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BIBLE STUDY METHODS
AND
RULES OF INTERPRETATION
COURSE MANUAL
No. 1
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(From p. 8 in Manual #1)
Course 1
BIBLE STUDY METHODS
AND
RULES OF INTERPRETATION
Syllabus
Course Description:
An introduction to basic Bible study methods and rules of interpretation
with emphasis on accurately understanding and obeying God’s Word and
the development of practical skills. Students will learn to determine what
Scripture says, what it means, and how it can be applied.
Course Goals:
1. To train pastors and church leaders to properly and systematically study
and interpret the Bible in order to “correctly handle the Word of Truth”
so that they may be “equipped for every good work.”
2. To lead pastors and church leaders to an awareness of their need to
personally apply and obey the Bible as they preach and teach others.
3. To demonstrate that an important purpose of studying the Bible is for
personal “training in righteousness” so pastors and church leaders will
become more like Jesus Christ.
4. To emphasize the necessity to absolutely and totally depend on the
illumination and teaching ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
5. To encourage pastors and church leaders to engage in personal, serious,
regular Bible study in the text of Scripture.
*Study the Word of God to know the God of the Word*
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Course Outline
(From pp. 12–14 in Manual #1)
BIBLE STUDY METHODS
AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION
I. Introduction (pp. 15–32)
A. Power of God’s Word p. 15
B. Purpose of God’s Word p. 17
C. Pastor’s responsibility to study p. 21
D. Role of Holy Spirit in study p. 25
E. Required Attitudes for effective Bible study p. 26
F. Essential Truths about the Bible p. 27
G. Definitions of Important Terms p. 28
1. revelation
2. inspiration
3. inerrancy
4. authority
5. illumination
6. interpretation
7. systematic study
II. Procedure for Systematic Bible Study (pp. 33–109)
Summary of the three basic steps of systematic Bible study
1. Observation – What does it say?
2. Interpretation – What does it mean?
3. Application – What shall I do?
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A. Explanation of the three basic steps of systematic Bible study
method
Step 1 Observation – What does it say? (pp. 34–46)
a. Three key thoughts p. 34
b. Asking the right questions p. 35
c. What to look for:
1. Words p. 37
2. Structure p. 39
3. Atmosphere p. 41
4. Literary form p. 43
d. Review of observation p. 46
Step 2 Interpretation – What does it mean? (pp. 47–77)
a. Introduction – Key questions to ask p. 47
b. Important matters to remember p. 48
c. General rules (pp. 50–61)
1. Interpret literally p. 50
2. Interpret in context p. 53
3. Interpret in view of history and culture p. 56
4. Interpret in view of literary form p. 58
5. Interpret in view of other parts of Scripture p. 59
–guidelines for difficult passages
6. Interpret in view of theological consistency p. 61
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d. Special rules (pp. 62–76)
1. Parables p. 62
2. Proverbs p. 63
3. Poetry p. 64
4. Figures of speech p. 66
5. Symbols p. 68
6. Typology (“Types”) p. 69
7. Prophecy p. 71
8. Use of OT in NT p. 74
e. Interpretive dangers p. 77
Step 3 Application – What shall I do? (pp. 78–80)
a. Results of not obeying p. 78
b. Rules for effective application p. 79
c. Goal of application p. 80
Summary of 3 basic steps p. 81
B. Other Bible study methods (pp. 82–110)
1. Biographical p. 83
2. Topical p. 92
3. Theological (doctrinal) p. 100
4. Devotional p. 107
III. A Suggested Plan for Systematic Bible Study p. 111
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General Rule #2 Interpret in Context (From pp. 53–54 in Manual #1)
• Interpret each verse or passage of Scripture in its context,
noting where it is located in Scripture, what precedes it, what
follows after it, and how it is related to other Scriptures.
1 Co. 7:1 – If you read this verse by itself, you will
reach the wrong conclusion about God’s
view of marriage (see the study note, the
rest of 1 Co. 7; Mt. 19:1-11.
Jas. 2:24 – If you read this verse alone, you may
conclude wrongly that good works can
save a man. (See the study note; read all
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the way back to verse 14 and forward
to verse 26.)
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*Context is the single most important factor in correct interpretation.
PA
The context for each verse of the Bible is the Bible itself.*
Ge. 9:3; Da. 1:12
Verse sentence paragraph surrounding paragraphs
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chapter section book entire Bible
PL
Study hints:
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• Before you conclude something about the character or conduct of a biblical
person, look up in the concordance and index to study notes all references
to that person in the Bible, e.g., Heb. 11:4 and Ge. 4:1-5.
SA
• Look for purpose/theme statements in a book and interpret in light of
those statements. Lk. 1:1-4; Jn. 20:30-31; 1 Pe. 5:12; 1 Ti. 3:14-15
• Correlation: One of the aspects of context is to see how the material
in a book is arranged and fits together.
The book chart of Genesis on page 55 gives you an overall look at
the whole book and how the parts fit together. Review it carefully.
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Here are some suggestions for discovering structure and arrangement and
correlating the text being studied with other portions of Scripture:
1) Read through the entire book you are studying before you start to
study parts of it (or at least read the surrounding paragraphs
or chapters).
2) Think creatively as you read—
Why is this here?
How does this relate to what comes before and to what follows?
How does this relate to the whole chapter or book?
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3) Try to discover
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• the basic theme or purpose
• main divisions of the book
• important people
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• significant events
• comparisons
• contrasts
• repetitions
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• theological ideas
• common elements
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• climaxes
4) Think forward and backward through the book. This
can be done for a whole book, a section, a chapter or a
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portion of a chapter.
SA
5) Make a simple chart of a portion of Scripture.
Assignment: Read Ps. 139:1-12 and correlate what is taught about
God in verses 1-6 with what is taught in verses 7-12.
Record your results on the chart below:
Psalm 139:1-12
Everyth__________ is Everywh___________ is in
kn_________ by God. God’s pr______________.
1 6 7 12
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Suggestions for Teaching Course 1
(From p. 11 in Manual #1)
BIBLE STUDY METHODS
AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION
Pages: 111 Hours required: 35–40 Class sessions: about 25
Pace and schedule: 4-5 pages per 1-1/2 hour class session, adjusted for
natural divisions in the material.
Hints and approach
Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation is by nature a “hands-
on” course. Therefore, the teacher will need to
1. involve the students during class time in order to enhance their
ability to practice the skills.
2. look up, read and interact with cited Scripture as much as possible
within the allotted class time. (Spend as much time in the text as in
the manual.)
3. balance lecture with good directed questions.
4. foster interaction by leading discussions.
The teacher will want to
• emphasize the importance of the process.
• illustrate the methods and rules through practice in class.
• enhance the students appreciation for and ability to use the Word to God.
To maintain perspective the teacher should use the main outline at the
start of each session to briefly review and place the current lesson in its
proper place in the course.
Occasionally the teacher may want to work through an assignment
on the overhead to make sure everyone is grasping the process and methods.
In the later part of the course, refer again and again to the 3 steps
of Bible Study Methods and continue to illustrate the basic Rules of
Interpretation.
Probably 1-2 class sessions should be devoted to each of the four
other methods of Bible Study starting on p. 82. If the material is completed
early it may be desirable to begin to work through with the students in
class one of the other assignment suggestions on p. 91, 99, 106, or 108
letting the students do most of the work or allowing the students to start
their assignments.
Especially in Course 1 it is essential to make sure the students under-
stand the specific question in the assignments—go over them in class if
necessary.
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