Study the Bible for Growth Week 10

In today's (November 9) class, we wrapped up the book of Jonah by looking at shared truths and applications, then discussed Bible Reading in Community.

Here are some shared truths Ray Lubeck shared in the class notes.

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Here are some application points we talked about in class.

Bible Reading in Community

Reading is a must for spiritual growth.  
Reading the Bible is basic and necessary. 
Reading books that help you think biblically is very helpful.
Reading in general expands your world.  

In today's (November 9) class, we discussed how reading in community supports personal and corporate spiritual growth.

Study the Bible for Growth Week 9

This past Sunday, November 2, was on Bridging, Responding, and Jonah 1-4.

Lubeck describes Bridging as the missing link of Bible Study.  "Finding the shared truth is a key (but often overlooked) step in the process of Bible study.  This step focuses on the timeless truth - the main ideas - that the original author intends to share with his readers."  (p. 57)

A shared truth is eternal, universal, and reflects the author's original meaning of the text.

In class, we briefly discussed how we know whether a shared truth is valid.

Lubeck gives six questions to help in this process.

1. Is it an Old Testament teaching that is repeated in the New Testament?
2. Is the reason for a specific command given in the passage?
3. Is it a statement about God?
4. Is it a general statement about the character of humanity?
5. Is it a statement about the relationship of God and man?
6. If you are reading a narrative, does the writer pass judgment on what is happening in the story?

In addressing the concept of Bridging and Shared Truth, Lubeck helps clarify one of the problems people often face as they move towards the application part of Bible study.

The other part of last Sunday's class was on responding.  This is what most other plans refer to as Application. 

Here are some guidelines for responding.

Responding is based on the AUTHOR'S INTENTION.
Responding begins with prayerful self-evaluation and addresses real needs (RELEVANCE).
Responding involves LIFE CHANGE (THINKING, IMAGINATION, EMOTIONS, BEHAVIORS).

Bible Study is not done merely for the sake of head knowledge.
It is done help change sinful thinking, inappropriate passions, wrong living, and other sinful parts of our lives.

This upcoming Sunday, November 9, Reading in Community and Jonah 1 - 4.

Here are two articles about reading in community.

Don't Just Read It Alone
Want to Read the Bible Well? Don't Read It Alone

Most lesson material comes from Bible Study Basics:  Foundations for Interpreting and Applying Scripture by Ray Lubeck.

Study the Bible for Growth Week 6

Ezra's actions in Ezra 7:10 should be our actions.

Study the Law of the Lord.
Practice the Law of the Lord.
Teach the Law of the Lord.

This past week, October 12, we looked at Theologies, Interpretation, and Jonah 3.

To faithfully interpret Scripture requires asking the right questions.

In exegeisis, we are asking the Biblical author,

"What are you saying?"  (the grammar, text-criticism, and translation question)

"Why do you say it like that?"  (the genre, structure, argument, and historical and literary context question)

In theology, we are asking,

"What do you mean?" (the biblical and systematic theology question),

"What is the significance of this passage for us today? (the practical theology question)

UNDERSTANDING:
Biblical Theology:  Consider how your passage connects to the Bible's overall flow and message and points to Christ.

Systematic Theology:  Discern how your passage theologically coheres with the whole Bible, assessing key doctrines especially in direct relation to the gospel.

APPLICATION:
Practical Theology:  Apply the text to yourself, the church, and the world, stressing the centrality of Christ and the hope of the gospel.

Much of this information comes from:  
www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/interpreting-scripture-a-general-introduction/

From Reading for a Change by Ray Lube

Here is the schedule for the class:

September 7 - Basics of Bible Study and Basics of Studying Proverbs

September 14 - Introduction to the Class

September 21 - Seeing & Intro to Jonah

September 28 - Understanding Part 1 & Jonah 1

October 5 - Understanding Part 2 & Jonah 2

October 12 - Theologies & Interpretation and Jonah 3

October 19 - Narrative (Characters, Settings, Plot) and Jonah 4

October 26 - Narrative (Irony, Poetry) & Jonah 4

November 2 - Bridging, Responding, and Jonah 1 - 4

November 9 - Reading the Bible in Community

November 16 - Using Biblical Resources

November 23 - You Make the Class

Psalm 5

As we continue our praying through the Psalms, let's remember to look to what the Psalms, and all of Scripture, say about who God is and how we should live in response to who He is. 

The Psalms we have been focusing on each week are the Psalms we covered this summer.  This week's Psalm 5 does not have a corresponding video like the previous Psalms.  

So here are some resources to help you think about and pray this Psalm.

BIG IDEA:  The Seriousness of Sin
PRAY:  Know God's holiness and sin's consequences.

When reading this Psalm, notice the pattern.

Verses 1 - 3, 7 - 8, and 11 - 12 are verses that praise God.
Verses 4 - 6 and 9-10 are verses that call out God's enemies.

Read and meditate on this whole Psalm.
Especially remember the last two verses 

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;   

    let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,     

    that those who love your name may exult in you.

For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Those who take refuge in the Lord rejoice, sing for joy, are protected, and are shielded. 

Contrast that with those who are against the Lord.
They cannot dwell with the Lord (v 4).
God hates all evildoers (v. 5).

The Lord abhors the deceitful man (v. 6).

Psalm 5:9 is quoted in Romans 5:13 to show the wickedness of men and the need for a savior.  

Here are two statements about Psalm from Family Worship Bible Guide from Reformation Heritage Books.  Along with some questions to think about.

Psalm 5

1. Never let us be content with saying our prayers. What God requires of us is not formality but personally drawing near to His presence at the throne of grace. True religion is finding, knowing, and enjoying God - do not be satisfied with anything less. True believers have much to be joyful about: God is our portion, we are precious in His sight, and our sins are all forgiven. In addition to all this, God sees our tears, hears our sighs, and is able and willing to answer our prayers. How is it then that we are so often cast down? How can loving God's name lead us into more joy?
2. Jesus Christ, though God Himself, was also a man and the Mediator for men, and so was much in prayer (Matt. 26:39; Mark 1:35; 6:41, 46; Luke 5:16; John 11:41; 17:1). He called God, "my God, as One in covenant with Him (Matt. 27:46; John 20:17). Through prayer, Christ found strength to overcome His wicked enemies despite their lies and violence. How can we, in union with Christ, find the strength we need as well?

HERE is the Psalm set to music by Poor Bishop Hooper

Study the Bible for Growth Week 4

Profitable Ways to Read the Bible by J.C. Ryle

UNDERSTANDING

Our goal for reading the Bible involves re-centering our attention back on [understanding] the intention of the author:

1. It is possible for finite humans to understand the meaning of Scripture.
2. Our understanding can increase, yet it will never be exhaustive.
3. There is normally only one correct meaning to any given passage of Scripture.
4. The correct meaning is what the author intended to communicate.
5. Various interpretations are simply hypotheses that attempt to account for what the author has said, and how and why he has said it in that way.
6. Though every passage of Scripture needs to be understood in light of its literary type and genre.
7. Every passage of Scripture needs to be understood in light of its literary type and genre
8. Scriptural passages are best understood when read in light of their context.
9. Following the Bible means that we emphasize what the text emphasizes, not building main points from the details.
10. We need to evaluate our personal experience in light of Scripture not the other way around.
11. We should check out our understanding of God's Word with other believers.
12. Every passage of Scripture has meaning and relevance for the believer.

From Reading for a Change by Ray Lubeck

From Reading for a Change by Ray Lube

Here is the schedule for the class:

September 7 - Basics of Bible Study and Basics of Studying Proverbs

September 14 - Introduction to the Class

September 21 - Seeing & Intro to Jonah

September 28 - Understanding Part 1 & Jonah 1

October 5 - Understanding Part 2 & Jonah 2

October 12 - Narrative (Characters, Settings, Plot) and Jonah 3

October 19 - Narrative (Irony, Poetry) & Jonah 4

October 26 - Bridging - Jonah 1 - 4

November 2 - Responding - Jonah 1 - 4

November 9 - Reading the Bible in Community

November 16 - Using Biblical Resources

November 23 - You Make the Class