A Change of Direction
In class on Sunday we discussed that “Resurrection Sunday” will be here in a few weeks-April 24th. I proposed that we skip ahead and study John Chapters 19 and 20 as we come upon that day. By the time April 24th arrives we will be ready to really worship our Lord for what He did for us.
We will study in short bites of Scripture….15-20 verses each week. Lets begin.
Here is a brief outline of the technique that I use in study. I will not repeat writing it for each study, but you will know where I am coming from.
Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline
(We will go into much detail for each section at a later date)
STOP! Pray before you begin. Remember to keep a list of all the resources you use to study/gain information.
1. Ask why I am studying this topic/book? What do I already know about it?
2. Who is the author? Why did he write it?
3. General reading and overview of the entire section/chapter/book for general information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.
4. Stop! when God explains something with - “because” “for, “so that,” etc…
5. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list.
6. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?
LOOK!
1. Read it again. For John, make a list of all the titles for Jesus.
2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section.
3. Look Left! Look Right! What came before? What came after?
4. Ask questions. Make charts as necessary.
5. How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply to these verses?
6. Do I see any “precepts”, “practices” “principles” or “progressive revelation”?
LISTEN!
1. Read it again.
2. Why did God give us this story?
3. What if this story had been left out of Scripture?
4. How do I apply this story to my life today?
Chapter 19: 1-16
Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.
Since we are jumping to chapter 19 we must ask….what has happened to bring Jesus to this point? He stands before Pilate…..what events brought Him to this encounter? (This is the second time Jesus has come before Pilate.)
This section recounts the ‘rejection’ of Jesus. Who are the main characters? Who was Pilate? Who are the Jews that are mentioned? Who are the soldiers?
Note the titles or names given to Jesus – given by others, and Himself. What does each one mean?
This chapter is full of emotion: hate, anger, fear, etc…. Who is fearful? Why? Who is angry? Why? Who seems calm and at peace during all of this…why?
Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?
Notice the politics/political correctness!!
I will be looking up the word ‘blasphemy’ to find out what it means in this particular context. ). In a thesaurus it is described as a profanity, a sacrilege, swear word, or an irreverence. How did Jesus commit ‘blasphemy?’ (Jo. 8:58-59)
Pilate asks a strange question in verse 9.
Jesus spoke up in the section before chapter 19, why might He have remained silent now?
LISTEN - just 16 verses…but how can I apply these to my life today? How will the study of these chapters impact my celebration of "Resurrection Sunday" this year?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
John 1:19-35
John 1:19-35 Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study
STOP! Ask: Which Bible translation am I using, and why? Read each word slowly and make a list of those words/concepts that you do not fully understand.
Read the verses. Slow down and read each word. This is the general overview section.
LOOK!
Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.”
Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.
Ask and answer questions from what you have read:
The writer goes from saying that Jesus is God, and "was there in the beginning," right to the baptism of Jesus. Why might he have left out the story of Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth (she did figure into this part of the story if you remember her relationsiip to John the baptizer.)
Who did the Jews mean when they spoke of the "Christ," "Elijah" and "the Prophet?"
Who is the "John"? What is his relationship to Jesus?
Verse 29 is a key verse. Jesus is telling them that salvation is not just for the Jews. Who is the Lamb and why is that title used?
VS 31 mentions ‘Israel.” What is the context? What does this verse mean?
What titles are given to Jesus in these verses? What do they represent?
Notice the mention of the Holy Spirit…this is the first time the HS is really mentioned to the people.
How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?
Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?
How did the author accomplish his point/purpose in these verses? John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25 Do we see Jesus as God here? Who testifies that Jesus is God in this portion of Scripture?
LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?
STOP! Ask: Which Bible translation am I using, and why? Read each word slowly and make a list of those words/concepts that you do not fully understand.
Read the verses. Slow down and read each word. This is the general overview section.
LOOK!
Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.”
Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.
Ask and answer questions from what you have read:
The writer goes from saying that Jesus is God, and "was there in the beginning," right to the baptism of Jesus. Why might he have left out the story of Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth (she did figure into this part of the story if you remember her relationsiip to John the baptizer.)
Who did the Jews mean when they spoke of the "Christ," "Elijah" and "the Prophet?"
Who is the "John"? What is his relationship to Jesus?
Verse 29 is a key verse. Jesus is telling them that salvation is not just for the Jews. Who is the Lamb and why is that title used?
VS 31 mentions ‘Israel.” What is the context? What does this verse mean?
What titles are given to Jesus in these verses? What do they represent?
Notice the mention of the Holy Spirit…this is the first time the HS is really mentioned to the people.
How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?
Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?
How did the author accomplish his point/purpose in these verses? John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25 Do we see Jesus as God here? Who testifies that Jesus is God in this portion of Scripture?
LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Lets Start the Gospel of John - and the Four "P's
John 1:1-18 Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study
Lets actually use what we have discussed over the past few weeks and do a little Bible Study!! (I always use a NKJ version – so some of your wording may not be the same as mine.) We will begin with just a few verses and progress on to entire chapter studies. As you study please keep a list of resources you might use….internet, concordance, Bible dictionary, etc…. you might need to go back and find these later.
These may be very familiar verses to some of us, but lets look at them with new eyes.
STOP! Ask:
Which Bible translation am I using, and why?
Who wrote this book and why? In many of the New Testament books and letters the author will actually tell why he wrote it…. (hint hint - John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25). Keep this in mind as we study each chapter – we will ask “How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?”
Read the verses. Slow down and read each verse. Make note of any words/concepts you do not understand – you will research these in the ‘LOOK’ phase. (For example – do you know what “Word” and “Light” mean? Why a capital “L”? ) This is the general overview section.
LOOK! Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.” These words all signal important information, or relationships.
Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.
Ask and answer questions from what you have read; for example: Who is the He/Him mentioned (should be written in caps)? Re-read these verses and replace the name of the person where the He or Him as in the sentence. This makes the verses come alive with understanding.
Who is this John in these verses? John the author, or someone else?
If I was doing this study I might also write downto research “bosom of the Father, and ‘begotten.”
How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?
Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?(If you missed the class when we discussed this....it is posted at the end of this lesson)
How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?
LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?
Four Ps of Bible Study
We learn from Scripture by other ways than there being direct commands or statements. These are the "four p's"
As we study Scripture, look for the “Four P’s.” Not all sections of Scripture that you study will have each, or even one of these...but Look for:
Practice what is the ongoing custom or tradition that is repeated? What can we learn from this that will influence our understanding of the story? The practice of male leadership. Jesus prayed. Practice is something tangiible that can be seen; an action. The point is we are given an example to follow. “Practice” also teaches us something about history….manners and customs… Why is it important to look for these?
Precept a specific rule, command, instruction. Are any given? Thou shalt not kill. Wives and husbands are told to love each other and to be submissive to each other….”husbands love your wives as you love yourself and as Christ loved the church…” Why is it important for us to look for these precepts?
Principle a belief, a standard. A general truth. A fundamental assumption. "Principle" is not tangible. A generally acceptable rule of action or behavior, i.e. moral principles. General biblical principles might include the Trinity (the word “trinity” never appears in Scripture”, the sovereignty of God (as seen in the story of Esther – thought never called the sovereignty of God…. Why is it important for us to look at any principles?
Progressive Revelation information that is unveiled a little at a time. Genesis through Revelation slowly unveils teachings of the Messiah to come. Daniel and Joel, and others, give us some information, but it does not all come together until the book of Revelation. The Gospels unveil the Messiah. Revelation then ties up all the loose ends with the actual unveiling of the King of Kings who returns again to the earth for one last time.
Much of prophecy is ‘progressive revelation.’ Why is looking for progressive revelation important?
Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.
Lets actually use what we have discussed over the past few weeks and do a little Bible Study!! (I always use a NKJ version – so some of your wording may not be the same as mine.) We will begin with just a few verses and progress on to entire chapter studies. As you study please keep a list of resources you might use….internet, concordance, Bible dictionary, etc…. you might need to go back and find these later.
These may be very familiar verses to some of us, but lets look at them with new eyes.
STOP! Ask:
Which Bible translation am I using, and why?
Who wrote this book and why? In many of the New Testament books and letters the author will actually tell why he wrote it…. (hint hint - John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25). Keep this in mind as we study each chapter – we will ask “How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?”
Read the verses. Slow down and read each verse. Make note of any words/concepts you do not understand – you will research these in the ‘LOOK’ phase. (For example – do you know what “Word” and “Light” mean? Why a capital “L”? ) This is the general overview section.
LOOK! Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.” These words all signal important information, or relationships.
Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.
Ask and answer questions from what you have read; for example: Who is the He/Him mentioned (should be written in caps)? Re-read these verses and replace the name of the person where the He or Him as in the sentence. This makes the verses come alive with understanding.
Who is this John in these verses? John the author, or someone else?
If I was doing this study I might also write downto research “bosom of the Father, and ‘begotten.”
How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?
Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?(If you missed the class when we discussed this....it is posted at the end of this lesson)
How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?
LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?
Four Ps of Bible Study
We learn from Scripture by other ways than there being direct commands or statements. These are the "four p's"
As we study Scripture, look for the “Four P’s.” Not all sections of Scripture that you study will have each, or even one of these...but Look for:
Practice what is the ongoing custom or tradition that is repeated? What can we learn from this that will influence our understanding of the story? The practice of male leadership. Jesus prayed. Practice is something tangiible that can be seen; an action. The point is we are given an example to follow. “Practice” also teaches us something about history….manners and customs… Why is it important to look for these?
Precept a specific rule, command, instruction. Are any given? Thou shalt not kill. Wives and husbands are told to love each other and to be submissive to each other….”husbands love your wives as you love yourself and as Christ loved the church…” Why is it important for us to look for these precepts?
Principle a belief, a standard. A general truth. A fundamental assumption. "Principle" is not tangible. A generally acceptable rule of action or behavior, i.e. moral principles. General biblical principles might include the Trinity (the word “trinity” never appears in Scripture”, the sovereignty of God (as seen in the story of Esther – thought never called the sovereignty of God…. Why is it important for us to look at any principles?
Progressive Revelation information that is unveiled a little at a time. Genesis through Revelation slowly unveils teachings of the Messiah to come. Daniel and Joel, and others, give us some information, but it does not all come together until the book of Revelation. The Gospels unveil the Messiah. Revelation then ties up all the loose ends with the actual unveiling of the King of Kings who returns again to the earth for one last time.
Much of prophecy is ‘progressive revelation.’ Why is looking for progressive revelation important?
Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.
Monday, February 21, 2011
2 Tim. 3:16-17
It is important to understand these verses because we will use the verse in each of our studies...it will appear iin the "LOOK!" section of our technique.
Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline – 2 Tim. 3:16-17
We will go into much detail for each section at a later date
STOP! LOOK! LIISTEN! This technique can be used on a chapter, an entire book, or even just one verse. Let’s practice one verse… These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?
STOP! Pray before you begin
1. Which translation are you using and why? Does it matter?
2. Ask why I am studying this topic? What do I already know about it?
3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?
4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.
5. Stop! at - “because” “for, “so that,” and 'but'... etc… what is being said?
6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. Do you understand all the words in this verse? How will you go about doing research in the LOOK section?
LOOK!
1. Read it again.
2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section. What does the word actually mean…”all”, “inspiration,” “doctrine, “reproof,” “correction,” “righteousness,” “thoroughly equipped” etc… Some of you will want to look these words up in a concordance, or word study book, dictionary, etc… What do these words really?
3. Look Left! Look Right! What verses came before? What verses came after? How do they all fit together?
4. These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?
5. What do these verses say about Scripture that should make you want to study it more, and to apply it to your life?
LISTEN!
1. Read it again
2. Why did God give us this verse?
3. What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
4. How do I apply these verses to my life today?
Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.
Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline – 2 Tim. 3:16-17
We will go into much detail for each section at a later date
STOP! LOOK! LIISTEN! This technique can be used on a chapter, an entire book, or even just one verse. Let’s practice one verse… These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?
STOP! Pray before you begin
1. Which translation are you using and why? Does it matter?
2. Ask why I am studying this topic? What do I already know about it?
3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?
4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.
5. Stop! at - “because” “for, “so that,” and 'but'... etc… what is being said?
6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. Do you understand all the words in this verse? How will you go about doing research in the LOOK section?
LOOK!
1. Read it again.
2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section. What does the word actually mean…”all”, “inspiration,” “doctrine, “reproof,” “correction,” “righteousness,” “thoroughly equipped” etc… Some of you will want to look these words up in a concordance, or word study book, dictionary, etc… What do these words really?
3. Look Left! Look Right! What verses came before? What verses came after? How do they all fit together?
4. These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?
5. What do these verses say about Scripture that should make you want to study it more, and to apply it to your life?
LISTEN!
1. Read it again
2. Why did God give us this verse?
3. What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
4. How do I apply these verses to my life today?
Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Online Resources
Good sties for reference. I might use these when I research.
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/mcgee/ J Vernon McGee****
www.biblegateway.com Matthew Henry****
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries....... Lists several writers….AND you can do an actual word search if you us the ROBERTSON’s Word Picture. Stick with men you know like Henry and Scofield. ****
http://www.biblebb.com/brefindex/joh.htm Commentary by CH Spurgeon****
**** Know who you are reading on the internet. Don’t forget there will be cult writers, whose doctrine we do not follow, that have as many websites as mainline Christians. These are examples of a few I know and trust. There are others writers and sites. Let me know if you find any other good sites.
http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/mcgee/ J Vernon McGee****
www.biblegateway.com Matthew Henry****
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries....... Lists several writers….AND you can do an actual word search if you us the ROBERTSON’s Word Picture. Stick with men you know like Henry and Scofield. ****
http://www.biblebb.com/brefindex/joh.htm Commentary by CH Spurgeon****
**** Know who you are reading on the internet. Don’t forget there will be cult writers, whose doctrine we do not follow, that have as many websites as mainline Christians. These are examples of a few I know and trust. There are others writers and sites. Let me know if you find any other good sites.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Romans 12 - Stop! Look! Listen!
Here is a 'general' outline of the SLL technique for our study this week. We will go into much more detail in each phase....this is just a beginning. Do what you can. Please do at least look over what sort of things we are looking for/studying, and please do read over the entire chapter 12 of Romans.
Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline – Romans 12
(We will go into much detail for each section at a later date)
STOP! Pray before you begin.
1. Which translation are you using? Why?
2. Ask why I am studying this topic/book? What do I already know about it?
3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?
4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general
information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.
5. Stop! when God explains something with - “because” “for, “so that,” etc…
6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list.
7. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?
LOOK!
1. Read it again.
2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section.
3. Look Left! Look Right! What came before? What came after?
4. Ask questions. Make charts as necessary.
5. How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply?
LISTEN!
1. Read it again.
2. Why did God give us this story?
3. What if this story had been left out of Scripture?
4. How do I apply this story to my life today?
Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline – Romans 12
(We will go into much detail for each section at a later date)
STOP! Pray before you begin.
1. Which translation are you using? Why?
2. Ask why I am studying this topic/book? What do I already know about it?
3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?
4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general
information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.
5. Stop! when God explains something with - “because” “for, “so that,” etc…
6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list.
7. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?
LOOK!
1. Read it again.
2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section.
3. Look Left! Look Right! What came before? What came after?
4. Ask questions. Make charts as necessary.
5. How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply?
LISTEN!
1. Read it again.
2. Why did God give us this story?
3. What if this story had been left out of Scripture?
4. How do I apply this story to my life today?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
First Part of the SLL Study
Psalm 119: 1-40
“STOP” Study
Bible Study is hard work, it is not casual, recreational reading. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture.
One simple method of personal Bible Study is the “Stop – Look – Listen” technique. Many of us grew up with our parents teaching us to “Stop-Look- Listen” as we cross a busy street. This little childhood phrase can guide our steps not only across the street, but in our personal Bible Study. It is easy to remember, and we can “take it” with us anywhere!
The STOP! phase is first. Here you get an over view of your verses and begin to note what is important, and perhaps what you do not really understand.
STOP! Pray before you begin.
1. Who wrote what you are reading? Why was it written? What is the ‘background’ of what you are reading?
2. Read Ps 119: 1-40. Read it slowly and purposefully. Read every word (now that sounds silly, but most of us rush through our reading and miss out on some important words.)
Ask why I am studying this topic/section of Scripture? What do I already know about this topic/Section of Scripture?
General reading and overview. Write! Write! Write! Take notes. The more your write and interact with your study, the more you will remember.
Stop when God explains something with the words- “because” “for, “ so that,” “but”, etc… and look closely at the verse.
Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. For instance, may Bibles will note these words in Ps119 vs 1 “Aleph”, vs 9 “Beth” vs 17 “Gimel, vs25 “Daleth”, vs 33 “He”….do you know what these mean?
7. Look for repeated words or phrases – these are keys to understanding.
8. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?(There is no mention of geography in Ps 119)
Remember….this is just the first step in ‘digging deeper’
In the next step we will do the research needed, we will ask/answer questions, etc….. Also, I am going to teach you how to ‘have fun’ studying Scripture!!
“STOP” Study
Bible Study is hard work, it is not casual, recreational reading. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture.
One simple method of personal Bible Study is the “Stop – Look – Listen” technique. Many of us grew up with our parents teaching us to “Stop-Look- Listen” as we cross a busy street. This little childhood phrase can guide our steps not only across the street, but in our personal Bible Study. It is easy to remember, and we can “take it” with us anywhere!
The STOP! phase is first. Here you get an over view of your verses and begin to note what is important, and perhaps what you do not really understand.
STOP! Pray before you begin.
1. Who wrote what you are reading? Why was it written? What is the ‘background’ of what you are reading?
2. Read Ps 119: 1-40. Read it slowly and purposefully. Read every word (now that sounds silly, but most of us rush through our reading and miss out on some important words.)
Ask why I am studying this topic/section of Scripture? What do I already know about this topic/Section of Scripture?
General reading and overview. Write! Write! Write! Take notes. The more your write and interact with your study, the more you will remember.
Stop when God explains something with the words- “because” “for, “ so that,” “but”, etc… and look closely at the verse.
Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. For instance, may Bibles will note these words in Ps119 vs 1 “Aleph”, vs 9 “Beth” vs 17 “Gimel, vs25 “Daleth”, vs 33 “He”….do you know what these mean?
7. Look for repeated words or phrases – these are keys to understanding.
8. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?(There is no mention of geography in Ps 119)
Remember….this is just the first step in ‘digging deeper’
In the next step we will do the research needed, we will ask/answer questions, etc….. Also, I am going to teach you how to ‘have fun’ studying Scripture!!
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