BIBLE BLUEPRINT
Session Two: How Do I Study the Bible?
INTRODUCTION
Prayer Cards:
Do you have anyone that you are hoping to share what you are learning with? Write that person(s) name down on your prayer card along with any other prayer request you might have, and exchange with your table group at the end of the evening.
REVIEW AND REFLECTION
From Session One…
- Why do you think it is important, as a Christian, to study the Bible? What is the importance of prayer as we study the Bible?
- What type of study Bible will you be using? What tools did you find helpful to use as you study the Bible?
Practice a memory verse: Genesis 3:15 – The first Gospel!
“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
PRESENTATION
How do I study the Bible?
Two important principals to follow when studying Scripture:
Principle #1:
Never read or study a Bible Verse by itself
Reading a Bible verse by itself and trying to interpret what it means based on “what you feel” can be dangerous, especially if you are leading a study. You will most likely get a wide range of opinions and trouble may arise. Many cults have begun this way because of twisting the Scriptures, or singling out a verse, to fit a personal agenda.
Principle #2:
Use Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures. Using hermeneutics helps us to accurately understand what the book, chapter or passage is trying to communicate, and it is easy to do once you understand a few basic principles for reading literature in its historical context.
A Basic Overview of the Hermeneutical method:
- Author and Audience: Who wrote it, to whom and when? Discuss the historical setting of the narrator and his audience.
- Purpose: Why was it written? Get some background: Explore what was going on in the narrative and culture at the time of the events. Include the type of genre.
- Context: What does it say? Get the big picture by reading and then summarizing the whole story line. This might include the entire book, a chapter(s) or just a specific passage in one sitting. Consider the who, what, why, when, where and how type of questions.
Note: Cross-referencing passages from other books of the Bible can be helpful, especially when questions arise – most study Bibles give you those references.
- Interpretation: What does it mean? This is based on the context and should relate to the overall purpose and intent of the author. Focus on what God, through the author, wanted them to know. Examine how the passage points towards Jesus.
- Application: How do I use what I learned? Based on the context and interpretation, we can now discuss how to apply what we have read to our lives and the culture we live in today, including our witness to others.
The Shelf: Have a place in your notebook or journal to write down questions that arise. This will help avoid rabbit trails or distractions, and you can return to them later on.
Note: It is important to follow the hermeneutical order. If you start with personal application instead of author, audience and purpose, you may not get the correct context and interpretation, and in-turn, misapply it to your life.
The Bible’s Big Picture
The Importance of Telling the Story (in five minutes or less!)
Old Testament
Big Picture
- God created us to be in relationship with Him (Genesis 1-2)
- Humans lost that relationship at the Fall when they disobeyed God’s only command (Genesis 3) and evil escalated up to the time of the Flood (and beyond)
- God immediately Promised a way of salvation and began to work that plan out in “Covenants” throughout the Old Testament—giving encouragement, warning and hope through the prophets (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:5-19; Genesis 26:3-5; Genesis 28:10-15; Genesis 49:9-12; Exodus 12-15; 19-20; 2 Samuel 7:5-17; Jeremiah 31:31)
- Jesus is the Scarlet Thread of the Old Testament – Every book, story, and event contains a foreshadow, model, or prophecy of Jesus – concerning who He would be and what He would do
- The Nation of Israel was chosen to be God’s people and role-model to the other nations (they failed all the time) showing the need for a Savior, and it would be through this Nation that Messiah would come
- The Intertestamental Period of about 400 years, also known as the silent years (no prophetic word was heard) where God sets the stage for the coming of His Son Jesus
New Testament
Big Picture
- Jesus is born, the promised Messiah from the tribe of Judah and line of David at just the right time in history (Luke 3:23-37)
- Jesus is the Promised New Covenant in fulfillment of God’s Old Covenant and the hundreds of prophecies made about Him, as the coming Messiah, centuries before (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:1-15)
- Jesus’ is God incarnate as evidenced through His life, ministry and multitude of miracles attesting to His power over the natural order; His sinless life; and in His love for all humanity (The Gospels)
- Jesus sacrificially dies as a substitute for all humanity, then resurrects from the grave in defeat of death and Satan, restoring that lost relationship with humankind and providing a path for eternal life (John 3:11-21; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
- The first Church is formed as Jesus’ followers begin to spread this good news (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8); and with the giving of the Holy Spirit to all believers they gathered in various places to pray, worship, and study Scripture (book of Acts and all of the Epistles)
- Jesus promises to come back bringing in the full Kingdom of God creating a New Earth and New Heaven with no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:1-7)
Conclusion to the Bible’s Big Picture
Our job, or purpose, until then is to share the good news with as many people as we can, living lives as God’s Ambassadors for the Kingdom, giving reasons for the hope that we have in Jesus, and preparing for eternity. (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 3:15)
REFLECT AND PRACTICE
- Why do you think it would be important to understand the “Big Picture” of the Bible?
- How can we answer the first two steps of the hermeneutical method for the book of Philippians using our study Bible and any of our class resources? Author-Audience; and 2. Purpose (See some basic answers for a leader’s guide below)
Bible Study
Each week, we are encouraging you to take some dedicated time and spend it in God’s Word. Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.
BASIC ANSWERS FOR THE HERMENEUTICS
1. AUTHOR – AUDIENCE
Who wrote it, to whom and when?
Who authored the book, who was the audience and when was it written? Give as much background as you can, including authors’ history, and the cultural and political setting of the day.
Author:
The Apostle Paul (his Roman name; Saul is his Jewish name) and Timothy (1:1)
From gotquestions.org:
Timothy was involved in the writing and delivery of several of the apostle Paul’s letters as well (Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1), although Paul signed each one to verify that he was the author (Galatians 6:11).
Paul was actually born as Saul. He was born in Tarsus in Cilicia around AD 1–5 in a province in the southeastern corner of modern-day Tersous, Turkey. He was of Benjamite lineage and Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6). His parents were Pharisees—fervent Jewish nationalists who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses—who sought to protect their children from “contamination” from the Gentiles. Anything Greek would have been despised in Saul’s household, yet he could speak Greek and possibly Latin. His household would have spoken Aramaic, a derivative of Hebrew, which was the official language of Judea. Saul’s family were Roman citizens but viewed Jerusalem as a truly sacred and holy city (Acts 22:22-29).
At a young age, Saul was sent to Judea to learn from a rabbi named Gamaliel, under whom Saul mastered Jewish history, the Psalms, and the works of the prophets. His education would continue for five or six years as Saul learned such things as dissecting Scripture (Acts 22:3). It was during this time that he developed a question-and-answer style of teaching known in ancient times as “diatribe.” This method of articulation helped rabbis debate the finer points of Jewish law to either defend or prosecute those who broke the law. Saul went on to become a lawyer, and all signs pointed to his becoming a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court of 71 men who ruled over Jewish life and religion. Saul was zealous for his faith, and this faith did not allow for compromise. It is this zeal that led Saul down the path of religious extremism.
In Acts 5:27–42, Peter delivered his defense of the gospel and of Jesus in front of the Sanhedrin, which Saul would have heard. Gamaliel was also present and delivered a message to calm the council and prevent them from stoning Peter. Saul might also have been present at the trial of Stephen. He was present for his stoning and death; he held the garments of those who did the stoning (Acts 7:58). After Stephen’s death, “a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1). Saul became determined to eradicate Christians, ruthless in his pursuit as he believed he was acting in the name of God. Arguably, there is no one more frightening or more vicious than a religious terrorist, especially when he believes he is doing the will of the Lord by killing innocent people. This is exactly what Saul of Tarsus was: a religious terrorist. Acts 8:3 states, “He began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
The pivotal passage in Paul’s story is Acts 9:1–22, which recounts Paul’s meeting with Jesus Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, a journey of about 150 miles. Saul was angered by what he had seen and filled with murderous rage against the Christians. Before departing on his journey, he had asked the high priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for permission to bring any Christians (followers of “the Way,” as they were known) back to Jerusalem to imprison them. On the road Saul was caught in a bright light from heaven that caused him to fall face down on the ground. He heard the words, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He replied, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus answered directly and clearly, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (verses 4–5). As an aside, this might not have been Saul’s first encounter with Jesus, as some scholars suggest that young Saul might have known of Jesus and that he might have actually witnessed His death.
From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. The light of the Lord blinded him, and as he traveled on he had to rely on his companions. As instructed by Jesus, Saul continued to Damascus to make contact with a man named Ananias, who was hesitant at first to meet Saul because he knew Saul’s reputation as an evil man. But the Lord told Ananias that Saul was a “chosen instrument” to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15) and would suffer for doing so (Acts 9:16). Ananias followed the Lord’s instructions and found Saul, on whom he laid hands, and told him of his vision of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Saul received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), regained his sight, and was baptized (Acts 9:18). Saul immediately went into the synagogues and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The people were amazed and skeptical, as Saul’s reputation was well known. The Jews thought he had come to take away the Christians (Acts 9:21), but he had in fact joined them. Saul’s boldness increased as the Jews living in Damascus were confounded by Saul’s arguments proving that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 9:22).
Saul spent time in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and his native Cilicia, and Barnabas enlisted his help to teach those in the church in Antioch (Acts 11:25). Interestingly, the Christians driven out of Judea by the persecution that arose after Stephen’s death founded this multiracial church (Acts 11:19–21).
Saul took his first of three missionary journeys in the late AD 40s. As he spent more time in Gentile areas, Saul began to go by his Roman name Paul (Acts 13:9). Paul wrote many of the New Testament books. Most theologians are in agreement that he wrote Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. These thirteen “letters” (epistles) make up the “Pauline Authorship” and are the primary source of his theology. As previously noted, the book of Acts gives us a historical look at Paul’s life and times. The apostle Paul spent his life proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus throughout the Roman world, often at great personal peril (2 Corinthians 11:24–27). It is assumed that Paul died a martyr’s death in the mid-to-late AD 60s in Rome.
(Church history tells us that he was beheaded under the Emperor Nero in the mid AD60s)
Audience setting and date of the writing:
From the Life Application Bible Commentary:
- Paul wrote this letter to the Christians at Philippi (4:1) in about AD 60-62. Paul and his companions began the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). This was the first church established on the European continent. The Philippians church had sent a gift with Epaphroditus to be delivered to Paul (4:18). Paul was in a Roman prison at the time. He wrote this letter to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in their faith.
- Ultimately it is intended for all believers everywhere.
From gotquestions.org:
The city of Philippi was located in ancient Greece on the eastern border of the Roman province of Macedonia, about 10 miles inland from the coast, directly northwest of its nearest port city, Neapolis. A strategic area in ancient times, Philippi sat on a fertile plain through which passed the Via Egnatia (Egnatian Way), a trade highway that linked the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. Many travelers passed through Philippi on their way to Rome.
Originally founded by immigrants from Thrace, the city of Philippi was famous for its abundant gold mines and plenteous springs of water. From these springs, the town received its name Crenides, meaning “fountains” or “springs.” Later, around 359 BC, the city was renamed Philippi after Philip of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. Under Alexander, the city rose to become the capital of the Greek Empire. By New Testament times, the city had come under Roman rule with a diverse population of native Thracians, Greeks, and Romans. A famous school of medicine existed in Philippi, where the gospel writer Luke may have studied.
Extensive archaeological and historical research has been done at Philippi, uncovering ruins that include the forum, agora, streets, gymnasium, baths, library, and acropolis. Also, the site contains what may be a 400 BC temple of Apollo and Artemis, along with numerous inscriptions and coins.
While in Troas on his second missionary journey, Paul was called by God in a vision to go to Macedonia: “So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:8–10). Paul traveled to Philippi accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke.
Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogue whenever he first arrived in a new city, but in Philippi, apparently, there was no synagogue, and he went to the river where he knew that Jews would be worshipping (Acts 16:13). There Paul met Lydia, a Gentile who became the first Christian convert in Europe: “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us” (Acts 16:14–15).
2. PURPOSE
Why was it written?
Why was it written? What was the purpose of the writing? Get some background: Explore what was going on in the narrative and culture at the time of the events. Include the type of genre.
Purpose:
From the Life Application Bible Commentary:
Philippians is Paul’s joy letter. The church in that Macedonian city had been a great encouragement to Paul. The Philippian believers The Philippian believers had enjoyed a very special relationship with Paul, so he wrote them a personal expression of his love and affection. They had brought him great joy (4:1). Philippians is also a joyful book because it emphasizes the real joy of the Christian life. The. Concept of rejoicing or joy appears sixteen times in four chapters, and the pages radiate this positive message, culminating in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4).
Genre:
Philippians is one of Paul’s “prison Epistles” because he wrote it from his imprisonment in Rome.
From gotquestions.org:
The book of Philippians is an “Epistle” which is a “letter” or “message.” Epistles were a primary form of written communication in the ancient world, especially during New Testament times.An epistle would have been written on a scroll. Often, it was dictated and then reviewed by the author before being delivered by a trusted messenger. For example, 1 Peter mentions that it was Peter’s letter written down by Silvanus, or Silas (1 Peter 5:12).Epistles also generally followed a familiar format. Most of Paul’s letters begin with an introduction that identifies his name and those of any associates, mentions his audience, and gives a greeting. The introduction is followed by the main body of the letter, and the epistles often conclude with a general blessing and personal notes to individuals within the recipient church.
3. Discuss with the group: What are some other things that you already know about this book, if any? (For example: basic outline, key people, themes, places, geography, timeline etc.)
Answers may vary, but may include…
Themes: Humility, self-sacrifice, unity, Christian living and joy.
Blueprint: Joy in suffering (1:1-30); Joy in serving (2:1-30); Joy in believing (3:1-4:1); and Joy in giving (4:2-23)
Key people: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, and Syntche
Key verses: Philippians 4:3-7
HOMEWORK:
Read Philippians chapters 1 and 2. If you would like to go deeper, answer numbers 3, 4 and 5 from the hermeneutical method for each chapter.
Join us next week for Bible Blueprint, session three, and a study in the book of Philippians!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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