arrow 2
what did this passage mean to its original audience?
main focus of arrow 2
to employ tools that point us backward to the historical setting and issues (audience and authors) to sharpen aim and increase biblical understanding
5 tools for arrow 2
- cross references
- maps
- bible dictionaries
- surveys
- commentaries
types of cross references 3
center column
bottom of page
side of page
what do cross references do?
- Shows other places a term or idea may appear in scripture
- may show further passages in scripture that are related to the idea in verse being studied
- may show other passages in scripture from which the author of your specific passage is quoting
- may further develop the idea by connecting to related passages by giving more information and background
why are maps helpful
they help you understand and appreciate the whole picture of scripture- not totally necessary to understanding a passage but helpful
maps show 4 things
- location
- relationship “where is bethany in relation to jerusalem”
- distance
- topography
bible dictionary
first tool we should use!
general: online and print
more specific or thematic
surveys
give an overview of the background and books content
the uses of surveys 6
- generally offer a complete outline of the book/epistle/gospel
- offers insight about the cultural world around the author and his intended audience
- may offer discussion by scholars on topics or methods of study/ opinion/ viewpoint
- may reflect on purpose for writing, consider problems addressed, focus on questions being answered
- may indicated theological, political, or social information necessary to understand the work
- may consider the conflicting worldviews or theological perspectives within the audience or readership
commentaries
should be used as a reference tool to add depth to study
different purposes of commentaries
- general
- devotional
- applicational
- pastoral
- expositional
- backgrounds
- theological
- academic
- greek/ hebrew related
