Correctly Handle the Word of Truth

By Sarah Barry

University Bible Fellowship

““Do your best to present yourself to God Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does as one approved, a workman who does

not need to be ashamed and who not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:152 Timothy 2:15

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher

Principles ofInductive Bible Study

Observation

Interpretation Application

ObservationWhat do we look for?

I. Observation

“I have six faithful serving men

who have taught me all I know

Their names are:

Who, Where, What, When, How, Why.”

What does it say?

Literary forms

• Prose narrative : (The gospels)

• Parables : (Mark 4, Matthew 13)

• Poetry : (Psalms)

• Logical discourse : (Romans, Epistles)

• Apocalyptic literature : (Daniel, Revelation)

• Drama : (Job)

• Proverbs : (Proverbs)

I. Observation

Content

Joseph’s story

1 & 2 Kings

1st day,2nd day

Paul’s journeys

Exodus 20-23

Leviticus

I. Observation

• Biographical---

• Historical ----

• Chronological----

• Geographical----

• Laws--------

RELATIONSHIPS

• Comparison

• Contrast

• Cause and effect

• Repetition

• Continuation

• Turning point

• Climax

COMPARISON Meditates on word

Relationships

Like a tree planted by streams of water

Psalm 1

CONTRAST

Relationships

The Blue Mosque and a Bible house in Turkey

CONTRAST

Relationships

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. In him was life

and that life was the light of men”

John 1:4-5

John’s gospel contrasts light and darkness, truth and lies, belief and unbelief

Prayer and answer; Prophecy and fulfillment

IRelationships

Jesus – Peter Jn 13, 18

Continuation

Luke 5:5 (5)

Relationships

“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t

caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Luke 5:4-8

Turning Point

CLIMAX

• When Simon Peter saw this he fell at his knees and said, “Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man.”

• “Don’t be afraid, Simon. From now on you will fish for people.

» Luke 5:1-11

Relationships

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Cause and Effect

REPETITION

REPETITION

• “And God said…and it was so. Ge 1: (7 times)

• God saw that it was good -(7 times)

• In those days Israel had no king..Jdg 21:25, 17:6,18:1,19:1

• Everyone did as he saw fit –Jdg 21: 25, 17:6, Dt 12:8

• Matthew 5: eight “Blesseds”

Whole-Parts-Whole I. Observation

Genesis, John’s Gospel----Charts

Aids to observation I.

Draw a picture.

II. InterpretationWhat does it mean?

II. Interpretation

• Pray.

• Think about what you observed.

• What is the writer’s meaning?

• Pray again. Ask God to teach you what the passage means.

Interpretive questions

Why?

What for?

What does it mean?

Why is it here?

How does it fit the context?

II. Interpretation

II. InterpretationWhat does the writer mean?

Scripture interprets Scripture Hebrews 11:24-26 (Moses faith) Ex 2

Galatians 3:8 -- Genesis 12:3

Romans 4: 3– Ge 15:7

Common sense-most reasonable explanation

Context – historical, Biblical

Use Resources after personal study

Compare translations, Bible dictionaries, study bibles, commentaries

III. ApplicationWhat does it mean to me?

III APPLICATION

• Anything of which to repent?

• Are there any promises to claim?

• Any commands to obey?

Love one another

Feed my sheep

Go into all the world and make disciples

Pray for the campuses of the world: Russia, Mongolia, USA, Argentina, Africa

ApplicationPray for campuses of the world

Follow incarnational principle

Show Jesus’ love

Professor Shepherd(salt and light)

““Do your best to present yourself to God Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does as one approved, a workman who does

not need to be ashamed and who not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:152 Timothy 2:15

A Kingdom of Priests and A Holy Nation