Personal Bible Study

What

is Bible
Gods Revelation
Love letter of God to us
Manual for Humankind
Divine Library
Word of God.etc.

Uniqueness of the Bible

It has a richvariety of writings- history,
poetry, prophecies, law, narrative,
aphorism, letters, and travelogue.
Different Languages, Geography, Cultural,
Customs, Food habits, time lines.
Personal Bible Study
(Solid Food for Solid People)
Many books inform us
Some books reform us
But THE BIBLE transforms us

1) Made more certain = II pet 1:19

2) Not far away = Deut. 30:11
3) Exalted high = Ps 138:2
Why PBS?
THOUGHT ACTION HABIT CHARACTER DESTINY

Word

of God is like:
Mirror Jr 1:23-24
Milk. I pet 2:2
Light.. Ps 119:105
Fire & hammer Jr 23:29

Word of God is:

Sharper than any other two edged sword.. Heb.
4:12 Essential for spiritual growth I Pet 2:2
Essential for spiritual maturity.. Heb 5:11-14
Essential for spiritual effectiveness. II Tim 3:1617
Who are Eligible to do PBS?
Desire to learn..I Pet 2:2
Divine family member I Cor 2:11
Discovering mindPs. 119:18
Determined life Ezra 7:10
Discipline heart.Mat 7:7
Dependence on God to learn
What are the Tools for PBS?

Bible in mother tongue

Bible in vernacular language

(common people speaks)
Bible in different versions (NIV, KJV,
NKJV)
Bible in modern versions (GNB, NLT, RV)
Bible dictionary (NBD)
Bible concordance
Bible commentary (NBC, BST, WBC)
Bible atlas ,Note book, Pen
Language dictionary (E-E, E-T,T-T)

What are the Differences between QT and

PBS ?
QT
Brief study
Short period
Specific plan is not essential
Every day compulsory
Short text
Only Bible

PBS
Detailed study
Long period
Planning is essential
Not Every day
Long text
Tools are required

What are the Methods ?

1. Inductive (General to Specific)
Research method
Scientific method
Best method for PBS
2. Deductive (Specific to General)
What are the steps in PBS?
1. Observation
(Eye)
2. Interpretation (Mind)
3. Application
(Heart)

OBSERVATION
(What Do I See?)
Observation is the most important step in the
Bible study. It plays 80% role.
It means noting down what is said in the text &
not in our memory. Its like surgery.
LOOK- READ- ASK
1. Literary Form:
Bible is a rich book with different forms
oflanguage. Aseach form needs different
interpretation.
a. Narrative (History & Biography) - Gen-Esther
EVENTS
Mt John &
Acts.

b. Discourse/Teaching
c. Poetry
FEELINGS
d. ProphesyFUTURE
e. ApocalypticalFUTURE

N.T Letters
IDEAS
Job-Song of songs

A) Nouns
B) Verbs (IMP in C.B.S)
C) Tenses. (IMP in Prophetical Books)

Isaiah-Malachi
Revelation

2.Repeated Words/ Phrases:

Repetition is one of the most frequently used
means in the Bible to reinforce the thought. It
gives dominant theme.
Eg: Jn 15:1-5, I Jn 4:7-12, Ps 136
3. Time Words:
This plays vital role in understanding the Words
like immediately, after, before, then, next day, a
t evening etc. We find them especially in
narrative.
Eg: Mk 4:35, 1:32,35
4.Place Words/Location:
These words play an important role.
Eg: Jn 8:1, Lk 4:42, Ps 29:
5.Unknown Words:
The best book to refer for unknown word is in the
dictionary, for Biblical names we should use bible
dictionary
Eg: Dan 1:3, Tit :13. Jr 32:11
6.Connecting words:
These words have their own place in the
interpretation and they connects verses,
passages, even chapters, and subject also.
Eg: Mk 4:21,26,30, lk4:30
7.Comparisons/Contrasts:
Numerous comparisons and contrasts are there
in the Bible and we find them more in the parable
and proverbs. They create interest and
emphasize the point very clearly.
Eg: Ps 1, Lk 7:41-43, Mt 7:24-27

8.Figurative Expression:
They express the truth in different ways. We use
these expressions in our ordinary speech. They
are not true in literal sense, but they are true.
Eg: Ps 1:3
9. Grammatical Elements:

10. Mood/Atmosphere:
Eg: Ps 5, I Cor 3:1-3 , Ez 3:12-13
11. Punctuation:
Never forget to observe punctuation like comma
(,), full stop (.), colon (:)...etc.
A single comma can make much difference
12. Gender:
Male, Female, Neuter
13. Numbers:
Singular, Plural
FACT-FINDING QUESTIONS (5W +1H)
1. What: subject
2. Who: writer, speaker, audience, characters.
3.When: written, happened-Time, Year, Season
4.Where: written, happen- Place
5. Why: happened, written- purpose
6. How: peoples respond
GOOD OBSERVATION LEADS TO GOOD
INTERPRETATION

INTERPRETATION
(What Does It Mean ? )
The word Interpretation came from Greek word
Hermeneutics. Determine the meaning of the
observed facts to see what the author wants his,
then readers to understand How, why
questions help us to go forward. If we love word
of God, we must be like the church of Berea. Acts 17:13
PROBLEMS IN UNDERSTANDING:
One of the major reasons the Bible is difficult to
understand is that it is an ancient book, with 66
books, 40 generations,3 languages, in 3
continents. Some of the books are written over
3400 years ago and 1900 years ago. So in
hermeneutics we need to bridge several gaps.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Time Gap
(Chronological)
Space Gap
(Geographical)
Custom Gap
(Cultural)
Language Gap (Linguistics)
Writing Gap
(Literary)
Spiritual Gap (Supernatural)

What Does It Mean To Them? Why?

PRINCIPLES
1. Context:
Interpret the passage in the light of its context.
Lines/portions, which goes before and after the
passage we are studying.
Con=with; text=our verse in passage;
Context=what is with our verse in passage.

Two levels of context are to be recognized.

Near Context: Which goes before/after the
verse, may be up to 2/3 paragraphs.
Far Context: Which goes before/after the verse,
may be in the Next chapter/same book, other
book.
Eg: Mk 7: 15
7:5
Heb 12
11
Lk 24:13
24:1
Jn7 : 2
Lev 23:33
Jn 9:3
9:1
Lk 15:3,8,11
15:1
Jn 14:1
13:1
Psalms
Samuel, Kings
Paul letters
Acts
2. Back ground:
Interpret according to the back ground
A. Historical - Dan 5:16, Mt 2:1, Mt 2:22, Lk 2:1,2,
Hag 1:1,4. Ruth 1:1 Lk 22:1,7, Num 12:21-28
B .Geographical - Lk10:30-37, Rev 3:16, Isa 35:2,
Lk 8: 22,
Jerusalem is 2700 feet above sea level, Jericho is
700 feet below sea level.
C. Cultural - Lk 9:3,23, 60, II King 2:9, Lk 15:8,
23:53.
D. Social: Jn 4:9,27, Mk 6:48, 1:44, 1:40 =Lev
13:45
3. Words Meaning:
Interpret according to the words.

Same word with different meaning

Eg: Rev 5:5
Ipet 5:8 ( lion )
Jh 3:16
I Jn2:15 (world)
4. Unity of Scripture:
Interpret according to the scripture.
Eg : Ps 121:3-4 Ps 44:23
Eg: Ex 20:12
Lk 14:26 Mt 10:37
5. Authors Purpose & Plan:
Interpret according to the authors purpose.
Eg : Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
6. Grammar:
Interpret according to the grammar.
Eg : Eph 2:8
Past Tense
Present Tense
Future Tense
7. Figures of speech
1. Simile: direct comparison
Mal 4:3, Ps
1:3, 1:4, I Pet 1:24, Hos 5:14, 6:4
2. Metaphor: indirect comparison Isa 40:6,
Ps 18:2, Mt 5:13,14.
3. Hyperbole :
Ps 119:136, Jh 21:25, Ps
6:6.
4. Irony : opposite of what is said II Sam
6:20, I Cor 4:8
5. Interrogation: answer as question form
Jer 23:29, 32:27, I cor 12:29-31, Mk
2:9,19,6:3, 8:36,37,11:17
6. Anthropomorphism: mans characters to
God Ps 33:19, 34:15, Is 43:4, 59:1
7. Zoomorphism: animals characters to
God . Ps 91:4
8. Personification: speaking with
nonperson as person Is 1:2, 24:23, Ps
114:5-6,
9. Apostrophe: speaking with imaginary
things or persons, overlap with
personification. I Cor 15:55, Pr 1:2023,Hos 13:14, II Sam 18:33, Jer 47:6

Parables
Existed simile, one central theme, nearly 40 in gospels, 112 in Bible, interpretation is given, dont try to
give spiritual meanings in every single detail, except in case of the sowing, wheat &the weed (Mt 13) and
laborers in vineyard (Mt 20)
1. Parable : Lk :1: 25-37,
1. Parable :Mt 25:1-13
Parable :
2. Setting : who is my
2 .Setting : be prepared,
neighbor,
3. Hearers : Disciples
3. Hearers : Expert in Law 4. Main point: Second Coming,
4. Main point : Love your
eligible to receive Gods blessing
neighbor
5. Application:
5. Application :
Allegories:
Extended Metaphors: Many Momparisons
1) Jn 15:1-15,

3) Eph 6:11-17

Gardener father
Vine- Jesus
Branches- disciples
2) Gal 4:22-24 & 24-31
Two sonsSon born of slaveSon born of freeTwo womenSlave womanFree womanChildren of slaveChildren of free-

Belt- truth
Breast plate- righteousness
Shoes- preparation,
Shield- faith
Helmet- salvation
Sword- word of god
4)

Difference Between Parables And Allegories

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Parables
One comparison
Interpretation is given
It is extended simile
One major truth
Near to life

Allegories
Many comparisons
Interpretation is intertwines
Extended metaphor
Many truths
Story or picture

APPLICATION
We tend to make two errors while applying the Bible. Either we give too little attention or give too much
attention. Without proper application, Bible study becomes a mere academic exercise & doesnt help in our
spiritual growth. On the other hand application without proper interpretation misleads us & damaging.
1. Is There a Promise to Claim?
2. Is There a Prayer to Learn?
3. Is There a Command to Obey?
4. Is There a Condition to Fulfill?
5. Is There a Verse to by Heart?
6. Is There Truth to Understand?
7. Is There Challenge to Face?
8. Is There any Example to Follow?
9. Is There a Sin to Confess?
10. Is There a Cause to Worship?
INTERPRETATION WITHOUT APPLICATION IS ABORTION
Interpretation Without Application Is 000.. Zeros without Numbers Before Zero.
Interpretation Without Application Is Well Prepared Biryani Without Eating.