Principles of Interpretation
A. The main purpose for asking ourselves questions is to make ourselves think more seriously about the meanings, implications, and relationships of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and books. We are trying to determine what the author meant or implied by the words he used.
B. Kinds of questions to ask
- Explanatory: What does the term mean? How can it be defined?
- Reason: What is the reason for the term or idea? Why has the author used these particular terms? Would it make any difference if the idea were left out?
- Implication: What is involved in the ideas presented? What do the terms imply? What is the significance of the verb tenses, connectives, grammatical constructions? What is the significance of literary patterns used such as comparisons, contrasts, or logical arrangements?
- Relationship: What is the relationship of words to other words? One part of the verse with other parts? Verses with verses? Paragraphs with paragraphs?
- Progression: Is there progression in the thought pattern? Does it move toward a climax? Is one idea built upon another? In a series of words or ideas, is there any significance in the order?
SAMPLE BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS
The following inductive Bible study questions can assist you in leading your small group as you dig into the Word. Your goal is to have a meaningful time of interaction with the Word, allowing it to speak to each person in the group. Strive for a balance between head knowledge (mental) and heart knowledge (spiritual) . You want a good understanding of what the text is saying and have the heart exposed to and touched by the Holy Spirit. Both are essential.
1. OBSERVATION QUESTIONS: What does it say?
What is this section all about? How would you outline this text?
What are the key phrases? What is the central thought expressed? What words keep recurring throughout the text?
What verse stands out as the key one?
What is the main theme of this text?
How would you title this section?
What principal characters are mentioned? Describe the main act
How does this section relate to the surrounding text? Its context?
2. INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS: The implications of what was said.
What it meant then – a description of the historical setting.
What it means today – experiential message for today.
What was the author’s intent and purpose in writing?
What circumstances were present – social, cultural, group situation
Why does the author say what he says? Why does he say it this? What did it mean to the original persons to whom it was addressed? What is distinctive about how the words, phrases, sentences are put together? What words are not clear as to their meaning? What is the significance of quotations? Illustrations?
What does this text teach about Christ? God’s nature? Man?
What does this tell you about life? The contemporary world situation? What eternal truths are expressed by the text?
What principles for living can we gather from this scripture?
3. APPLICATION QUESTIONS: How does this apply to your own life?
How does this relate to where you are today?
What is the significance of this in your life?
Is there some need in your life to which this passage is pertinent? How will this scripture be a solution to a need/situation/problem in your life or in the lives of those you relate to? What is a specific course of action for you to take based on this scripture? What will you do? When will you do it?
With (for) whom will you do it?
What can we ask God to do with and through us based on our interaction with His Word?
What prayer response can we give back to Him? As a group what specific action can we take together to live out what we’ve learned from this Bible study?
