Greetings Steve, The outlines that are presented today are part of a series called, "The Bible Says." This is a series filled with vitality and variety. "Vitality" and "Variety" are two important words for any series of messages. Every message preached must be vital to the audience and presented in that fashion. God's Word is vital and God's Word presents vital truth on all the matters that it addresses. At the same time, the Scriptures are glorious in the variety of human authors who write, the literary genres presented, specific doctrines taught, and gospel truths proclaimed - all aspects of the Revelation of the One True God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Variety in Unity. The title "The Bible Says" is a reminder to us that we need to seek what the Bible says on any given subject. This seeking or study needs to be done prayerfully, carefully, and with the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It is helpful to think in terms of the progression of truth chronologically (concerning any subject) and the movement from Old Testament to New Testament. Then, we need to remember the variety of authors and genres as we seek to interpret the various texts dealing with a subject. These texts, of course, need to be understood within their own contexts to make sure that we are understanding them correctly. Then, if we are seeking a Biblical understanding of a subject, we need to bring these various texts and themes together to get a full picture of what the "Bible Says."
Just as a reminder, when you study specific texts, consider the following.
The Investigation of the Specifics of the Text:
- Read and Reread the text
- Ask Structural Questions of the text
- Outline/Diagram the text (if helpful)
- Isolate words and relate words in the text
- Focus on Verbal Specifics in the text
- Study Unknown Words - Study Significant Words in the Text - Study Key Words in Context - Study Other Words that May be of Significance - Study Difficult Words - Study Names, Places, Dates, Numbers, and Historical data
The Investigation of the Significance of the Text:
- Describe the Original Intended Meaning of the Text in Context
- Seek to Recognize the Essential Truths of the Text (View It Theologically)
- Use the Clear/Major/Numerous to Give Insight into the Less Clear/Minor/Few
- Use Scripture to Interpret Scripture (View it Biblically)
- Have a New Testament Perspective (View it Christologically)
On the basis of this type of study and thinking:
- Determine the Dominating Truth or Theme in the Text(s)
- Isolate and list the Integrating Thoughts that relate to the Truth or Theme
- Discern the Motivating Thrust – the challenge, the call, the response needed to the truth in the text(s)
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