Lesson #03

Bible Perspectives: How to Study the Bible for Yourself — Part I
Lesson #03
Your A B C’s of Interpretation

• Spiritual Diary Discussion
• Homework Discussion: Verse Analysis Bible Study [To go to the Homework Answers–for the teacher]
• Phil 2:16
• Col 3:16
• Jer 15:16
• Class Lesson: Principles for Interpreting the Word of God
• Rules for Interpretation:
• =1=

Take it literally (Phi 3:15-16)

• =2=

Keep it in context (Mat 5:29)

• =3=

How is it used by the same author in the same book? In different books?

• =4=

Watch for idioms.

• =5=

Be alert to figurative use:

• Metaphors
• A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is made to be another different thing and spoken of as though it were that other thing.
• Example: Mat 5:13
• Similes
• A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is made like another thing that is not similar by the use of the words, “like”, “as”, and “so”.
• Example: Mat 10:16
• Analogies
• An analogy is a figure of speech comparing something point by point with something else. One thing explains the other.
• Example: 1Joh 1:5
• Hyperbole
• A hyperbole is a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. It is not to be taken literally.
• Example: Mar 11:23
• Anthropomorphism
• Anthropomorphism is speech that attributes human shape, form, or characteristics to God, objects, or animals.
• Example: Exo 33:23

• Types of Bible Study Methods: #2 The Verse Analysis Study

• We will be using the same Bible Study method that we learned last week.

• Homework

• Work on your Spiritual Diary by reading the Psalms for 10 minutes every day and 5 minutes completing one section.
• Don’t forget to add references to “My Personal Concordance” when verses are meaningful to you. You can expand the concordance in include more topics.
• Using One “Verse Analysis Bible Study” sheet for each homework verse, study the following verses. (Spend 2 days on each verse for 15 minutes each day).

• 1Peter 2:8
• 1John 2:5
• Isaiah 40:8

#2 Verse Analysis Bible Study:

Date:

Verse for Study: 1 Peter 2:8 (copy the verse here)

Message: (What does the verse say?) 

Context:

What thoughts do the preceding verses add? 

What thoughts do the following verses add? 

Questions: 

Application:

#2 Verse Analysis Bible Study:

Date:

Verse for Study: 1 John 2:5 (copy the verse here) 

Message: (What does the verse say?) 

Context:

What thoughts do the preceding verses add? 

What thoughts do the following verses add? 

Questions: 

Application:

 #2 Verse Analysis Bible Study:

Date:

Verse for Study: Isaiah 40:8 (copy the verse here) 

Message: (What does the verse say?)

 Context:

What thoughts do the preceding verses add? 

 What thoughts do the following verses add?

 Questions:

Application: