Synopsis of Bible Study 08/31/1016

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

Few times are we taught to actually study the bible? When we get saved, people just assume that we already know how to study the bible.

The Bible is an inspiring book that takes you on many journeys through tough times and many trials.

1. The bible is God’s spoken word written with human hands.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) says 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness – All scripture was given by God and inspired by God. Think about it: People just didn’t sit around and decide to write scripture for no reason. They were inspired by God.
3. The bible challenges you to live a fulfilled life. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) says 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – The word of God is so powerful, when you study the word, it studies you. In other words, it reveals to you the things about yourself that you did not know.
4. The word of God helps us all to be equal and it reminds us that we have not arrived yet.

1. What is the bible?
2. Martin Luther described the bible as the cradle where Christ is laid. The bible then is a collection of books that provide the complete and divine plan for humanity.
3. The bible is our user manual. Ex In our automobiles, we have a user manual usually in the glove compartment. Most likely you don’t open it unless something goes wrong with your car. We do the same thing with the bible: It is there for us to go by, but we don’t open it until something goes wrong in our lives.
4. The bible reveals the purpose of God concerning man.
5. There are two parts to the bible. There is the Old Testament and the New Testament
   1. Old Testament
      1. There are 39 books in the Old Testament.
      2. Most of them were written in Hebrew. Some were written in Aramaic from about 1200 to 100bc.
      3. Was referred to as the Old Covenant. It is also the chief text of old law, history, and prophecy.
   2. New Testament
      1. We must know that we can’t throw the Old Testament away. Although we are under the New Testament or the New Covenant, the Old Testament sets the ground work for the New Testament. We have to remember, the only reason people were waiting on the star is because it was prophesied in the Old Testament that Jesus would come.
      2. There are 27books in the New Testament.
      3. This New Testament was written mostly in Greek.
      4. The New Testament has stories of the early teachings of Jesus and his followers.
      5. The New Testament is a fulfilment of promises from the Old Testament.
      6. The Testament also tells all about the apostles.

• What is the formation of the bible?

1. Early Christians were taught to study with map in hand. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV) ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. – When we read a story in the bible, we go on journey about God. We pursue truth and truth is revealed in the word of God. When we see God face to face, what we don’t know down here, we will know then. We’ll understand it better, by and by, old people used to say.
2. You don’t really know yourself. When you look in the mirror you don’t see you in the sense that you think. We are the spirit of God. Who you think you are is only the house where your soul lives. Remember Adam saw Eve as body of his body and flesh of the flesh. He saw who she
3. When we interpret scripture, we are asking question of the text. What is the scripture trying reveal to us?

1. Why do we study the bible?
2. Because you are not of this world. John 15:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.,
   1. 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) says ⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; – You are a kingdom citizen living in this world. We live in this world, but we are not of this world.
3. We study the word, because we want to grow.

1. Personal spiritual growth
2. You have to have a bible. Technology is great and it is good to have a bible on your ipad or cell phone, but you need a physical bible too for studying. Bishop had been shown how to download his airline tickets to his phone. By doing this, he only had to show the tick on the phone to board the plane. It was possible for the attendants to scan the ticket from the phone. One day, the scan machine quit working and you needed a real ticket in order to board you plane. Bishop had to get out of line and go and find somewhere to print the ticket. The convenience of gadgets is great, but there are times that you to rely on the real thing.
3. As you grow as a Christian, you can’t just read books about the bible. You got to read the bible You can’t be a psychologist if you never read psychology books. You can’t be a mechanic if you’ve read any mechanics manual. Christianity is the only thing around where you can call yourself being as such and never read the book (the bible). Hebrews 5:13-14(NKJV) says ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.- There is season you should be on milk, but you should eventually grow to meat.
4. You can’t talk about other religions, because they know their faith. It is not their fault that we don’t have the discipline read and learn what we believe.

1. We must teach others the bible
2. We have responsibilities as ministers. Colossians 1:25-26 (NKJV) says ²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. – Anyone who calls themselves a teacher or preacher, must study.
   1. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) says ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – Those who teach the word of God have to be trained in this. We can’t be peddlers of the word.
   2. 2 Corinthians 2:17 (NKJV) says ¹⁷ For we are not, as so many,^[a] peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.- There are too many avenues now days to get information, for us to not be educated about God.
3. The responsibility of all believers – You can’t hoard the scripture. We must learn it and share it. Matthew 28:19 (NKJV) says ¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, – Can you articulate what has been sown into your life.

• How to study the bible?

Hermeneutics – means interpretations. We must learn to interpret the bible.

Inductive methods interpreting the bible

1. Observation – What does the passage say?
   1. Examine the terms – “The Lord is my shepherd…” Shepherd is a key term here. To point to the real meaning of this scripture, one would need to know what a shepherd is and what a shepherd does. One thing we know for example is a shepherd cares for his sheep.
2. Repetition – Repetition of a word in a text is often a signifier of a point that the author wants you to get. 1 John 4:7 (NKJV) says ⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. – Love is repeated here a lot. This means God must be trying tell us something about love.
3. Atmosphere and setting – This means we need to get the political climate, the mood, and the tone. Asking who, what, when, and where can help a lot in determining scripture  what a scripture is saying.
4. Interpretation – To get the interpretation, we must take in consideration:
   1. The Context – What is the context of the scripture? You can’t just take words straight off the paper at face value. You can’t be a literalist when interpreting scripture.

• Cross reference-Look at other passages and compare them.

1. Culture – Understanding the culture can better help you understand the text. For example, when it says women be silent in the church or woman aren’t supposed to wear men’s garments. At the time it was written for women to be silent, men sat on one side of the church and women sat on the other.
2. Conclusion – After study and research, you might discover that what you were taught all your life may have been wrong.
3. Consultation – Reading other sources may help you understand a scripture better.

• Application – What am I going to do about what the passage says?

• 7 principles to have when studying the bible

1. Have the right attitude. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV) says ¹³ For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. –
2. Pray for understanding.
3. Plan for regular study. Carve time out to study the word of God.
4. Take notes when studying.
5. Review ad meditate. Psalm 1:2 (NKJV) ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
   And in His law he meditates day and night.
6. Get help from others.
7. Obey God’s word.

The Fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom – Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.