Introduction: Whether you realize it or not you’ve developed a certain method of interpreting the Bible. Perhaps you have a study Bible with footnotes. Maybe you like certain teachers or preachers. Either way we all have adopted a way to unpack the Bible in a teachable and applicable way. It has been a great privilege to teach and preach the Word of God thousands and thousands of times throughout the last 40+ years. Yet, I’m still learning! Here are a few lessons that may help as you study and share God’s Truth to others.

1. When you read and teach on a passage of Scripture, there is an HISTORICAL meaning! (Ezra 7:10)

“Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

2. When you read and teach on a passage of Scripture, there is an GRAMMATICAL meaning! (2Tim 2:15)

“15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

3. When you read and teach on a passage of Scripture, there is a CONTEXTUAL meaning! (1Cor 10:1-6)

“1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”

6Now these things were our examples….”

4. When you read and teach on a passage of Scripture, there is a DOCTRINAL meaning! (1Tim 1:10;4:16;6:3

“For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

“3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.”

As you can see, Paul stressed the IMPORTANCE of “sound doctrine”….the RIGHT TEACHING.

5. When you read and teach on a passage of Scripture, there is a PRACTICAL meaning! (James 1:22)

“22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Comments:
1. Today most people go straight to the PRACTICAL meaning and skip over the rest. However, there is a DANGER in that. One can MISS the intended meaning of the text implied by the HOLY SPIRIT. Instead, the Bible for many has become a ME BOOK! What’s in it for ME! Instead, the Bible is a GOD BOOK!!

2. The Holy Spirit is the Key to INSPIRATION, and ILLUMINATION, and INTERPRETATION!
(1Cor 2:10; 2Tim 3:16,17)

“10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

“6All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Conclusion: Praise the Lord for your interest in studying and sharing the Word of God!

Lastly, Remember: As an old man fixing to depart, Peter writes,

“19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”