Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
The Exegetical Task
Because we believe that the Bible is God’s Word to us, we tend to read Scripture in a way that makes sense to us. We bring everything we are to the text: our experiences, culture, former teachings, etc. Unless we learn the actual intent of a Scriptural passage — to whom and why the words were written — we may end up with an interpretation quite different from the actual meaning.
Three important definitions we need to understand are eisegesis, the practice of reading our own preconceived notions, biases, and understanding into Bible text; exegesis, the study of God’s Word to discover the writer’s original and intended meaning; and hermeneutics, bringing contemporary relevance to ancient texts, the Bible’s meaning for today.
We pray that this course will open a whole new and exciting world that will impact us all eternity! Please Contact Us for any questions or more information.
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Course Manual | Institute Mission
Notes for “Understanding Scripture.”
Miscellaneous links
- Teaching on Acts 1-13
- The Law and the Prophets
- Chronological List of Israel’s Prophets
- Discerning Prophecy
Previous class…
Lesson 1. The Need to Interpret
- Overview of Understanding the Bible
- Memorizing Scripture
- Homework | Revelation 2:1-7 Exegetical Worksheet
Lesson 2. About the Bible
- Brief description of the Bible books
- Chronology of the Old Testament
- Old Testament Kings and Prophets
Lesson 3. Principles of Bible Interpretation
Lesson 4. Parables, Allegories, and Figurative Language
For more detailed information on the topics above scroll to the expanded version below…
Articles
Links
- Bible study tools and resources
- Classic sermons and “old-time” preaching
- About the Foursquare Church
Books
- Reading the Bible for All Its Worth
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour
- Understanding Scripture
- God’s Final Answer
EXPANDED VERSION
- Memory verse: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The Exegetical Task – Basic Rules for Biblical Interpretation
- Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Context – Correct and Incorrect Methods
- Memory verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Figurative Language – Parables and Allegories
- Memory verse: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Epistles – Interpreting New Testament Letters
- Memory verse: Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The Law and the Prophets – The New Testament Conversion of the Law
- Memory verse: James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
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