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what the Bible means and how we know

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Bible Study

Do we work at sanctification? A lesson in discernment

April 18, 2023 by Krisan Marotta

Do we work at sanctification? A lesson in discernment - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Have you ever encountered an argument that reached an incorrect conclusion, but you couldn’t identify the wrong turn?  Often, understanding basic bible study methodology and/or simple logic will help identify the leap.

Examining the connection between ideas is a useful tool for Bible study and discernment. A false argument frequently starts from a premise with which both sides agree, then makes a sharp turn in the wrong direction. Populating the discussion with phrases from Scriptures makes the argument sound biblical, but does not make the argument actually taught in Scripture.

As practice in discernment, find the wrong turn in the following argument. I’ve labeled the paragraphs for easier reference.

Paragraph A: The Bible teaches that all people are created in [God’s] image and reflect His glory. This is the dignity of being human. But as sinners our minds are hardened against the truth, our hearts have learned to love and worship false things, and our behavior has turned away from righteousness. That is, we are sinful in our entire person: our minds, our hearts, and our behavior. We are therefore subject to God’s judgment.

Paragraph B: But in His grace, God pursues His people in love, goodness and mercy. He has provided the satisfaction for His judgment in the atonement through Jesus Christ, and we respond to His gift of salvation by faith. But God’s salvation is more than rescue from judgment. It is also the promise of renewal—the promise to renew human beings—in mind, heart, and behavior—into the image of Christ.

Paragraph C: The Bible teaches that this process of renewal is God’s work: initiated by His love, sustained by His grace, and ultimately perfected by His Spirit. And yet the Bible also teaches that God has invited His people into this work, to give ourselves in both faith and work to the lifelong process of being renewed—mind, heart, and behavior—into the image of Christ. This is the sanctifying aim of the Spirit: to know Christ, to worship the true God alone, and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

Let’s simplify each paragraph to one summary sentence without biblical jargon or poetry (another good study technique).

  • Paragraph A: Though created in the image of God, all human beings are sinful and under God’s wrath.
  • Paragraph B: In His grace, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in our place, redeem us from our slavery to sin and begin the process of making us holy.
  • Paragraph C: The process of making us holy is a work of God, of us and of His Spirit in us.

Hiding in paragraph C is claim not taught in Scripture. Let’s summarize each sentence in paragraph C.

  • Sentence C1: The Bible teaches that making us holy is a work of  God and His Holy Spirit.
  • Sentence C2: And yet the Bible teaches that making us holy involves both our faith and our works.
  • Sentence C3: The Holy Spirit is at work to make us holy.

As this teacher continued to explain it, sentence C2 is not taught in Scripture. While the language is poetic, vague and therefore open to interpretation, his proposal argued for specific actions, disciplines and practices we should do to “help” make ourselves holy. It also hinted at dire warnings should we fail to practice these actions.

In my opinion, that’s the wrong turn — or at least, it is a claim that must be proved. From my study, the Bible does NOT teach that we become holy through any work of our own.

As the reformers summarized, we are saved by grace alone based on faith alone through Christ alone. The Bible teaches that the process of making us holy from start to finish is part of God’s gift to us. A gift by its very nature is something we have not earned or worked for.  If we work for it, it is not a gift.  If it is a gift, we do not earn it.

Many passages of Scripture teach that our becoming holy is part of God’s gift to us.  For example, Ephesians 2; Romans 5-8; James 1-3; and practically the entire book of Galatians, but particularly chapter 3, where Paul argues it is foolish to believe that having been saved by grace you are now being made holy through self-effort.

Study technique: When using commentaries, read carefully. Examine the connections between ideas. Simplify the language into plain English without biblical jargon, and look for gaps or leaps that need to be proven.

Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible


Photo by Zac Harris on Unsplash

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Bible Study, sanctification

How do I study the Bible?

July 12, 2022 by Krisan Marotta

How do I study the Bible? | WednesdayintheWord.com

Wondering how to get started studying the Bible? There’s no one right way. You can jump in anywhere. But here are a few suggestions to get you moving.


Read a good book

If you’re brand new to Bible study, one of the best basic books is now free online:

Basics of Bible Interpretation by Bob Smith

Though the language and examples are sometimes dated, this book stands the test of time. If anything, it is more relevant today than ever, as the art of expository bible teaching has become an endangered species in our instant society.

Other recommendations:

Knowing Scripture, by RC Sproul is designed to help people master the basic rules of biblical interpretation. Available for free on archive.org: Knowing Scripture, by RC Sproul.

Living by the Book (Book and Workbook) by Howard G Hendricks & William Hendricks – also available as an ebook and a video series. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. The writing is clear and engaging and you will learn a lot. Available for free on archive.org:Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks.

The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward – a classic resource for small groups to work through together; teachers guide is also available. Available for free on archive.org: The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward.

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Study something

I suggest 1Corinthians 1-4. These chapters are often misunderstood because individual paragraphs are often taken out of context and not understood in light of the argument Paul develops through all 4 chapters.

1Corinthians: Pride & Prejudice in the church, chapters 1-4

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Explore a topic

Start improving your skills by working through Bible Study 101.

Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible

I suggest starting with these:

5 C’s of Bible Study

How to do an Analytical Outline

5W’s and H

How to use context

A simple overview of biblical history

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Gather some tools

Start building a Bible study library, here are the basic tools you need to get started.

Invest in study software: My favorite: E-Sword

Bible Study Tools #1: Different translations

Bible Study Tools #2: Good maps

Bible Study Tools #3: Concordances

Bible Study Tools #4: Lexicons & Dictionaries

Bible Study Tools #5: Multi-volume Encyclopedias

Bible Study Tools #6: Commentaries

Online Study Bible: STEP Bible

STEP stands for ‘Scripture Tools for Every Person’ and is designed to give users across the world, particularly those in disadvantaged countries, free access to trustworthy Bible expertise. Created by Bible scholars at Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK, it is curated by a non-denominational body of scholars and other volunteers who are passionate about sharing accurate information on the Bible.

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Practice

In his 2008 book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell proposed the idea that it requires 10,000 hours of concentrated practice in order to gain world-class skill in something. While you don’t need “world-class” skill at Bible study, it’s true that the more you study, the better you’ll get. The Bible is coherent and does not contradict itself. Each passage you learn and understand adds to your foundation, making it easier to understand the next passage.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

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Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible


Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Filed Under: start here Tagged With: Bible Study

Bible Study Websites & Apps

February 7, 2020 by Krisan Marotta

Bible Study Websites & Apps | WednesdayintheWord.com

Online resources to help you study: maps, charts, outlines, key words, etc. On this one page, you’ll find links to websites and Bible study software.


Bible Study Apps & Software

E-Sword and its sister site BibleSupport.com

My favorite: E-Sword and its sister site BibleSupport.com   E-sword is free (though I encourage you to make a donation if you become a regular user) and does EVERYTHING.  There is both a desktop version and an app for smart phones, tablets and handhelds. 

The software listed below has been recommended to me, but I have not used them. Online software is constantly changing and new tools are added. You might want to search for the latest.

STEP Bible (online & app)

STEP Bible Introduction (video)

Logos (Mac, Windows, Mobile)

Bible Works (Windows, MAC)

Accordance (Mac, Windows,  mobile)

Laridian PocketBible (mobile)

Power Bible (Windows)

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Websites

Bible Gateway multiple online versions, reading plans, devotionals, audio bibles & commentaries

Biblehub.com online concordance, Bible dictionary, encyclopedia and thesaurus; takes a little bit to learn to use the site, but time well spent

Blue Letter Bible an online interactive reference library with lots of free Bible study tools

Ligonier.org the home of Renewing Your Mind and RC Sproul’s ministries. Many great resources from articles to books to podcasts to classes.

Precepts-Austin a comprehensive collection of links to many sermons and commentaries plus word studies and inductive study materials

StudyLight.org many online study tools;  I use this site mostly for maps and encyclopedias

Ray C Stedman Library the works & teaching of Ray Stedman, one of the twentieth century’s foremost pastors and biblical expositors.

Keith Mathison’s “Top 5” commentaries for each book of the Bible

Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL)

Barnes Bible Charts (some of the graphics are dated, but the information is useful)

Holy Land Photos

BiblePlaces.com (Photos)

BibleStudyTools.com

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Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible


Photo by Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash

Filed Under: 101Study Help, 101Tools Tagged With: Bible Study, software, study tools, websites

16 things to do while your Bible study is on break

November 28, 2017 by Krisan Marotta


Is your Bible study on break for the holidays?  Many studies end before Thanksgiving and don’t resume until January.  What can you do over break to stay in the Word?  Here are some good ideas.

On the study you just finished:

  1. If you skipped or missed a lesson, study it now to fill it in the gaps.
  2. Explore one of the “rabbit trails” you didn’t have time to explore earlier.
  3. Organize your notes so they will make sense to you when you look at them in 10 years.
  4. Write a 1 paragraph summary of the main theme(s).
  5. Revise/combine your chapter outlines in an overall summary of the book which you can use in the future to quickly remember the flow and content of the book.
  6. Identify the key verses to remind you of the main points and themes.
  7. Using your outline and theme summary, write a summary of what you learned.
  8. Reflect, meditate and/or journal about what you learned.

Prepare for your next study:

  1. Read a new book on how to study the Bible.  For example, if you plan to study Old Testament prophecy next, read something that will increase your understanding of Hebrew poetry.
  2. Research the culture and/or historical setting of the next book you plan to study.
  3. Decide which commentaries you want to use to supplement your next study.
  4. Read through your next study in 3 different translations.

Do something different:

  1. Read something completely different.  For example, if your last study was inductive, read something devotional or topical.
  2. Invite a friend for coffee and ask each other questions about what you learned.  This can be especially fun if your friend was in a different study.
  3. Listen to a new bible study or sermon podcast.
  4. Relax and revisit one of your favorite devotionals.

How do you spend your Bible study breaks? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Filed Under: 101HowTo Tagged With: Bible Study

Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible

May 19, 2017 by Krisan Marotta

Bible Study 101: Learn to Study the Bible | WednesdayintheWord.com

Now is a great time to improve your Bible study skills.  Follow this series to learn how to study the Bible, where to find the tools you need to study and how to use them.  You might want to bookmark or pin this page, as I update it frequently.

Jump to: ** How Tos; ** Study Tools; ** Genre-Special Issues; ** Further Study; ** Reading List; ** Next **


Theory

Goal of Bible Study

May 11, 2011

If Scripture is profitable for teaching, then we are expected to know and understand Scripture. If Scripture is profitable for reproof and correction, then we have to be able to determine what it means such that we have a objective standard by we can decide if one or both of us is wrong.

Continue Reading Goal of Bible Study

5 C’s of Bible Study

October 14, 2011

How do you evaluate whether a particular interpretation hits the mark of authorial intent?

Continue Reading 5 C’s of Bible Study

Starting Convictions

May 10, 2012

How do you know if you’ve successfully understood a passage of Scripture? Start by understanding and embracing these basic interpretative convictions.

Continue Reading Starting Convictions

Handling Disagreement

January 15, 2013

Why do we have so much interpretative disagreement over the meaning of the Bible? Two explanations: one we can solve and one we can’t.

Continue Reading Handling Disagreement

5 Ideas NOT believe about your English Bible

February 3, 2014

What do you believe about your English translation of the Bible? Here are 5 ideas you should NOT hold.

Continue Reading 5 Ideas NOT believe about your English Bible

Basics of Bible Interpretation

June 23, 2014

If you’re looking for a refresher course on how to study the Bible or want to start learning, Bob Smith’s Basics of Bible Interpretation is still a good choice.

Continue Reading Basics of Bible Interpretation

How NOT to interpret the Bible

July 8, 2015

One of the most common mistakes in interpreting the Bible is riffing on a particular word or phrase at the expense of context. No one thinks they fall into this trap and yet, if you listen for it, you’ll hear it everywhere.

Continue Reading How NOT to interpret the Bible

Observation

April 26, 2017

The first step in Bible study is observation. The goal is to slow down your reading and generate a list of questions that must be answered to understand the passage. I tend to break observation into the following 4 steps which generally correspond to my first few readings through the passage.

Continue Reading Observation

Bible Study Procedure

May 3, 2017

Wondering how to put all the tools and pieces of Bible study together so that you can tackle a specific passage of Scripture? Here’s the overall procedure.

Continue Reading Bible Study Procedure

Figurative Language

August 16, 2017

We use figurative language all the time: “I’ll have to face the music.” “I’m bored to tears.” “She has a green thumb.” “Don’t let the cat out of the bag.” “He died of embarrassment.” Biblical writers also used figurative language and vivid imagery. How are we to understand it?

Continue Reading Figurative Language

Interpretation

August 19, 2017

After you’ve done your observation, word studies, outlining and answered the questions you generated, it’s time to start putting it all together. In this step, you want to collect, refine and organize all those details you observed into a coherent meaning.

Continue Reading Interpretation

3 Tips for Bible study in a “post-truth” world

November 21, 2018

The Oxford Dictionary defines “post-truth” as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Do we live in a post-Bible study world? Increasingly sermons are heavy with stories and emotional appeals and light on critical explanations of the author’s intent. But good Bible study methods haven’t changed.

Continue Reading 3 Tips for Bible study in a “post-truth” world

Augustine’s principles of interpretation

August 10, 2020

Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, was a theologian and philosopher who lived from 354-430 AD. He is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers, and his writings influenced the development of Western philosophy. Here are his principles of interpretation.

Continue Reading Augustine’s principles of interpretation

Interpretation terms defined

August 13, 2020

Exegesis, eisegesis, hermeneutics? Wondering what all those terms mean? Here’s the definitions.

Continue Reading Interpretation terms defined

10 rules for interpreting the Bible and an example

September 28, 2021

Wayne Grudem’s 10 rules for how to interpret the Bible. The first 3 rules are the most important.

Continue Reading 10 rules for interpreting the Bible and an example

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How Tos

How To's

Observation: Analyzing Structure

June 7, 2022

Watch for these things when you’re making an analytical outline.

Continue Reading Observation: Analyzing Structure

How to use e-sword as a concordance

April 16, 2021

One of the basic parts of a word study is finding and comparing the uses of the word in the rest of Scripture. Before the internet, we used a physical concordance. Here’s how to locate quickly accomplish this task using my favorite Bible study software: e-sword.

Continue Reading How to use e-sword as a concordance

How to use a concordance

January 8, 2021

Suppose the internet is down and you want to study your Bible. You want to study the word “blessed” in the beatitudes, but you’ve forgotten how to use your physical concordance. Here’s a refresher.

Continue Reading How to use a concordance

How to find Strong’s number

December 18, 2020

Strong’s numbers have become the “industry standard” and many other biblical reference works are keyed to Strong’s numbers. Here’s how to find them.

Continue Reading How to find Strong’s number

Word Study Shortcuts

June 25, 2020

While I recommend you learn how to do your own word studies, here are some shortcuts you can take to save time, to get past “study block” or compare your ideas with someone else’s.

Continue Reading Word Study Shortcuts

16 things to do while your Bible study is on break

November 28, 2017

Is your Bible study on break for the holidays? Many studies end before Thanksgiving and don’t resume until January. What can you do over break to stay in the Word? Here are some good ideas.

Continue Reading 16 things to do while your Bible study is on break

How to do an Analytical Outline

July 29, 2017

An analytical outline is a way of displaying a text of Scripture so that the flow of thought and the relationship between the grammatical parts become clear. It is my favorite study tool and one of the first things I do. Learn how to make one.

Continue Reading How to do an Analytical Outline

5W’s and H

May 31, 2017

You may have been taught to create a list of questions, using the “5Ws and H” (who, what, when, where, why, how). If you need some help learning how to use the “5Ws and H”, here are some questions to get you started.

Continue Reading 5W’s and H

How to use context

May 24, 2017

When learning how to study the Bible, you’ve probably heard the expression “context is king”, meaning context is the arbitrator that rules a particular interpretation valid or not. But how do you use context to decide between possible interpretations?

Continue Reading How to use context

How to do a word study

May 17, 2017

Word studies are one of the basic tools of Bible study. With today’s tools, you don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to do a good word study. Here’s how.

Continue Reading How to do a word study

What to observe in Bible study

September 7, 2016

Once a friend confessed: “I know an essential step of any Bible study is observation. But what am I suppose to observe?” So glad you asked! Sometimes we take this step for granted when teaching on how to study the Bible, but observation is a skill we learn and practice like any other.

Continue Reading What to observe in Bible study

30 Tips to Improve your Bible Study

June 12, 2012

Did you make a resolution to improve your Bible study? Here are 30 tips to help you keep that promise.

Continue Reading 30 Tips to Improve your Bible Study

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Tools

Tools

Bible Study Tools #1: Different translations

May 31, 2012

Since every translation is an interpretation of the original language, you should consult several translations of different types when studying the Bible. Bibles fall on an interpretation scale and it will improve your study if you know the difference and have one of each type.

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #1: Different translations

Bible Study Tools #2: Good maps

June 3, 2012

You’ll be surprised at how the information on a map can open your study. Consider how knowing that the road to Jericho was 17-miles changes the parable of the good Samaritan.

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #2: Good maps

Bible Study Tools #3: Concordances

June 15, 2012

A concordance is an organized list of all the biblical texts which contain a given word. Concordances allow you to broaden your understanding of how a word is used and its range of meanings.

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #3: Concordances

Bible Study Tools #4: Lexicons & Dictionaries

July 7, 2012

Lexicons & dictionaries can reveal what might be “lost in translation” but they also tempt us to fall into the trap of “I learned a fact about a word and I must use it.”

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #4: Lexicons & Dictionaries

Bible Study Tools #5: Multi-volume Encyclopedias

July 11, 2012

Multi-volume encyclopedias are good sources for historical and biblical themes. But background information does not impose meaning.

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #5: Multi-volume Encyclopedias

Bible Study Tools #6: Commentaries

July 18, 2012

Commentaries can kick-start your thinking when you hit a dead end but should not be a substitute for your own work. Here’s my two rules of thumb.

Continue Reading Bible Study Tools #6: Commentaries

Bible Study Websites & Apps

February 7, 2020

Online resources to help you study: maps, charts, outlines, key words, etc. On this one page, you’ll find links to websites and Bible study software.

Continue Reading Bible Study Websites & Apps

Classic Commentaries Online

July 15, 2017

Many of the classic commentaries are free online, but how do you know which one(s) to use? And where do you find them? Here’s a quick list and explanation

Continue Reading Classic Commentaries Online

Dictionaries & Lexicons Online

August 30, 2022

After gathering an idea of the word’s meaning from your own study, it’s a good time to check the conclusions of other scholars and reference works. Here are some free online places to look.

Continue Reading Dictionaries & Lexicons Online

Maps: New Testament

November 11, 2022

Here are my favorite maps related to the New Testament and where to find them.

Continue Reading Maps: New Testament

Maps: Old Testament

November 18, 2022

Here are my favorite maps related to the Old Testament and where to find them.

Continue Reading Maps: Old Testament

Modern Commentaries Online

August 23, 2022

You’re probably aware that many classic commentaries are free online, but did you know many modern commentaries (written after 1970) are also online?

Continue Reading Modern Commentaries Online

Quotations: where Scripture quotes Scripture

May 25, 2020

The New Testament is our divinely inspired commentary on the Old Testament. When studying a passage, it’s often helpful to see how other biblical authors understood it.

Continue Reading Quotations: where Scripture quotes Scripture

Resources by Book of the Bible

February 8, 2020

Have you tried cooking without measuring devices? You may bake an edible cake, but it won’t be your best. Having the right tools makes the job better. On this one page, you’ll find links to the resources for sorted by book of the Bible.

Continue Reading Resources by Book of the Bible

Should I learn Greek & Hebrew?

August 16, 2020

After a few years of Bible study, students often begin asking, “Should I learn biblical Greek and Hebrew?” While the tools for English readers continue to improve and less people are learning the original languages, knowing the original languages can be helpful. You can learn enough to widen the tools available to you and/or learn to read Scripture in the original language.

Continue Reading Should I learn Greek & Hebrew?

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Genre & Special Issues

Genre & Special Issues

Epistles: How to understand NT letters

September 9, 2015

Every genre found in the Bible presents unique challenges for understanding. Here are guidelines for studying epistles.

Continue Reading Epistles: How to understand NT letters

Prophecy: how to understanding OT prophets

August 17, 2016

Studying biblical prophecy is an often overwhelming task. Much of it is written in Hebrew poetry. The names and places are foreign, and the metaphors don’t always resonate with our modern ears. Yet we can usually understand the main point. If studying an Old Testament prophet overwhelms you, here are some tips to get you started.

Continue Reading Prophecy: how to understanding OT prophets

Narratives: how to understand OT stories

December 4, 2016

Narratives are true stories. Over 40% of the Old Testament Scriptures are narratives. Generally, the purpose of a biblical narrative is to show the Lord at work in His creation. Every genre found in the Bible presents unique challenges for understanding. Narratives are no exception. With narratives we think in scenes, plot and character, rather than paragraphs and outlines.

Continue Reading Narratives: how to understand OT stories

Hebrew Poetry: How to understand psalms and wisdom literature

November 7, 2017

The key to understanding Hebrew poetry and Wisdom Literature is knowing that the “rhyme” of ideas is more important than the sounds. This “rhyming” of ideas is called parallelism.

Continue Reading Hebrew Poetry: How to understand psalms and wisdom literature

Revelation: Understanding Apocalyptic literature

August 20, 2020

Apocalyptic literature is a sub-category of prophecy. The name comes from the Greek word apocalypsis which means uncovering or unveiling.

Continue Reading Revelation: Understanding Apocalyptic literature

Gospels: how to understand the Gospels

August 21, 2020

The gospels are unique in content, although they are similar in form to ancient biographies.

Continue Reading Gospels: how to understand the Gospels

Psalms of Thanksgiving: Their form

November 5, 2020

75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for Thanksgiving psalms.

Continue Reading Psalms of Thanksgiving: Their form

Psalms of Lament: Their form

November 6, 2020

75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for lament psalms.

Continue Reading Psalms of Lament: Their form

Psalms of Praise: Their form

November 9, 2020

75% of Psalms are 1 of three main types: lament, thanksgiving or praise. Here is the general form for praise psalms.

Continue Reading Psalms of Praise: Their form

Jesus: Understanding the way he teaches

January 10, 2023

When I was a new believer, the words of Jesus were baffling. Thankfully, I’ve grown to understand him. I have reached two conclusions about the teaching of Jesus.

Continue Reading Jesus: Understanding the way he teaches

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Further Study

Further Study:

Background and History

Introduction to…

What is…?

Who is…?


Booklist

Reading list

Interpretation

Basics of Bible Interpretation, by Bob Smith a classic! great for the beginner. Now available FREE online, though I believe you can still buy a paper copy.

Knowing Scripture, by RC Sproul is designed to help people master the basic rules of biblical interpretation.

How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart – this is a must have resource; no Bible student should be without and it now comes as an e-book. Re-read the chapter for your particular type of passage when you start a new study.

How to Get the Most from God’s Word by John MacArthur; free on archive.org

Living by the Book (Book and Workbook) by Howard G Hendricks & William Hendricks – also available as an ebook and a video series. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. The writing is clear and engaging and you will learn a lot.

Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks. Available free on archive.org.

The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward – a classic resource for small groups to work through together; teachers guide is also available.

The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study by Oletta Ward. Available free on archive.org.

The Language of God: A Commonsense Approach to Understanding and Applying the Bible by Ron Julian, J.A. Crabtree and David Crabtree — (out of print; but still can be found).  This is a GREAT book for understanding the principles, methodology and philosophy of Bible study. The authors apply what they teach to a very difficult passage (James 5). The book is worth it just to understand James 5.

Exegetical Fallacies by D.A. Carson — this will challenge you to move your study skills to the next level.

The Thinking Toolbox: 35 lessons that will build your reasoning skills by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn and/or The Fallacy Detective: 35 lessons on how to recognize bad reasoning by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn. (While not specifically about Bible study, these books — written by homeschooled brothers for homeschoolers — are really useful for improving your critical thinking skills.)

Discover the Bible for Yourself by Arthur, Kay; free on archive.org

These 3 have been recommended to me, but I have not read them.

  • Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren
  • How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur
  • Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Genres

New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes (1968) by FF Bruce.

Back towards the Future: Hints for Interpreting Biblical Prophecy (1989) by Walter Kaiser

He Gave us Stories: The Bible Student’s Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives by Richard L Pratt Jr.  This is the best book I’ve found on understanding the Old Testament

The Art of Biblical Narrative, by Robert Alter (also a great book on understanding the OT)

A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible by Leland Ryken and Tremper Longman III

Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation by Tremper Longman III (out of print, but still can be found)

How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III

How to Read Proverbs by Tremper Longman III

Overviews & Theology

Ray Stedman’s Adventuring through the Bible

RC Sproul’s Overivew of the Bible

John MacArthur’s Introductions to each book of the Bible

What is Reformed Theology? Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul — this book will help you begin to put all the pieces together

The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul — a must-read book, especially for new believers

Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology (DVD series) by RC Sproul

An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical and Thematic Approach by Bruce Waltke and Charles Yu — this book looks intimidating, but it’s worth it!

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (Audio Lectures)

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: An Introduction (complete book online) or hardcopy book

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Next

Where to next?

Study a particular book

Resources: Maps, charts, reference works, websites & tools

Bible Study 201: Learn to teach the Bible

Resources for Ministry Leaders

Top photo used here under Flickr Creative Commons.

Filed Under: Series, Topical Tagged With: Bible Study, Bible Study 101

“God told me”: The role of personal revelation in Bible teaching

March 8, 2017 by Krisan Marotta

You’ve probably heard a teacher, pastor or preacher say something to the effect “and then God told me.”  What’s up with that? What role does personal experience and/or personal revelation play in Bible study?

For me, the bottom line is: Scripture takes precedence over emotions and experience. Teachers ought to strive for accuracy and precision in their language. 

Here are the guidelines I use when teaching:

Certainty

Only say “God told me” if you are SO certain the voice is from the Lord that you would sacrifice your first born if that voice commanded it.

The command to sacrifice Isaac must have struck Abraham as wrong on face value.  Everything he knew about the Lord suggested that the Lord abhorred the child sacrifices practiced by the pagan religions of the day. Yet, Abraham was so certain that command to offer Issac came from the Lord, that he obeyed up to the point of the Lord stopping his hand (Genesis 22).

So far, I’ve never “heard” a voice that came with that kind of certainty. 

Further, no teacher I’ve met who used the phrase “and then God told me” has claimed the kind of certainty that Abraham had. Instead, they have talked (rightly) about applying some kind of discernment to evaluate whether their personal revelation is actually a word from God.

Scripture

Scripture trumps experience, desires, emotions, the counsel of fellow believers and “voices.”

In 1Samuel 24, David spares Saul’s life because David knows Scripture. David and his men are hiding in a cave when Saul comes in to relieve himself. Temporarily blinded by the contrast between the brilliant sunlight outside and the darkness of the cave, Saul is alone and extremely vulnerable.

How many times have you heard it taught that the way you determine God’s will is a combination of desire, circumstances and the counsel of godly people? We’re told that it must be God’s will if 1) you want to do something, 2) you have the opportunity to do it and 3) godly people tell you to do it.

David faced that exact situation David in the cave. David surely had the desire to kill Saul so he can end this deadly game of cat and mouse. He had a golden opportunity to do so, as he has literally caught Saul with his pants down. And he has the counsel of his trusted men saying, go for it. But instead of striking Saul down, David cuts off the edge of the Saul’s robe. 

Why did David refrain from killing Saul? Because David knew God’s word, and God’s word prohibits striking down the Lord’s anointed one.

The Word of God trumps desire, opportunity and godly counsel. You can want sin, have the opportunity to sin and godly people can unwittingly encourage you to chose it, but knowing God’s word will stop you. God’s word trumps everything else.

The same goes for claims of personal revelation.  God’s written Word as revealed in the Scriptures trumps everything, including our little voices.

It’s not about you.

Students should leave knowing more about Scripture than the speaker.

As I wrote in a previous post: The goal of bible study and sermons must always be to convey the essential meaning of a set number of verses to the listeners. To convey that meaning, we explain the concepts of Scripture in language modern ears will understand.

All stories, illustrations and explanations ought to serve that goal. Without explaining meaning, no real bible study has taken place — only pious observations, emotional exhortations and some interesting but pointless stories

In my experience, the teachers claiming divine personal revelation have often (consciously or not) made the message about them. “They received a message; God is going to do great things through them.“  The message they hear rarely seems to further an understanding of Scripture or increase our knowledge of the character of God. Rather the message tends to concern a movement, cause or program the particular teacher is spearheading. To me, that’s a red flag.

Precision

Be precise with your language. Avoid phrases like “God told me” unless you encountered a burning bush.

We often resort to the language of “and then God showed me” to describe that “aha!” moment where suddenly a passage becomes clear.  ne moment you are confused, the next moment you understand. 

Theologically speaking, that “aha” moment is the work of the Spirit opening our eyes and hearts to the truth. We understand because He has given us understanding. In many cases, teachers and preachers use language like “and then God told me” to describe that moment of clarity.

While I would not rebuke a teacher for such a figure of speech, I would recommend against it to avoid confusion. 

“Personal revelation” can be an excuse for sloppy exegesis. Sometimes we teachers are tempted to use phrases like “God told me” or “I felt led” to avoid facing challenges or questions. We believe we are in the right, but we cannot back it up from our exegesis. Yet, if we claim “God told me,” how could you possibly question us? You would sound like a skeptic or heretic if you did.

Ideally, I should put the necessary study and time to be sure.  If I can’t prove it, then I ought to think twice before saying it and at least admit it is speculation.


Part of the Series: Bible Study 201: Learn to Teach the Bible

Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible


Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Filed Under: Bible Study 201 Tagged With: Bible Study, Bible Study 201, teaching

Narratives: how to understand OT stories

December 4, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

Understanding Narratives - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Narratives are true stories.  Over 40% of the Old Testament Scriptures are narratives.  Generally, the purpose of a biblical narrative is to show the Lord at work in His creation.  Every genre found in the Bible presents unique challenges for understanding.  Narratives are no exception. With narratives we think in scenes, plot and character, rather than paragraphs and outlines.

Here are some guidelines for studying narratives.

Find the setting

  • Read the text to get an understanding of the setting for action. 
  • Where or under what circumstances is the action taking place? 
  • Describe this setting based upon the events of the preceding passage and/or upon the opening few verses of this passage.

Make an outline

  • Think in terms of scenes, not paragraphs.
  • Read the entire passage carefully noting the shifts in focus on persons and events, or the shifts of scene from one place to another.
  • Separate the passage into major scenes  and write a one sentence summary of each scene, putting the story into your own words.
  • As you read answer the “5Ws and H” (who, what, when, where, why and how”).

Start observing

For each of the scenes in your outline answer the following questions:

  • What words are repeated in the text?  (e.g. glory & heavy in 1 Samuel 5:6; 1 Samuel 5:11; 1 Samuel 6:5)
  • What words or ideas must you understand to understand this scene?
  • List common themes (an idea which is made in some recurrent pattern) in each scene (e.g. reversal of inheritance in Genesis; obedience and rebellion in the wilderness; “knowing” in the Joseph story; rejection and election of the monarch in Samuel & Kings).
  • Does the text deal with main theological themes (e.g. king, prophet, land, seed, promise, creation, fall, etc.)?
  • Trace the theme both backward in the OT and forward in the NT.
  • List the similarities and contrasts between the scenes.
  • Look for a motif. A concrete image, sensory quality, action or objects that recurs through a particular narrative may be symbolic to the narrative (e.g. fire in the Samson story; stones and the colors red and white in the Jacob story; water in the Moses story; dreams in the Jacob story).

Consider the characters

  • Who are the main characters?
  • How does the passage give insight into the characters and what motivates them?
  • Describe the relationships between the characters in each scene, noting any changes from preceding passages and chapters.
  • Do you see God at work either explicitly or implicitly?
  • If God’s prophet or messenger, appears in the scene, what is his function?
  • If God’s King is in the scene, what is he suppose to learn?

How the author conveys information regarding motives, attitude or the inner nature of someone’s moral character:

  • What he says: Character revealed through direct speech of the person; may be a drawn shutter or an open window (e.g. 1 Samuel 27:10).
  • What he does: Character is revealed through actions (e.g. 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Kings 3:1 compare Deut 17:17; Judges 14:1-3)
  • How he appears: Character is revealed through gestures, appearances, costume (e.g Eli sitting rather than leading – 1 Samuel 4:18)
  • What others say about him: Character is revealed through one character’s comments regarding another (e.g. Boaz to Ruth, Ruth 2:11).
  • What he thinks: Character is revealed by inward speech (e.g. 1 Samuel 27:1
  • Commentary: Character is revealed by the narrator’s explicit statements (e.g. Judges 21:25).

Biblical narrative majors on the implicit, not the explicit.

Identify themes & spiritual principles

  • Assume a unity of the material. You can assume the narratives form one coherent unfolding story. The meaning of earlier data is progressively revealed or enriched by the addition of subsequent data.
  • The most helpful principle to uncover original meaning is “juxtaposition.” Consistently ask 2 questions:
    • How is the material similar to what has come before?
    • How is the material different than what has come before?
    • It is normally on the discontinuity that the emphasis is made.
  • Consider the descriptions, actions of and reactions to the people of God in this scene. Does any of it remind you of passages in the gospels concerning Jesus?  Or other New Testament characters?
  • Look for and state any spiritual principles from this passage. (A spiritual principle is a universal, timeless truth.)   For example, does this passage teach something about the nature of mankind that is always true?  Does something in the text reveal God’s character, or how He works or acts?
  • Do you see themes in this passage that go beyond this text and are repeated in other passages of Scripture?
  • Look for patterns or examples of success or failures and what we learn from them that we could apply to our lives today.
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Working with Old Testament Narratives

adapted from How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart

  • An Old Testament narrative usually does not teach a doctrine.
  • An Old Testament narrative usually illustrates a doctrine(s) taught propositionally elsewhere.
  • Narratives record what happened — not necessarily what should have happened.
  • What people do in narratives is not necessarily a good example for us. Frequently, it is just the opposite.
  • The characters in Old Testament narratives are far from perfect and their actions are too.
  • We are not always told at the end of a narrative whether what happened was good or bad.
  • All narratives are selective and incomplete (not all the details are given, some are assumed as cultural knowledge).
  • Narratives are not written to answer our theological questions.
  • Narratives may teach either explicitly or implicitly.
  • In the final analysis, God is the hero of all biblical narratives.
  • “Narratives are precious to us because they so vividly demonstrate God’s involvement in the world and illustrate His principles and calling” (Fee & Stuart, pg. 86).
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Practice Exercise

Using the principles above, compare and contrast these scenes:

  • The annunciation of birth of a hero to a barren mother: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Manoah’s wife, Elizabeth, Mary.
  • Meeting at a well: Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Ruth, Saul, Samson, the woman with Jesus, Lydia.
  • Danger in the desert: Hagar 2Xs, Moses and Israel 3Xs, Elijah – 1 Kings 17; Jesus – Matt 4; Paul.
  • Initiatory Trial (e.g. Adam, Moses, Abraham, Joseph)
  • Last testament of a dying hero (e.g. Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Jesus, Paul).
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These books are entirely narrative:

  • Genesis
  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • Ruth
  • 1 Samuel
  • 2 Samuel
  • 1&2 Kings
  • 1&2 Chronicles
  • Ezra
  • Nehemiah
  • Daniel
  • Jonah
  • Haggai

These books have large narrative sections

  • Exodus
  • Numbers
  • Jeremiah
  • Ezekiel
  • Isaiah
  • Job
  • Gospel of Matthew
  • Gospel of Mark
  • Gospel of Luke
  • Gospel of John
  • Acts
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Suggested Reading

The Art of Biblical Narrative, by Robert Alter (also a great book on understanding the OT)

He Gave Us Stories by Richard L Pratt Jr

How to Read the Bible for all its Worth by Fee & Stuart

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Part of the Series: Bible Study 101

More: Understanding Genre

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Filed Under: 101Genre, 101Study Help Tagged With: Bible Study, narrative, tips

Prophecy: how to understanding OT prophets

August 17, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

Understanding Prophecy - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Studying biblical prophecy is an often overwhelming task.  Much of it is written in Hebrew poetry. The names and places are foreign, and the metaphors don’t always resonate with our modern ears. Yet we can usually understand the main point.

More: Introduction to the Prophets

If studying an Old Testament prophet overwhelms you, here are some tips to get you started.

  • Study the historical setting. While many Old Testament prophets announced the future, it was usually the immediate future of Israel, Judah and/or the nations surrounding them — which is our past.  Less than 2% of Old Testament prophecy is messianic.  Less than 5% specifically describes the New Covenant.  Less than %1 concerns events still in our future today.
  • Learn the art of Hebrew poetry.  Poetry is the main vehicle for all prophecy.  When prophets want to speak of future spiritual realities which will occur after the coming of the Messiah, those future realities are often described either in past historical symbols (like the Exodus) or present historical realities that the audience would be familiar with.
  • Think in oracles. Just as we think in paragraphs for epistles and scenes for narratives, the basic building block of prophecy is an “oracle” which you can think of as a particular sermon or address.
  • Look for the historical setting of each oracle.  The longer prophetic books are collections of spoken oracles which are not necessarily in chronological order.
  • Look for blessings/curses and the reasons for them.  The prophet’s role was enforcing the covenant.  They function as the Lord’s mediators by announcing blessings (positive enforcement) or curses (negative enforcement).
  • Since the prophet’s words were not his own, oracles usually begin with a phrase like: “Thus says the Lord.” Use these introductory phrases to separate oracles.
  • Look for theology you already understand from the New Testament.  As mediators of the Covenant and spokesmen for the Lord, the prophets’ words are not original nor did they invent “new theology.” They may reveal more detail but the ideas are already contained in other Scripture.
  • Consult bible dictionaries, commentaries and online resources.  Because the historical context and background information is so crucial to understanding prophecy, feel free to consult Bible dictionaries and/or commentaries in your study.  Do not handicap yourself by trying to do without them.
  • Expect symbolic language. Flannery O’Connor said: “To the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind, you draw large and startling figures.” The prophets are shouting warnings. In Numbers 12:6-8, the Lord himself tells us that other than Moses, He speaks to the prophets in riddles.
  • Look for recurrent themes and covenant terminology (e.g. Day of the Lord, the remnant, judgment, restoration, etc.).
  • Expect a “now and later.” Some of the words of the prophets have a fulfillment in their own day, some point to their future and some point to our future. The problem is they don’t tell us which is which.
  • Learn how the New Testament authors handle the Old Testament. The New Testament is our divinely inspired commentary on the Old Testament. Develop a sensitivity for when they are quoting the Old Testament, when they are alluding to it and how they are using it.
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Oracles

The 3 most common types of oracles are: lawsuit; woe; promise or salvation

The Lawsuit Oracle

  • Examples: Isa 3:13-26; Isa 41:21-29
  • usually contains: a summons, a charge, evidence and a verdict.
  • usually contains: a judge, defendants, evidence, prosecutors

The Woe Oracle

  • Examples: Micah 2:1-5; Hab 2:6-8
  • usually contains: an announcement of distress (which includes the word woe);
  • the reason for the distress (disobedience) and
  • a prediction of doom (in covenant categories).

Promise or Salvation Oracle

  • Example: Amos 9:11-15
  • usually contains: a mention of the future (“in that day”);
  • a radical change (improvement) and
  • a blessing (in covenant categories).

Acted Oracles

  • Example: Isa 20; Jer 19; Eze 4:1-3
  • a dramatic, acting out of the message
  • the symbol embodies God’s message
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True vs False prophecy

  • Dt 18:22 – If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord as not spoken. But the corrollary (if it takes place, must be a true prophet) not necessarily true.
  • Dt 13:1-5 – a theological test; a false prophet calls people to follow other gods and teaches rebellion against the God of the Exodus
  • Jer 23:9-23 – immoral conduct rules you out as a prophet of the Lord.

For more explanation, read Chapter 10 of How to Read the Bible for All its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible, by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart.

Part of the Series: Bible Study 101

More: Understanding Genre

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Filed Under: 101Genre, 101Study Help Tagged With: Bible Study, prophecy

How to prepare teaching notes

June 15, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

How to prepare teaching notes - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Perhaps the most frequent question I get asked about teaching the Bible is: “do you write out your notes word for word or speak from an outline?” Often this question is followed by: “What does your page you look like? Do you color code or use different fonts?”

Over my 30+ years of teaching, I’ve tried every method for notes: speaking from memory, writing my talk word for word on paper and/or a tablet, using an outline, using an annotated copy of Scripture, using Powerpoint slides with and without the notes feature, and even working from old fashioned index cards.

Tips to find your style

Ultimately, how you handle your speaking notes will depend on personal preference. Here are some ideas that may help you find your style:

Only speak from a tablet when you know what the lighting will be like in the location at the time of day you are speaking. I’ve run into troubles with too much glare in the room to see the screen. It’s distracting to the audience if you’re constantly tipping and tilting the tablet to see your notes.

If you have trouble staying within your time limits, try writing out more of your speaking text. I find more text helps me stay within time limits and avoid side tracks.

The more you know the material and the more you have taught it, the less you probably need to write.  By the third or fourth time I’ve taught I passage, I find I can teach from a 1-page outline or annotated Scripture passage. But the first time I teach a passage, I want more notes.

Write enough so that you can return to the material and know what you said.  A phrase like “analogy of the soccer trip” may mean nothing to you in 10 years even though you could tell the story from memory today. Even if you don’t intend to speak from the full text, write enough content to give your future self the full picture.

If you quote someone, copy the quotes into your text so you can read it without taking time to open a book or a computer window. Remember to include the source of the quotation in your notes for future reference.

Use a method that builds your confidence. Everyone gets nervous no matter how many years they teach.  If more text on the page encourages you to relax into speaking, speak from detailed notes. If less text on the page helps you to establish rapport and a conversational speaking tone, speak form less notes.

If you use paper, remember to number your pages. This sounds silly, but you’d be surprised how many times pages numbers have saved me from disaster.

Whatever method you choose, practice with it. Before the event, do a dress rehearsal –in the location and with an audience who can give you real feedback if possible. Time your practice, make a video and/or audio recording and learn from it.

My hybrid outline style

I’ve found the method that works best for me is a hybrid outline and full text. This hybrid outline allows me to quickly scan the page for the next main point while the full text allows me to drop into reading if I get flustered or lost. I created a style set in Microsoft Word (called “Talk Style”) that contains my standard formats.

I use Arial 14-point font because it’s clean, easy to read and large enough that I don’t have to worry about lighting in the room. With this font and hybrid style, 12-15 pages is about a 30 minute talk; 15-20 pages is 45 minutes. Since my typical talk is limited to 40-45 minutes, if my notes format to over 20 pages I know I’m too long. Here are the styles I use:

NORMAL – Font: Arial, 14 pt; Left justify;  Line spacing:  single; Space After:  10 pt; Widow/Orphan control on.

I reserve this style for main points and transition statements.  If it’s crucial to understanding,  it’s on the left margin. When speaking, I can quickly glance down the left side of the page to see my next main point and/or transition. I keep this level to 1-2 short sentences, so it is easy to grasp at a glance.

Level 2- same formatting as Normal, except Indent: Left:  0.25″. 

I use Level 2 for explanations or sub-points underneath the main points. I keep these paragraphs short, with no more than one idea per paragraph. Typically the first sentence in the paragraph is the most crucial and the only one I need to read to know what I want to say. Sometimes I use the highlight feature to make me notice key words or concepts.

  • If I need to run through a list, I use bullets with the Level 2 formatting.
  • This helps me know where the list falls in the outline.
  • I keep the bullets short so I can scan each idea

Level 3 – same formatting as normal except Indent: Left:  0.55″. 

I use Level 3 for asides, tangents, or the answer to an anticipated audience question. These paragraphs are the ones I can skip if we got started late or need to shorten the schedule. If I think this particular audience needs to hear it and we have time, I include them.  But I know I can skip them for time.

If this idea is a true aside that I know I don’t want to include, but want to remember the idea. I use Level 3 formatting with a smaller font. Typically this might be background information or technical grammatical points.

Scripture Quotes – Whenever I quote Scripture, I copy the entire text I want to read into my notes, put it on the left margin, in italic and often in a different color. This helps me easily refer to Scripture during Q&A.  Note: if you are making an audio recording of your talk, read Scripture yourself into the microphone rather than asking an audience member to read it. This practice ensures people listening to the MP3 in their cars can hear it.

I use Subheads only for the major sections like: Open, Review, Body and Conclusion.  I use subheads during preparation to remind me what still needs to be written, then I ignore them when speaking.

Preparation Schedule

I write the body of the talk first, then add the examples or analogies. The last thing I write is the open and close. My typical preparation looks like this:

First draft/Blank page – I start with the body of the talk: main points and sub-points. My goal is to get every idea from my head onto the paper. I give no thought to organization, word choice, or style. Editing is not allowed. I write and don’t look back until all the ideas are in my document. No filtering, no editing, no second-guessing at this point.

Second draft – In addition to working on the content, I also begin working on the transitions and organization. The goal here is to improve the flow of thought, clarity and word choice, add transitions, prune the extraneous and fill in the gaps.

Third draft – I call this my polishing stage. At this point I tackle the heavy editing and second guessing (Do I need this? Is this clear? What have I assumed the audience knows or doesn’t know?). This is also where I add examples, application (if not already covered in the second draft), and finally write the open and close.

Final Draft – the week of the talk I do a dress rehearsal, timing and/or taping the talk. Yes, I practice every time and no matter how many times I’ve given the talk before. This is my last chance to fix any problems in content, timing and delivery, and it makes the content fresh in my mind.

If you’re thinking “wow, that takes so much time,” you’re absolutely correct. Especially since this process starts AFTER I’ve completed an inductive study, an analytical outline, consulted commentaries, and done copious amounts of research.

When I hear pastors joke about starting their Sunday sermon on Saturday night, it mystifies me. I hope there is no truth behind these comments. I once calculated that I typically spend 12 hours in preparation for every 30 minutes I speak.

Presuming to explain the Word of God is a calling we ought to take seriously, putting in the required time, study and prayer. Besides time spent in Bible study is truly rewarding and valuable! Like any new skill, it seems overwhelming at first. But once you taste your first fruits of understanding, the joy is sweet and satisfying.

Part of the Series: Bible Study 201: Learn to teach

Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible


Photo used here under Flickr Creative Commons.

Filed Under: Bible Study 201 Tagged With: Bible Study, Bible Study 201, teaching

Read through the Bible

January 3, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

Read through the Bible |WednesdayintheWord.com


Have you decided to read through the Bible as one of your New Year’s Resolutions? Here’s a great selection of plans to help you keep that resolution.


Jump to: ** Online; ** PDFs; ** Overviews; **


Online

Online plans

Online Bible Reading Plans allow you to choose your version and track your progress. There are also apps for your phone, which are constantly changing.

Bible Gateway (18 plans)

Bible Study Tools (18 plans)

Blue Letter Bible (7 plans)

Bible In A Year

This plan takes you through the entire Bible with two readings each day: one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Accessible on YouVersion – download the app.

Bible Reading Plan Generator

Want to set your own schedule? Here’s a tool to create your own reading plan.

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PDFs

PDF plans

The Ligonier Ministries Blog complied a great list of different charts and plans to read through the Bible in a year. Here’s a sample of plans in their collection. Most are PDF downloads which you can stick in your Bible:

52 Week Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in a year with each day of the week dedicated to a different genre: epistles, the law, history, Psalms, poetry, prophecy, and Gospels.

Navigators New Testament Reading Plan M-F

Read through the New Testament in a year, reading Monday to Friday. Weekends are set aside for reflection and other reading. Especially beneficial if you’re new to a daily discipline of Bible reading.

Bible Reading Chart

Read through the Bible at your own pace. Use this minimalist chart to track your reading throughout the year.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in the order the events occurred chronologically.

Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings beginning in Genesis, Psalms, Matthew and Acts.

Discipleship Journal Book at a time Reading Plan

Two daily readings, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Complete an entire book in each testament before moving on.

ESV Daily Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings taken from four lists: Psalms and wisdom literature, Pentateuch and history of Israel, Chronicles and prophets, and Gospels and epistles.

Every Word in the Bible 3-year Plan

Read through the Bible one chapter at a time. Readings alternate between the Old and New Testaments.

Historical Bible Reading Plan

The Old Testament readings are similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament readings are an attempt to follow the order in which the books were authored.

Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System

Reading ten chapters a day, in the course of a year you’ll read the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul’s letters four to five times, the Old Testament wisdom literature six times, the Psalms at least twice, Proverbs and Acts a dozen times, and the Old Testament history and prophetic books about one and a half times.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

Read the New Testament and Psalms twice and the Old Testament once.

Straight Through the Bible Reading Plan

Read straight through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Tabletalk 1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Two readings each day, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.

Tabletalk 2-Year Bible Reading Plan

Read the Old and New Testaments once and Psalms and Proverbs four times.

Legacy Reading Plan

This plan does not have set readings for each day. Instead, it has set books for each month and a set number of Proverbs and Psalms for each week. It aims to give you more flexibility while grounding you in specific books of the Bible.

260 Bible Reading Plan

The F-260 is a two hundred and sixty day reading plan that highlights the foundational passages of Scripture that every disciple should know.

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Overviews

Bible Overviews

Want to understand what you’re reading?  Considering reading an overview of the Bible.

A Simple overview of biblical history

Ray Stedman’s Adventuring through the Bible

RC Sproul’s Overivew of the Bible

John MacArthur’s Introductions to each book of the Bible

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Where to next?

New Testament Studies

Old Testament Studies

Topical Studies

Bible Study 101


Photo taken by Brett Jordan and used here under Flickr Creative Commons.

Filed Under: Faith & Life Tagged With: Bible Study, reading plans

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