1 FAITHINTERACTIVE AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY SERIES START ING IN MIN UTE S

2 I WOULD LIKE TO READ MY BIBLE, BUT... WEEK FOUR

3 KNOW THE CONTEXT 01

4 TAKE THE WORDS AT FACE VALUE: 1. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... and there was evening and there was morningthe first day. 2. Jesus miracles 3. The Lords Supper: This IS my body. 4. I will carry you as on wings of an eagle 5. Revelation: the seven stars and the seven lampstands in Revelation 1 02 LITERAL UNLESS CLEARLY FIGURATIVE

5 PREFER SIMPLE MEANING TO THE COMPLICATED 03

6 LET SCRIPTURE INTERPRET SCRIPTURE 1. Infant baptism 2. Millennium 3. The two natures of Jesus (human and divine) 4. Faith and works 04

7 DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LAW AND GOSPEL 05 LAWGOSPEL DO! DONT DO! THREATENS INSTILLS FEAR KILLS AND CRUSHES MOTIVATES BY COMPULSION TO AFFLICT THE COMFORTABLE DONE FOR YOU! PROMISES PROVIDE COMFORT AND JOY GIVES LIFE AND LIFTS UP MOTIVATES BY LOVE AND THANKS TO COMFORT THE AFFLICTED

8 EXERCISE: LAW OR GOSPEL? Ephesians 1 and the doctrine of election (predestination) Ephesians 1:3-14: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillmentto bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possession.

9 EXERCISE: LAW OR GOSPEL? 1. Is this a LAW teaching or a GOSPEL teaching? Point to the repeated words that tell you it is one or the other. 2. When would you want to read this section of Scripture? 3. Once you have determined whether this is law or gospel, what questions should never be a part of the discussion about this doctrine?

10 01 02 03 04 05 Know the context Take the words at face value: literal unless clearly figurative Prefer the simple meaning to the complicated Let Scripture interpret Scripture Distinguish between Law and Gospel RULES FOR INTERPRETING THE SCRIPTURES

11 ASK THESE GUIDING QUESTIONS Write these questions down and keep handy for discussion time. What does this portion of the Bible tell me about God? What does it tell me about me? What does it tell me about my actions toward God? What does it tell me about my actions toward others? What does it tell me about this world? What does it tell me about the future?

12 EXERCISE: ASK AND ANSWER THE GUIDING QUESTIONS Selected portions of Ephesians 2, 4, 5, and 6: As for you, you were dead in your transgression and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the rule of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of [Gods] wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved...

13 EXERCISE: ASK AND ANSWER THE GUIDING QUESTIONS...And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works... So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking... Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold...

14 EXERCISE: ASK AND ANSWER THE GUIDING QUESTIONS He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you... But among you there must not be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed... Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... children obey your parents in the Lord... Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.

15 ASK THESE GUIDING QUESTIONS What does this portion of the Bible tell me about God? What does it tell me about me? What does it tell me about my actions toward God? What does it tell me about my actions toward others? What does it tell me about this world? What does it tell me about the future?

16 CONCL USION: TIME TO GET TO WORK!

17 CONCLUSION: TIME TO GET TO WORK! 1. Set aside time every day when you will not be disturbed or distracted 2. Can be alone or with spouse/family 3. Have a plan Book by book beginning with Genesis (not recommended) Chronological (not recommended) Classic (one Old Testament, one Psalm, one New Testament) One Old Testament/one New Testament

18 CONCLUSION: TIME TO GET TO WORK! 4. Rotate: Gospel Old Testament history Pauline Epistle Old Testament poetry General Epistle Old Testament Prophet http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/ http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/ or Google search Read my Bible in a Year

19 CONCLUSION: TIME TO GET TO WORK! 5. Through my Bible in 3 years http://www.wels.net/ spiritual-help/through-my-bible http://www.wels.net/ spiritual-help/through-my-bible

20 CONCLUSION: TIME TO GET TO WORK! 6. Gather the tools Get a study Bible: Lutheran Study Bible (ESV), Concordia Study Bible (NIV) Use a Bible that you can write in Have more than one translation on hand Peoples Bible or other commentary Topical Bible Concordance 7. Do your homework: background information on book and author

21 CONCLUSION: TIME TO GET TO WORK! 8. Pray before, while, and after you read 9. Read with thought, not just to get through 10. Keep in mind and apply the principles of interpretation 11. Always be asking and answering the guiding questions 12. Make notes and underline key passages 13. Search the Scriptures on related topics 14. Attend Bible class(es) at your church 15. Dont get discouraged 16. Expect Gods blessing on your time with his Word

22 LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL AMONG YOU RICHLY!

23 THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING A new study, Gods Grace to Runaways the book of Jonah, begins Autumn 2014 led by Rev. Michael Quandt. JOIN US AGAIN IN FALL!

24 www.wels.net/adultdiscipleship N16W23377 Stone Ridge Drive Waukesha, WI 53188-1108 facebook.com/welslutherans @welstweets CONTACT US

Documents

1 FAITHINTERACTIVE AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY SERIES START ING IN MIN UTE S