PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION

PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION
When you read the Bible, you want to determine what the author had in mind. This is called interpreting the Bible. When you are interpreting the Bible, you are studying it to determine the author's meaning.

Don't use a "figurative" or "spiritual" approach to interpreting the Bible. That is reading into the passage a meaning that is not there. Often this is called an "allegorical" or "figurative" way of interpreting the Bible. The reader tries to find a hidden or "deep" meaning in the Word of God. Rather, follow the normal way that normal people use when reading any book or document. Follow the literal method of interpreting the Word of God. When the Bible talks about a tree, it is describing a tree growing in a field or woods. Don't try to make a tree into a family generation or an idea that is life-giving. Follow the normal grammatical literary method of reading and interpreting literature. Follow Cooper's Gold Rule of Interpretation.
When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense.
seek no other sense, but take every word at its primary
literary meaning. David L. Cooper, 1850
When an author uses a simile, metaphor, or other figure of speech, you will follow the rule of interpreting figures of speech, i.e. seek the meaning of the author's mind when he/she used a figure of speech, because that is what they meant. What the author means is the interpretation. Do not read into the passage an outside meaning.

When you are not sure of an interpretation, look for the meaning in other verses that discuss the same topic. Note the following principle the church has followed for over 400 years.
The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself, and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture, it must be searched and known by other places (in Scripture) that speak more plainly. Westminster Confession of Faith
1. Interpret the Bible in light of its historical background. Whether you are
reading prophesy, parables or poetry, you will find the meaning of a passage when you understand the people, culture, customs and conditions of the person(s) to whom the Scripture passage is addressed.
2. Interpret the Bible in light of the culture plan and purpose. So when studying the Bible, you can better interpret it when you find out the purpose why the author wrote that portion of Scripture.
3. Interpret a verse in light of the context of the chapter3. chapter. This means you will follow the author's thought that runs through a paragraph or chapter when determining the meaning of a particular verse.
4. Interpret the Bible within the author's meaning of words. The basic building blocks of language are the words that are used to communicate meaning. How an author uses words will help you find the meaning of a passage.
Understanding Words
Etymology Original meaning of words
Usus Loquendi The use in a context
Koine Common meaning
When studying a Bible passage, first check the original meaning of words in a Bible dictionary. While the original use or meaning of the word may change, the root meaning will give you illustrations for teaching. You will find that usus loquendi in a concordance. That is what it means to other people in Scripture. To find the modern usage of a word, check a Webster's Dictionary for its meaning.
5. Interpret the Bible according to the rules of grammar. Language is not a string of unrelated words like clothes hung on a line to dry. Give attention to verb tense, the match of singular and plural, and the relationship of words. To better interpret the English Bible, the interpreter must understand English grammar.

Write the Introduction
The introduction is the last part of the lesson to be prepared. The purpose of an introduction is to bridge the gap from "where students are" to "where they should be." You must prepare your lesson before you can bridge the gap from the student to that content.
A good introduction catches the attention of the pupil, creates a desire to learn, inspires him to action, and becomes a point of contact.
An introduction should promise the student something. However, like a down payment at the department store, when you promise there is more to follow, you lose your investment without the follow-through.
Types of Introductions
1. A story from everyday life.
2. A story form the Scriptures.
3. A current event illustrated by a newspaper clipping.
4. A question, "Who is the tallest?"
5. Use of a visual aid, for example, a model plan for junior boys.
6. An overhead transparency or slides secured from the church library.
7. A quotation from a book or significant author, such as Martin Luther.
8. A picture, for example, one that reflects the lesson to primary children.
9. A drawing on the chalkboard.
Choose the Method
The lesson plan is completed. You have planned your materials. Now let's give some attention to methods. Think in terms of two or three methods which can be used with your class. Some of the following points will guide you in choosing the method to use.
1. Choose a method that is best suited for your lesson aim. If your aim is to get several opinions from the Scripture passage, choose a panel discussion, debate or forum. If your aim is to indoctrinate, perhaps the best method is lecture or question and answer. If your aim is to communicate "feelings and attitudes," then psycho drama may be your best method.
2. Choose a method appropriate for the age level of your students. Do not use flannel graph with young people, as you will insult their intelligence. Also, do not try debate with primary children as they are not able to comprehend the needed logic.
3. Choose a method that is best suited to your classroom and class size. If there are four or five other classes in your room, you will have difficulty dividing into small buzz groups or showing a film. Also, you may have difficulty in doing a drama. Perhaps you will have to stick to lecture, question and answer, and some of the other more quiet methods.
If you have a large group, then small buzz groups will enhance student interaction.
4. Choose a method within your budget. If your church is on a small budget, you may have to limit yourself and not use films or an overhead projector.
5. Choose a method with variety in mind. Lecture is an excellent way of communicating God's truth, but when used every Sunday it is overused. Variety is the spice of life, especially in teaching the Bible.
6. Choose a method that involves your pupils. Learning is not taking in facts but involvement with facts. Therefore, choose a method that will cause your pupils to interact with content, interact with other students and interact with you as the teacher. The Sunday School is a place of mental gymnastics where students wrestle with the Word of God.