How to study the Bible

In this course, we will delve into the art and discipline of biblical interpretation. Understanding Scripture soundly is not merely an academic exercise—it is foundational for every form of ministry. Whether you are preaching, teaching,counselling, or engaging in personal discipleship, the ability to rightly divide the Word of truth ensures that your message is rooted in God’s intended meaningrather than in personal opinions or cultural biases.

As we embark on this journey together, you will learn ways of handling God’s Word that will deepen your understanding, strengthen your faith, and empower you to share His message faithfully. By the end of this course you should be able to:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the nature of the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, including its dual authorship and its transmission and translation history, and explain how these convictions shape sound interpretation and application.

• Summarise the overarching storyline and major themes of Scripture, demonstrating familiarity with the broad contours of biblical history, theology,
  and literary genres across both Old and New Testaments.

• Identify and apply basic principles of sound biblical interpretation, including observation, interpretation, and application, in order to handle Scripture
  accurately and responsibly.

• Employ the Interpretive Journey model of Duvall and Hays to interpret and apply a biblical passage accurately, demonstrating a clear progression from the original meaning in its context to contemporary application.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of and ability to conduct various types of Bible study, including book study, passage study, devotional study, topical study, and biographical study, selecting appropriate methods and tools for each.

In conjuction with this course you will need to complete 2 MicroSeminary courses:

• Bible Survey (Free)

• Mining God's Treasures (R165)