I can do this!

Count the Count the FF’’ss in the following sentence. in the following sentence. Count only once, don't go back a 2nd Count only once, don't go back a 2nd time.time.

Read this sentence:Read this sentence:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-IC STUDY COMBINED WITHIC STUDY COMBINED WITHTHE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

Count the F's in the following sentence. Count the F's in the following sentence. Count only once, don't go back a 2nd Count only once, don't go back a 2nd time.time.

Read this sentence:Read this sentence:

FFINISHED INISHED FFILES ARE THE RE-ILES ARE THE RE-SULT OSULT OFF YEARS O YEARS OFF SCIENTI SCIENTIFF--IC STUDY COMBINED WITHIC STUDY COMBINED WITHTHE EXPERIENCE OTHE EXPERIENCE OFF YEARS. YEARS.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Inthebeginningwasthewordandthewordwaswithgodandthewordwasgodhewaswithgodinthebeginningthroughhimallthingsweremadewithouthimnothingwasmadethathasbeenmadeinhimwaslifeandthatlifewasthelightofmenthelightshinesinthedarknessbutthedarknesshasnotunderstood it

How Do How Do WeWe Read the New Read the New Testament?Testament?

1. Devotional 1. Devotional ReadingReading

•As if the Words were written to me

•As if the Words apply to my context

•God, through His Spirit speaks to us in this manner

1. 1. Devotional Devotional ReadingReadingDangers:

The meaning of a text becomes “subjective.” The primary source of meaning becomes me.

•Not the author’s meaning

•Not the text; words and context

•Every time the word “you” appears in the Bible, you assume it refers to you.

1. 1. Devotional Devotional ReadingReading

Example:

1. Read Jeremiah 29:11

2. Now Read Jeremiah 29:10

Answer this question: Is this passage a universal promise for all people of all ages?

2. Original 2. Original (Historical) Reading(Historical) Reading

•As if the Words were written to real people

•As if the Words apply to a real historical context

2. Original 2. Original (Historical) Meaning(Historical) Meaning

Pros:

In writing through his apostles, we hear God speaking in history

Words have a “stable, objective” meaning

Dangers:

Does God cease to speak directly to me?

2. Original 2. Original (Historical) Meaning(Historical) Meaning

How do we find the Historical Meaning?

1st Ask1st Ask: What the Text MEANTMEANT2nd Ask2nd Ask: What the Text MEANSMEANS

What principles from the passage apply to What principles from the passage apply to me today?me today?

andandWhat aspects are time or culture bound to the What aspects are time or culture bound to the ancient world?ancient world?

3. Community 3. Community ReadingReading

As if the Words were written to the church (think “WE” not “ME”)

As if the Words were given to a real historical context and still have an eternal significance

3. Community 3. Community ReadingReadingWe read the Bible how it wants to be

read

We read “in context”

• Literary Context

• Historical/Cultural

• Remember, CIE

3. Community 3. Community ReadingReading

Problem:

We must learn the NT materials and the NT World in order to be modern disciples

3. Community 3. Community ReadingReading27 So he started out, and on his way he met an

Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" (Act 8:26-31 NIV)

3. Community 3. Community ReadingReading

Acts 8:30 Acts 8:30 ““Do you Do you understandunderstand what what you are reading?you are reading?””

Acts 8:31Acts 8:31 ““How can I,How can I,”” he said, he said, ““unless someone unless someone explainsexplains it to me? it to me?””

How Did the How Did the New Testament New Testament

Come to be Come to be Written?Written?

How did the NT Come to Be How did the NT Come to Be Written?Written?

John 17:8John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.

John 17:14John 17:14 I have given them your word

1. Given by Jesus

to his Apostles

How did the NT Come to Be How did the NT Come to Be Written?Written?

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

Luke 1:1-2

2. Given by Apostles and/or Eyewitnesses

to others (Luke).

How Does the How Does the New Testament New Testament

Want to Be Want to Be Read?Read?

How to Read NTHow to Read NT[Jesus says]

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:25-26

How to Read NTHow to Read NTIn Small Group, answer

1. Who will do the instructing?

2. What is being taught?

3. Describe how this teaching take place? Be specific

4. So, How does this apply to us today?

Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)

How to Read NTHow to Read NTTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

How to Read NTHow to Read NTIn Small Group, answer

1. Who is speaking?

2. Who is listening?

3. What is being taught? Who is doing the teaching? Be Specific.

4. So, how does this apply to us today?

Note: Remember CIE (Context is Everything)

PROCESS OF BIBLE STUDY

Four STEPS

Observe

PRAY

Interpret

Apply