The Living Word (Lesson 1)

General Introduction: Why Study the Word of God?

When we honestly ask the question, “How should we study the word of God?”, we are, in effect, admitting two things: first, that we have a fundamental need which we are unable to provide for ourselves. If we had no need in ourselves, it would be an entirely unnecessary and unprofitable labor to study anything at all. If we had no need, we would have no room to be profited. The second thing that we are acknowledging is that the word of God holds the solution to our need. If we have a need which we cannot meet by ourselves, it would be foolish to search for a solution in anything from which we have no hope of finding our answers. From the outset, then, our approach to the study of scriptures must be marked by humility and faith – humility because we are admitting our own insufficiency, and faith because we are acknowledging that the word is able to help us. In light of these observations, our first objective as we begin our study is to determine from scriptures the nature of our problem and the solution that the bible holds forth for this problem.

Our Desperate Need

Before we can understand the nature of our need, we must first understand our true purpose. What were we created for? How far are we from fulfilling our created purpose? We may find very clear answers to these questions from the scriptures:

  1. We were created for God’s glory Rev. 4:11; Is. 43:7
  2. We have fallen short of God’s glory Rom. 3:23
  3. Our fallen condition has led to
    • Our blaspheming the God we were made to worship Rom. 1:21
    • Our plunging our own selves into hopeless misery Eph.2:1-3

Our Only Solution

It was only by disregarding the word of God that man first brought about this twofold failure, and now it is only the Word of God that is able to help him in his hopeless position, and remedy the problem. Man fails to glorify God; but through the word, God places man into a position of glorifying him as Redeemer. Man fails to attain to the joy and fulfillment that he was created for; but through the word, he can find the true joy which he has lost. What is it about the word that enables it to accomplish this glorious task? If we read it merely as a great work of literature, we will miss its power. We might as well be reading Homer, or Shakespeare. If we read it as a mere guide to moral living, we will miss its power. All of our own attempts to follow its precepts will be considered “filthy rags.” The bible is different from any other work of literature simply by reason of the one whom it reveals. There is nothing magical about the words themselves that will make us able to do what we are naturally unable to do, and give God glory. It has life-changing power; but its power resides solely in its ability to direct our eyes to Christ. God’s word always accomplishes his intention – but only through the person of Christ. This is why Christ himself is called “the Word”. And this is why, when we study the word, we must be looking, first and foremost, for a person. Perhaps the following principles will help:

  1. The word of God displayed his glory as Creator, by declaring and accomplishing his will; Gen. 1:1-3
  2. The word of God displays his glory as Redeemer, by declaring and accomplishing his will; 2 Cor. 4:5,6
  3. Christ, who alone declares and accomplishes God’s will (both in creation and redemption), is therefore called the Word by the apostle John; Jn. 1:1-3
  4. When we look to the Word, we see the glory of Christ! 2 Cor. 3:15-18; Heb. 1:1-3
  5. It is only Christ, the Word of God, who can restore us from our fallen estate. Acts 4:27 >I love my Bible the way I love my eyes – not because my eyes are lovely, but because without them I can’t see what’s lovely. Without the Bible I could not see “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” 2 Cor. 4:4. Without the Bible I would not know “the unsearchable riches of Christ” Eph. 3:8. Without the Bible I would not know that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior. I love the Bible because it gives the wisdom that leads to salvation, and shows me that this salvation is nothing less than seeing and savoring the glory of Christ forever. And then provides for me inexhaustible ways of seeing and knowing and enjoying Christ. – John Piper

Some Foundational Principles for the Study of the Word

  1. From the beginning, God has only desired conformity to his word as the mark of true spiritual worship Gen 2:16,17; Jer. 7:22,23

    Unless God sheds light for us from his Word, there is among us not true religion, but mere sham and superstition. This is how we can distinguish true religion from superstition: when the Word of God directs us, there is true religion; but when each man follows his own opinion, or when men join together to follow an opinion they hold in common, the result is always concocted superstition. – John Calvin

  2. God has made his word clear and available to each of us Deut. 30:11-14.

  3. In fact, God himself teaches the word to each true believer Mic. 4:2; Jn. 14:25,26; 1 Jn. 2:27
  4. This teaching is sufficient for everything we need for our joy and God’s glory 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Jn. 17:17; Ps. 1:119.
  5. The study and proclamation of the word is our primary responsibility as Christians on this earth Mat. 28:19-20; Rom. 10:14-17.

Some Basic Considerations for Proper Methodology

The Bible is both a divine book and a human book:

  1. As a divine book

  2. As a human book

    • It addresses human needs

God had no need in himself that necessitated his word; he can learn nothing, already knowing everything. Therefore, in that he speaks, he speaks to us, with all the communication that is necessary for us to please him.

  1. It was written in human language;
  2. It has human authors;
  3. Its context is within human history.

Any proper interpretation of scriptures takes into account both of these elements. Scripture must be interpreted grammatically and historically; without that understanding, the church goes apostate. The Reformation was largely a recovery of the grammatical interpretation of scriptures. It must also be understood spiritually; without that understanding comes the rise of academic liberalism. Some of the most linguistically accomplished Bible scholars, have no true understanding of Christ.

A Basic Outline of this Course of Study

First, we will examine some essential elements of hermeneutics (a word which means “principles of interpretation”) with an understanding of the divine nature of the word. We will address:

  1. The Necessity of Regeneration and the Spirit;
  2. The Centrality of Christ;
  3. The Agency of Faith;
  4. The Role of the Body.

Second, we will examine some essential elements of hermeneutics with an understanding of the human aspects of the word. We will address principles such as grammar, context, historical setting, figurative language, and authorial intent. We will also discuss a variety of study helps such as dictionaries, concordances, systematic theologies, commentaries, and bible software, and consider some effective ways of using them.

Third, we will practice the use of the principles of our study, using them to interpret and apply passages of scripture from various Old and New Testament genres.

Study Questions:

  1. What are our reasons for studying the word? What can we expect to gain from it?

  2. What is it about the bible that sets apart from all other works of literature?

  3. How important is the study of the word? How would you compare its importance with family, work, and other vital aspects of life?

  4. When we study the word, what are we primarily looking for? (cf. 2 Cor. 3:14-18; Lk. 24:27)

  5. Can we find any confidence from the bible that if we will come humbly and in faith to seek Christ in the word, we will not be disappointed? Where?

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