FOUNDATIONS OF BIBLE STUDY

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FOUNDATIONS OF BIBLE STUDY

• Learning to Interpret Apply
• the Biblical Text

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Understanding the Point of a Passage

• We are now ready to indicate the overall message,
  that is, what appears to be the interpretive
  point (thrust) of a paragraph.
• This means distinguishing between the main
  "theme" and the "point" (or message) or a
  passage.
• The process of interpretive questioning reveals
  in a more precise way the heart and significance
  of the particular text, which is sufficiently a
  self-contained unit that we can say is the
  message.
• 71

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Illustration from Mark 21-10

• The Dominant theme of the passage could be
• Jesus' forgiveness of sins.
• Or Jesus' authority to forgive sins, since
  "authority" is highlighted.
• But Mark concludes the paragraph with a a
  climactic concluding statement "We never saw
  anything like this!'" and reveals something of
  the author's purpose.
• Question? Why does Mark conclude on this note?
• Most likely Mark wishes to accent the uniqueness
  of Jesus authority to forgive sins. Therefore we
  might well say that the point of the paragraph is
  to set forth the uniqueness of Jesus' authority
  to forgive sins as God's Son.

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Quote from Traina (p. 166)

• After the important interpretive questions raised
  in connection with a particular unit are
  answered, there remains the problem of
  integrating the various answers so as to arrive
  at the main message of the passage. Sometimes
  this is at least partially accomplished in the
  replies to the questions of exposition, since
  some of the them may be integrative in nature. In
  any case it ought to be clear that at some stage
  integration must occur, and further, that such an
  integration should be expressed in summary form.

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Initial Considerations of Application

• An application is a "lesson" or truth which spans
  at least most paragraphs of the segment. This is
  another way of speaking of a biblical principle
  which becomes the basis for contemporary
  application.
• In the area of application we have in mind
  (Christian) behavior in the broadest sense.
• The truth or principle that underlies an
  application will be a fundamental teaching or
  assumption from Scripture which determines
  behavior.
• The application ought to be specific. Think
  generally at first, but do not stop there. Adding
  an illustration can help to provide specificity.

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Examples of Thrust Statements The Good, the Bad
and the Ugly.

• A Good Thrust Statement
• Jesus, as the son of God, has the unique
  authority to forgive sins.  
• A Poor Thrust Statement
• We can receive forgiveness of sins because, as
  the Son of God, Jesus has the authority to
  forgive us.
• A Really Bad Thrust Statement
• Jesus can forgive sins.

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Assignment 8b

• Read Mark 320-30
• Record 4-6 observations of the paragraph.
• Outline (in detail) Mark 320-30 (which IS our
  broad structure.
• Give 2 observations (labeled) from the Broad
  Structure.
• Ask 4 interpretive questions based clearly upon
  your observations. (Remember your Guide for Main
  Types of Interpretive Questions on pp. 65-68 or
  p. 130.)
• Indicate which type of question you are asking.
• Try to answer your questions (Observation-
  Question- Answer) DO NOT USE A COMMENTARY.
• Identify in writing your spiritual response

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Assignment 9 (Graded)

• Read Mark 41-34
• Read Study Guide, ch. 6
• State a brief title for each paragraph (6 of
  these)
• Record 8 observations evenly divided across the 4
  categories. For Category 2 observations,
  restrict yourself to only Mark 410-20.
• Outline this paragraph (Broad Structure). Observe
  from both the Broad Structure and a general
  nature.
• For Category 3 work, restrict your 2 observations
  between Mark 410-20 (paragraph 2) and Mark
  421-25 (paragraph 3).
• Ask two questions specifically related to
  observations.