Recently I had a conversation with a friend about systematic bible study and teaching. It accrued to me that she was unaware of what it was. We get so used to just skipping around in the Bible if we read it at all. It is easy to make up your own Doctrine this way. The Bible is clear in Revelations 22:18-19 about adding to the word of God or taking away.
A Warning Revelations 22:18-19
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
What is the systematic teaching of the word of God, sometimes called expository Bible Study? The best way to explain it in its simplistic form is you are studying the bible, in its context, line upon line and precept upon precept. This is the only way to get the full context of what is being said. This is not used by preachers or in topical studies. Let me clarify, preaching is a method of teaching oftentimes to the unbeliever. Topical study is using one or more scriptures to teach a topic.
WHY USE THIS METHOD OF BIBLE STUDY?
Many books have been written on the subject of how to study the Bible. This method's value is that is teaches the expository method of studying Scripture, which focuses on an exegetical investigation of the Bible and teaches the individual how to study the Word of God for himself.
The expository method of Bible study seeks to present truths, concepts, and principles that are taught by a Scripture passage. It does not impose a meaning on a passage but seeks a meaning from the passage. The basis of true expository Bible study is a thorough "exegesis" of the passage. In exegesis one seeks to investigate the literal meaning of each word of Scripture. The definition of each word is considered with its relationship to the other words in its context. ("Context," refers to the verses before and after a verse and involves the environment, situation, and background in which you find a word or verse)
In using this method of Bible study, you will be researching and gathering material about passages of Scripture. This method will help you to develop a systematic plan to follow in studying the Bible. It centers on completing a worksheet where the information is recorded. In completing the Work Sheet you will be amassing much information about the passage you are studying. All this accumulated information will help you to determine the correct meaning of a portion of Scripture. Knowing the meaning of a passage will enable you to discover the spiritual truths God wants to be revealed and their practical application in life.
At the heart of this study is the Biblical truth of the "verbal plenary inspiration" of Scripture. The doctrine of "verbal plenary inspiration" teaches that every word of Scripture is inspired by God. God used human writers who He directed through the Holy Spirit to record His Word. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they wrote what God wanted to say without error. What they wrote, in the original manuscripts was exactly what God wanted to say.
The Bible proclaims this truth in these passages:
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"For 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." (2 Peter 1:21)
The true child of God has a longing to know the Bible. He needs to learn how to study the Bible for himself. This is vital!
Each child of God, in addition to being taught by others, should be able to study the Bible and learn its principles for himself. Modern disciples of the Lord Jesus should be able to go to God's Word and spiritually feed himself and be able to defend his convictions from Scripture.
We all should be students of the Bible, and hone our skills in the Word of God so that we might be better instruments to reach others for Christ. God has commanded each of us to be Bible students and teachers. Our responsibility is to KNOW the Word ourselves so that we might be able to feed our spiritual souls by feasting the on sincere meat of God's Word.
The love of God is the best motivation for the believer to follow Christ. This love comes from knowing God. We can only know Him from His Word, which is the Bible. This is the power of the expository method of Bible study. This method teaches the pure Word of God as the Holy Spirit guides, inspires, and nourishes us as we study.
The emphasis of expository Bible study is in verse-by-verse examination of the Word of God. By using this method, after your study is complete, the correct interpretation and application of the verses will become clearer. You will be less likely to impose YOUR meaning on the Scripture or a meaning that is not correct. You will be letting God interpret His Word and you will understand what God truly said and meant.
All Christians are teachers. We teach at home, work, and in daily routines of life. Some Christians have the privilege to teach from pulpits; some in classes such as Sunday School and Bible Study classes. No matter where you are teaching this method will be of help to you. (See II Timothy 4:2)
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2Timothy 2:15 Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent in presenting yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer.
I love the KJV, it says to study to show your self-approval to God.
1Peter 3:15
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
My example of a study would be on tithing, Old Covenant versus New Covenant
In the Law, it stipulates 10% but that is the Law. What does the new covenant say?
The Law ended at Mal.3:10
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,"
Says the Lord of Hosts,
"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Now the New -
Luke 18; 9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
So first we see God is seeking a humble heart.
Hebrews 7:1-13 The King of Righteousness
(Gen. 14:17-20)
7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
(Ps. 110:4)
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
So from the Law to Grace, Our Lord Jesus Christ so now what?
1Corinthians 9:6- The Cheerful Giver
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
"He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever."
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
Now we see it is by faith and out of the abundance of the heart as we see with the woman who gave 2 mites. Luke 21:2-4
The Widow's Two Mites
(Mark 12:41-44)
21 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."
By the way, 2 mites is equivalent to 1/8 of a penny US. So she gave 2/8 of a penny was it 10% or all that she had? We don't know but Jesus said she gave out of Poverty + Faith = All
The NIV says it like this
4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
