This week we are continuing our introductory presentation with an overview of hermeneutics as an important practice in Bible study, along with the importance of discipleship in the life of a Christian. The outline notes from the presentation are below if you’d like to follow along, or take additional notes. Bible study questions on the book of Philippians follow as we will do a chapter by chapter study each week with answers posted mid-week for your review.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes From the Presentation

Christian Apologetics: More Conversations

Class introduction, Part 2

The Importance of Bible Study

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t!”

 –Charles Spurgeon

Hermeneutics
Bible Study in Context

What is Hermeneutics?

Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures.

• The word comes from the Greek verb “hermeneuein” that means ‘to explain, interpret or translate.’
• Using the verb, the Gospel writer Luke informs us that Jesus, after His resurrection, explained to the two disciples on the Emmaus Road what the Scriptures said about Him. (Luke 24:27)
• Hermeneutics is simply studying the Bible in its proper context, like you would do with any book.
• Hermeneutics provides some basic guidelines for studying the Bible so that we can be sure that what we are reading and sharing with others is correct.

Many cults have begun this way, twisting the Scriptures to fit personal agendas

The Apostle Paul warns about this:

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good New at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”

Galatians 1:6-9 (NLT)

Since the beginning of time Satan’s goal has been deception:

Scripture Twisting was instituted by Satan himself when he tempted Eve and asked:

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden? …You will not surely die, …for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.’”

(See Genesis 3)

How can we avoid false teaching?

We can imitate the Bereans who daily checked out Paul’s teachings with what was in the Scriptures:

“Now these (the Bereans) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scripture daily ‘to see’ whether these things were so.”  

–Acts 17:11 (NASB)

The Hermeneutical Method

1. AUTHOR-AUDIENCE-DATE

(Includes cultural background of that day)

2. PURPOSE OF THE WRITING

(Includes genre)

3. CONTEXT/FLOW OF THOUGHT

(Includes getting the big picture)

4. INTERPRETATION/SUMMARY

(Includes cross-referencing)

5. PERSONAL AND CULTURAL APPLICATION

(Always done last)

Note: It is important to follow this order. If you start with personal application instead of author-audience-date you may not get the correct context and misapply it to your life.

The Importance of Telling the Story

Old Testament
Big Picture

1. God created us to be in relationship with Him (Genesis 1-2)
2. Humans lose 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)
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. 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
6. The Intertestamental Period of 400 years, also known as the silent years (no prophetic word was heard) where God was setting the stage for the coming of His Son Jesus

New Testament
Big Picture

7. 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)
8. 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)
9. Jesus’ is God incarnate as evidenced through the multitude of miracles attesting to His power over the natural order, His sinless life, and in His love for all humanity (The Gospels)
10. 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)
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)
12. 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, preparing for eternity. (See 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Overview of the books of the Bible

THE OLD TESTAMENT	THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Books of Moses (Torah) Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy	The Gospels Matthew Mark Luke John
The History Books Joshua-Judges-Ruth 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther	The Church Age The Book of Acts
The Wisdom Books Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs (Solomon)	The Pauline Epistles Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy Titus Philemon The General Epistles Hebrews James 1 & 2 Peter 1, 2 & 3 John Jude
The Books of the Prophets Major Prophets Isaiah-Jeremiah-Lamentations-Ezekiel-Daniel Minor Prophets Hosea-Joel-Amos Obadiah-Jonah-Micah Nahum-Habakkuk-Zephaniah Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi	The Apocalypse The book of Revelation

The Importance of Discipleship

“Only a disciple can make a disciple.” 

-A.W. Tozer

1. Discipleship in community
   sharing life with other Christians

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NASB)

2. Discipleship in outreach
   sharing the Gospel with others

The Great Commission

“Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

How do I start a conversation?

ASK QUESTIONS!!!

Good question starters include…

• What do you think happens when we die?
• Where do you go to Church?
• Do you believe in God?
• What do you know about Jesus?

These kinds of questions take the burden off you and allows you to listen and get to know the person.

How do I defend my faith when someone attacks or misrepresents it?

The two most important questions you can have in your tool belt for these kinds of situations should be in some form of the following:

1. What do you mean by that? (Have them clarify their objection, or specifically. describe what it is they believe)
2. How did you come to that conclusion? (Have them tell you where they learned what they are claiming, or objecting to, including where the evidence can be found)

Be A Good Listener – and follow through

• Letting people explain their views lets them know you care
• Asking questions, and then listening, turns the table and takes the pressure off you
• The person making a claim has the burden of proof
• Never feel pressure to know it all, but assure them that you can get answers—this sets up the opportunity to meet with them again!
• Pray for them, follow up with an invitation to meet again, or to go to Church together!

References

From the Bible:

(Peter said) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15-16

(Paul speaking to Titus) “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9

(Jude said) “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”  Jude 1:3

From Christian Apologetics:

“Tactics” by Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason Ministries (str.org)

Reflection

If you only had one minute for each question, to the best of your ability, give an answer in your own words: (Note – these are building from the notes each week)

1. What are the four important areas for Christian growth?
2. What are the five parts of the “Hermeneutical Method” in order?
3. What are the twelve points that will help you tell the Bible’s Big Picture?
4. What are the two most important questions you can ask when someone makes a claim about Christianity, or a belief that they hold to be true that is in conflict with the Christian Worldview?

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you read or 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.

Daily Devotional

Challenge: Choose a wisdom book from the Bible that you’d like to read as a daily devotional (one chapter, or half a chapter a day), then during our next few classes discuss with your table group what you’ve chosen, what you are learning, or difficulties you might be having. Note any questions you may have, or anything that stands out to you as a life application. (Biblical wisdom books include: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon or any other book of the Bible that you might like to read).

1. Review of Class Topics:

With your table group, answer the Reflection questions above; discuss today’s apologetics presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting, or asking any questions.

2. Review of Daily Devotional:

How is it going with your devotional? Are you having any difficulty with reading on a daily basis? Are there any questions you have, or anything that stands out to you as a life application that you’d like to share? Do you need some help, or suggestions, for a Biblical book to use?

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.

Class Bible study: The Book of Philippians

Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite your sources to share with your group.

Read Philippians 3:1-21 with your table group then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

3. What does Paul tell them to beware of, and why? What would be an example of that today?

4. In the Old Testament circumcision was the sign of a believer in the covenant (promise) of God for Israel. What does Paul say is the sign of “true circumcision” in the believer today?

5. In an effort to combat “Judaizers” (those who said you must become a Jew, before you become a Christian) Paul lists his own credentials. What does he say about his credentials (his life’s work as a Jew) compared to knowing Christ and attaining righteousness?

6. How does Paul compare his Christian walk to that of an athlete in training? Cross-reference by reading 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 4:7-11; and 2 Timothy 4:7-8. (Reminder: This is not to attain salvation, but an after-salvation walk as a Christian).

7. What does Paul says about those who are not walking with Christ in contrast to those who are walking with Christ (what are their lives focused on)?

8. Memory verses: Recite Philippians 1:9-10; Matthew 22:37-39; and add Philippians 3:14.

Join us next week as we continue our study in Christian Apologetics with a look at the question: Is there a universal moral law?

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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.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15