This document provides an overview of Bible study methods, focusing on the step of interpretation. It discusses interpreting the meaning of what has been observed through applying context, comparing passages, understanding the cultural backdrop, and consulting additional resources. As an example, it examines Titus 3:3-8 and prompts the reader to interpret the passage by considering its content, context, points of comparison, cultural influences, and through consultation. The reader is guided to develop key learnings and surface secondary insights from properly interpreting the passage.

1. Living by the Book
An Introduction to Bible
Study Methods
Week 2

2. Where have we been?
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application
• Correlation

3. Titus 3:3-8
For we also once were foolish
ourselves, disobedient, deceived,
enslaved to various lusts and
pleasures, spending our life in
malice and envy, hateful, hating
one another.

4. Titus 3:3-8
But when the kindness of God our
Savior and His love for mankind
appeared, He saved us, not on the basis
of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His
mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out upon us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that
being justified by His grace we would
be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life.

5. Titus 3:3-8
This is a trustworthy statement;
and concerning these things I
want you to speak confidently, so
that those who have believed God
will be careful to engage in good
deeds. These things are good and
profitable for men.

6. Where are we going?
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application
• Correlation

7. Interpretation
Applying meaning to what
has been observed.
Interpretation is perhaps the most
difficult and time-consuming of
these three steps [observation,
interpretation, and application].
Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy Zuck

8. Interpretation
How wide is the divide?
Chronological
Biblical World Today’s World
•Actual people Geographical •Actual people
•Actual places •Actual places
Cultural
•Actual problems •Actual problems
•Actual encounters Linguistic •Actual encounters
Literary
Supernatural

9. Interpretation
• Hazards to Avoid
– Misreading the text
– Distorting the text
– Contradicting the text
– Subjectivism
– Relativism
– Overconfidence

10. Interpretation
• Five Keys to Interpretation
– Content
– Context
– Comparison
– Culture
– Consultation

11. Consultation
• Concordances
• Bible dictionaries
• Bible handbooks
• Atlases
• Bible Commentaries

12. Titus 3:3-8
• Content?
• Context?
– Broaden scope
• Comparison?
• Culture?
• Consultation?

13. Titus 3:3-8
• Develop key learning from
passage
• Surface secondary learning from
passage

14. Next Week
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application
• Correlation