Bible Study

Sunday School Lesson—April 3, 2005

www.bibleone.net

 

Why Study the Bible?

 

  • God directs it—2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 3:16.
  • It’s 100% dependable—1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 111:7; Ezekiel 12:25; Luke 21:33.
  • It is holy (pure), just, and good—Romans 7:12; Psalm 12:6; 18:30; 19:8; 119:140; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 45:19.
  • To avoid doctrinal errors—Matthew 22:29.
  • It is necessary for personal sanctification (spiritual growth)—John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:2.
  • To gain wisdom—Psalm 19:7.
  • It instructs in righteousness/good works—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
  • To know the truth about yourself—Hebrews 4:12.
  • To renew your mind—Romans 12:1-3; Proverbs 23:7; 1 Corinthians 2:16.
  • To know the mind of God and Christ—Isaiah 55:7-9; Ephesians 4:13.
  • To please God—2 John 4; 3 John 4.
  • It promotes spiritual cleansing—Psalm 119:9; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26, 27.
  • To prevent sin in your life—Psalm 119:11; Philippians 2:14-16; Psalm 119:105, 130; 1 Corinthians 10:11.
  • To avoid destruction (judgment from God) in this life—Hosea 4:6.
  • To increase your joy—Jeremiah 15:16.
  • To strengthen your hope (confident expectation)—Romans 15:4; 1 John 5:13.
  • To defend against Satan—Ephesians 6:17.
  • To discern and defend against false doctrine—Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 4:14; Titus 1:9.
  • For prosperity and success—Joshua 1:8.
  • It is necessary for witnessing—Mark 4:14-20.

 

Who is responsible for Bible study?

 

The individual believer alone is responsible for studying and assimilating God’s Word—Acts 17:11.

 

How should Bible study be conducted?

 

  • Only one Teacher—John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10.
  • Interpretation is necessary—2 Timothy 2:15.
  • Faith is the foundation—John 6:35.
  • Proven Rules of Bible study

 

ü      Take time (commitment)—Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 119:148.

ü      Study, don’t just read—2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:25.

ü      Don’t add or subtract—Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32.

ü      Exclude personal taboos.

ü      Bible helps are okay—Ephesians 4:11-14.

ü      Context (passage, book, Bible) is critical—the set of circumstances and facts that surround a particular event or situation (what precedes and follows it).

 

Why is context important?

 

Context is important primarily because words, phrases, and ideas can have different meanings depending on their context.  There are many Hebrew/Greek words that have more than one meaning, e.g., inheritance, salvation, eternal life, soul, death, etc.  Assuming that a word always means the same thing will lead to confusion and doubts in Bible interpretation.  Consider the word “save” (Gk. sozo) in James 1:21; 2:14; 5:20.

 

What Bible helps are beneficial?

 

  • Various commentaries, e.g., Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald, and others by various authors (Chuck Missler; Hal Lindsey; Robert Thieme; Jack Van Impe; John F. Woolvoord; Clarence Larkin; etc.)

 

  • Various theological works, e.g., Systematic Theology (8 volume set) by Lewis Sperry Chafer, etc.

 

  • Wycliffe Bible Dictionary

 

  • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

 

  • The Complete Word Study Dictionary (General Editor:  Spiros Zodhiates)

 

  • The Interlinear Bible by J. P. Green, Sr.

 

  • Various study Bibles, e.g., Scofield Reference, Ryrie; Thompson Chain Reference; The Quest; The King James, Key Word, etc.  The Evidence Bible compiled by Ray Comfort.

 

  • Word Studies in the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest.

 

  • Various other theme-books by a host of authors (much can be obtained over the Internet); e.g., The Reign of the Servant Kings by Joseph C. Dillow; The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell