Series: How to Study the Bible
Category: Core Seminars, Preaching & Teaching, Discipling / Mentoring, Scripture, Bible Interpretation
Detail:
Core Seminar
How To Study the Bible
Class 2: The Inductive Bible Study Method, Part 2
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“ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” (James 1:22-24)
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Teaching point:
Save question time for the end—where people can do the application. Work through the manuscript studiously and swiftly, in order to get to the practical stuff Enjoy this class – its’ fun. Show people studying their bibles is fun.
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Introduction
Last week we began learning the inductive method of Bible study. “ Inductive” simply means that we’re working from the bottom up—we’re setting out to study at the level of an individual passage.
Do you remember the three steps in inductive study?
Observation, Interpretation, and Application
This morning we head on to our third step: Application. And we’ll spend most of our time today putting these three steps together to study a passage from Philippians.
Application
Application is incredibly important. We may think that if we observe and interpret a biblical text well, then we’ve necessarily studied well. But unless we apply what we see to our lives, we’re not actually accomplishing anything of value. A great verse to remind you of the value of application is found on the very first page of your handout. James 1:22-24
I’m guessing that most of us don’t spend time studying the Bible with the express purpose of not applying it to our lives. What are some of the things that keep us from applying Scripture? Or applying it well?
Not understanding it well (need steps 1 and 2 first) Not enough time to think hard about how it connects to our lives (or too tired, too distracted, etc.) Unwillingness to consider sin in our lives. We see the Bible’s job as affirming us rather than changing us. We only ever apply Scripture individually rather than doing it with someone who may see things in our lives that we don’t. We’re not very introspective (or honest about ourselves) so we have a hard time seeing what we’re really like.
Our job for the next few minutes is to think about how we can apply Scripture well. Let’s start with some questions for application—and then we’ll look at some guidelines for application.
First, the questions. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you study a passage in the Bible to help apply it to your life.
Does it point out sin
What assumptions
Is there a command
Is there an encouragement in this text ?
Is there a promise for me
Does it teach me something about God?
Does it teach me something about myself?
What evidence for my faith
What will I do
How can I model/share/teach this truth to encourage others
How could my family church apply this text ?
Questions?
OK. I also promised some guidelines to help us apply Scripture well. Here they are (you don’t have to refer to every verse):
Pray first. I mentioned this last class, but it’s worth mentioning it again. The Scripture says: “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7). That is what we are apart from God’s grace. We need to pray for spiritual sight to see truth in his word. Psalm 119:18 is a great prayer when you open up God’s word. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Make time to think. Sometimes in the morning the kids are screaming and you didn’t sleep much and you can grab just a few minutes in God’s word and in prayer. That’s fine! But plan at least normally to have enough time to let God’s word really weigh on your heart. Paul encourages Timothy to think over what he says (2 Tim. 2:7). Write. For many of us, we think best as we write. Write down what you’re thinking as you’re thinking it. We learned from professor Agassiz last week that the pencil makes for a wonderful eye. Talk. With someone else. I hope that what you’re thinking about in your study of God’s word is a regular topic of conversation with your spouse, your kids, and your Christian friends. Invite them to help you apply God’s word to your life. Listen. Sometimes after you’ve spent time in the text on your own, it can be good to listen to what someone else has thought about it. Sermons are normally best for this. You can download sermons from our church website or other places you trust online. Or you can buy printed sermons by pastors you trust. Another good source is a passage-by-passage devotional book like Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon or For the Love of God by D.A. Carson.
What are some things you’ve found most helpful to apply Scripture to your life?
(If no one shares, you provide an example)
With all that said, let’s take the rest of our time together to study a passage from Philippians. You’ll see it on your handout.
[Some notes for you are below]
Pray!
Read the passage
Context (go quickly!) – we will go over more in depth in section 3 of the class
Genre? - a letter
Author? – The Apostle Paul
Audience? – The church at Philippi – town in Macedonia (current day Greece)
We see the formation of this church in Acts 16 and Paul visits them again on his 3rd
This letter is part thank you, part exhortation/warning, and part hopeful plans
Locate our passage within the letter
What’s already been said in chapter 2?
Christ humbled himself and so we too should humble ourselves – 2.5
Observation – 5 Ws – What you see? Where do you see it?
Who
Paul – (not marked on handout); Jesus (the Lord) – triangle; Philippians – square; Timothy – underline; Epaphroditus – underline
“ everyone” v. 21? – some render it “ they” – perhaps - selfish ambition preachers - 1.15-16 or opponents – v. 28
What
Paul wants to send Timothy to the Philippians (19)
Paul is sending Epaphroditus back (25)
Paul wants to visit (24) – in chapters 1 and 2 he seems confident he will be freed
Epaphroditus was sick but is now better (26)
What is going on at the end of v. 23 – “as soon as I see how things go with me”?
When
After the church had been established
After Epaphroditus visits Paul
Where
Paul is still in jail (23)
Timothy is with Paul
Epaphroditus seems to be the messenger in transit
Why Why all of this sending and going? – with the Why question we start to creep into interpretation.
He wants to hear how the Philippians are doing through Timothy which will bring him cheer (19).
He commends Timothy to the Philippians
He cares (20)
He is trustworthy (22) in contrast to others (21)
He loves them and longs to see them (24)
To thank and commend Epaphroditus (25)
To explain that Epaphroditus is OK—he got sick, but he’s OK now (27)
Paul and Epaphroditus are distressed anxious
Interpretation
Anything tricky? Maybe verse 21 (See Phil 1:15 for context)
Application
(You’re essentially doing Wed night Bible Study here)
What can we learn from this passage?
Notice the care and concern for each other.
Notice the generosity.
