How to Study the Bible for Teaching and Preaching

Introduction

• Lecturer: David Guzik
• Focus on Bible study preparation, specifically for teaching or preaching.
• Using Psalm 28 as an example text.

Review of Previous Steps

Step 1: Begin with the Text

• Read Psalm 28 multiple times in different translations.
• Understand the flow, big ideas, repetition, and emphasis.
• Become thoroughly familiar with the text before writing anything.

Step 2: Organize Big

• Identify major divisions in the chapter/psalm.
• Example: Psalm 28 divided into Part A (verses 1-5) and Part B (verses 6-9).

Step 3: Organize Small

• Break down verses within major sections.
• Further sub-divisions found: Part A and Part B each divided into smaller sections.

Step 4: Give a Title

• Assign a tentative title to the chapter/psalm for big-picture summarization.

Step 5: Line by Line Analysis

• Analyze each line, making important notes.
• Not bound to comment on every line, focus on lines of interest.

Step 6: Commentary Work

Importance of Commentary Work

• Validate personal observations against established commentaries.
• Use commentaries to gain insights from ancient languages, culture, or history.
• Check for significant disagreements with commentators to reassess understanding.
• Discover biblical connections or memorable expressions overlooked during personal study.

Reasons for Using Commentaries

1. Validate observations.
2. Gain historical/cultural/linguistic insights.
3. Identify disagreements and reassess personal understanding.
4. Discover and connect biblical themes and ideas.
5. Utilize memorable expressions or illustrations for teaching.

Commentaries Used

• Alexander McLaren: Expositor's Bible, late 19th and early 20th-century sermons.
• James Montgomery Boice: Expositional commentary in three volumes.
• G. Campbell Morgan: Exposition of the Whole Bible, Searchlights from the Word.
• F.B. Meyer: Our Daily Homily, short devotional insights.
• Matthew Poole: 17th-century English Baptist writer.
• Willem VanGemeren: Academic perspective from the Expositor's Bible Commentary.
• John Trapp: 17th-century English Anglican pastor.
• George Horne: 18th-century Anglican bishop.
• Derek Kidner: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series, respected scholar.
• Adam Clarke: Methodist theologian with detailed analysis.
• Charles Spurgeon: Treasury of David and sermons, rich in illustrative phrases.

Approach to Using Commentaries

• Read some closely, scan others.
• Select the most insightful commentaries based on time and relevance.
• Take notes and compile thoughts from each commentary.

Step 7: Integrate Commentary into Notes

• Combine commentary insights with personal study notes to enhance the understanding and teaching of the text.

Conclusion

• Studying for teaching or preaching requires careful personal study followed by thoughtful engagement with commentaries.
• Aim to understand the scripture thoroughly and communicate its truths effectively.