How to Study the Bible – Week 4

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How to Study the Bible – Week #4

01/24/18

Figuring out the figurative

  1. Use the literal sense unless there is some good reason not to
    1. The difference between literal and literalistic or univocal
  2. Use the figurative sense when the passage tells you to do so
    1. Dreams or visions
  3. Use the figurative sense if a literal meaning is impossible or absurd
    1. Rev. 1:16
  4. Use the figurative sense if a literal meaning would involve something immoral
    1. John 6:53-55
  5. Use the figurative sense if the expression is an obvious figure of speech
    1. “like” or “as”
    2. Personification
  6. Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the context and scope of the passage
    1. Rev. 5:1-5
  7. Use the figurative if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the general character and style of the book
    1. Psalm 63:7
  8. Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation goes contrary to the plan and purpose of the author
    1. Psalm 1:3
  9. Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation involves a contradiction of other Scripture
    1. Mark 10:25
  10. Use the figurative sense if a literal interpretation would involve a contradiction in doctrine
    1. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
  11. Chart on pages 271-272
  1. Romans 12: 1-2

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]

Footnotes:

Romans 12:1 Or brothers and sisters

Romans 12:1 Or your rational service

Romans 12:2 Greek age

Romans 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God

  • Application – How does it work?
    1. Make the truth attractive (Titus 1:1; 2:9-10)
    2. Five substitutes for application
      1. We substitute interpretation for application
        1. Learning but not changing (Matt. 13:12; Luke 12:48; 6:46; James 4:17)
      2. We substitute superficial obedience for substantive life-change
        1. We apply biblical truth to the areas where we are already obeying it.
  • We substitute rationalization for repentance
  1. We substitute an emotional experience for a volitional decision
    1. A moving sermon
  2. We substitute communication for transformation (1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13)
    1. David and Nathan
  3. A look in the mirror (James 1:19-27)
  4. Four means by which the Word transforms our lives
    1. Come
      1. Interpretation is one; application is many
    2. Conviction
      1. Scripture leads us to repentance
  • Convincing
    1. Colossians 3
  1. Conversion
    1. It changes us
  2. Four Steps of Application
    1. Know
      1. Know the text
      2. Know yourself (1 Tim. 4:16)
        1. What are your assets
        2. What are your liabilities (Romans 12:3)
      3. Relate
        1. What areas of your life are in need of change?
        2. The working word
          1. A new relationship with God
          2. A new relationship to yourself
          3. A new relationship to other people
          4. A new relationship to the enemy
          5. New insights from Scripture need to be applied
            1. The word exposes your sin
            2. The word gives you God’s promises
            3. The word gives you God’s commands
            4. The word gives you examples to follow
          6. Meditate
            1. Joshua 1:8
            2. Psalm 1:1-2
  • Spending time with God
  1. Scripture memorization
  1. Practice
    1. The more you understand it, the more you use it; and the more you use it, the more you understand it.
  2. Nine questions to ask
    1. Is there an example for me to follow?
      1. Abraham (Gen. 18)
    2. Is there a sin to avoid?
    3. Is there a promise to claim?
    4. Is there a prayer to repeat?
      1. Nehemiah (Neh. 1)
      2. David (Psalm 51)
  • Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1-10)
  1. Jonah (Jonah 2)
  2. Mary (Luke 1:46-55)
  3. Paul (Eph. 3:14-21)
  • Jesus (Matt. 26:36-46)
  • The Lord’s prayer
  1. Is there a command to obey?
    1. 54 in James alone
  2. Is there a condition to meet? (John 15:7)
  3. Is there a verse to memorize?
  4. Is there an error to mark?
  5. Is there a challenge to face?
  1. How wide is the river to cross?
    1. Never-changing truth in an ever-changing world
    2. Context, context, context
    3. Studying culture
      1. Some issues to consider
        1. Power
        2. Communication
        3. Money and economics
        4. Ethnicity
        5. Gender
        6. Generations
        7. Religion and worldview
        8. The arts
        9. History and time
        10. Place
        11. Resources
        12. Making use of your data
  • What is the principle that we need to apply?
    1. What is a principle? A principle is a succinct statement of a universal truth
    2. Principles that govern principles
      1. Principles should correlate with the general teaching of Scripture
      2. Principles should speak to the needs, interests, questions, and problems of real life today.
      3. Principles should indicate a course of action
      4. Principles should be supported by other godly people

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