1.Commands from God to study
(God commands diligent study)
II Tim. 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
a. It requires study to understand difficult passages
(II Pet. 3:16).
b. It requires study to guard yourself from teaching error
(Mt. 22:29).
c. It requires study to be qualified to teach and preach
God's Word.
1) As preachers, we must be "apt to teach" (I Tim. 3:2; cp.
II Tim. 2:2).
2) As preachers, we will be held accountable for everything
we say -
(a) "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that
we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1).
(b) "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these
least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called
the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven" (Mt. 5:19).
(c) "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required" (Lk. 12:48).
d. Who studied?
1) Paul studied (cp. II Tim. 4:13)
2) Luke studied (Lk. 1:1-4)
3) Timothy studied (II Tim. 2:15)
4) The Bereans studied (Acts 17:11)
5) The Old Testament prophets studied (I Pet. 1:10=11)
(Ex. Daniel - Dan. 9:2)
6) Even angels wish they could study the mysteries of
God's Word
(I Pet. 1:12)
2. Prerequisites to guard your study
a. Always study for your own edification first.
(Don't just go to the Scriptures to get a sermon. Your message will not
impact others if it has not first impacted you)
b. Be totally surrendered (yielded) to the Holy Spirit to give
you understanding.
1) The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture
(II Pet. 1:21).
2) The Holy Spirit is the Guide into Scripture
(Jn. 16:13).
3) The Holy Spirit is the teacher of Scripture
(Jn. 16:14, 15; I Cor. 2:10-13).
* Before you can fully understand God's truth: "The will of the
student (preacher) must be surrendered to the will of the
Author" (R.A. Torrey).
c. You must be willing to accept whatever God says:
1) Are you willing to accept new truth even though it is
not what you were taught in the past?
2) Are you willing to accept new truth even though it
contradicts what you once thought, taught, or even published?
3) Are you willing to accept new truth even though you cannot
totally understand it? (EX: election/free-will; trinity, etc.)
3. Principles to guide your study.
Follow these essential four rules of hermeneutics in order to interpret God's word
correctly:
a. Read the Bible literally (normally, plainly).
(The Literal Principle)
1) Seek the natural and obvious meaning of
Scripture.
2) Pull out the meaning of the text ("exegete") rather
than putting your own idea into the text ("eisogete").
3) Beware of "allegorization" (spiritualizing Scripture) and
beware of finding "types" that God never intended.
b. Understand the context (of the verses you are studying).
(The Contextual Principle)
Seek to understand the author's flow of thought before the verse
(or verses) you are studying and after the verse (or verses) you are
studying.
"A text without a context is a pretext"
c. Consistently follow rules of grammar (as you study)
(The Grammatical Principle)
1) Seek to understand the verbs
a) Tense (time) - the when of the action
(Is it past, present, or future?)
b) Mood (mode) - the how of the action
(Is it a real action, desired action, or potential action?)
c) Voice - the who of the action
(Is the subject of the verse doing the action, or receiving
the action)
2) Seek to understand the conjunctions
(Are they coordinate or subordinate?)
a) Coordinating conjuctions:
b) Subordinating conjuctions:
3) Study the definitions of key words
(in a Hebrew or Greek Expository Dictionary)
4) Use a method of diagramming your verses
(EX: block diagram method)
a) Underline verbs and analyze them
b) Indent subordinate (minor) clauses
c) Circle subordinators
Subordinating Conjunctions - Example: that, because etc.
Adverbs - Example: when, as
Relative Pronouns - Ex. who, which
Example of a block diagrammed verse:
|
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world;
but be ye transformed by the
renewing of you mind,
|
d) Compare Scripture with Scripture (as you study)
(The Theological Principle)
-- Let Scripture interpret itself
-- Look at cross references in a good study Bible; use a
concordance
HOMEWORK
Galatians 6:7
Read Galatians 6:7 five times.
Read Galatians 6 two times to gain an understanding of the context of Galatians 6:7.
Answer these two questions:
1. What does Galatians 6:7 specifically mean in its context?
(in other words, what is God specifically calling upon believers to
sow? Hint: See v. 6 and 10).
2. Can you think of any other verses or examples in Scripture that
would teach the same principle (of "sowing and reaping") as Galatians 6:7?
