Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

/ 1 5 9

B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

As a student of the Word of God, you will need to wrestle with the rules, procedures, and processes to fully understand and apply this lesson’s teachings on genres and the Bible. Your ability to comprehend this concept and apply it in your study will influence all of your walk and ministry, especially your preaching and teaching, and your personal Bible study. Now you ought to focus on those questions about genre that have lingered in your mind throughout the discussions and investigations of this material. Use the questions below to help you form and clarify those areas of concern and interest that continue to remain in your comprehension of the role of genres in biblical interpretation. * Are you now convinced that the Bible cannot be properly interpreted without a careful understanding of the genres of the Bible? Are you convinced that because the Bible itself is a book of literature, you must therefore seek to interpret it according to the literary rules and principles like other works of literature? Explain your answer. * Of the genres listed in this lesson, which have been the greatest challenge for you to understand, apply, and teach to others? (Remember, these include narrative, Law, epistles, prophecy [including apocalyptic literature], wisdom literature, and poetic works). * Have you spent much time in genre study? What were your overall impressions then? Has this lesson made any difference in how you see the role of genre study in your own study of the Bible? Explain. * Why is it important to use the Three-Step Model in conjunction with your study of specific genres, and their rules to interpret them? Are there genres that the Three-Step Model does not apply to? Explain. * How much time do you spend studying both the stories and prophecies of the Bible? Given the fact that these two genres make up the vast majority of the biblical content, are you saying that you are ignoring or concentrating on this material in your present study of the Bible? * Is there a certain genre of the Bible that you tend to focus on? Why would you say you place your focus on this kind of material–is it easier to understand, more interesting, another reason(s)? * Howmuch time do you spend studying the Gospels and the parables within them? Do you think that if you understood better “how narrative works” you would actually spend more time in the Gospels and Acts, and other story accounts?

Student Application and Implications

3