KEY VERSE: My tongue shall speak of thy Word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (Psalm 119:172)
INTRODUCTION You learned how to survey a Bible book and do a chapter study within that book. You also learned how to study the paragraphs within a chapter. In this lesson you will learn how to study a single verse in detail. An example is provided and you are given an opportunity to do a verse study at the end of this lesson. As you do a verse study, use all you have learned in previous lessons about questioning and examining details of structure.
THE METHOD DEFINED
STEP ONE: STUDY THE VERSE WITHIN ITS CONTEXT: Each verse must be interpreted within its context. The context is the surrounding verses of the passage where it is located. The context gives a complete message from God of which one verse is only a part. It is important that a single verse is not taken out of context and misinterpreted. This is often the practice of false teachers.
STEP TWO: STUDY RELATED VERSES: Within the context you will discover verses related to the one you have selected for study. They will add more information to the verse you are studying. They may provide a contrast or comparison. Sometimes the verse you are studying may relate to verses in another book of the Bible. (See the example in this lesson). Look up these references and study them also.
STEP THREE: CREATE A VERSE STUDY CHART: Select a title for the chart. On the verse study chart record the name of the book, chapter number, and verse number which you are studying. How you organize your chart will depend on the type of information you accumulate in your study. If you have completed the assignments at the end of previous lessons you have enough experience with study charts that you will be able to create your own original charts. You may use either a horizontal or vertical chart depending on the information you are recording.
STEP FOUR: CREATE A VERSE STUDY OUTLINE: Using the outlining skills you have developed in previous assignments, create an outline of the verse. Select an appropriate title, main headings, and subheadings. Use your chart to help you prepare the outline of the verse.
EXAMPLE OF THE METHOD
STEP ONE: STUDY THE VERSE WITHIN ITS CONTEXT We selected Jude 1:11 as the verse to demonstrate the verse study method. In previous lessons we studied this verse in its chapter and paragraph settings so we have already completed the study of the verse within its context. When you select a verse for study examine it within its context first. You do this by chapter and paragraph study, skills which you learned in the previous two lessons. Also remember to consider the verse within the larger framework of the entire book in which it is located. The study of Jude 1:11 within its context is recorded on the Verse Study Chart.
STEP TWO: STUDY RELATED VERSES: Jude 1:11 is related to other verses about false teachers in chapter one. Verses 5-7 give historical examples and verses 12-13 give natural examples of false teachers. Jude 1:11 is also related to three important Old Testament passages:
The story of Cain: Genesis 4:1-15; I John 3:12 The story of Balaam: Numbers 22-24 The story of Core: Numbers 16 The study of these related verses are recorded on the summarizing chart and in the outline.
STEP THREE: CREATE A VERSE STUDY CHART: Study the example of the verse study chart which follows:
VERSE STUDY CHART Book: Jude Chapter:1 Verse: 11
OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF FALSE TEACHERS JUDE 1:11
GOD SAYS: WOE TO THEM
THE REASONS... 1. They have gone in the way of CAIN Genesis 4:1-15: He denied the plan of God that only through the shedding of blood are sins forgiven. See Hebrews 9:22 I John 3:12: He slew his brother because his own works were evil. 2. They ran greedily after the error of BALAAM Numbers 22-24 Did anything for financial benefit. 3. They perished in the gainsaying of CORE (Korah) Numbers 16: Denied the authority of God's chosen leadership.
Note the progression: They HAVE GONE the wrong way.... Then they RUN GREEDILY after error... They PERISH......
Other examples of false teachers in Jude 1: Historical examples: Verses 5-7 Natural examples: Verses 12-13
STEP FOUR: CREATE A VERSE STUDY OUTLINE: Here is an example of an outline of a verse:
OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF FALSE TEACHERS Book: Jude Chapter: 1 Verse: 11
I. God says woe to them (false teachers).
II. The reasons: A. They have gone in the way of Cain: 1.Genesis 4:1-15 He denied the plan of God that only through the shedding of blood are sins forgiven. a. This truth is expressed in Hebrews 9:22. 2.I John 3:12: He slew his brother because his own works were evil. B. They ran greedily after the error of Balaam. 1.Numbers 22-24: Balaam did anything for financial benefit. C. They perished in the gainsaying of Core (Old Testament spelling is Korah) 1.Numbers 16: Korah denied the authority of God's chosen leadership.
III. There is a progression of evil: A. First, we go the wrong way. B. Soon we are running greedily in error. C. The end result is perishing.
IV. Other examples of false teachers in Jude 1: A. Historical examples: Verses 5-7 1. Israel 2. Angels 3. Sodom and Gomorrah B. Natural examples: Verses 12-13 1. Spots in feasts. 2. Clouds without water. 3. Trees without fruit. 4. Raging waves. 5. Wandering stars.
Note: Remember, as in all Bible study methods, it is important that you apply what you have learned in verse study. How does the verse you studied apply to your life and ministry? Review the "Devotional Method" for guidelines of application.
In previous lessons you completed a book survey, chapter study, and paragraph study. Select a verse from a paragraph which you previously studied. Using the skills you learned in this lesson do a verse study.