On Love

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation

Dear Lissy,

We've finally reached the pinnacle of our Inductive Bible Study.  We've carefully observed and interpreted the passage, and it's time for some heart work.

Transformation, not information, is the goal of  Bible study.

So now we have the million-dollar question:  How do we use all of the information we've observed and interpreted to effect transformation in our lives?  How do we sing or play a music score?  How do we transition from the "Drivers' Ed" classroom to cruising down the highway at 65 mph? 

You will probably not choose to meditate on every single thing you've observed.  Pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to where He seeks to work in your life right now.  Chances are He's already convicted your heart during the observation/interpretation portions of this study.

First:  Rules inform, relationships transform. 

Our character transforms to that of our companions.  Proverbs warns us against friendships with angry, lust-filled, or slothful people, and encourages us to spend time with friends who pursue righteousness.  Story after story from both the Bible and History show us that we become the people with whom we spend time.  As a teacher, I knew the friendships my students enjoyed held far more sway over their lives than the school's rules.  A good kid who fell in with a bad crowd invariably became a rebel, and an impressionable young freshman that got involved with godly kids usually grew by leaps and bounds.  They were all restrained by the same set of rules, but they did not all grow into godliness.

A relationship with Christ is the only thing that will transform your life.  A list of facts and rules dug out of your study cannot change you on their own.  As you meditate on Christ's character, you will learn to value what He values because of your deepening love for Him.

Take a look at a common verse, Ephesians 4:32.  "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  A typical application would be to resolve to be kinder to others and forgive them readily.  That may go pretty well for you for a short time, but sooner or later someone is going to really step on your toes, and that resolution is going to go out the window.  Now, instead, let's look at how that rule informs us about Christ's person and character.

Second:  Place information in the context of relationship 

What does this passage reveal about the God (Christ's) character?  He values kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.

What is kindness?  Gentle usefulness  tenderheartedness? sympathy, empathy forgiveness? freely giving pardon

What else does this passage reveal or do I already know about these attributes of Christ? 

It directly states that God has forgiven us for Christ's sake.  I know that lovingkindness is one of the traits God values most highly in himself (Jer. 9:24).  I know that Christ's office as our high priest is directly related to the sympathy he holds in his heart for us and our troubles (Hebrews).  I know that he despises those who will not forgive the petty offenses of a fellow believer after all He has forgiven (Parables).  Etc...I often spend days or even weeks on this question.

How does the world display these character qualities differently from the Bible?  

If I had a nickel for every time I'd read "I only want to be friends with those who lift me up and make me a better person", I could retire.  The world wants friends that are useful, and rejects those who are difficult or demanding.  They hold grudges, or simply discard and ignore friends that have hurt them rather than restoring relationships.  They want everyone to sympathize with their situation, but they rarely consider another person's troubles when passing judgement.  Almost no one is willing to be a friend to a person who is going through an extended difficulty, especially if it's emotionally draining.

Who else in the Bible experienced or demonstrated these character qualities?  

The incident with Christ making fish on the coals, instructing his AWOL disciples to let down the nets on the other side of the ship for a large haul, and then confronting and forgiving Peter for his betrayal leaps instantly to mind.  David demonstrated all of these qualities on multiple occasions.  Hosea.  Not Jonah!  Dozens of stories in both the Old and New Testaments are flooding my mind.  This question is another one that takes a considerable amount of time if you've been saved for a while and a faithful student of God's Word.

Is there another of God's attributes that seems to be in opposition to this one?

Judgement or believer's chastisement.  How can a person who freely and readily forgives also judge? Many of God's judgments are extremely harsh.  How does that fit in with His lovingkindness? Hmmmm...that's going to need a little more thought and study.  (Hint:  God shows us the link between lovingkindness and judgement in Jer. 9:24 -- His righteousness.)

At this point you've thought through how this "rule" belongs to Christ and why it's important to Him.  You are strongly associating the information with a relationship.

Third:  Use the information about the relationship to effect transformation.

There are three questions we can use to transform our lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

How have I seen Christ demonstrate ____________ in my life and the lives of those around me?

Write them down.  Praise God for showing these aspects of Himself to you.

Have I allowed Christ free reign to demonstrate these aspects of Himself through my life?

Think about this.  Write down concrete examples.  Write down ideas for how you could demonstrate these qualities more effectively.

If these character qualities have been lacking in my life, what have others been seeing in me instead of the _________ that would have demonstrated a Christ-filled life?

Again, think.  Ask the Holy Spirit to bring times that you've struggled or failed in this area to mind and write them down.

Lastly, P.R.A.Y. the passage.  Talk with God about it!

(The PRAY acronym was developed and copyrighted by Evangelist Steve Pettit, and is adapted here.)

Praise God for His attributes you've studied and meditated on.

Repent for the areas you've not been following His Word and showing Him to your fellow believers and the world.

Ask Him to show you who needs to see these aspects of Christ in your life or how you can transform your heart and mind in this area.

Yield to the Holy Spirit and allow him to work on these areas of growth on a day-to-day basis.

This information was first presented in Jim Berg's classic, Changed Into His Image, a letter-turned-book written to his daughters.  I've used the material for years to teach Bible study and meditation to ladies' groups.  If you want the booklet I pass out to my classes with these questions listed, just call me or shoot me an e-mail.  My application method is a bit unconventional, and you may want a "hard copy" of the meditation prompts in the LAMP booklet to guide your meditation as you apply your studies and seek to transform into the image of your precious Savior.

Transformed by His love,
Momma

Linked up at Raising Homemakers, Good Morning Girls, and Women Living Wisely

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Cheap Eats: Canned Peach Sorbet

Dear Lissy,


One of my first kitchen lessons as a newlywed was learning to adjust to the weather.  I had never lived anywhere with the unrelenting heat of Florabama before. Daddy was working grounds at a college, and had little appetite for hot food.  This quick and simple side dish is refreshing and goes well with grilled meats or Tex-Mex meals.  It's also a welcome relief during a scorching hot afternoon.  

If you use peaches in glass jars, empty them into a plastic container
before freezing.

Canned Peach Sorbet
from NY Times

2 small cans (15 oz) or 1 large can (29 oz) peaches

• Freeze cans overnight.  Cans may bulge slightly, but will not burst
• In morning, remove can from freezer and place in hot water for 1 minute.
• Remove one end of can and pour any thawed syrup into food processor fitted with cutting blade.  Remove other end of can and push frozen product out onto cutting board.
• Cut into 1" chunks with large knife.
• Place into food processor with blade attachment and process until smooth and creamy.  If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or cinnamon.
• Pour/scrape into plastic storage container with lid and return to freezer until dinner.
• Scoop into dishes and garnish with fresh berries or a mint/basil leaf.

Peaches canned in 100% juice will not be as creamy or sweet as those in heavy syrup.

Any canned fruit can be made into a sorbet, and you can also freeze a container of yogurt to add to the mix.

 Love,
 Momma

One Quick Tip: Ironing a Man's Dress Shirt

Dear Lissy,

Your Daddy had to teach me to iron men's shirts when we first married, and now I'm teaching your brothers.  This is the method Grammy Bea learned in the dry cleaners back in the day, and it's quite fast.

Important:  Use the square end of the board, not the pointy end!!!!  Fill the water resevoir on the iron to the full line, and set the temperature for the fabric content of the shirt.  Use full steam.


Iron in this order to keep from re-wrinkling your work.  Most shirts only need a touch up if you pull them right out of the drier and hang them properly. If the shirt is wrinkly, spritz it with water at each step.

1. Press the collar flat on both sides, from the points to the middle, and then folded.
2. Iron the placket in two halves, fitting it over the square end of the board. 
3. Press the cuffs flat.  For french cuffs, fold and press.
4. Press the sleeves, taking care not to make "train tracks" with the fold along the length of the sleeve.  DO NOT iron a fold into the cuff.
5. Iron the back of the shirt.  Take care to pull the hem so the pleat is set properly and then press.
6. Iron the button side of the shirt, fitting the shoulder neatly over the square end of the board. Your iron has a little horizontal groove near the tip that allows you to iron right up beside the buttons.
7. Iron the buttonhole side of the shirt, fitting the shoulder neatly over the square end of the board.  Give a little tug at the bottom of the buttonhole placket while you press it to help it  lay perfectly flat.
8. Re-hang the shirt, buttoning the SECOND button down, not the collar button to keep it securely on the hanger.

I like to pray for your Dad and brothers as I iron their shirts, too.


Love,
Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context

Dear Lissy,
We spent all afternoon at the lake -- bliss!  I make an effort to have the housework done for the week and dinner ready before we leave so that I can relax after a day of sun and fun.  After many years of arriving home tired, gritty, and hungry, I've learned that 90 minutes in the morning before we go makes a world of difference when we return.

At this point in our study we're 3/4 of the way through the race.  Let's take a minute to look at the next several points in our chapter analysis:

Chapter Analysis

• Create a chapter summary
• Observe the passage carefully 
• View the chapter in its historical/cultural context
• Correlate the chapter with similar passages in the Bible
• List your conclusions and check with a trusted commentary
• List applications and create meditation prompts
• Create paragraph and chapter titles

We're going to move quickly through three of the steps today.  They may take you 30 minutes or three days depending on the passage.

A forensic scientist's portrait of Jesus based on skulls from an archaeological dig and information about the people dwelling in northern Israel at the time.

View the chapter in its historical/cultural context.

I've spent my entire life in church, but learned more about the culture of the Bible in one year teaching the Tapestry of Grace Year 1 curriculum than I did in the 35 years since I entered Kindergarten.  This one source provides a mountain of maps, history, cultural information, and thought provoking study all designed for students of the Word.  I recommend the digital version, but the print edition is available used through many home schooling sites.

Why bother?  A year ago, I would have told you that studying history and culture enriched the study.  Now, I would tell you it's indispensable.  Virtually every "sin" recorded in Bible stories was culturally acceptable and expected.   Studying the situations that caused God's people to choose worldly wisdom allows us to spot situations where we may easily fall (or have already fallen!) into worldly choices.  Almost every book of the Bible is written in the style of literature prevalent at the time, but in every case it is radically different in content.  Tapestry shows you the style similarities, and then shows you what makes the particular portion you're studying the holy, inspired, Word of God, and not just another religious or historical document.

Correlate the chapter with similar passages in the Bible.

Context is king in inductive study.  We need to spend a few moments and verify that all of our work is in context and balance with the rest of the Word of God.

How does this chapter expand the theme of the book?  How does the theme of the book fit into the overall theme of redemption in the Bible?

Are there other passages that are similar to this passage?  Do they have additional information that will shed light on your study? Can you think of Bible stories that illustrate this particular truth?  

The TSK, or Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by R. A. Torrey (free on most Bible Software Programs) or the Thompson Chain Bible are excellent resources for finding parallel passages.  A topical Bible, like Nave's, can also be a big help.

List your conclusions and check with a trusted commentary.

At this point you've amassed quite a collection of study notes.  Take the time to read through a trusted commentary or two on the chapter you're studying.  I regularly use Matthew Poole's Commentary, a favorite of Charles Spurgeon.  Barnes' Notes and  Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown are other good sources.  Your purpose is to find thoughts you may have missed, and to correct any place that you may have misinterpreted.  It is very common to be almost blind to the faults of your own generation's thinking.  Reading commentators from previous centuries is a valuable tool for checking your blindspots.  These men aren't perfect, but they're very, very good.  Don't read them until you've finished your own work, though, or you'll find yourself gliding over material that should be studied.

"A respectable acquaintance with the opinions of the giants of the past, might have saved many an erratic thinker from wild interpretations and outrageous inferences. "  ~Spurgeon

We're getting very close to the end of our inductive study. . .hang in there!

Love,
Mumzy

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies

Dear Lissy,

We've finished up most of the observation phase of our Bible study, and now we're headed into interpretation.  Word studies are the bridge between observation and interpretation.  Please remember that the more thorough your observation has been, the more reliable your interpretation will be.

Today I'm going to remind you how we accomplished word studies for a chapter analysis.  I don't want to miss any important truths, but I also don't want to spend the time to chase down every word through the entire Bible like I do with a verse analysis.  The way I accomplish that is skim-reading the Strong's definitions and then doing a word study on the key ideas in the chapter.


Drop all preconceived, 21st century ideas about what a word means.  Most Bible words acquire a quasi-Christian "meaning" that is defined more by pop culture than biblical truth.   Hope doesn't float and it's not a synonym for wish.  God compares hope to an anchor, and the word is best defined as a "confident expectation".  Grace is a current favorite that's been turned into a shadow of its true self.


Toggle your Bible software to show Strong's numbers.  You should be able to see the Greek or Hebrew definition for each word by either hovering the cursor over the Strong's number and waiting for a tool tip to pop up or by right clicking.  Take a few moments to skim through the Greek words.  You probably won't find many big surprises, although you may find two identical English words are two different Greek words or vice versa.

If there are any words/phrases you couldn't explain to a child, meditate on the definitions until you can.  In Colossians 3, Paul calls charity the "bond of perfectness".  That's not a phrase I use in normal conversation, so I want to take a closer look.  "bond" is literally "ligament" and "perfectness" has also been translated "completeness".  I know that ligaments connect bone to bone and literally hold our physical bodies together.  If a ligament is torn, that part of the body becomes useless until it's healed.  I also know that ligaments take a long, long time to heal and are subject to infection.  How does that information tie in with Christian love (charity) and completeness?  Have I been thinking of love as a "skin" instead of ligaments? (answer: yes)  How should this change my perception of love within my church and family?

Now look at the Greek word behind the major ideas in the passage.  In Philippians 2, humility was a key concept, so I'll look up the Greek behind the words that referred to that idea.  My goal is to understand the various facets of humility used by the author in this particular passage.

Look at how this same Greek word is used in other passages.  Next, I'll use the Strong's number for each to look up how the author used it in other passages.  In my Bible program this is done by right-clicking and choosing Quicksearch on [Strong's #]  It automatically lists all the verses in the Bible that have the identical Greek word.  How does the use of the word in these other passages enhance or change your understanding in the passage you're currently studying?


The goal in completing word studies is to give ourselves the best understanding possible of the passage as we transition from observation to interpretation.


 Love you more than words can tell,
 Mumzy

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Sweet Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

Dear Lissy,
It's summahtime, and that means BBQ.  I searched for years for a coleslaw recipe our family liked.  This recipe is sweet and creamy with just a little tang, and makes up quickly.

Cabbage by Amy Schrom.  Etsy shop may contain nude portraits.

Sweet Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

Adapted from All-Recipes.  

Serves 12(ish)

2# sliced, chopped green cabbage (1 small head)

1 carrot, shredded

2 oz shredded purple cabbage (optional, for color)

OR

2 (16 oz) bags slaw mix

* ~ * ~*

1-1/3 cups Heavy Duty Hellman's mayonnaise

1 scant cup sugar

6 Tbsp. good quality salad oil (light olive, grapeseed, walnut, flax, etc.)

2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp poppy seeds

In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, oil, vinegar, salt, and poppy seeds.  Fold in cabbage and carrot shreds.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, 6 hours is ideal.  Serve cold.

Mom's Notes

• If your hubby likes onion in his coleslaw, you'll need 1/4 cup finely diced sweet onion to season this recipe.
• The quality of the light oil makes a big difference in the quality of the slaw.  Oil becomes solid under refrigeration, and adds a creamy texture.
• Excellent on pulled pork/beef sandwiches, sausage subs, and dawgs. Chop the cabbage and carrot down to relish size in a food processor fitted with a knife attachment to make it easy to serve and eat.
• Don't sweat the cabbage before adding it to the recipe.  The dressing needs the additional water content.
• Sweet Restaurant Slaw will easily serve up to 20 at a potluck buffet or 12+ for a sit down dinner.  It halves well if you only need 6-8 servings.

Stay Cool!

Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging!

Dear Lissy,

David Palmer, Woman Digging 2

We've come a long, long way in our study, and today we're going to wrap up the last of the observations from the chapter before we head into word studies and cross-referencing.  The list below looks daunting at first glance, but not every item will be in every passage.  Take the time to go through the chapter and see how many of these things you find.  Each one should unleash another torrent of 5W/H questions that help you better understand the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Remember, we're still collecting observations, not interpreting or applying at this stage.  Even if you don't fully understand what you're seeing, write it down!


Look for and mark . . .

Questions being asked & answers being given

Commands: Insists on a specific action
Admonitions: Reproves or confronts wrong behavior
Warnings: Places on guard against danger or evil
Exhortation: Encourages obedience
Declaration: Teaches doctrinal truth to inform or equip
Illustrations: Pictures truth to aid understanding

Causes and effects
Reasons & results
Explanations (often use key words "because" or "for")

Promises and their conditions for fulfillment.

Progression from the general to the specific.
Progression from the specific to the general.
Steps of progression in a narrative or biography.

Lists

Connectives, articles, and prepositions (Prepositions are powerful, pay close attention!)

Old Testament quotes and references in the New Testament
Paradoxes
Exaggerations or hyperboles
Anything unusual or unexpected


~List adapted from Each New Day


Once you've gone through this list, give yourself a pat on the back -- you've done well, girlie!  This diligence will pay many dividends in the weeks to come.

 Hands to work, hearts to God,
 Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time

Dear Lissy,

We've been working letter by letter through a reminder of how to do an inductive study.  Today we'll be observing time indicators.

Identify words that denote time.
After, Afterward(s), As soon as, At that time, Later, Now, Soon, Then, Until, and When all indicate a sequence of events and answer the question "When?".  I also like to meditate on Why certain events either happen or are recorded in a particular order.
Marking:  Circle in green


Identify verb tenses and write them in the left margin of the working copy.
You found the verbs and probably double underlined them much earlier in the study.  In this work session, take the time to identify the Greek word tense using your Bible software.  

No element of Greek language is of more importance to the student of the New Testament than the matter of tense. A variation in meaning exhibited by the use of a particular tense will often dissolve what appears to be an embarrassing difficulty, or reveal a gleam of truth which will thrill the heart with delight and inspiration." ~ Dana & Mantey

Greek grammar is an entire discipline unto itself.  Even without a mastery of Greek grammar, however, you can use a few key charts and helps to illuminate the passage you're studying.  Print this letter out and keep the following charts with your study supplies for easy reference. Daddy is always just a phone call away, too.

I am loving you,
Momma

Greek Verb Cheat Sheet

Greek verbs have one of four different "moods":

Indicative is a statement of fact
Imperative is a command
Subjunctive indicates probability/possibility
Optative is a wish or hope

In English, and in most other languages, the tense of the verb mainly refers to the 'time' of the action of the verb (present, past, or future time). In Greek, however, although time does bear upon the meaning of tense, the primary consideration of the tense of the verb is not time, but rather the 'kind of action' that the verb portrays. The most important element in Greek tense is kind of action; time is regarded as a secondary element. ~ntgreek.org

 Kind of Action and Time of Action for Each Verb Tense in Imperative* Mood

Present 

Action:  Progressive (or 'Continuous')

Time:  present 

Aorist 

Action:  Simple (or ‘Summary’) Occurrence

Time:  past 

Perfect 

Action: Completed, with Results

Time: past, with present results

Imperfect

Action: Progressive (or 'Continuous')

Time: past 

Future 

Action: Simple Occurrence

Time: future 

Past Perfect

Action: Completed, with Results

Time: past 

Future Perfect

Action: Completed, with Results

Time: future

 *If the verb is in a mood other than imperative, these actions and times will not apply as above.


Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Identifying The 3 C's

Dear Lissy,

We're socked in with a cold rain for the next several days, so I'm hoping to make some headway on this series (which began here).  We are still on the second task in analyzing a chapter, observe the chapter carefully.  Once again, all three "Cs" should provoke 5W/H questions. Finding these three Cs is fairly simple, but they provide material for hours of meditation.  Don't treat them lightly:  they contain some of the broadest and deepest truth in the Word of God. Although at this point we're just collecting observations, the truths you'll discover are so profound, you can't help but begin to apply them.

Contrasts
Contrasts allow God to highlight truths for us in a unique way.  By showing us the opposite truth, we begin to apprehend the truth itself.  I'll use one of my favorite verses, Ecclesiastes 7:8 to illustrate.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 

Here we have patience contrasted with pride.  I would naturally contrast patient and impatient or proud and humble.  Solomon through the Holy Spirit has chosen to contrast patience and pride.  Through this he is making it very clear that impatience = pride and patience = humility.  This verse puts one of my besetting sins, impatience, into a very ugly light and convicts my heart tremendously.  The wisest man who ever lived also ties the character qualities of patience and humility with finishing the job.  Ouch. In just this one short verse, the Lord has revealed a pride problem in my life that requires attention.  As we relate this particular passage back to the main theme of Ecclesiastes, the emptiness of life without God, it unlocks another whole jewel box of truth.

Take time to go through the passage you're studying, looking for and marking contrasts.  A few key words that you may find to indicate contrast are although, but, but rather, except, however, much more, in spite of, nevertheless, only, otherwise, whereas, and yet.  Be careful with yet as it can be a word indicating chronology rather than contrast.  Don't get too hung up on finding the clue words:  look instead for contrasting ideas.

Marking:  Underline each portion of the contrast with a squiggly line and connect the two on your Scripture worksheets.


Comparisons
Contrast focuses on the differences, comparison focuses on similarities.  In both cases these figures of speech provide a wealth of truth in a few succinct words.

• Simile uses like or as to compare a spiritual truth to a physical one.  "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way" is one of the best definitions of sin in the Bible.  Whole books have been written expanding the seven words of the simile in the beginning of this verse.  Other key words include Also, Just as, Likewise, More, More than, So as, So also,  and Too.

• Metaphor illuminates an abstract spiritual concept by restating it as a concrete physical object.  "We are his people and the sheep of his pasture" paints a vivid picture of what it means to be Jehovah's people.

These figures of speech or "picture" language are abundant in both Hebrew and Greek and can shed a great deal of light on the truths we're studying when we meditate on them.  They abbreviate many thoughts into a single picture and make abstract/intellectual ideas more concrete.

Marking:  Circle each part of the simile or metaphor and connect the two on your Scripture worksheets.

Conclusion
Words of conclusion provide a summary, result, or a logical conclusion.  The words therefore, wherefore, so, because*, for*, now, that, thus, so that, so then, and for this reason appear almost 15,000 times in Scripture.  *Because and for are technically words of explanation, not conclusion, but they fit best in this group.

Whenever I hit a word of conclusion, I stop and anticipate what my human mind would expect to be the logical conclusion based on the evidence just given before I read what the Spirit of God presents as the true heavenly result.  This simple practice reveals a great deal of unexpected truth.  In Phillipians 2:9 there's a "wherefore" after the famous kenosis passage.  What do I expect (humanly)?  I would expect to find that Christ's emptying and death provided a way of salvation for mankind.  Instead, I find Christ's exaltation by God and the universal confession of Christ as Lord.  Whoa.  Time to stop and think this through.  In verse 12, he continues with another "wherefore" based on Christ's kenosis and exaltation that directly affects every hour of my day-to-day life.  As Pastor likes to say, "This is juicy stuff!"

You probably remember Daddy saying "When you see a therefore, you need to go back and figure out what it's there for."  Make sure you understand both sides of a word of conclusion:  the truth and the heavenly result/logical conclusion before you move on with your study.


Marking:  Double box words of conclusion on your Scripture worksheets.


Taking the time to write out charts of the contrasts, comparisons, and conclusions in the passage you're studying is extremely valuable.  It's also worth the time to make lists of 5W/H questions relating to each C -- if you can type as fast as they fly into your brain!

Constantly Cherishing and Caring for you,
Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6B: Identifying Key Words

Dear Lissy,
It's 70 and sunny and you and Matt are sorting and airing all our camping gear.  I used to schedule a whole day for this project, and I must admit it's more than a little nice to have it done without lifting a finger!  I've been writing you a series of letters on how to do an inductive Bible study.  Today we'll jump into one of the fun parts, marking up the worksheets as we carefully observe the chapter.

First, let's keep that birds-eye view firmly in mind:

Chapter Analysis

• Create a chapter summary
• Observe the passage carefully 
• View the chapter in its historical/cultural context
• Correlate the chapter with similar passages in the Bible
• List your conclusions and check with a trusted commentary
• List applications and create meditation prompts
• Create paragraph and chapter titles

Most inductive study guides have you examine the 5W's and an H again first.  I've found that's much easier to do after I've identified the key thoughts and themes in the chapter.  As I pursue each of the keys and codes, my mind is flooded with 5W/H questions.

Locating Key Words

I used to find this nearly impossible, and it's still difficult:  I love words, and they all seem important.  This particular exercise needs to be bathed in prayer:  The Author of the book is right there with you to help you!  Let's take a look at how we find these words. . .

1. Imagine an old Victorian era mansion with a locked door to every room. Inside the rooms are closets, cabinets, and drawers, all locked.  You will need several keys to get into each area.  In inductive studies, key words unlock truth.  If you're unsure about whether or not a word is key to a passage, see if a truth that relates to the overall book theme is unlocked by that word.  Words can unlock large passages like a chapter or paragraph or small passages like a sentence or verse.  During chapter analysis we're not focusing on the small passages, just the medium-sized chapter and paragraph keys.  Sometimes the truth is split up and appears 2-5 times throughout the chapter or book rather than all in one chunk.
2. The author repeats the word.  Synonyms, pronouns, and nearly identical phrases often indicate that a word is key by quietly repeating the more obvious key word.  Philippians 2:1-10 is a great example.  The word "humbled" is only used once, but synonyms and phrases that define humility are used in nearly every verse.  
3. Rule of Removal:  If the word is removed, so is the meaning.  If the meaning remains largely intact, it's not a key word.  For a single sentence these are the subjects and verbs.  For paragraphs and chapters, they can function as any part of speech. 
4. It will ALWAYS answer one or more of the 5W/H questions.  Key words for paragraphs and chapters will usually answer at least 3 or 4.  Key words for sentences and verses rarely answer more than 1.  In our Phil. 2: 1- 10 example, What is biblical humility? Who is supposed to display humility?  When and where are we supposed to humble ourselves? Why is humility important to joy? How are humility and unity (from vs. 1-2) linked?  How can we show humility? How did Christ show humility?  Why did Paul make a point that humility didn't involve giving up His deity?  What are the results of humility? And on and on it goes.
5. Should be clearly marked.  Dedicated colors and symbols help identify these key words not just in this book, but each time you study.  Use your concordance as a place to record your personal symbols.  Logos software has them built right in, or you can find pdf's online like the one below that will save you hours by just printing and laminating.
6. Key words form a basis for lists of truth.  As we identify key words, we see how the author organized his thoughts just as you can tell how a homemaker organizes her home by looking in rooms, closets, and drawers.  Our bedrooms have beds, dressers and desks.  Our closets hold clothing and accessories.  Someone looking at our family's bedrooms would rightly intuit that we sleep, dress, and read/study privately in our bedrooms.  Take just a minute to locate all of the words and phrases in Philippians 2:1-10 that define or expand humility and see how much you learn just by making a list.

It's tempting to look at study notes or another person's work to find key words.  Our minds haven't been trained to confidently find them on our own at first.  William Barclay warns us:

It is only when truth is discovered that it is appropriated. When a man is simply told the truth, it remains external to him and he can quite easily forget it. When he is led to discover the truth himself it becomes an integral part of him and he never forgets.

Finding these key words is often hard work.  Inductive study is unique and powerful training for your mind -- don't cheat yourself by peeking at another person's study.

 Love,
 Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!