Look for literal/simple interpretations.

STEP #4- Validate The Main Truth Of The Parable

With The Direct Teaching Of Scripture.

Matt 9:15 Jesus is referred to as the Bridegroom which

supports the common interpretation of Matt 25:1-13, plus

the statements in Matt 24:36, 42, 44.

STEP #5- Note The Actual Or Intended Response

Of the Hearers.

Examples- Lk 10:37 and 12:15, 21.

NOTES

Probing Some Parables

Luke 18:1-8

Natural meaning: Be persistent.

Problem or situation that prompted the parable: Lack of prayer or faith

Main Truth: Pray to your Heavenly Father with the attitude of expectancy. If this non-believer answered this woman’s request, how much more will your Father answer you. Also, continue in prayer even when discouraged.

Validation from Scripture: As God has given us His son, how much more those things He knows we need (Romans 8:32).

Luke 11:5-13

Natural meaning: Ask the Father for all your needs and expect them to be met. He will give us the most important need, the Holy Spirit.

Problem or situation that prompted the parable: A request from the disciples on how to pray.

Main Truth: God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. We also must come to Him and ask.

Validation from Scripture: Luke 11:1-5; Mark 11:24

Luke 16:1-13

Natural meaning: The unfaithful steward used shrewd thinking to secure safety after he learned he would no longer be a steward.

Problem or situation that prompted the parable: Possibly the need for discernment for the Disciples.

Main Truth: Be shrewd in your dealings. God rewards faithful, hardworking, productive, people if it's done for the Kingdom of God.

Validation from Scripture: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

NOTES

Matthew 20:1-16

Natural meaning: The landowner was a generous man. He sought out laborers for his vineyard.

Problem or situation that prompted the parable: The rich young ruler could not do as Jesus had asked and so missed his chance to follow the Master. The disciples were astonished and had in their hearts the question of entering into the Kingdom of God.

Main Truth: God is the generous landowner. Jesus is the foreman. The denarius is eternal life. All received the same, be they all day laborers or eleventh hour laborers. Eternal life is a gift from God. We only do what is expected of us as His servants, but Salvation is always free to those who receive.

Validation from Scripture: Romans 5:15

Matthew 13:44

Natural meaning: The treasure, once found, is too precious to lose. Everything needed to secure this treasure is easily done as the value far surpasses any earthly stash.

Problem or situation that prompted the parable: The Lord was explaining what the Kingdom of God was like with parables.

Main Truth: Eternal life is a treasure worth everything and anything we own. We must do whatever it takes to secure it.

Validation from Scripture: Matthew 19:21

Matthew 13:45-46

Natural meaning: The treasure, once found, is too precious to lose. Everything needed to secure this treasure is easily done as the value far surpasses any earthly stash.


Main Truth: Eternal life is a treasure worth everything and anything we own. We must do whatever it takes to secure it.

Validation from Scripture: Matthew 19:21

NOTES

Matthew 13:33

Natural meaning: The leaven fills the whole measure of meal.


Main Truth: When the Kingdom of God comes into your life, it fills your whole life. It does not just become a part of your life but the whole of it.

Validation from Scripture: Luke 9:62; Matthew 18:3-4

Matthew 13:31-32

Natural meaning: The mustard seed is one of the smallest of the seeds and grows to be one of the biggest and strongest plants in the garden.


Main Truth: The Kingdom of God promotes stability in the one who has it.

Validation from Scripture: Romans 16:25

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT #8

(Part One)

Find three examples of each of the figures of speech explained

on page 47 and listed here below.

Simile - Three Examples

Metaphor – Three Examples

Hypo catastasis – Three Examples

(Part Two)

Using the principles in Lesson Eight, answer the questions

listed below for the parable Jesus gave in Luke 15:1-7.

Natural meaning:

Problem or situation that prompted the parable:

Main Truth:

Validation from Scripture:

Both of these assignments are due next week.

NOTES

LESSON EIGHT

APPLICATION

If in our Bible study we only arrive at the truths of Scripture,

without applying them to our lives, we will be continually

frustrated and will ultimately lose our desire to study them.

While the application of Scripture to our lives is the most

rewarding, it often is the most neglected. To study the Bible

and not be changed by it is to become an ineffectual

intellectual, always learning and never appropriating the truth.

That‘s like going to a major Ivy League university and

receiving a degree in medicine and then becoming a beach

bum for the rest of your life.

―For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like

a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes

himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man

he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and

continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the

work, this one will be blessed in what he does.‖ James 1:23-25

Application Is Asking Personal Questions

What do I plan to do about it?

What difference will this make in my life?

What specific plans can I make in my life?

How will I do It ?

NOTES

Where Do We Start?

We Start With Prayer

Just as with any other important activity we start with prayer.

As we have spent time with our passage through observing,

and interpreting, generally speaking applications should be a

byproduct of our study time. But prayer is the vital link.

We Continue With Resolve

Often a decision must be made to change our life patterns,

habits, or general neglect of the things of God. When

approaching God‘s Word we should resolve in our hearts to do

those things God has told us. Settle it in your heart first!

We Are Enabled Through Grace

The worst mistake we can make while personally applying the

Scriptures is thinking we are on our own. When God leads us

to a specific action He always provides the enabling power

through His Holy Spirit.

―…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a

good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus

Christ…‖ Philippians 1:6

NOTES

Next We Ask Ourselves Eight Specific Questions

Is there an example for me to follow?

Within biographical passages of Scripture we meet incredible

men and women of faith. I often think of Moses and the way

he left all that Egypt had to offer for God. Now am I living in

an Egyptian palace as part of a royal family as he was? No!

But I am often tempted to follow after the worldly lifestyles.

That is the amassing of material possessions and the applause

of men to the exclusion of walking in the Spirit of Christ.

Like Moses I can turn all that down for the sake of knowing

the undivided heart for God He desires for me have.

Is there a sin to avoid?

When reading about the incredible life of King David and the

heart he had for God we stumble upon 2 Samuel 11 and find

his worst failure came at the most successful time in his career

as king. Not only do I learn to flee sexual immorality but I

understand the principle in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

Is there a promise to claim?

Someone has said God‘s promises are not breakable no matter

how hard you lean on them. As we find in our studies various

promises God has made to those who are His children, let

them develop in you faith in His character and nature.

For example in Philippians 4:13 the Apostle Paul says ―I can

do all things through Christ who strengthens me.‖ Now while

many have taken this out of context and used it as a blanket

statement for our unlimited abilities in Christ, there is within

the context a real promise. That is I can endure all situations

through Christ.

―Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in

whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased,

and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I

have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound

and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who

strengthens me.‖ Philippians 4:11-13

NOTES

Is there a prayer to repeat?

There are many wonderful prayers recorded in the Bible. We

can learn from the various attitudes within the prayers. We can

learn from what motivated or prompted the prayers as well as

direct teaching on what should be our motivation during

prayer (Matthew 6:5-7). We can also learn from the structure

of these prayers (Daniel 9:3-19; Matthew 6:9-13).

Is there a command to obey?

The Bible is a book to obey. It is not just literature, as some

would teach. Jesus said ―if you love Me, Keep my

commandments.‖ John 14:15 and He also said ―As the Father

loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you

keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I

have kept My Father‘s commandments and abide in His love.‖

John 14:9-10.

So when we read ―…All authority has been given to Me in

heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all

the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all

things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you

always, even to the end of the age…‖ we should obey!

Is there a condition to meet?

We must understand that God requires faith to please Him

(Heb. 11:6). Often faith required by God can be demonstrated

by conditions met by us that He has made in His Word.


If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to

all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is

like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let

not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the

Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8 ---- To receive the wisdom offered we must ask

by faith with no doubting.

NOTES

Is there a verse to memorize?

Memorizing the Word of God can by one of the most effective

ways to apply it to your life. If you have come to appreciate a

specific verse in your study I suggest you read it and meditate

on it to the point of memorization. This will give the Holy

Spirit a handle to your heart when you need this verse the

most. For example 1 Corinthians 10:13 would be a good verse

to memorize to help with times of temptation.

Is there an error to mark?

At times we hear different winds of doctrine floating around

that can do quite a bit of damage. As we are studying the

Scriptures and we come to a passage that refutes bogus

doctrine, either Christian cults or other false prophets are

teaching, mark it both with a pencil and mentally in your

mind.


Has the Christian church been in apostasy since the days of the Apostles as the Mormons say?

Well In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. Also, Ephesians 4:11 says God gave Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, Pastors, and Prophets, for the equipping of the saints and the building up of The Body. All of these according to Ephesians 2:20 are built upon Jesus Christ the corner stone and He cannot be crumbled. I Timothy 4:1 says that only "some" will fall away. Also read how long and where God’s glory would be in Ephesians 3:21.

NOTES

LESSON NINE

COMMUNICATION

Would it not be a selfish thing if we learn great truths in the

Scriptures, and applied them to our lives, but then did not tell

anyone else about them? In this last section we will be

looking at ways to take that which you have learned and share

with others.

First To You Then Others

That Which Ministers To You Can Then Minister To Others.

The Word of God must minister to your heart and apply to

your life before you attempt to share or teach it with others.

This is known as teaching with conviction, conviction that has

been brought about in your life by the Holy Spirit.

How can you tell someone what a Chocolate Mud Pie tastes

like unless you have tasted it yourself? How can you tell

someone what marriage is like unless you have experienced it

yourself? How can you explain what parachuting out of an

airplane is like unless you have tried it yourself.

Develop Questions For Others To Answer

The same questions you asked during your Observation you

can formulate into a Bible study for others. With the same

interpretive process you followed you can develop questions

that will lead others to understand and apply your passage.

NOTES

Formulate Central Themes Of Application

Develop a statement that describes your study. This theme is

the whole study in a nutshell. This theme is taken directly

from the text. This is one of the hardest steps in preparing a

study. Most people don‘t take the time to do this step but it

will make the message clear both in your mind and in the

mind of your listeners.


Mark 4:1-20 The Parable of the Sower.

―The result of the hearing of the gospel always and

everywhere depends on the condition of the heart of those to

whom it is addressed.‖ Or more simply stated, ―The character

of the hearer determines the effect of the word upon him.‖

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Howard G. Hendricks, Living by the Book, Moody Press

2. Irving L. Jensen, Independent Bible Study, Moody Press

3. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, Victor Books

4. Dan Frinfrock, Inductive Bible Study, ICM Ministries

5. Bryan Parish, Hermeneutics Syllabus, CCBMS

6. David Cuff, Sermon Prep Syllabus, CCBMS

7. Microsoft, Parts Of Speech, Microsoft® Encarta®

8. Carl Westerlund, Bible Study Methods Syllabus, CCSOM

NOTES

APPENDIX A

―PARTS OF SPEECH‖

By Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99

Introduction

Parts of Speech, words classified according to their functions in sentences, for purposes of traditional grammatical analysis (see Grammar). Eight parts of speech are usually identified: nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns, verbs, and interjections. Most of the major language groups spoken today, notably the Indo-European languages and Semitic languages, use almost the identical categories; Chinese, however, has fewer parts of speech than English.

Nouns

A noun (Latin nomen,"name") is usually defined as a word denoting a thing, place, person, quality, or action and functioning in a sentence as the subject or object of action expressed by a verb or as the object of a preposition. In modern English, proper nouns, which are always capitalized and denote individuals and personifications, are distinguished from common nouns.

Nouns and verbs may sometimes take the same form, as in Polynesian languages. Verbal nouns, or gerunds, combine features of both parts of speech. They occur in the Semitic and Indo-European languages and in English most commonly with words ending in -ing.

Nouns may be inflected to indicate gender (masculine, feminine, and neuter), number, and case. In modern English, however, gender has been eliminated, and only two forms, singular and plural, indicate number (how many perform or receive an action). Some

NOTES

languages have three numbers: a singular form (indicating, for example, one book), a plural form (indicating three or more books), and a dual form (indicating, specifically, two books). English has three cases of nouns: nominative (subject), genitive (possessive), and objective (indicating the relationship between the noun and other words).

Adjectives

An adjective is a word that modifies, or qualifies, a noun or pronoun, in one of three forms of comparative degree: positive (strong, beautiful), comparative (stronger, more beautiful), or superlative (strongest, most beautiful). In many languages, the form of an adjective changes to correspond with the number and gender of the noun or pronoun it modifies.

Adverbs

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb (he walked slowly), an adjective (a very good book), or another adverb (he walked very slowly). Adverbs may indicate place or direction (where, whence), time (ever, immediately), degree (very, almost), manner (thus, and words ending in -ly, such as wisely), and belief or doubt (perhaps, no). Like adjectives, they too may be comparative (wisely, more wisely, most wisely).

Prepositions

Words that combine with a noun or pronoun to form a phrase are termed prepositions. In languages such as Latin or German, they change the form of the noun or pronoun to the objective case (as in the equivalent of the English phrase give to me), or to the possessive case (as in the phrase the roof of the house).

NOTES

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are the words that connect sentences, clauses, phrases, or words, and sometimes paragraphs. Coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or, however, nevertheless, neither...nor) join independent clauses, or parts of a sentence; subordinate conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses (where, when, after, while, because, if, unless, since, whether).

Pronouns

A pronoun is an identifying word used instead of a noun and inflected in the same way nouns are. Personal pronouns, in English, are I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), and they. Demonstrative pronouns are thus, that, and such. Introducing questions, who and which are interrogative pronouns; when introducing clauses they are called relative pronouns. Indefinite pronouns are each, either, some, any, many, few, and all.

Verbs

Words that express some form of action are called verbs. Their inflection, known as conjugation, is simpler in English than in most other languages. Conjugation in general involves changes of form according to person and number (who and how many performed the action), tense (when the action was performed), voice (indicating whether the subject of the verb performed or received the action), and mood (indicating the frame of mind of the performer). In English grammar, verbs have three moods: the indicative, which expresses actuality; the subjunctive, which expresses contingency; and the imperative, which expresses command (I walk; I might walk; Walk!)

Certain words, derived from verbs but not functioning as such, are called verbals. In addition to verbal nouns, or gerunds, participles can serve as adjectives (the

NOTES

written word), and infinitives often serve as nouns (to err is human).

Interjections

Interjections are exclamations such as oh, alas, ugh, or well (often printed with an exclamation point). Used for emphasis or to express an emotional reaction, they do not truly function as grammatical elements of a sentence.

NOTES

APPENDIX B

11 ASPECTS OF CULTURE WITH EXAMPLES

By Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation, Victor Books

Political

Including national, international, and civil

1. Why did King Belshazzar offer the third position in the Babylonian

government to Daniel and not the second position? (Dan. 5:7, 16) This is

because, as we know from secular history sources, Belshazzar was

actually the second in command. His father Nabonidus was out of the

country for an extended period of time.

2. Why did Paul refer in Philippians 3:20 to his readers' citizenship in

heaven? The city of Philippi was a colony of Rome. The people living in

Philippi were actually not citizens of Rome, but the Roman Emperor

Octavius Augustus granted the Philippians "Italic rights," that is, he gave

them the same privileges as if their land was in fact in Italy. Knowing

this fact, Paul wrote of an even greater citizenship for the Christians in

Philippi, namely, their citizenship in heaven. This would have had

special meaning to the initial readers of this epistle.

3. Why did Jonah not want to go to the city of Nineveh? Secular sources

informing us that the Ninevites were atrocious in the way they treated

their enemies. They beheaded the leaders of peoples they conquered and

piled up those heads. They sometimes placed a captive leader in a cage,

treating him like an animal. Often they impaled their captives, thus

giving them an agonizingly painful death. Other times they stretched out

the legs and arms of a captive and skinned him alive. No wonder Jonah

didn‘t want to preach a message of repentance to the Ninevites! He felt

they deserved judgment for their atrocities.

4. Why was Edom at such odds against Judah throughout its history?

This may be puzzling to Bible readers, unless they remember the conflict

between the twins Jacob and Esau. That conflict extended to their

descendants. The nation Judah descended from Jacob, and the Edomites

descended from Esau. This explains why Obadiah four times referred to

the mountains of Edom as "the mountains of Esau' (Obad. 8-9, 19, 21).

5. Why did Boaz go to the city gate to talk with the town elders about

Naomi's land? (Ruth 4:1) The city gate was the place where legal

business was conducted and court cases were heard (Deut. 21:18-21;

22:13-15; Josh. 20:4; job 29:7).

NOTES

6. What did Jesus mean when He said, "If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me"? As we

know from Jesus' own death, a person who carried his cross on the way

to execution was considered a criminal. So to take up one's cross was to

follow Jesus even to the point of death. Obviously then it did not mean

putting up with hardships or unpleasant people or circumstances.

Religious

1. Why did Moses give the strange command, "Do not cook a young goat

in its mother‘s milk'? (Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 14:21) This practice is

referred to in writings discovered in the ancient city of Ugarit, near

modern-day Ras Shamra in Lebanon. According to this archeological

discovery, this practice was part of a Canaanite ritual. Apparently then

God did not want the Israelites to participate in any religious practice of

the Canaanites. An additional reason may be that God did not want the

Israelites to confuse a substance that sustains life (milk) with a process

associated with its death (cooking). As Philo, a first-century Jewish

philosopher, wrote, it is "grossly improper that the substance which fed

the living animal should be used to season or flavor it after its death.

2. Why did God bring on Egypt the 10 plagues? That is, why did He

inflict those specific plagues on Egypt rather than other plagues? The

answer seems that these were considered as polemics or acts that argued

against the validity of the Egyptian gods and goddesses. In the plagues

God was attacking and showing up the inadequacies and thus the

falsehood of the Egyptian gods and goddesses. The following chart lists

the gods being attacked by the plagues. These would have a great impact

on the Egyptians. For instance the Egyptians believed that several gods

and goddesses guarded the Nile River. But when God turned the Nile

into blood, it showed their inability to fulfill the function assigned to

them by the Egyptians. Why would livestock die (in the fifth plague) if

the Egyptian god Hathor, with a cow head, protected the cows, and why

would livestock die in the presence of the Egyptian cow god Apis, a

symbol of fertility? This plague was designed to show that Hathor and

Apis were false gods. In the seventh plague, half destroyed crops,

showing that several goddesses and gods were unable to control the

storms in the sky and prevent crop failure. These included the sky

goddess Nut; Osiris, the god of crop fertility; and Set, the god of storms.

In the tenth plague one of the leading goddesses, Isis, who supposedly

protected children, was incapable of preventing the death of the firstborn

child in each Egyptian home. Knowing these facts adds immensely to

our understanding of the plagues.

NOTES

3. Why did Elijah suggest Mount Carmel as the site of his contest with

450 Baal prophets? Followers of Baal believed Mount Carmel was a

dwelling place of their god. So Elijah was letting them "play" on their

"home field." If Baal could not bring lightning to a sacrifice in his home

territory, his weakness would be evident. Also interestingly, the

Canaanites viewed Baal as the god of rain, lightning, fire, and storms.

Since a drought had existed for three and a half years before this

dramatic event, obviously Baal was incapable of providing rain. His

inadequacy was also demonstrated in that he could not cause the

sacrifice to be consumed with fire.

4. Why did Paul write in Colossians 2:3 that Christ is the mystery of God

"in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," and in

verse 9 that "in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form"?

Paul stressed these facts about Christ because the false teachers in

Colossae were teaching that Christ is only partly God. Paul‘s statements

then are a direct refutation of that false view.

5. What was the point of meat being sacrificed to idols, which Paul

discussed in I Corinthians S? No one today sits down to a meal in the

home of a guest and asks if the meat had been sacrificed to idols.

Obviously this custom pertained to a cultural setting different from

today. The point is that people in Corinth would buy meat in the

marketplace, offer some of it to pagan idols in one of several temples,

and then take the rest of it home for dinner. Therefore some Christians

felt that eating such meat involved them in idol worship.

6. Why did the Herodians, Sadducees, and a scribe ask the questions they

asked of Jesus in Mark 12:13-28? The questions related to their separate

occupations and beliefs. The Herodians were supported by Herod and the

Romans, and so they debated with Jesus about paying taxes to a foreign

power (v. 14). The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, and so they

sought to silence their opponent by a hypothetical question about a

woman who had seven husbands (v. 23). The Jewish scribes were

concerned about Old Testament commandments and so one of them

asked Him which commandment was the most important (v. 28).

NOTES

Economic

1. In Job 22:6 why did Eliphaz accuse job of demanding "security from

your brothers for no reason7? In Old Testament times this practice was

considered a despicable crime. If an individual owed someone some

money but was unable to pay, the debtor would give his coat to the

creditor as a pledge or guarantee of forthcoming payment. However, the

creditor was to return the coat at night so that the person, presumably

caring for sheep out in the cold at night, would have his coat for a

blanket. To take a pledge from someone for no reason was sinful. Job

was not guilty of this action, as he explained later (31:19-22).

2. Why did Elimelech's closest relative give his sandal to Boaz? (Ruth

4:8, 17) According to the Nuzi tablets, discovered in present-day Iraq, in

excavations from 1925 to 1931, such an action symbolized releasing

one's right to land he walked on. This was done when a sale of land was

completed.

Legal

1. In 2 Kings 2:9 when Elisha said to Elijah, "Let me inherit a double

portion of your spirit," was he asking for twice as much spiritual power

as Elijah had? No, he was stating that he wanted to be his heir in the

sense of being his successor. According to Deuteronomy 21:17 the

firstborn in a family was to receive a double share of his father's estate.

2. Does "Firstborn over all creation" in Colossians 1:15 mean that Christ

was created? No, this means that He is the Heir of all creation (Heb. 1:2),

much as a firstborn son had a special place of honor and privilege in a

family. The Greek word for firstborn is pritotokos. Had Paul intended to

convey the idea that Jesus was the first created being, he would have

used a different Greek word, pritoktisis. But that Greek word is never

used of Jesus.

Agricultural

1. What is so unusual about Samuel calling on the Lord for rain at the

time of the wheat harvest in I Samuel 12:17? The wheat harvest took

place in May or June. This was soon after the six-month dry season

started, extending from April through October. If rain were to come in

the dry season, this would obviously show the Lords unusual working.

2. Why does Psalm 1:4 compare the wicked to chaff. This was to depict

that the wicked have no security. When farmers winnow wheat, the

chaff, light in weight, blows away. No farmer tries to retain and use the

chaff because it is useless. The wicked, like the chaff, have no security

and are worthless.

NOTES

3. Why did Amos call the women of Bethel "cows of Bashan" in Amos

4:1? The cows in Bashan, a fertile area northeast of the Sea of Galilee,

were known for being fat. Like these cows, the women of Bethel were

wealthy and lazy, doing little besides sitting around eating and drinking.

4. Why did the Lord say to Job in Job 39: 1, "Do you know when the

mountain goats give birth?" The goat referred to is probably the Ibex,

which hides in the mountains when it gives birth to its young. Naturalists

have sought to observe the birthing of this animal but have been largely

unsuccessful. They have seen the Ibexes copulating or giving birth to

their young in the mountains of Judea only 4 times in 30 years, God, of

course, was pointing up job's ignorance of much of what goes on in the

world of nature.

5. In Matthew 13:31-32 did Jesus make an error when He said the

mustard seed is the smallest? Some people answer yes to this question

because as they point out, the orchid seed, not the mustard seed is the

smallest of all seeds. Jesus, however, referred mustard tree as a garden

plant and in His day the mustard seed was in fact the smallest garden-

variety seed in Palestine. Obviously no orchid seeds were in Palestine at

that time. Mustard seed is so small that approximately 750 seeds are

needed to weigh a mere gram (1/28 of an ounce). This means that

approximately 21,000 seeds would be needed to weigh I ounce. And yet,

given this unusual small size, the mustard plant can grow to a height of

12 to 15 feet in one year!

6. In Luke 13:32 did Jesus call Herod a fox because He meant Herod was

sly and cunning? No, a fox in those days was considered a treacherous

animal, and so Jesus was suggesting that Herod was known for his

treachery.

7. Why did Jesus denounce a fig tree for having no fruit when it was not

even the season for figs? (Mark 11: 12-14) In March fig trees in Israel

normally produce small buds followed by large green leaves in April.

The small buds were edible "fruit." The time when Jesus "cursed" the fig

tree was the Passover, that is, April. Since the tree had no buds it would

bear no fruit that year. But "the season for figs" was late May and June,

when the normal crops of figs ripened. Jesus' denouncing of the tree

symbolized Israel's absence of spiritual vitality (like the absence of the

buds) in spite of her outward religiosity (like the green leaves).

Architectural

1. How could Rahab have her house on a wall? (josh. 2:15) The walls in

Jericho were double walls with space between where dirt was built up so

that houses could be built between them and yet be near the top of the

walls.

NOTES

2. How could four men let a paralytic man down through a roof (Mark

2:1-12) Most houses in the Western world are built with slanted roofs,

but in Bible times roofs were flat and often were made of tiles. Therefore

it would be no problem for these men to stand on the roof, remove some

of the tiles, and let the man down.

3. Why did the disciples meet in an upper room? (Acts 1: 13) This is

because rooms on an upper level were often larger than the rooms below.

The upper room would therefore more comfortably accommodate the 11

disciples.

Clothing

1. What is meant by the clause, "scoop fire into his lap"? (Prov. 6:27)

The word for lap may refer to a fold in a person's garment used much

like a pocket for carrying things. 2. What is meant by the command,

"Gird up your loins" in Job 38:3; 40:7; and I Peter 1: 13? (NASB) When

a man ran, worked, or was in battle, he would tuck his robe under a wide

sash at his waist so that he could move about more easily. The command

thus means to be alert and capable of responding quickly.

Domestic

1.What is meant in Hosea 7:8, "Ephraim is a flat cake not turned over'?

Sometimes a flat cake would get overcooked on one side if it were not

turned over. This seems to be Hosea's way of saying that Ephraim was

imbalanced, giving too much attention to some things and inadequate

attention to others.

2. Was it not rude for John at the Last Supper to be leaning on Jesus?

(John 13:23) No, they were seated on couches rather than in chairs when

they ate, and therefore in that culture for someone to lean back against

another was not considered rude.

3. Why did James say to anoint a sick person with oil? (James 5:14) In

Greek two words are used for rubbing or anointing. The first is chrio,

which means to anoint in a ritual. This is not the word James used. The

word in James 5:14 is aleipho, which means to rub with oil. What James

was referring to, then, was not a ritual. Instead it was a refreshing and

encouraging act for an ill or discouraged person. (Aleipho is also used in

Matt. 6:17 with reference to rubbing oil on one's own head [to refresh

himself and in Luke 7:46, with reference to the sinful woman rubbing

perfume on Jesus' feet.)

NOTES

4. Why did the man in Luke 9:59 say he wanted to go bury his father

before he could follow Jesus? He did not mean that his father had just

died. Instead he meant he felt obligated to wait until his father died even

if it meant several years, probably so that he would then receive his

father's inheritance. This explains the man's reluctance to follow Jesus.

5. Why did Job say, "Why were there knees to receive me"? (job 3:12) A

newborn child was placed on its grandfather‘s knees as a symbol that the

child was in his line (Gen. 48:12; 50:23). In grief, job was questioning

why he was even born.

6. Why were the five virgins foolish for having taken lamps but no extra

oil? (Matt. 25:1-13) The reason is that a marriage ritual could last as long

as three hours and so the oil could have been used up from their lamps.

The five wise virgins, however, "took oil in jars ... with their lamps" (v.

4), thus showing their preparedness.

7. Why did the Lord refer to grass being thrown into the fire? (Matt.

6:30) Earthen ovens, on which thin pancake-like bread was baked, were

heated by burning dry grass.

Geographical

1. Why did Jesus have to "go through Samaria"? (John 4:4) Since the

Jews did not associate with Samaritans (v. 9), the Jews normally went

around Samaria when going from Judea in the south to the area north of

Samaria. They would take a highway near the Jordan River or the

Mediterranean Sea. Jesus, however, went directly through the province

of Samaria to the town of Sychar in order to meet the woman whom He

in His omniscience knew would be there.

2. Why did David escape to En Gedi? (I Sam. 23:29) He knew that

because of the difficult terrain on the way to En Gedi, south of Jericho

and west of the Dead Sea, it would be hard for Saul to follow him there.

Also caves were there and this too would make it difficult for Saul to

find him. Furthermore a cool, refreshing waterfall is there. These factors

made it a logical place for David's escape.

3. Why did the message to the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:16 say

that the people in the church "were lukewarm-neither hot nor cold"? This

statement reflected the fact that the people in that local assembly were

spiritually like the water in their city. Water was channeled to Laodicea

in pipes, six miles from Hierapolis. When the water left the hot springs

in Hierapolis it obviously was hot, but by the time it reached Laodicea it

was lukewarm.

NOTES

4. Why did Jesus speak of a man going "down" from Jerusalem to

Jericho when Jericho is located northeast of Jerusalem? (Luke 10:30)

The elevation drop in the 14 miles from Jerusalem to Jericho is more

than 2,000 feet. Obviously going from Jerusalem to Jericho then was to

go down in elevation.

Military

1. Why did Habakkuk say that the Babylonians "heap up rubble to

capture [cities]"? (Hab. 1: 10, NASB) This does not suggest that they

were collecting trash. Instead this points to the building of earthen ramps

against a city wall. Since many cities were built high on hills, the only

way an enemy could get to the city was to pile up dirt and debris against

the hill to lower the elevation grade.

2. Why did Paul say in 2 Corinthians 2:14 that God "always leads us in

triumphal procession in Christ"? In the Roman Empire, a general,

returning home from a victorious battle, would march through the streets

of his hometown with his own soldiers behind him, followed by his

captives. Similarly God is leading us in a triumphal procession

spiritually by our being "in Christ."

Social

1. Why did people in Bible times sometimes throw dust on their heads?

(job 2:12; Lam. 2:10; Ezek. 27:30; Rev. 18:19) They were demonstrating

that they felt so deeply grieved that it was as if they were in the grave,

under the dirt.

2. Why did God say in Malachi 1:2-3, "I have loved Jacob, but Esau I

have hated"? Two explanations are possible. One is that in the ancient

Near East a person would use the word love in his will to designate the

person chosen to inherit his estate, and he would use the word bare to

mean a legal rejection of any rival claim. (In a similar fashion to despise

or hate wisdom, as in Prov. 1: 7, is to reject it.) Another explanation is

that this is a form of comparison, in which the Lord was saying I-le

loved Jacob more than He loved Esau. A parallel to this is seen in

Genesis 29:30-31 in which Jacob is said to have loved Rachel and not to

have loved (i.e., to have hated) Leah.

3. Why did Joseph shave before he went to see Pharaoh? (Gen. 41:14)

Did not the Hebrews normally wear beards? The Egyptian custom was

not to wear beards, so Joseph was simply following the custom of that

country.

NOTES

4. What is the significance of a "covenant of sale,? (Num. 18:19; 2

Chron. 13:5) How the salt was used in making such a covenant is not

known, but the fact that it was a preservative seems to suggest that the

parties desired that their friendship continue.

5.Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to greet anyone on the road? (Luke

10:4) Rather than suggesting an antisocial attitude, Jesus was suggesting

that they not be delayed in their mission. Greetings would often take a

long period of time in which the people would bow several times, repeat

their greetings, and then discuss the affairs of the day.

In summary it is apparent that ignorance of these customs could result in

misunderstanding the meaning of the passages. The Bible student

confronts many other customs as he reads the Bible. It is wise, therefore,

to be alert to unusual customs referred to and to determine what the

passages meant to the people in those original settings.

NOTES

APPENDIX C

THE 17 LISTED TYPES IN THE BIBLE

Type Antitype Scripture

1. Melchizedek Christ‘s perpetual Priesthood Heb. 7:3, 15-17

2. Aaron Christ‘s priestly Ministry Heb. 5:5:4-5

3. Passover Feast Christ our sacrifice 1 Cor. 5:7

4. Feast of Unleavened

Bread

Believer‘s holy walk 1 Cor. 5:7-8

Feast of First- Fruits Christ‘s resurrection a pledge of

believer‘s resurrection

1 Cor. 15:20-23

Feast of Pentecost The coming of the Holy Spirit Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-

47

7. Feast of Trumpets Israel‘s regathering Matt. 24:21-23

8. Day of Atonement Israel‘s national conversion by the

blood of Christ

Zech. 12:10 Rom.

11:26-27 Heb.9:19-

28

9. Feast of Tabernacles God‘s provision for man‘s need John 7:2, 37-39

10. Sabbath The Christian‘s spiritual rest Col. 2:17, Heb. 4:3,

9, 11

11. Tabernacle Christ, the believer‘s access to God

and basis of fellowship with God

Heb. 8:5; 9:23-24

12. Tabernacle curtain Christ, the believer‘s access to God Heb. 10:20

13. Burnt offering Christ‘s offering of Himself as the

perfect sacrifice

Lev 1;Heb. 10:5-7;

Eph. 5:2

14. Grain offering Christ‘s offering of Himself as the

perfect sacrifice of the highest

quality

Heb. 10:8

15. Fellowship offering Christ‘s offering of Himself as the

basis for fellowship with God

Lev. 3; Eph. 2:14,

Col. 1:20

16. Sin offering Christ‘s death for the sinner in

relation to the guilt of sin

Lev. 4:1-5:13, Heb.

13:11-12

17. Guilt offering Christ‘s death as an atonement for

the injury of sin

Lev. 5:14-6:7; Heb.

10:12

Persons

Events

Things

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