‘the words of scripture re· present god’s · words of a biblical text (or group of texts, or...

‘the words of Scripture re· present God’s communication with and through sacred writers for teaching faithfully the infallible and inerrant truth which God purposed for the sake of salvation’

As for you, the aanointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing bteaches you about all things, and is ctrue and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, 1you abide in Him.

The Spirit’s role in studying God’s word

Our personal role studying God’s word

The community’s role in studying God’s word

John 16:13 athe Spirit of truth, comes, He will bguide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Now these were more noble-minded than those in aThessalonica, 1for they received the word with 2great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

John 16:13 athe Spirit of truth, comes, He will bguide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak

• Lectio – reading section is solid advice

• Meditatio – take time to consider what sense this passage may mean to your life

• Oratio – ask God to open the eyes of your heart to clarify if that spiritual sense is true

• Contemplatio – still yourself as you prepare to study

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Context - Assess passage in the historical, cultural, and passage context in the section, book (see your Bible’s outline), common books, and then testament. Attach passage to theme of book.

Sense of the passage - This begins with the literal sense, then word studies, after that looking for figures of speech, and finally considering any interesting uses of grammar. Understanding of what the author is saying is the aim of this part of the study. A deepening or sharpening of our lectio divina continues here.

Sensous plenior – Using your Bible’s cross reference system determine if there may be a deeper meaning intended by God seen in the words of a biblical text (or group of texts, or even a whole book) when they are studied in the light of further revelation

Personal interpretation – Construct a short explanation of the author’s passage meaning as it applies to you. This is a good time to create a short pithy title to describe the idea(s) that has been led out from your study

• Small group study

• Commentaries

• Theological books

• Church doctrinal statements

Lectio Divina

Biblical Study

Community sifting

Write down what was learned

The Spirit’s role in studying God’s word

My role studying God’s word

The community’s role in studying God’s word