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A. THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

Our approach to the matter of Bible interpretation should be based on the premise that we are committed to the Bible as "The Word of God" and that we sincerely want to know what God has said. If God has really spoken through this Book, then it must convey a harmonious, intelligible system of truth. Our study of its pages is designed to increase our understanding of its Author and bring us into conformity with his ideas and purposes. Thus, Bible Study holds great promise of reward to the earnest seeker after the knowledge of God.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION

1) Interpret Literally

2) Interpret in Light of the Context

3) Examine Word Meanings

4) Look to the Original Language as the Final Authority

5) Compare Scripture with other Scripture

6) Observe the Facts Surrounding the Scripture Portion you are Studying

The rules of Bible interpretation are as fundamental to the understanding of God's Word as the rules of grammar are to the understanding of English.

Nothing but first-hand knowledge of God's Word will suffice to fulfill God's purpose for us and give us the rewarding sense of "discovery" that stimulates and satisfies. The application of the rules of interpretation is necessary to help us acquire this first-hand knowledge and the attendant benefits.

God's Word on this matter is: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Explanation of each of the above principles is made in the following pages.

1. INTERPRET LITERALLY

Not figuratively or allegorically, unless the language is clearly figurative or allegorical. Deal with it as you would other writings. God's Word is meant to be understood. Most of the Bible makes the best sense interpreted literally. This means we take the simplest, basic meaning of the words. "If the plain sense makes sense, then seek no other sense."

This does not mean that there are not symbolic portions of the Scripture, however. For example, the book of Revelation is full of symbolism. Allegories are used, such as Hagar and Sarah in Galations 4, but these are clearly recognizable. Similes are common as well, such that when Christ says "I am the bread of life" we do not picture Him as a literal loaf of bread.

Figures of speech are used in our own conversation and we have no trouble understanding these -- even so with the Bible.

2. INTERPRET IN LIGHT OF THE CONTEXT

Any writing, including the Bible, can be perverted by the use of isolated "proof texts." Lifting verses out of their setting and building a theology on these, without reference to the whole, is handling the Word of God deceitfully. This will never result in the knowledge of God's truth as He has set it forth. This is a common failing of the false religions who often use the Bible in this way to prove their own false doctrines. It is thus seen to be imperative when studying the scriptures to take time to read the context before deciding on its meaning.

3. EXAMINE WORD MEANINGS

Words are the building blocks of thoughts. Individual words must be clearly defined in our own understanding. We cannot understand the whole without understanding its parts. Bible Dictionaries and Concordances are Essential Tools!!!

4. LOOK TO THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY

Since the Bible is inspired and inerrant in the original writings, any final, authoritative interpretation must be based on the original language.

5. COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH OTHER SCRIPTURE

Many obscure passages will yield to the understanding when one views them in light of the clear teaching of other passages.

6. OBSERVE THESE FACTS

a. Who is speaking?

b. To whom is he or she speaking?

c. The condition of each.

d. The circumstances surrounding the actions.

e. The historical and cultural background.

f. The literary mold.

g. The purpose for writing and the argument of the writer.

These factors can make a great deal of difference as to whether we get the intended meaning or a false interpretation.

B. FURTHER PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

1. The Bible is anthropomorphic, that is, divine truth is brought down to the human level and expressed in human concepts.

2. The Bible is a progressive revelation from God to man, and thus each passage of Scripture must be interpreted in light of its historical context.

3. The clearest and most evident interpretation of a passage is to be preferred, and for this reason obscure passages must give way to the clear teaching of Scripture.

4. Everything essential in Scripture is clearly revealed and based on sufficient Scriptural evidence.

5. Interpret the Bible so that it presents a consistent system of theology, free from all contradictions. However, if two apparently contradictory doctrines are clearly taught, accept both of them.

6. The Bible is to be interpreted to discover what God says, not just to verify traditional interpretations or theological prejudices. However, interpretations which vary considerably from established doctrinal system and the sound exegetical commentaries of the past are to be treated with suspicion.

7. No passage of Scripture should be interpreted as having more than one meaning unless unusually strong reasons warrant it. Similarly, determine the correct interpretation of a passage before making spiritual application of the passage.

8. Interpret personal experience in light of Scripture and not Scripture in light of personal experience.

9. Each Christian has the right and responsibility to investigate and interpret the Word of God for himself or herself.

10. Church history is important but not decisive in the interpretation of Scripture.

Okay, you've probably thought about it once or twice, but I bet you've asked yourself what it means and the big twinkie, how to do it. First of all, what does it mean . . . ?

Storing God's Word -- Scriptures exhort, plead, and command us to store up God's Word, namely in our hearts and minds. The two are not mutually exclusive by the way. Inherent within this desire to store up His Word is the deep recognition of our desperate, radical need for God. This must be the prime motivation or else your conviction, or your heart to do so, fades fast and becomes fickle. God wants all of our heart, not just part of it. Now that we know what the motivation is, let's take a brief look at some passages that shed some light on the subject.

Some words from Mark Littleton: "The Shema of Israel, from Deuteronomy 6, was the first Scriptural passage a Jew memorized. He repeated it every time he went into his house, into the temple, and into worship. In it God said, 'These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up' (Deut. 6:6-7). God's words were to lodge securely in the heart, never to be excised. A father who placed them in his heart would so overflow with their truth and goodness that he'd be teaching his sons everywhere he went. That was the idea. But few Christians do it. Again, God spoke to Joshua and warned him, 'Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful' (Joshua 1:8)."

And finally, the Psalmist asks, "How can a young man keep his way pure, by guarding it according to thy word. I have laid up thy word in my heart that I might not sin against thee" (Psalms 119:9,11).

There are two ways a Scripture passage can become firmly fixed in your mind and heart. Reading the same passage of Scripture over and over again sometimes ingrains them on our brain. You've literally read it over so many times, you could repeat it back verbatim. Or, plain and simple, after reading the passage, you decide to commit it to memory. Either way, the Holy Spirit has taught your heart something from God's Holy, inerrant Word and has prompted you to store up this truth which leads to another thing the Scriptures command us to do.

We are commanded to meditate upon the Word. To mull it over, think about it, ponder, reflect, even digest it. You can bet your bippy that the Holy Spirit will continue to teach you and counsel your heart if you've had the brains and the gumption to put something there. It's mighty hard, and I dare say impossible, to meditate upon God's Word if it isn't firmly planted in your mind. It's like trying to drive without spark plugs or gas. They are inconstruably and inextricably linked together.

THE NITTY GRITTY STUFF

If you have decided to store God's Word, there are a couple of things you might do to further your journey into God's Word. The first suggestion is to write it down. Sometimes writing things down helps your memory process to recall things. Another option is to ask somebody you know to quiz you on whatever you have stored up.

Some benefits form memorizing, or storing up, God's Word (by Mark Littleton):

1) Knowing Scripture by heart enables you to meditate on the Word anywhere, any time. David often spoke of meditating on God "in the night watches" (Ps. 63:6-8). I don't think he poured over a scroll at those moments. I'm certain he replayed in his mind words he'd long ago memorized, perhaps even composed himself. One man I know likes to meditate on God's Word while shaving. Another does it on his way to work. A woman friend meditates while jogging. They can meditate at those times because the Word is written on their hearts. This is accomplished only through rigorous memorization.

2) It's a key to walking in the Spirit. The first is Eph. 5:18-21, the passage about being filled with the Spirit. The other is Col. 3:16-17. Interestingly enough, both passages refer to the results of a certain action -- "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs," and "giving thanks for all things." But the preceding actions in each section are different. In Ephesians, it's "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another" (Eph. 5:18). In Colossians, Paul's dictum is, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16). Do you get the idea that being "filled with the Spirit" and "letting God's Word dwell in you richly" could be closely related? If that is true, then memorizing God's Word gives the Spirit the power to lead, guide, challenge, and instruct us. Like a maestro at the piano, He is enabled to play upon our spirits and remind us of the truths of God in every situation of the day.

3) The Spirit can apply the Word you have memorized to a particular situation. The key to applying God's Word is learning to apply it according to its meaning and context. If you read the story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness in Mt. 4:1-11, it's awe-inspiring to see Him quote Scripture to the devil. In each situation Jesus chose precisely the words that applied to His need and specific circumstances. I once heard John MacArthur say, "Whenever I think about sinning, the Spirit hits me with six verses against it. I can't just sin anymore and enjoy it. I know too much Scripture." People who sink deep roots in the Word are not blown over by gusts.

4) The Spirit continually gives you insight into God and the truths of Scripture. when you memorize God's Word and know it by heart, you'll find that God speaks to you at the strangest moments. You'll be driving along thinking about nothing important, when suddenly the Spirit strikes. An insight about a verse or truth lodges in your mind. Instantly, there is a sense of joy and discovery that draws you closer to the Lord.

5) The Holy Spirit shows you the unity of a whole book. If you memorize whole books of the Bible, you'll find an amazing thing: You'll begin not only to understand the book better, but you'll begin to understand its unity, integrity, and depth. The Holy Spirit will open your mind to Scripture in dramatic, illuminating ways.

6) It enables you to know the triune God intimately. I've often wondered how other people think, what goes on in their minds. But have you ever thought about how God thinks, what goes on in His mind? You needn't speculate. The Bible is His mind revealed. By knowing God's Word, we literally know His own thoughts on every conceivable subject. As I studied the book of Jonah some time ago, I was amazed at the process of discipline revealed in the book. By the end of it, I saw one thing in graphic detail: God wanted Jonah, more than anything else, to understand His heart. He wanted Jonah to see why He loved the people in Ninevah and why He didn't want to destroy them. As I studied, it really hit me: The Bible is much more than a volume of stories and theology, it's the revelation of God's very heart.

7) You begin to see connections between passages. You become a walking concordance. You can connect all sorts of ideas through relating one verse you've memorized to another, especially if you begin memorizing whole books of Scripture. You become able to correlate truths and concepts, not just words.

8) God gives you the mental capacity for more. One thing I've always worried about in memorizing Scripture was reaching a saturation point. Would my mind reach a point where there was just too much? Would I begin to overflow, unable to retain more? I've been memorizing for over seventeen years now and there's no stopping point in sight. In fact, my mind has become keener, more logical, more able to assimilate data than ever before. It carries over into everything--my work, my home, my hobbies. The beauty of Bible memorization is that with commitment, anyone, anywhere, can do it. You don't have to be a genius. But it does take discipline. You just have to decide that you'll do it. The question is, will you?

The Wrong Reasons for Memorizing Scripture (by Mark Littleton):

1) Because the group does it and demands it. One man I know confessed to is businessmen's group, "I was memorizing new verses because I knew I'd have to recite one each Friday. I finally just stopped. I felt that was legalism." He was right. If his only reason was to impress a group of men in his Friday Bible study, he was memorizing for the wrong reason.

2) Because I'll get an award. Awards for children in Pioneer Clubs and Awana groups are strong motivators. But sooner or later you have to move beyond "lollipop motivation." Whether the lollipop is a little patch to sew on your sleeve or a trip to Paris really doesn't matter. It's not the kind of motivation God desires.

3) Because someone I respect does it. Maybe you want to be like someone who has memorized a vast amount of Scripture. Fine, but you'd better find stronger reasons or you'll give up when that person ceases to be an important example for your life.

4) Because my pastor said to do it. The pastor may have said such a thing, but why did he say it? You have to get beyond the pastor and back to God's truth, or it won't last.

5) It's sort of a family thing. Traditions, family or otherwise, are great. But again, you have to get past them to the foundational reasons for the behavior.

6) Because I think it will make me more spiritual. Indeed it will help you grow spiritually. But, simply memorizing Scripture isn't what makes a person spiritual or mature. It's the application of Scripture to life that matters.

7) Because I want to win arguments. Strangely enough, some people memorize Scripture so that they can whip others in theological or evangelistic debates. It's certainly wise to know what you believe and why, but becoming a "walking Bible concordance" is not the purpose of Scripture memorization.

I have put together some ideas so that we can take a closer look at the importance of prayer and how we can, and should, incorporate it into our lives and our Bible studies. The following quotes are from the book Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds.

"Prayer that affects our ministry must first give depth to our private lives. When put into the golden censer and offered up to God, true prayer works mighty spiritual changes. The character of our praying will determine the character of our ministries. Prayer makes our words strong, gives them power, makes them stick. We must be pre-eminently people of prayer. Our hearts must graduate in the school of prayer, for only in the school of prayer can the heart learn to minister. No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study will supply its lack.

Talking to others for God is a great thing. But talking to God for others is greater still. We will never speak to people for God with real success until we have learned how to speak to God.

Prayer, in the Christian's life, in the Christian's study, in the Christian's ministry, must be a conspicuous and all-encompassing force. It must play no secondary part. We need to be with our Lord 'all night in prayer'" (Luke 6:12). (Bounds, pp. 35-36, 39)

To train ourselves in self-denying prayer, we must look to the Bible and to the Master:

In the beginning it was clear that prayer was not only essential, but unique. "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?" Deut. 4:7. When His people honored Him by praying to Him, God did miraculous things.

When Hezekiah prayed in 2 Kings 19:14-19 to be delivered from the hands of the Assyrians, God denounced the Assyrians in verse 20, and sent an angel to destroy their army, in verse 35, thus answering Hezekiah's prayer.

Later, God sent His son who exemplified the act of prayer. As Robert Munger points out in his article "Prayer Power," "He prayed early; he prayed late; he prayed all night. He prayed alone; he prayed with others. He prayed with confidence; he prayed in deep agony; he even prayed on the cross. And he teaches us to pray." We cannot list here all the prayers but we encourage you to seek them out, by getting a hold of a Bible with a help section that has them listed. In John 17, Jesus prays for himself, then he does an interesting thing, he prays for all his disciples and then for all believers. If we are dedicated to being Christ-like, then as he prayed for his disciples and prayed for us, we likewise should be praying for those we are discipling through small groups.

Jesus' disciples continued his prayer ministry by focusing on the power and urgency of prayer. Paul in his letter to the Colossians wrote to them explaining his deep commitment to praying for them (1:9-11). In concluding this letter (4:2-6), he carries his prayer message further by calling them to be devoted to prayer. He pleads the Colossians to pray for him, showing us the importance of a reciprocal prayer relationship with those in our studies.

Jesus shows us that a strong devotion to prayer is essential. Paul challenges us to extend this to our relationships with others. He shows us the fellowship we share through prayer. By this we can conclude that no small group is complete without the dedication to praying for one another.

As a leader, try to discern the spiritual maturity of the small group, so that you may encourage prayer in a way that is both reasonable and challenging. Keep in mind that every group is unique. As a leader you must try to meet the others where they are. Above all, be flexible and willing to try new things and change methods when you see a need for further growth.

In all of the different kinds of small groups, the leader's example is probably the most important way to encourage prayer. If you value prayer and are excited about praying, your small group will be too!

The following is a list of possible kinds of groups and ideas for encouraging prayer in them:

DISCOVERY GROUP -- includes new Christians and even some non-Christians.

Provide a foundation of prayer.

-- Explain what prayer is using Biblical explanations and examples.

-- Explain the elements of prayer acrostics such as ACTS help (in Servantship Section).

-- Try to install a desire to pray.

Pray.

-- Don't neglect praying. It is real easy to leave it out, especially with new Christians. Schedule it into your time (i.e. open and close with prayer).

-- Try praying as a group, and realize the Spirit will lead it -- don't worry about who isn't praying -- just relax.

-- When asking people to pray, give them specific things to pray about.

Encourage prayer outside of the group.

-- Incorporate Biblical stories about the great things God has done through prayer.

-- Consider keeping a prayer journal with each person's requests and watch what God is doing in your group.

FELLOWSHIP GROUP -- Relationship-building study. Oriented towards discipleship and interaction. (Core groups included)

Things to remember:

-- You can spend a significant time praying. 20-30 minutes isn't too long.

-- Take time to just praise God to get focused before praying for each other.

-- Be sure to encourage your group to share God's answers and blessings too!

-- Have your group draw names and pray for the person they picked.

-- Be creative!!!

INTENSE BIBLE STUDY -- A group which studies God's Word in-depth, and does not emphasize fellowship as much.

Some ideas:

-- Seeking God through an in-depth study of His word is a powerful foundation for prayer (great for topical group studies). As a group, pray to God asking for understanding and praise Him for what he's taught you so far.

-- To keep from running out of time, have your group prayer time at the beginning or set a time to stop discussion and begin praying!

-- Have prayer partners. Encourage them to get together to pray during the week.

-- Encourage one another's personal prayer lives as well. Challenge them to be praying every day for the requests made at your study.

-- As group leader, contact those with major prayer requests later in the week.

Leadership Guide:

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