Hermeneutics - HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

Text:  2 Timothy 2.14-19

Thesis:  To show one how he is to study the Bible.

Introduction:

1.      Study habits for tests – cram – retain very little

1. Life’s test – Do we know when it will come?
2. Ps. 119.11 – Tested always, need to learn and retain
3. James 4.14 – life is a vapor

2.      We will look at three points as we seek to learn how to study the Bible.

a.      Studying requires work.

b.     Studying renounces wrong teachings.

c.      Studying reveals the will of God.

Body: 

I.      Studying requires work.

A.   It takes a workman to study the Bible (2 Tim. 2.15).

1.     The A.S.V. of 1901 renders this verse as “give diligence.”

2.     It requires a sacrifice of our time in order to study.

3.     We must learn how to rightly divide the word of truth.

B.    It takes someone with a pure heart.

1.     Jesus says that one who has a pure heart is blessed.

2.     What are our intentions?

a.       Do we strive to prove “doctrines” from the Bible?

b.     Do we strive to see what the Bible teaches, and are we willing to apply what we learn to our lives regardless to whatever anyone else may teach?

3.     We must be as those in Nehemiah 8, and be willing to do what the Bible teaches.

a.      They realized a need to get back to Bible (Neh. 8.1-5a).

b.     They had reverent respect for the Bible (Neh. 8.5b-10).

c.      They had a reaction to the Bible (Neh. 8.11-18).         

II.   Studying renounces wrong teachings.

A.   Some had erred from the truth and were teaching their perverse doctrines (2 Tim. 2.18).

B.    Paul warns the Ephesian elders of those who would appear as sheep drawing away disciples after them, but they are ravening wolves inside speaking perverse things (Acts 20.29-30).

C.    Jesus himself teaches us to beware of false teachers (Mat. 7.15).

D.   Therefore, we must be as those in Thessalonica, and search the scriptures daily

  as to determine whether or not what we hear being taught is what the Bible      

  teaches (Acts 17.11).

E.    We can not put our faith and trust in the teachings of man, but only in the teaching of God.

III. Studying reveals the will of God.

A.   It is of necessity that we have New Testament authority for what we do (Col. 3.17).

B.    How do we ascertain Biblical authority?

1.     There are three different ways in which one can ascertain Biblical authority.

a.      First, one can ascertain Biblical authority by a direct command.

b.     Second, one can ascertain Biblical authority by an approved example such as Acts 20.7.

c.      Third, one can ascertain Biblical authority by necessary inference in which God implies and we infer.

2.     One must not add to nor take away from the Word of God when he determines what is the Word of God (Duet. 4.2; Prov. 30.6; 1 Cor. 4.6; Rev. 22.18-19).

C.    Jesus has told us that we will know the truth (John 8.32).

1.     One who has a pure heart, which requires no preconceived notions, shall no the truth.

2.     Cornelius was a man who sought after the truth, and he found the truth (Acts 10).

D.   When we study we must not just take our favorite verses, favorite chapters, or favorite stories, but we must study the Bible in its totality.

1.     We must study the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, because all scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3.16).

2.     Therefore, we must read every verse, every chapter, and every book of the Bible, because all of it reveals God’s will for mankind.

E.    Studying is the only way by which we can truly know God’s will.

1.     Paul told us to test all things (I Thess. 5.21), and the only way that we can obey that command is to test everything by the Bible.

2.     Therefore, we must daily search the scriptures, because they alone will reveal God’s will for man.

Conclusion:

1.     The study of the Bible is too often neglected, but it is the most important book that a man can study.

2.     Its study requires work, but it will renounce the wrong teachings by revealing the true will of God.

3.     Studying the Bible is the only way that we can be ready to give an answer (1 Pet. 3.15), because the only person that can answer for us is ourselves alone.

4.     Therefore, we must learn how to study the Bible, and put it into practice daily in our lives.