Living by the Book, Howard Hendricks

Observation - Exploration
Value of observation what do I see?
Explore
Start with a verse ask questions
Learning to read (skill sharpened by practice!)
(10) strategies for reading. Read:
Questions:
Who?
1. Thoughtfully
What?
2. Repeatedly different translations, audio tapes
Why?
3. Patiently
When?
4. Selectively ask questions with purpose
How?
5. Prayerfully
6. Imaginatively paraphrase in your own words
Structure:
7. Meditatively meditate day & night
Cause & Effect
Climax
8. Purposefully what is the structure?
Comparison
9. Acquisitively retain it, possess it
Contrast
10.Telescopically zoom in, zoom out
Explanation
Things to look for. Things that are:
Interchange
1. Emphasized
Proportion
2. Repeated
Purpose
3. Related
Q&A
Repetition
4. Alike unalike
5. True to life put ourselves in their shoes
Get the big picture: TABLE of miracle-realm-people-means-results-faith
Summarize your observations charts, graphs, images
Facts are stupid until we go to interpretation
Interpretation
The value of interpretation meaning of the Bible
isnt subjective
Handle with care! Dont: misread, distort, contradict
the text or allow subjectivism, relativism, or overconfidence Interpret
What type of literature is it? Exposition, biography,
parable, poetry
Five keys to interpretation:
1. Content
2. Context whats before, whats after
3. Comparison a concordance, word search
4. Culture whats the backdrop of the setting?
5. Consultation Bible dictionaries, commentaries, references
Coming to terms word study
Figuring out the figurative look for word like to show figurative
Putting it all together

Living by the Book, Howard Hendricks

Application

Value of application what are we going to do about

what we read.
Four substitutes (failures) for application:
Interpretation for application
Superficial obedience for substantive life change

Apply

Rationalization for repentance

Emotional experience for volitional decision

Four steps in application:

Know the text know what it says
Relate the text to ourselves, how does it apply to me?
Meditate about the text
Practice; put what we learn into action

Nine questions to ask:

Is there an example to follow?
Is there a sin to avoid?
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there a prayer to repeat?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there a condition to meet?
Is there a verse to memorize?
Is there an error to mark, to avoid?
Is there a challenge to face?

Now and then Gods Word is still relevant today!

The principle of the thing. Biblical principles allow us to answer todays

questions like abortion, cloning, nuclear power and junk bonds.

A process of life-change:
Make a decision to change
Come up with a plan
Follow through

Three suggestions to get started

Begin a personal Bible study program
Form a small group Bible study
Share your results with others