LESSON 8 • Hermeneutics

OPEN 

How were you taught to read and study scripture? In our homes and in the church, how would you characterize how we are currently teaching our children to read and study scripture?

First, let’s explore in your life how well you were taught how the varied “Bible stories” were related to the over-arching redemptive movement of scripture. How well did you understand that God is the main character who, even today, is constructing humanity’s story out of the raw material of flawed, yet redeemed lives? 

Secondly, how well do our children understand the cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, deliverance that runs through the pages of the Old Testament? How well do they see God connecting Jesus Christ back to Abraham and his original promise that through his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed? How well do they see the core gospel story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and our call to center our lives in Him?

DIG

I. Let’s assume there are Three Levels of Reading
1. Elementary Reading (Surface) 
2. Inspectional Reading (Systematic)
3. Analytical Reading (Thorough)

At what level would you characterize your study of scripture at this point in your life? What keeps you from digging deeper into scripture to discover all the mysteries of God, their meaning, and God’s over-arching will for people of all times who want to believe and follow Him? 

Please read Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-13; John 20:30-31

II. To discover the theology of our Christian faith and life will always demand the proper exegesis of God’s Holy Scripture!

a. How would you define the word “theology”? 

b. Consider this definition: 

The science of God or of religion; the science which speaks of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe and the duties we are to practice; the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures; the systematic exhibition of revealed truth; the science of Christian faith and life

III. Two Words Not in our Normal Vocabulary 

a. Exegesis – Our first objective in studying a particular text should be to explore what this text meant to those who first received it. 

b. Hermeneutics – After this first step is taken, then we can begin to wrestle with, “What is the application for us today?” This is a more difficult task. 

i. Sometimes the meaning is obvious. Other times the meaning is not so readily apparent and a more detailed study must be done. When this is necessary, this calls for greater study and research. 

IV. To do proper exegesis and interpretation of a passage requires that we follow these steps: 

a. Read the passage repeatedly. 

b. Read the larger context. 

c. Make your own translation.

d. Pay close attention to the historical context and literary form. Any verse or teaching must be viewed in light of the context of the surrounding material. The question must be asked, “Why is this passage where it is?”

e. Check for textual variants.

ß A Simple Definition of a “textual variant” - A variant reading of a text in a particular translation.

f. One must closely analyze sentences and words. 

g. Make a list of key words. 

ß Do a word study on any word with apparent special significance. We must go to tools that can help us understand the original language.

h. Consult related parallel passages.

i. Consult with secondary literature (commentaries and other resources). 

j. What are the inferences? 

k. Is this central to the “Christo-centric Theology” of Scripture? Is there a theological principle given in this text?

ß John 13 – What is the theological principle of “foot-washing”?
ß How do committed people living under the lordship of Jesus Christ behave? 

l. Is there a command here? 

m. Does this scripture declare something that will “save” or something that will “condemn”? If so, that’s important!
ß Some things are more important than others. So what’s the acid test? May I suggest two things:
• One primary consideration is “what’s near to the cross?” 
• What’s directly related to our salvation in Jesus Christ? 

V. Only after all of this has been done, then you can begin drawing conclusions about what are the life applications from this passage. 

REFLECT

What are steps you should take in your personal life to become a better student of God’s Word?

What can we do as a church to encourage and promote a growth climate where all of us are becoming more faithful and diligent students of God’s Word (Heb. 5:11-6:1a)? In your estimation, what can we do to raise the expectation level and how can we hold one another more accountable to improve our study habits?

Jeff Spry