Methods of Bible Study - part one

INTRODUCTION:
1. Now that the proper groundwork has been laid (lessons 1-4), we  now begin to consider actual methods of Bible study. 
2. Our study will concern itself with a consideration of two methods of  study: 
a. Analytical - logical, organized, systematic
b.  Topical - pertaining to a particular theme or subject.
3. Most of our attention will focus on the analytical method, to which we now turn our attention.

I. THE ANALYTICAL METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY
A. The analytical approach to the Bible gives emphasis to its structure - its parts and the   relations of these parts to each other and to the whole. 
  1. Words, phrases and sentences = a paragraph
  2. A group of paragraphs = a unit of thought called a segment
   a. The Bible student can embark on an exciting journey of discovery through     the Bible as he identifies the main thought in each segment.
   b. Then, analyzing each paragraph within the segment.
   c. And, eventually, examining the sentences, phrases and words which form     each paragraph.

B. It is in this method of study that the student concerns himself with the Bible itself rather   than depending on outside aids about the Bible (i.e., commentaries, etc.)
  1. The Bible is its own best commentary.
  2. "When the student is face to face with the minute parts of Scripture, including    even the punctuation, and when he wrestles to know its intent in its context, he    is engaging in the study process known as analysis" (Irving L. Jensen,    Independent Bible Study, pg. 46).

C. The aim of the analytical method of study is to:
  1. Find out what the author intended to say.
   a. Begin byfinding a principal truth instead of getting bogged down in details.
   b. Consider in your study:
    1) The atmosphere of the passage (disturbance, peace, love, hate,      doubt, faith).
    2) The space alloted to a subject (cf. Christ, Col. 1; Faith, Heb.11;      Love, 1 Cor. 13).
    3) The grammatical structure of each sentence:  subject  - verb - object      (cf. Heb. 1:1-4).
    4) The unnatural or unexpected in scripture; its there for a reason.
   c. Analyze scripture.
    1) Do a general survey the entire book.
     a) Read first for general impressions (subjects, repetitions,       contrast, main thoughts).
     b) Note geographical, biographical and historical settings of the       book.
    2) Study segments and paragraphs.
     a) Segments are intended to teach one central truth.
     b) Paragraphs, within each segment, contain a specific thought       relating to the segment.
    3) Sentences - recognize the "core" of a sentence:  subject, verb and      object.  Many sentences, because of their length, are difficult to      break down.
    4) Words - consider the usage and meaning of words in the scriptures.
  2. What did the author mean
   a. Seek to find the original message as it was taught to the first century     readers; what was the immediate purpose for which the author wrote?
    1) Was there a need for correction, warning, encouragement, or      doctrine?
    2) Was it written in literal or figurative language (more on this      later).
   b. The student who has observed well the text is well on his way to knowing     what the author meant.  One is dependent on the other.
   c. However, as previously mentioned, not all scripture is easily understood     and a fruitful study will require much work based on sound and logical     rules which we now give our attention to.

D. Rules for understanding the Bible:
  1. Consider the context.
   a. "Context" literally means that which is joined or woven together.  Webster     says, "the parts of a sentence, paragraphs, etc. that occur just before and     after a specified word or passage and determines its exact meaning" (New     World Dictionary).
   b. Illustrations: 
    1) John 9:3:  "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents..."  To take this      out of context, one might understand these individuals were sinless.       However, in light of Romans 3:23, we know this cannot be so.  The      context explains the matter was not dealing with whether they had      sinned, but with what caused the man's blindness.
    2) 1 Corinthians 1:17:  "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach      the gospel..."  Again, to remove this from context, as many try to do      today, would suggest baptism is not essential to salvation.  But in      considering the context, we see the matter deals with the problem      of division at Corinth, not baptism.
  

QUESTIONS:

1. What is meant by the expression "analytical method"?


2. List the parts which make up the following:
a. paragraph -


b. segment -


3. True/False:  The analytical method of Bible study gives emphasis to outside aids such as  commentaries.

4. What are the two aims of the analytical method of Bible study?



5. Would it ever be important to notice how much space is given in the Bible text to a subject in  one's study?  Explain.



6. Name the four steps involved in analyzing scripture.  Explain.




7. What is meant by the "context" in a passage of scripture? 



8. How is considering the context important in understanding 1 Cor. 1:17?