PAULA WISEMAN

Faith and life meet in a story

Home » Study Tip Tuesday » Page 30

Pick up a quick tip to get more out of your Bible study

I've taught for over twenty years and I can help you go deeper when you open up the Word.

Study Tip: Looking for Guidance

By

On today's menu we have 'guidance'. More subtle than commands, God often gives us principles or examples to point us in the right direction without the imperative verb. Then He tends to leave the choice of how to proceed to the reader.

There are three main places to find 'guidance'-type writing: Proverbs, parables and personal stories.

Proverbs
In Proverbs 15:1, it reads "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." No overt command, just an observation, a principle. It's up to you to choose a soft answer or a harsh word.
In Proverbs 17:28, we find, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace." (But I'm blogging anyway.)
Just from these two verses, we get the principle that what we say, when we say it and the tone matters. Not hard, fast commands, but a general principle

Parables
Jesus told dozens of stories and made quick comparisons to make a point. Most of the time, He let the story stand, but occasionally, He explained the idea behind the story. Whole books and even seminary courses are devoted to analyzing the parables, and I don't want to go into too much detail here. When reading them, it's usually best to look for one main point and not try to make symbols out of every element.

Some quick examples:

  • The wise man who built his house on a rock- Make sure your life is on a sure foundation.
  • The lost sheep, coin and prodigal – God rejoices when someone repents and is restored.
  • The sower- The gospel won't be received by everyone who is exposed to it.
  • Your main points may be different, and that's okay as long as it's consistent with the rest of Scripture.

Personal stories
God didn't leave us a manual or a rule book. He left us a story book with portraits of real people. It's up to us to take away lessons or cautions from the biographies presented. In the early chapters of Genesis, we read the story of Noah, and God's miraculous provision for him and his family in the face of total judgment. However, soon after, God includes the story of Noah's drunkenness. Why? Maybe as a warning against drinking. Maybe a caution that failure often follows close behind victory. Maybe to tell us Noah still needed that grace, that he wasn't perfect.

What guidance have you found in Scripture that didn't come in a direct command?

Study Tip: Do This!

By

Success or Failure- Which Way?We've been looking at the different "types" of statements for in Scripture. So far we've considered God's promises, looking for those "I will" statements that He makes. Last week, we discussed the long (boring) sections of straight factual information and what encouragement those might have for us. Today, let's consider the commands.

One of the complaints folks often give about the Bible is that it's just a collection of "thou shalt nots". In fact, there are far more positive commands in God's word. Generally, they are easy to find.

Look for verbs. After God created Adam and Eve, He blessed them, then He issued His first command. "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…" (Genesis 1:28) See all those verbs? Be… multiply… fill… subdue… If you remember back to English class, that was the imperative form of the verb. The speaker expects the listener to take action.

Now, there's a caution- not every command is for us. I'm not trying to weasel out of certain commands. However, context is critical to our understanding of any passage. So when you look for those imperative verbs…

Look for application. When God called Moses, He gave him some incredible signs to perform to validate his message. "Cast [your rod] on the ground," God said, and the rod became a snake. Then God said, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." When Moses did, the snake became his rod once again. (Exodus 4:3-4). Does that mean we should throw down sticks, expecting them to transform? Or can we grab snakes by the tail? Of course not. God's instructions were exclusively for Moses in that situation.
On the other hand, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Did that just apply to the group listening that particular day? That one is an open invitation to all hearers and readers.

How do you tell the difference? I haven't reviewed EVERY command, but some guidelines that may help are…

  • If the instruction is about an attitude or a response to God, it applies. (Like, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.")
  • If the commands is about how to treat others, it still applies. (Love your enemies, for example.)
  • If the speaker or writer is addressing a crowd, the commands usually still apply, like Paul's letters, or the Sermon on the Mount
  • In the Old Testament, commands involving offerings, feasts, sacrifices and the Law, no longer apply. Jesus fulfilled all those so we are freed.
  • Depend on the Holy Spirit's guidance if you're unsure.

"Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken to a wise man who builds his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24)

Study Tip: Just the Facts

By

Sherlock Holmes wannabeAs you study, you run into them- genealogy lists, temple building instructions, missionary journey travel logs. What can you possibly take away from them if you're not into details? Here are some new perspectives on some of these more tedious (boring) sections of Scripture.

Genealogy and Census records– God uses ordinary people to accomplish His purposes. He knows each one, their history and their background, just as He knows ours, and in grace, He not only includes us in His work, but He records that for all eternity. Your name may not be written in Scripture, but it's recorded in God's ledgers. (1 Corinthians 1:26 …not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.)

Lists of offerings– In Numbers 7, for example, there is a huge list of the offerings each tribe brought as the tabernacle system was instituted. It's repetitive, and I often wondered why we couldn't have a much shorter chapter- "Each of the leaders brought …" But what's boring for us, God never tires of. He delights in EVERY offering, EVERY act of worship. It never gets old. If He accepts our worship with such intense delight, shouldn't that change how we offer it?

Temple-building instructions– You find these in Exodus for the tabernacle, in 1 Kings for the first temple and in the last chapters of Ezekiel for the millenial temple. Then there's wall-building in Nehemiah. I admit, those last chapters of Ezekiel are tough to wade through. Why does God do that to us? Just to kill our read-thru the Bible plans? No. Part of it goes back to the point I made about offering and God's delight in our worship. However, it also shows God's care and attention to detail. He has a right way that He wants things done. When we undertake something for God, it must be done His way and not ours. However, more significant than this, the temple and tabernacle represented God's physical presence with His people. When we see the cumbersome requirements that must be met before we can approach a holy God, we get a much greater appreciation for the what Christ's redemptive work did for us.

Missionary logs– If you're not into first century Mediterranean geography, wouldn't it be just as easy to say "Paul made a lot of stops." Yes, but we'd miss some insights, such as God has a plan. The places Paul went were not the only cities around, but they were ones God wanted Paul to go to. There are plenty on ministries around doing good work, but we can't work at all of them. God has a place for us, a route He wants us to take. Those other cities, other ministries- He's got somebody lined up for them.

Now when you read Scripture and hit some details that are … well, boring, take a minute before your eyes glaze over, and ask God why He wanted all that stuff in His word. What can you take away from it? You'll find out GOD is in the details.

Study Tip: A Balanced Diet

By

Food groupsScripture contains many "types" of writings, and just as you need to choose from all the food groups when you eat, you want a well-balanced spiritual diet. Identifying the type of writing can also help us with the interpretation and application of Scripture.

Last week we looked at promises, but as you read, you'll discover many more. I'll give you an overview here, and in the coming weeks, we'll look at each one in a little more depth.

Facts and information – These are often the "boring" parts (like the genealogy lists), but they form the background and framework into which the other stuff fits. They also remind us that God isn't giving us a fairy tale. He gives us a true account of His dealings with real people, rooted in time and place. Sometimes, the events haven't happened yet.

Commands – The Bible is sometimes unfairly judged as a book of "don'ts", but the "do's" are far more prevalent.

Guidance – These are more subtle than the do's and don'ts, and are often more figurative. The book of Proverbs and Jesus' parables fall into this category.

Warnings – Closely linked to the "don'ts" are the cautions and consequences. Sometimes, these are easily identified with words such as "beware", "take heed" or "watch". Other times, there is an implied warning in a bad example.

Prayer and praise – In these, the writer talks to God, either about his situation (prayer) or about God's greatness (praise). You find these in the Psalms for sure, but they show up all through the Bible.

Did I leave any out? Do you find you prefer one food group?  

Study TIp: Promises, Promises

By

Standing on the RockOne of the greatest joys in Bible study is discovering the promises that Almighty God has made to us as His children. The promises aren't hard to spot – watch for God's "I will" statements.

For example, yesterday morning, I read in Hebrews where the writer quoted Jeremiah. God says, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." In context, this happens when God institutes the New Covenant with Israel, (and with us, too) the one that rests on the work of Jesus Christ. Go back and read that last part again. "…their sins… I will remember no more." God promises He will not remember our sins, will not bring them up again, will not use them against us ever again. They are gone. We are free. He promises. Wow!

The Gospels are full of promises in Jesus' own words– "I will come again and receive you to Myself."
"Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven."
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

And the list goes on and on.

As you read and study, watch for the promises God makes to you, and savor each one. Of course, not every promise has the explicit "I will" form, but catching those will help get you in the habit of spotting them. You may even want to devote a section in your notebook, or a blank page in your Bible, for keeping track of them.

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta

Study Tip: Seeing Ourselves

By

Little princessWe've discussed how our study time should reveal God in some way, drawing us closer, and highlighting His character. Scripture also serves as a mirror, showing us our true selves.

Sometimes, we learn about mankind in general. Like in Psalm 8, we find out God crowned us with glory and honor. Human beings were the pinnacle of His creation. In Hebrews 2:17, we find out Jesus had to become a human, like us, in order to be a proper High Priest for us.

However, there are also verses that get more personal. For example, Psalm 94:19 says, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." This one tells me that when I'm feeling stressed, or worried or concerned (or whatever other synonym) I'm not alone. David, the man after God's own heart, felt them too. It also tells me, I can feel one hundred and eighty degrees different- comfort and delight. Comfort, God's personal comfort, is available, and there is room for it, even in the middle of the anxiety.

So- as you study, look for things the Scripture may be telling you about yourself. Do you see yourself mirrored in the verses or in the people and their situations? Is it encouraging, or maybe convicting?

On a more personal note– Psalm 65:11 says "You crown the year with Your goodness." I'm thankful and humbled by His grace and goodness for these 43 years.