How to Conduct Personal Bible Study

How to study the bible from Allan Canonigo

Bible Study Method: The Process of Interpretation

Interpretation

What is it that you are looking for in the process of interpretation? What does it mean? The more you learn to see the more understand. Some of us see but we do not understand. Ask the right questions and bombard the text with questions.

1.      How do you discover the right answer?

2.      How to uncover the big picture?

     Five Keys to Interpretation

    1.   Content

     The more time you spend in observation the less time you will spend on interpretation, the more accurate is your application. This is absolutely crucial to the process of bible study. We need to do continued reading and perceptive meditation.

    2.  Context

       Context gives the meaning. This has to do with the verses before and the verses after. Every verse has a relation to every other verse. No verse in the Scriptures stands in isolation.

       Look for important clues in the sentences and paragraphs that come before and after the verse in question.

    3.      Comparison

        Use a concordance.

    4.      Culture

        Remember the cultures are different.

    5.      Consultation

           Bible atlas, Bible commentary, Bible Helps, Bible Customs and Manners

Illustration: Romans 12: 1-2

            1.      Content

                 Relate this passage to the book.

               Chapters          1-8 Doctrinal

                                      9-11- Dispensational                                             

                                   12- 16 – Practical

a.      Why does he use the term, “I urge you”?

b.      What does the word mean “present”?

Remember Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to the temple.

c.       What does Paul wants us to present?

Body – so we must be careful with the body.

d.      If it is a sacrifice, how could it be living?

            2.      Context

                  What about the content? It started with Therefore… The first 11 chapters become the basis.

            3.      Comparison

Negative

V2.  Don’t be conformed to this world

Chapter 8, we have been conformed to the image of Christ.

Positive

V2 – Be transformed… metamorphosis….

            4.      Culture

                  What is prominent of this passage?

                   OT – They presented an animal to God

                   NT – Now they are presenting their bodies as sacrifice.

            5.      Consultation

                  Read the text first before the secondary sources.

October 5 is World Teachers’ Day

October 5 is World Teachers’ Day