BIBLE STUDY TOPIC

[MsRowdyRedhead]

This will be an area where we discuss the MEANING and or INTERPRETATION of passages from the Bible.
We will NOT debate their truth or the origins of the Bible.
You may either bring up a passage to be discussed, or ask a question like " What does the Bible say about...."
There are no absolute right or wrong interpretations.
This is an open discussion group.
ANYONE can ask or answer.
Remember to treat both the subject matter and your fellow members with respect please.
Bible Interpretation

There are four keywords to understanding any Bible passage - observation, interpretation, evaluation, and application.

    * Observation: What are the facts? What do the words mean? What comes before and after to put the passage in context? Who is speaking? And to whom?
    * Interpretation: What did the passage mean to the original audience two or three thousand years ago? Are we making the mistake of interpreting the passage through our own experiences rather than those of the original audience? Is the passage using literary techniques like allegory, hyperbole, metaphor or parable to make its point?
    * Evaluation: What does the passage mean to us today? Can it be applied directly today, or do we need to apply the underlying principle to conditions very different than when it was originally written?
    * Application: How should I apply what I learn from this passage to my life? Do I need to change my attitudes or actions as a result?

OK.. Let's start with :
Luke 8:4-8

4When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5"A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"

I believe that the seed represents the Word of God, which is offered to all people. Like the seed that fell in bad places, the Word of God does not produce good results in people who reject it for one reason or another. But, like the seed that fell on good ground, the Word of God grows strong within people who are receptive and it bears good fruit.
What do you get from that passage??

[Walter313]

That passage has always been a favorite. It encourages me to strive to be that "Good soil", so that the Holy Spirit can continually grow inside me.

I have my thorns and rocks, but different things I read and talk about seem to help me. And God also seems to be striving to help me be that good soil; in all my struggles, almost every day something pops up that just feels like it was meant for me. It's so amazing, and the moment it happens my faith is strengthened and I look up and thank God for sending the help.

[Flash-әdge]

Likewise, I treasure that scripture.

From that passage, I derive that our role is to be sowers of the gospel. Just as Jesus shared the word (the seed), we must spread the seeds over all the earth, and let God decide to let them grow or not. The good soil would seem to directly symbolize a person who's heart is open to the gospel. The seeds among birds would seem to be a man when the word is stolen from him. The rocky soil would seem to symbolize a shallow heart (or foundation), a man who gives up when the going's rough. The thorns would be all the lies that can twist scripture.

All in all, the major points for me are:
1) Seed = the Word
2) Sower = Christ, and his followers who evangelize
3) Soil = person's response to the gospel

[Walter313]

Yes exactly how I see it!

But remember, God will let all seeds grow; in fact, he encourages them to grow. But he has given us free choice, so it is up to us.

[MsRowdyRedhead]

I am glad to see we are off to a good start!
Does anyone else have a verse they'd like to discuss?

[Walter313]

I Do!

Matt 24:34
Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away till all these things taken together take place.

This follows talk of the end times. It confuses me, as I know a generation to be no longer than around 80 years.

[MsRowdyRedhead]

I have read that "this generation" means the Jewish people throughout the course of their history.  One has to view the term "generations" as being a reference to the race of Jews. But Israel must continue after the Second Advent into the millennium in order to fulfill the promises God made to that nation.
Look instead at the words "pass away" and read it to say "ascend unto heaven".

Then the promise is Truly I tell you, this generation will not ascend unto heaven till all these things taken together take place.

Does this make sense??

Edit for typo.

[Walter313]

Yes, it does! Thank you!

[Legodac]

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

I have my interpratation of what that means, what is yours?

EDIT: That is not Bible verse.  PLEASE only quote actual Bible verses in this topic, and provide the chapter and verse..  such as Luke 8:4-8    ~MsRR

[MsRowdyRedhead]

This phrase has quite a long genesis. The coiner of the version that we use in everyday speech was Samuel Butler, in Hudibras, the satirical poem on the factions involved in the English Civil War, which was first published in 1662:

    Love is a Boy,
    by Poets styl'd,
    Then Spare the Rod,
    and spill the Child.

[by 'spill', Butler did mean spoil - that was an alternative spelling at the time]

[[5025]]

I haven't read the bible, and I don't really think I will, but what is it about?  People always just tell me, "It's about Jesus and God."  I want to know a little bit more about it.

[Maplen13]

Oh, when you read between the words, you will be amazed.

[[5025]]

Oh, when you read between the words, you will be amazed.

What do you mean by this?

OFT: Look at your math question.

[Maplen13]

hehe, yea, MsRR put my post turned it into a topic, into big capial letters, wow. And that goes my Algebra Exam... down the drain.

Anyways, the story of the bible is filled with lots of stuff, not only jesus and god, oh, there are so much things, some things that... are quite contrary to the average christian catholic,

but i can't spoil a good bible study can I? Besides what's an atheist like me doing here?

OFT: hows that electric enginnering? I would love to learn more... but oh well, its life.

[[5025]]

hehe, yea, MsRR put my post turned it into a topic, into big capial letters, wow. And that goes my Algebra Exam... down the drain.

Anyways, the story of the bible is filled with lots of stuff, not only jesus and god, oh, there are so much things, some things that... are quite contrary to the average christian catholic,

but i can't spoil a good bible study can I? Besides what's an atheist like me doing here?

OFT: hows that electric enginnering? I would love to learn more... but oh well, its life.

Eh.... I'm not really that fond of Electrical.  Me and Matoro can teach you a lot of Mechanical stuff.

Please stay on topic, have something relating to the topic in your post. This convo should be completed elsewhere. Thanks ~ MsRR

[Maplen13]

Ok Sorry MsRR about your topic but this will be quick off topicness.

Torison, anything would be great really, maybe mechanical be also good to, I don't mind, may be fun too...

 Please continue this convo elsewhere.  Thank You ~ MsRR

[MsRowdyRedhead]

I haven't read the bible, and I don't really think I will, but what is it about?  People always just tell me, "It's about Jesus and God."  I want to know a little bit more about it.

The Bible is the account of God's action in the world and his purpose with all creation. The writing of the Bible took place over sixteen centuries and is the work of over forty human authors. It is a quite amazing collection of 66 books with very different styles all containing the message God desired us to have.

This compilation of booklets contains an astonishing variety of literary styles. It provides many stories about the lives of good and bad people, about battles and journeys, about the life of Jesus along with letters written to groups of Christians that met in homes. It comes to us in narratives and dialogues, in proverbs and parables, in songs and allegories, in history and prophecy.

The accounts in the Bible were not generally written down as they occurred. Rather they were told over and over again and handed down through the years before someone finally wrote them down. Yet the same themes may be found throughout the book.
So  along with the diversity there is also a remarkable unity. So what is the Bible? Well, in addition to all the above, the Bible is this:
      It is a guide for living life to the full. It gives us a road map for the perilous journey of life. Or to put it another way, on our voyage through life's ocean, we find our anchor right here.
      It is a storehouse of wonderful stories for children and grownups. Remember Noah and the ark? Joseph's coat of many colors? Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah and the fish? The parables of Jesus? In these stories we recognize the triumphs and failures of ordinary people - and we may even see ourselves!
      It is a refuge in trouble. People in pain, in suffering, in prison, in mourning, tell how they turned to the Bible and found strength there in their desperate hours.
      It is a treasury of insight as to who we are. We are not meaningless robots, but we are magnificent creatures of a God who loves us and gives us a purpose and a destiny.


You should give it a read. 

      It is a sourcebook for everyday living. We find standards for our conduct, guidelines for knowing right from wrong, principles to help us in a confused society where so often "anything goes."

[[5025]]

My problem has always been the fact that ordinary human beings, like you and me, wrote it.  How does this make it true?  I mean, I could write a book like the bible, and claim it to all be true, even though I know I made it up.  Could you please elaborate on why the bible is "correct" and that some other religions, which I don't follow for the same reason are "false".

Please read the topic rules. We are here to study the Bible, this is not a debate topic. Thank You. ~ MsRR

[LordVaderRulez]

There is overwhelming evidence that Jesus existed. artifacts like the Dead Sea Scrolls and many more things I'll add later. I have a cell report to finish right now.


We are here to study the Bible, and you are welcome to do so, but please hold debates in the debate board. Thank You. ~ MsRR

[MsRowdyRedhead]

This will be an area where we discuss the MEANING and or INTERPRETATION of passages from the Bible.
We will NOT debate their truth or the origins of the Bible.
You may either bring up a passage to be discussed, or ask a question like " What does the Bible say about...."
There are no absolute right or wrong interpretations.
This is an open discussion group.
ANYONE can ask or answer.
Remember to treat both the subject matter and your fellow members with respect please.

Please stick to the topic of BIBLE STUDY. Thank You.