How Do you consider yourself a theologian? Most don’t, but they are anyway. We all hold to a theology. Though most are incomplete, incorrect, or often incoherent. We must studying the Bible and study it well to develop a complete, correct, and coherent theology. Consider Ps. 111:2 – “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” There is work, but there is relationship and the joy that it brings.
First and foremost, we should study out of love. Too many study out of duty, and that’s fine for a start; however, too often this leads to feelings of guilt that make it even harder to study. Besides, consider the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:36-37). Consider the Bereans – they were loving God with their minds by comparing Paul’s words with God’s words (Acts 17:11). We should also study to worship (Rom. 11:33-36). To worship God well, we must know Him well (Smethhurst, 2019).
ASSIGNMENT #1 – LET’S REVIEW (5Ws & the H)
Who is thehuman author? The audience?
What is the topic and main point? What happened? What do other versions say?
When wastext written?
Where were the author, audience, others located? Where does the book fit in Bible’s scope?
Why was the text written? Focused on key issues noted above?
Howdelivered? Received? Something to be done? Should you respond?
ASSIGNMENT #2 – Your Why
How you feel about a passage is seldom a valuable issue. Remember, the point above about being humble. That’s not so true in the wisdom/poetry books. There is merit in our feelings here, because these works help to connect us to God. This gives comfort, and we can learn from others who have gone through trials. The Psalms are emotional. They are largely God’s please to God. The Psalms push us to think about God and our relationship with God. Psalm 23 is specifically a “Psalm of Trust”. It emphasizes the trust we can place in God.
What resonates with you in the language of Psalm 23?
In what experiences has God use Psalm 23 in your life?
Similes say some is ‘like’ or ‘as’ something else. Metaphors do not.
Psalm 1:1 -- “who walks not in the counsel o the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers…”
Psalm 1:3 -- “the godly man is like a tree planted by streams of water.”
Psalm 1:5 -- “the ungodly man is like chaff.”
Psalm 91:4 – “He shall cover thee with his feathers, & under his wins shalt though trust.”
Psalm 82?
Do you see metaphors in Psalm 23? Similes?
FOLLOWUP. Learning the word is good but application makes that truth real. Remember, Pharisees & demons know God’s truth but don’t apply it as God desires (James 1:22).
How does the truth revealed here affect my relationship with God?
How does the truth here affect my relationship with others?
How does the truth here affect me personally?
How does the truth here affect my response to the enemy, Satan?
How do I apply this truth?
Is there a memory verse or verses for you here?
Is there something to share with others?
REFERENCES
Smethhurst, Matt. 2019. Before you open your Bible: Nine heart postures for approaching God’s word. 10 Publishing.
PSALM 23 (Day 3)
APPROACH YOUR BIBLE: STUDIOUSLY
How Do you consider yourself a theologian? Most don’t, but they are anyway. We all hold to a theology. Though most are incomplete, incorrect, or often incoherent. We must studying the Bible and study it well to develop a complete, correct, and coherent theology. Consider Ps. 111:2 – “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” There is work, but there is relationship and the joy that it brings.
First and foremost, we should study out of love. Too many study out of duty, and that’s fine for a start; however, too often this leads to feelings of guilt that make it even harder to study. Besides, consider the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:36-37). Consider the Bereans – they were loving God with their minds by comparing Paul’s words with God’s words (Acts 17:11). We should also study to worship (Rom. 11:33-36). To worship God well, we must know Him well (Smethhurst, 2019).
ASSIGNMENT #1 – LET’S REVIEW (5Ws & the H)
ASSIGNMENT #2 – Your Why
How you feel about a passage is seldom a valuable issue. Remember, the point above about being humble. That’s not so true in the wisdom/poetry books. There is merit in our feelings here, because these works help to connect us to God. This gives comfort, and we can learn from others who have gone through trials. The Psalms are emotional. They are largely God’s please to God. The Psalms push us to think about God and our relationship with God. Psalm 23 is specifically a “Psalm of Trust”. It emphasizes the trust we can place in God.
What resonates with you in the language of Psalm 23?
In what experiences has God use Psalm 23 in your life?
ASSIGNMENT #3 – Metaphors & Similes (exegesis tool)
Similes say some is ‘like’ or ‘as’ something else. Metaphors do not.
Do you see metaphors in Psalm 23? Similes?
FOLLOWUP. Learning the word is good but application makes that truth real. Remember, Pharisees & demons know God’s truth but don’t apply it as God desires (James 1:22).
REFERENCES
Smethhurst, Matt. 2019. Before you open your Bible: Nine heart postures for approaching God’s word. 10 Publishing.