How to Study the Bible: Lesson Seven

This is our final Lesson. You are Empowered Women in Bible Study!

Let’s open up our binders to our Homework for this week. How did you do with the grammatical codes, notations, and Greek lesson?

Grammatical code and notations: Look up Philippians 1:27 in the Key Word Study Bible. 1. What is the grammatical code for “conduct”? pim

- Look up the code, what is the full name of the code? present imperative

- What is the number associated with the “grammatical code”? 37

- Look up the number; what is the grammatical notation definition for that number: is a command to do something in the future and involves continuous or repeated action. When it is negative and prohibits an action, it usually carries with it the implication of stopping an action that has been taking place.

2. What is the grammatical code for “come” and “see”? apt

- Look up the code, what is the full name of the code? aorist participle

- What numbers are associated with the grammatical code? 6, 32

- Look up the numbers, what are the grammatical notation definitions: 6: expresses simple action, as opposed to continuous action. It does not in itself indicate the time of the action. However, when its relationship to the main verb is temporal, it usually signifies action prior to that of the main verb. 32: Participle is a verbal adjective. It has a wide range of possible meanings, some of which can only be inferred from the context. It is often best translated by the English participle.

3. What is the grammatical code for “striving”? ppt

- Look up the code, what is the full name of the code? present participle

- What is the number associated with the “grammatical code”? 39

- Look up the number; what is the grammatical notation definition for that number: expresses continuous or repeated action. It does not in itself indicate the time of the action, but when its relationship to the main verb is temporal, it usually signifies action contemporary with that of the main verb.

4. Re-write the verse including the grammatical notations:

It is a command to continually conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I simply come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind continually striving together for the faith of the gospel.

English words in Greek Letters.

This page introduces four Greek letters that do not look like English letters. See pronunciation guide.

Instructions: Read all three words written in Greek letters, then circle the word that corresponds to the English word given on the left.

1. robe 2. dart 3. parrot 4. can 5. bone

Names from the Bible:

These are spelled as they appear in the Greek New Testament. Match the Greek to the English equivalent.

d a. bond servant (Transliteration: doulos G1401)

c b. Paul a c. Philippi b d. Timothy

Fill in the blanks with the English equivalent of the Greek word:

Philippians 1:1 (NASB) “ Paul and Timothy, Bond Servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons”

Quick Reference Guide to Study Tools with equivalent Power Tools

We have had throughout our lessons the analogy of building a bench.

Pronunciation Guide:

= p

= r

= long “o”

= n

With building a bench you need the proper tools just as with studying the Bible you need the proper tools. Not only did we learn about the many study tools and methods for studying, but I bet you didn’t know you were going to learn about Power tools also. We have covered a lot in seven weeks and have made a beautiful bench.

Let’s recap:

First of all we took measurements for our bench with a measuring tape. We must measure what study tools we use to make sure they are doctrinally sound. All our tools should be centered around the Bible. The Bible is our True measurement to follow.

The word ”canon” is a Greek word for a reed or measuring rod. In the ancient Near East reeds were used as measuring sticks. The books of the Bible were measured by the standard or test of divine inspiration and authority and were pronounced to be “God-breathed”; thus we have The Canonicity of the Scripture.

Next we learned about the different study methods and how to exegete the scriptures.

Exegete is equivalent to the “Square” that you use in making your bench to make sure your cuts are straight and that your angles are properly squared. If you don’t then you are out of plum. To Exegete the scripture is to draw out the meaning from the text on the basis of the text itself, keeping it within the context of the scripture and the customs of that time.

Nuts and Bolts are those little nuggets that you discover when you are studying that pull everything together.

We also learned about the Saw, Drill, Drill bits, Router, and Scroll-work. Let’s go through them:

Quick Reference Guide to Study Tools with equivalent Power Tools

LumberBible, Key Word Study Bible, Complete Word Study Bible

Saw

Warren Wiersbe’s Bible Commentary, Willmington’s Guide to the Bible

DrillStrong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Find it Fast in the Bible, Where to Find it in the Bible, Nave’s Topical Bible

Drill BitZondervan’s Pictorial Encyclopedia, AMG Encyclopedia of Bible Facts, Nelson’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts Holman’s Bible Dictionary, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, Key Word Study Bible, Complete Word Study Bible

Router

Manner and Customs of Bible Times, Halley’s Bible Handbook, Willmington’s Guide to the Bible

Scroll-work

Learn Basic Greek-Jim Found, Vine’s Learn Greek, Grammatical Codes and Notations of Word Study

What an exciting seven weeks this has been. Look at how many study tools you have learned about - You are:

“Empowered Women in Bible Study”

The desire to deepen your relationship with God and the willingness to pursue a deeper study into God’s word will enrich your life beyond what you can even imagine.

Psalms 25:4 says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.”

If we are not pursuing Christ and are not in His word daily, how will He teach us?

Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. “

Our faith deepens as we grow in our daily walk with Christ, reading His word and renewing our spirit.

You also remember in our study that in this verse the “word” in Greek is Rhema. We learned that Rhema referred to the Holy Spirit bringing to remembrance the scripture that we have studied and hidden in our hearts at the times that we need it.

We have learned how to study the Bible, now we need to put it into practice.

James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

We are to study the Word of God. I would like to go through nine points on the importance of the Bible.

NINE POINTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE

1. STUDY THE BIBLE “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does

not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

2. USE THE BIBLE TO WITNESS WITH “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a

defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence“ 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)

3. DEFEAT SIN WITH THE HELP OF THE BIBLE “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”

Psalms 119:11 (NASB)

4. MEDITATE ON THE BIBLE “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall

meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8 (NASB)

5. THE BIBLE EQUIPS US FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,

for correction, for training in righteousness;” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB)

6. THE BIBLE HELPS TO KEEP US HOLY “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to

Your word.  With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Psalms 119:9-11 (NASB)

7. SEEK GOD’S GUDANCE FROM THE BIBLE “When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will

watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you. “ Proverbs 6:22 (NASB)

8. THE BIBLE SHIELDS US “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in

Him.” Proverbs 30:5 (NASB)

9. THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE IS TO BE SPREAD “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the

word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB)

Now that we have gone through the nine points on the importance of the Bible, there are Four Key Elements

to deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ:

The first element is Heart: We must have a heart for Christ; A heart that gives Christ first place in our life, up and beyond the earthly things of this world.

Application: We have learned how to bring the richness of the scripture out, how has this class inspired you in your Christian walk?

The second element is Method: We have learned a variety of study methods. The study methods give us structure in our studies. We set out to exegete scripture, whether we are doing a study on a book of the Bible, or exegeting a certain passage and doing a word study. We have looked at topical and biographical studies. You need to have a plan so that you are in the Word daily.

Application: Which study method(s) do you see yourself doing and how do you see them enriching your study?

The third element is Effort: Deep study takes time it is not something you can do in ten minutes of reading. When you want to get to know a person, you don’t spend 10 minutes with them and know all about them. You have to cultivate a relationship. To cultivate a relationship with Christ, you need to spend time with Him, take time getting to know him through His Word.

Application: You need to set a designated time to cultivate your personal relationship with Christ. Has this class been helpful to you in choosing which tools you will use to further the time you spend in the Word?

The fourth element is Prayer: Prayer is an essential part of studying. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the scripture; therefore, we need to pray before we study to ask the Holy Spirit to show us what we need to learn.

Application: There is a sense, of course, in which our faith in Jesus Christ is the basis for our growth, but even that faith depends on what God has revealed to us in His Word.

The Word of God is certainly central in spiritual growth. I have yet to meet a strong, fruitful Christian who ignores their Bible. We must daily spend devotional time in the Word, seeking the mind of God. We must also study the Word regularly, in a disciplined way, so that we better understand what it teaches.

You never know what God can do through you if you are daily in His word and daily walking with Him. Let me show you an example of a

woman who dedicated her life to intensive study of the Scriptures as well as the cultural and archaeological background of biblical times. At age six she knew scores of hymns and Bible verses. She entered the Academy of Pacific University at age fifteen. She held regular meetings with classmates to help them prepare for their Bible lessons and by age eighteen entered Willamette University. With no Bible in Willamette curriculum, she started a campaign to have it introduced, which authorities honored and was graduated at barely twenty with the degree of Bachelor of Literature. At twenty-two married a minister, who was a brilliant Greek student. At twenty-four began helping ministers with their public written work, religious authors and editors with their manuscripts, writing stories for Sunday school material, some to be translated into German. Later, articles for such periodicals as the Sunday School Times. At twenty-nine she received her Master of Arts degree from Willamette University, and received her Bachelor of Divinity degree from Schuylkill Seminary at age thirty-two. From age thirty-three to forty she taught the Bible to girls in Denver Colorado, and Kansas and held lectures at clubs, conventions, and in organized classes having 254 such talks in one year. In the meantime, she completed seventeen reading courses at the University of Indiana, and earned considerable credit in Psychology and teacher training at Kansas State College. She studied all of the courses pertinent to Bible teaching. At age 59 she lost her husband. She did not stop here, she devoted full time to biblical research for ministers and religious writers.

This remarkable woman is Frances Siewert. In 1952 at age seventy-one, she started laying the foundation and devoted her time entirely to the translation of the Amplified Bible.

The Amplified Bible is a translation that, by using synonyms and definitions, both explains and expands the meaning of words in the text by placing amplification in parentheses and brackets and after key words or phrases. Through amplification, the reader gains a better understanding of what the Hebrew and Greek listener instinctively understood.

For all her immense educational preparation and thorough knowledge of Scripture, Mrs. Siewert always remained a humble servant of the Lord. In correspondence dated Sept. 8, 1954 to The Lockman Foundation President and Founder, F. Dewey Lockman, she stated, “Every day, almost, I find myself bubbling with the thrill of discovering some shade of meaning in the original Greek that had never been evident to me before. I have averaged 4 hours a day of serious Bible study since 1914, when I was already a theological seminary graduate, and yet I am finding daily evidence of the fact that there are countless Scripture passages which have been obscure to me until now.”

With the Amplified Bible, Mrs. Siewert left us a legacy of her love for God, and we are forever indebted to her for her contributions, insight, and vision, which can still be seen today throughout the pages of the Amplified Bible’s unlocked word meanings and timeless truths.

Look at the vision this woman had at age 71 – its remarkable! It is never too late to serve God.

I encourage you today to use the tools you have learned about. Take every opportunity you have to further the Gospel. You don’t have to have an extensive library, but I do encourage you to build one book at a time to invest in your personal walk.

There are two study opportunities I would like to share with you:

ChristianCourses.com – They offer, Free of Charge, a variety of Bible Course studies that you can do at your own pace at the convenience of your home. It is a service of RBC Ministries who are the publishers of “Our Daily Bread”. You can even earn credits on some of their courses. Great Site! Great Opportunity – Free of Charge!

Liberty Home Bible Institute (lhbi.com) – They offer a Bible course where they use the tool we learned about: Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. Dr. Willmington teaches the course. You can take this course at home at your own pace. They offer no interest financing allowing you to pay for your tuition in 24 easy low monthly payments of $41.67 on your credit card with a $250 down payment or you can pay for the course in full and receive a $300 discount bringing the cost of the course to $950.

As you study, ask yourself:

What difference does my study make in my life?

Am I applying what I have learned?

What areas in my life need to change according to the truths that I have learned?

Am I sharing what I have learned with others?

Do people see Christ in my life?