Mastering the Discipline of Bible Study

Jenai J. Rasmussen Ed.D.

Description

This book offers rich instruction, heartfelt encouragement, and a challenge to question unproven beliefs in a unique approach for mastering the discipline of Bible study.

This work, along with the other volumes in the Foundational Knowledge of the Bible series, can help those who are young in the faith to seek a Christian relationship with God. All who choose to enter into the new covenant must concurrently embrace a new perceptual field. By heeding God’s call to service, believers embark upon a Christian journey to become wise from the application of spiritual knowledge. This is made possible with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who guides covenant believers in the faithful word of God, which is the source of all spiritual truth in this world.

The intended purpose presented in this plan of action is to speak the truth of God in love so that the brethren can learn godly discernment, be equipped with sound doctrine, and grow together in all things according to Christ’s authoritative leadership (Eph. 4:15). By becoming covenant Christians set apart by God for his particular use, we can be diligent by precisely and accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

This series can serve to edify and ground those who are new in the faith because the revelation of God provides all the essential answers to life’s pressing spiritual questions, whether general or specific. Accordingly, Christ’s disciples need to comprehend the questions before the answers can have real meaning. No greater reason can be given for studying the Bible. Therefore, the people of God are duty-bound to master this Christian discipline.

The first volume in this series is divided into three phases of Bible study: “Why” addresses the importance of knowing God’s word, study motivations, conditions for discipleship, Christian distinctions, and the attributes needed to study biblical truth. “How” covers preliminary actions, Bible versions, principles, study considerations, and necessary skills. “What” offers a unique sevenfold framework for understanding the Bible.

Divine power can move the Scriptures to be more than words on a page. It can become a life-changing force for good in the world. To that end, this resource directs the reader on how to inquire, search, and ask diligently concerning godly truth. Invaluable information, accessible resources, clear educational materials, and deep biblical insights will all quickly serve to establish beginning students in the Sacred Text. This work will also prepare the reader to receive the Scriptures by learning how to obtain a faithful accounting of spiritual truth.

To be sure, wisdom is the result of applying biblical knowledge to our lives. By speaking divine truth in love, believers can grow together in Christ as fellow workers who labor in the word of God. There is no greater work in this world than to share this life-saving truth with others. The obligation of receiving divine knowledge requires that it be shared. Truly, giving the hope and joy that is found in Jesus Christ, and the message he brought from the Father, is the greatest privilege of a human life.

Amen, and amen.

Sujets

• Spiritual Growth
• Christian Living
• Philosophie et théologie
• Audio mastering
• Religion
• Discipline
• Mastering

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 22 juillet 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781664237292
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

MASTERING THE DISCIPLINE OF BIBLE STUDY
Foundational Knowledge of the Bible
VOLUME 1
JENAI J. RASMUSSEN, ED.D.


 
Copyright © 2022 Jenai J. Rasmussen, Ed.D.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-3728-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-3729-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021911948
 
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 07/06/2022

 
Unless marked otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.
 
Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked ASV are taken from the American Standard Version.
 
Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from The New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
 
Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
 
Scripture quotations marked TNIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. TNIV®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
 
Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
 
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
 
Scripture quotations marked NET are taken from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996- 2017 All rights reserved. Build 30170414 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
 
Scripture quotations marked YLT are from Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible. Public domain.
 
Scripture quotations marked REB are taken from the Revised English Bible, copyright © Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press 1989. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked TEV are taken from the Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition). Copyright © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Series Overview
Considerations
Section 1
The First Question of Bible Study Is “Why”
1. The Importance of Knowing the Bible
2. Godly Motivations for Studying the Bible
3. The Conditions for Christian Discipleship
4. Godly Distinctions Regarding Christians
5. The Blessed Attributes Needed to Receive Biblical Truth
Section 2
The Second Question of Bible Study Is “How”
1. Preliminary Tasks of Bible Study
2. Bible Versions and Resources
3. Principles of Bible Study
4. Bible Study Considerations
5. The Skills of Researching
7. The Skills of Interpretation
8. The Steps and Skills of Writing and Cricical Reading
8. The Skills of Editing
Section 3
The Third Question of Bible Study Is “What”
1. The Bible as Sacred Literature
2. The Aspects of Bible Study
3. An Integrated Framework for Studying the Bible
4. First Reading: Survey
5. Second Reading: Exegetical
6. Third Reading: Expositional
7. Fourth Reading: Critical
8. Fifth Reading: Devotional
9. Sixth Reading: Summary Interpretation and Application Approach
10. Seventh Reading: Witnessing
11. Summary: Christian Directives
 
Bibliography
Appendices
Appendix 1: Abbreviations
Appendix 2: The Relationship between the Old and New Covenants and Testaments
Appendix 3: The General and Specific Purposes of the Word of God
Appendix 4: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Peculiarities of the King James Version
Appendix 5: Criteria for Evaluating Resources
Appendix 6: Principles of Theological Hermeneutics
Appendix 7: General Organizing Principles Regarding Words and Phrases
Appendix 8: Laws of Composition, Techniques, and Literary Elements
Appendix 9: How to Conduct a Lexical Study
Appendix 10: Literary Structure
Appendix 11: Literary Genres
Appendix 12: Parables
Appendix 13: Types
Appendix 14: Symbols and Symbolic Acts
Appendix 15: Idioms
Appendix 16: Traits of Biblical Love and Their Reverse Implications
Appendix 17: Conditional Verses Regarding Christian Living
Appendix 18: Precept Patterns
Appendix 19: Promises
Appendix 20: Warnings
Appendix 21: Christian Character: Fruit of the Spirit
Appendix 22: Godly and Ungodly Character Traits
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Marguerite Lee Rasmussen was responsible for directing my life in the pursuit of two spiritual objectives: finding God and creating an accessible framework for understanding the teachings of the Bible. My mother joined me daily in prayer to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we read this work together. The one great thing I have done in this life was to aid my mother in answering the call of God through the development of this series.
After numerous religious encounters and experiences, I now identify myself as a Christian and nothing else. I am extremely grateful to all those both within the pages of the Bible and outside them who have been my teachers in word and deed. Mr. Neiman made the word of God come alive. As my earliest mentor, he modeled true devotion to God for me. He remains the brightest example of a Christian that I have ever known.
Since his early instruction, I have found many biblical scholars who inspired me with their insightful words and guided me in my understanding of the word of God. They offer many words that have influenced my life in ways I could not have imagined, while my elderly Korean neighbor speaks only one word of English—“hallelujah.” She uses it masterfully and with enormous joy. These teachers all merit a basket full of apples for the instruction they have shared with me.
As we go through life, the people we remember are those who see us as we are in light of who we can become. When this action takes place in a spiritual context, the effect becomes much more profound. I send my deepest thanks to all those who graciously nurtured me with the word of God by offering their fellowship and those who lovingly sustained me with their care and concern for my well-being by offering me their friendship.
PREFACE
The Rationale for the Series
In the centuries since the Old and New Testaments have been available to the world, people have viewed its words as literal, figurative, and symbolic. Some embrace it as the inspired word of God, while others believe that the Bible is merely a human creation. Moreover, millions of people choose to follow decidedly different religious orientations. Regrettably, there are those who do not embrace a belief in God at all.
This work can help those who are young in the faith to seek a Christian relationship with God. All who choose to enter into the new covenant must concurrently embrace a new perceptual field. As followers of Jesus Christ, we heed God’s call to service by embarking upon a Christian journey to become wise from the application of spiritual knowledge. The Holy Spirit guides covenant believers into all godly truth. Without a doubt, the faithful word of God is the source of goodness in this world.
Each book in the Foundational Knowledge of the Bible series will act as a progressive introduction and supplementary resource aligned with the word of Go