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How to Study the Bible - Lesson 1

Orientation to How to Study the Bible

In this lesson, you will gain valuable insights on how to read the Bible better, guided by George Guthrie, who shares his personal experiences and enjoyment of reading the Bible from a young age. This series will provide you with foundational topics to strengthen your relationship with God and posture toward the Bible, teaching you how to accurately hear the message of scripture, read for personal transformation, view the Bible as a grand story, and engage in reading the Bible in community. Throughout the process, you will experience a sense of joy and wonder as you discover the transformative power of God's words in your life.
Lesson 1
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Orientation to How to Study the Bible

I. Fishing in Alaska

II. A Short Guide to Reading the Bible


Transcription
Lessons
Quiz

Dr. George Guthrie
How to Study the Bible
th102-01
Orientation to How to Study the Bible
Lesson Transcript

 

[00:00:00] Welcome to reading the Bible Better, a video series produced by BiblicalTraining. My name is George Guthrie and I'm excited about us working through this series together. A few weeks ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to go to Alaska and we had a fantastic time there, visiting with friends, going out to a fjord, fishing on the rivers. And one day I got to go out with a guide to a wonderful stretch of water called Quartz Creek. Now, I don't normally use a guide when I go fishing, but this was brand new territory for me. I was able to learn from the guide about the geography of this area. We talked about dangers on this creek, including stepping off into deep holes or even bears that were going to be on the river. At one point there was a mudslide upriver so that the river where we were became kind of chalky and we couldn't see where we were stepping and the fish could not see our bait. So the guide knew where to go on the river to find clear water. He was very, very helpful in giving me techniques and training in different kinds of fly fishing on that river. And especially he communicated with me the joy of fishing, that particular piece of water. [00:01:21][80.7]

[00:01:22] Now, when you're starting out reading the Bible, it's really helpful to have some guidance. And so what we're going to try to do in this series is discuss topics that will give you a foundation in your own relationship with God and posture toward God and the Bible to help you read more effectively. We're going to talk about how to hear the message of scripture accurately. We're going to discuss how to read for personal transformation and not just information. We're going to look at the Bible as a grand story and discuss how can we get drawn into that story so that we see it as a part of our own story as we are living on mission for God in the world. And we're also going to discuss reading the Bible in community with other people. So we're going to have a good time really kind of working our way through a lot of very practical stuff as well as some heart issues as we get started in reading the Bible. But the main thing is I want you to get a sense of joy and wonder about reading these words that God has put into the world to have an amazing effect in our lives. [00:02:35][73.1]

[00:02:36] I love reading the Bible. I started reading the Bible when I was very, very young. My parents put a big red Bible story book out in the middle of the living room floor, and I would go and look at the pictures even before I could read. I remember a picture of David and Goliath, for instance, in that Bible story book. And I still love reading the Bible because it comforts me. It gives me encouragement. It gives me perspective in this crazy world in which we live. It gives me hope and direction when I need help in how to live more effectively in this world. Now, something that might help as you're kind of working your way through this series is I have a little book called A Short Guide to Reading the Bible, which is published by B and H Publishers, and the guide in the video series kind of work together. They complement one another. There are things in this video series that I don't cover in the book, but there are also parts of the book that give more details that fill out things that you will find in this series. [00:03:47][71.0]

[00:03:49] The book also has small group discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which will be a little bit different from the discussion questions that you'll get in some of the material provided by BiblicalTraining. So take a look at that book. You might want to read it before you go through the series or after you go through the series. It will give you a chance to make notes in the margins and underline things, quotations that you want to be sure to get. But really work with the two together to kind of help them feel one another out. So sit back, get ready to take notes as we learn to read the Bible better.

  • Dive into this lesson to gain a deep understanding of how to read the Bible better, focusing on hearing scripture accurately, personal transformation, the grand story, and reading in community, while fostering a sense of joy and wonder in your journey.
  • (Audio only) Dr. Guthrie uses a journey metaphor to describe reading the Bible, discussing challenges of understanding different cultures, places, and times.
  • (Audio only) In this lesson, Dr. Guthrie discusses the motivation for reading the Bible. He explains the importance of consistent Bible reading and study, addresses common struggles, and examines scriptures highlighting its significance. Finally, he offers five practical tips to stay motivated.
  • Discover the power of words, their impact on our lives, and how God's words and communication in the Bible provide guidance, shaping us to live with purpose and spiritual growth.
  • Being receptive to what God is saying to you in the Bible is an important part of reading the Bible better. The parable of the sower gives you a word picture of obstacles you face in attempting to cultivate a receptive heart.
  • By embracing receptivity, you can overcome barriers and enhance your understanding of the Bible, ultimately leading to personal growth, stronger relationships, and deepened faith.
  • By entering the story when reading the Bible, you enrich your understanding, connect with biblical characters, and foster personal spiritual growth, Bible study, and teaching skills.
  • (Audio only) This lesson introduces tools for understanding the Bible. Dr. Guthrie emphasizes the importance of using study Bibles, Bible dictionaries, maps, and concordances for interpretation. He explains their purpose, features, and examples, and discusses two major Bible translation approaches.
  • (Audio only) This lesson discusses personal commitments, emphasizing reliance on the Holy Spirit and obedience to God's word, noting the importance of preparation for sharing with our community. Dr. Guthrie also covers background studies to enhance understanding and cautions against fallacies.
  • In this lesson, you learn about literary context's importance in interpreting the Bible, identifying literary genres and structures, and applying context for accurate exegesis and application.
  • (Audio only) In this lesson, Dr. Guthrie emphasizes the importance of literary context in understanding text meaning. He explores immediate, book, and canonical contexts and reviews tools to navigate these layers. He also discusses approaches to different Biblical genres and provides examples of applying literary context in Bible study.
  • By understanding historical context, you can better interpret the Bible, considering cultural, social, and geographical backgrounds. Study Bibles, Bible dictionaries and commentaries can provide you with helpful information.
  • Dr. Guthrie will teach you how to identify and interpret various biblical genres. This will enhance your understanding of the Bible and help you apply its teachings more effectively in your life.
  • (Audio only) Dr. Guthrie emphasizes careful observation in Bible study: “You cannot interpret, and therefore apply, what you never see.” He explains observation mechanics, the text's backbone and support material, and examines Psalm 1.
  • (Audio only) Gain an understanding of word studies, including their definition, purpose, and limitations, the methods and tools used for conducting word studies, guidelines for conducting word studies, and examples of word studies in the New Testament.
  • This lesson provides you with knowledge on the importance of Bible translations, their types, and the criteria for selecting the most suitable one for your needs while also offering insights into their historical development.
  • When you read your Bible, read rhythmically and meditatively, use the tools you need to understand the background and apply the Scripture to your life in specific ways.
  • (Audio only) Dr. Guthrie teaches how to apply the Bible to everyday life, emphasizing the effort needed to understand and apply its teachings, guiding us through study and interpretation. He advises summarizing the text, extracting principles, and applying them.
  • (Audio only) Dr. Guthrie guides a Bible study on Colossians 2:6-15, starting with heart preparation. He reviews the steps: observations, word studies, general principles, and application. He ends with gratitude for the class's faithfulness and engagement with God's word.
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