How to Study the BibleHow to Study the Bible

How to How to LearnLearn the Bible the Bible

““You shall know the truth”You shall know the truth”(John 8:32)(John 8:32)

““Take My yoke upon you Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me”and learn from Me”

(Matthew 11:29)(Matthew 11:29)

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DISCERNDISCERN THE MEANINGTHE MEANING

Know Biblical dispensations of time – Know Biblical dispensations of time – Heb. 1:1-2Heb. 1:1-2 Patriarchal (Creation to Mt. Sinai)Patriarchal (Creation to Mt. Sinai) Mosaic (Mt. Sinai to Cross) – Mosaic (Mt. Sinai to Cross) – Rom. 2:12-Rom. 2:12-

15; 7:4, 615; 7:4, 6 Christian (to end of time) – Christian (to end of time) – Matt. 28:18-Matt. 28:18-

20; Col. 3:1720; Col. 3:17Change of law –Change of law – Acts 15:5; 2 Cor. 3:14 Acts 15:5; 2 Cor. 3:14

(Heb. 7:12)(Heb. 7:12)

2 Tim. 2:14-162 Tim. 2:14-16

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DISCERNDISCERN THE MEANINGTHE MEANING

Literal or figurative?Literal or figurative? Literal unless context forces figurativeLiteral unless context forces figurative““All words are to be understood in their literal All words are to be understood in their literal sense, unless the evident meaning of the sense, unless the evident meaning of the context forbids. –Figures are the exception, context forbids. –Figures are the exception, literal language the rule; hence we are not to literal language the rule; hence we are not to regard anything as figurative until we feel regard anything as figurative until we feel compelled to do so by the evident import of compelled to do so by the evident import of the passage.”the passage.” (D.R. Dungan, (D.R. Dungan, HermeneuticsHermeneutics, 184), 184)

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DISCERNDISCERN THE MEANINGTHE MEANING

Literal or figurative?Literal or figurative? Literal unless context forces figurativeLiteral unless context forces figurative

Great fish, Great fish, Jonah 1:17; Matt. 12:40Jonah 1:17; Matt. 12:40 Serpent, Serpent, Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3 Day, Day, Gen. 1:5; Exo. 20:11Gen. 1:5; Exo. 20:11 Book of Revelation, Book of Revelation, Rev. 1:1-3Rev. 1:1-3

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DISCERNDISCERN THE MEANINGTHE MEANING

Plain passages help explain more Plain passages help explain more difficultdifficult cf. Baptism for the dead, cf. Baptism for the dead, 1 Cor. 15:291 Cor. 15:29

For living who believe – For living who believe – Mark 16:15-16Mark 16:15-16 Harmony of God’s word – Harmony of God’s word – Matt. 4:5-7Matt. 4:5-7

““Faith,” Faith,” Jno. 3:16; Jas. 2:24Jno. 3:16; Jas. 2:24 Sum of God’s word is truth, Sum of God’s word is truth, Psa. 119:160Psa. 119:160

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DEFERDEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITYTO BIBLE AUTHORITY

Do not study the Bible with an agenda Do not study the Bible with an agenda ““Proof-texting”Proof-texting” cf. “Faith only” cf. “Faith only” (Jas. 2:24)(Jas. 2:24); “Sabbath” ; “Sabbath”

(Col. 2:14-17)(Col. 2:14-17) Respect binding natureRespect binding nature

A lawyer, A lawyer, Lk. 10:25-29Lk. 10:25-29 Commands of the Lord,Commands of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14:37; 1 Cor. 14:37;

2 Tim. 3:16-172 Tim. 3:16-17

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DEFERDEFER TO BIBLE AUTHORITYTO BIBLE AUTHORITY

Respect the silence of the Respect the silence of the Scriptures – Scriptures – Heb. 7:11-14; 8:5Heb. 7:11-14; 8:5

Respect the boundary of the Respect the boundary of the Scriptures – Scriptures – 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Jno. 9; Rev. 22:18-192 Jno. 9; Rev. 22:18-19

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DO DO THE WILL OF GODTHE WILL OF GOD

To be saved – To be saved – Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21 To be blessed & approved by God – To be blessed & approved by God –

Jno. 13:17; Rev. 22:14; 2 Tim. 2:15Jno. 13:17; Rev. 22:14; 2 Tim. 2:15 To give answers for your hope – To give answers for your hope – 1 Pet. 1 Pet.

3:153:15 To teach others the gospel – To teach others the gospel – 2 Tim. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:2;

1 Tim. 4:16 1 Tim. 4:16

Jas. 1:22-25Jas. 1:22-25

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Dedicate-Decide-Define- Dedicate-Decide-Define- Discover-Discern-Defer-DoDiscover-Discern-Defer-Do

How to Study…Learn How to Study…Learn the Biblethe Bible

Matthew 13:13-17Matthew 13:13-17

What a shame to study in vainWhat a shame to study in vainWhat a blessing to understand & obeyWhat a blessing to understand & obey