Biblical hermeneutics and exegesis
· The science of interpretation and the explanation of the interpretation
· Hermeneutics is the methodology of interpretation to derive truth (2Peter 1:20)
· Exegesis is the explanation of interpreted Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8
· Exposition is the preparation, illustration, and communication of interpreted Scripture
· Homiletics is the art of presenting Scripture and moral themes
Purpose of Bible Study
· 2Timothy 2:15, Application and discernment of truth
· 2Timothy 3:15-17, Doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction
· Psalms 119:41-42, To give answers
· Psalm 119:103, For the joy of it
Preparation for Good Bible Study
· 2Peter 1:20-21, God’s inspired word
· Psalms 119:160, Personal application
· Psalms 119:18, Prayer for open eyes to behold wondrous things
· Psalms 119:33, Teachable spirit
· Psalms 119:101, Sanctify yourself and apply
Types of Bible Study
Analytical
1. Word study (includes topical on people, places, and things)
2. Verse study
Survey (often and most useful when combined with analytical)
1. Chapter
2. Book: Any of the sixty-six
3. Division (such as Paul’s letters, the Gospels)
4. Testaments: Old or New
5. Canon: the entire Bible
Building your personal library
Tools for study make the difference between digging ditches with a spoon, shovel, or a backhoe. Begin with resources that aid you in your personal study of the Bible rather than tell you what the Bible is about. The goal of Bible study is to learn to study and understand the Bible itself rather than depending on other sources to tell you what it says.
1. KJV study Bible (includes cross references, index, topical references, concordance. Check out the Thompson Chain Reference Bible)
2. Computer Bible program for KJV. Choose one that has modules for Greek and Hebrew versions, dictionaries and concordances. (Free Online Bible: http://www.onlinebible.net/index.html)
3. Interlinears: Give word for word English translation next to original text. George Berry’s Interlinear Greek-English New Testament.
4. Dictionaries:
a. English Dictionaries: Oxford dictionary, Early English Dictionaries
b. Lexicons: Specialized dictionaries of words in a particular language. Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon and Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon.
c. Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Defines words by translation, usage, and context.
d. Word studies by A.T. Robertson
5. Concordances:
a. English Concordances: Strong’s Exhaustive or Young’s Analytical concordance. Strong’s is numerically indexed to many other reference books and is designed for verse study. Young’s is designed for word study and categorizes words by their Hebrew and Greek root words.
b. Nave’s Topical Bible: Lists cross references to topics with and without a specific word in the verse.
c. Greek and Hebrew Concordances. Cross reference listing of verses for Greek and Hebrew words in the Bible. The Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament and The Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament.
6. Survey, background, and context:
a. What the Bible is All About, H.C. Mears
b. Explore the Book, J. Sidlow Baxter
c. Unger’s Bible handbook
d. Bible Customs and Manners
e. Davis’ Bible Dictionary, Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary (Encyclopedias)
7. A note on commentaries and reference books: Books are a resource to help you study. However, these resources are only as reliable as the men who write them. Use the resources as an aid to personal study, not as a final authority. I recommend the following approach: 1) personal study and conclusion, 2) compare your findings and information with others, 3) critically evaluate the reliability of the information, 4) synthesize your study and conclusion.
Bible Study Method (Hermeneutics)
Observation: Collect facts
1. Word Meaning comes from translation, definition, and usage.
2. Grammar gives meaning from word relationships in sentences.
3. Context gives meaning from its surroundings of thought before and after, in the book, historical, geographical, etc.
4. Facts and answers: write questions that are answered from the passage you are studying.
Interpretation
Second Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
1. Read, pray, and meditate for understanding.
2. Write down the possible interpretations, and identify the evidence to support each interpretation.
Evaluation
1. First Thessalonians 5:21, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
2. The correct interpretation will harmonize all contexts whether passage, book, testament, or canon.
3. Write down the evidence that refutes each of the interpretations: contradictions, conflict with context or other doctrines, etc.
4. Ask many questions to test the correctness of your interpretation.
Preparing a Bible Lesson (Exposition)
As a teacher, you must organize your study into a presentation that communicates the thoughts learned from a passage: 1) introduction, 2) body, and 3) conclusion.
Introduction
1. The introduction is developed after you understand the meaning of your passage.
2. Determine the purpose of the lesson (develop from the theme or big idea)
3. Why do you want to teach this lesson?
4. Determine what the lesson should mean to you
5. What is the goal and application of the lesson?
6. What makes the lesson meaningful and personal?
7. Relate the lesson to people and current events
8. What difference does this lesson make in your life?
9. State the central idea in an exact, personal, memorable statement.
10. What do you want your students to remember? (application)
11. This will give your lesson direction and purpose.
Body
1. Outline the lesson
2. Use full sentences
3. Use clear and full points
4. Prepare transitions from one idea to another
5. Fill in the outline
6. use support material to explain, clarify, prove
7. restate: “in other words, ….”
8. explain and define
9. use quotes
10. use illustrations
Conclusion
1. Review introduction and summarize in your conclusion
2. State clearly what is being said and what has been said
3. Show the flow or thought, context, and reason for interpretation
4. State the application plainly
5. Summarize
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