About This Bible Study

This is the documentation of my Bible study. It is here for those who were not able to attend some weeks, don't have a Bible study near them, or could use a reference for their own Bible study. I have done my best to be accurate and thorough in my study and research.

On this page are details about this Bible study on these subjects: Bible Study Color Code details the color marking used to differentiate between what is scriptural and what is my explanation. NASB Translation Annotations detail the way the translators format the NASB to present scripture with the greatest accuracy possible. Why A Bible Study? discusses why this is important and needed for Christians. The Lockman Foundation explains that I am able to use the entire text of the NASB translation entirely due to their generosity.

Bible Study Color Code

I do not wish there to be any confusion as to what is Biblical, what is my opinion, and what is merely something interesting. To make this easy, I employ a color code on my Bible study pages. The reasons why I think it is important are laid out in my article, "Which Bible Should I Use?." Links to other web pages default to the settings on your web browser.

Biblical Text - Brown text is used for the text of the Bible and direct quotations from the Bible, unless red would be more appropriate.

Biblical Text - Words Of Jesus - Red text is used for the text of the Bible where it is the words of Jesus.

Bible Study Notes - Black text is used for my words on what the scripture means, the background behind it, and so on. This is information that I have confidence in. This is what I have found to be true. (If you have changed the default font color in your browser settings, this text will appear in the color you selected.)

Alternate Commentary - Green text is used for alternate viewpoints, speculation, possible meanings, and so on. I may think these things myself, or not. It may or may not be correct. But these points of view are out there. And I believe it's worth talking about them. In the end, you can take it or leave it.

Side Notes - Dark-blue text is used for things that are not necessarily directly from the scripture being studied, but are relevant to it.

NASB Translation Annotations

Unless otherwise marked, all Bible quotations are from the NASB95. Translation into another language is a challenge because there are so many differences between languages in grammar, verb tenses, and even what meanings are grouped into individual words. The NASB tries to be as close to the original languages in form and meaning as possible. In rendering them into proper English some additions and changes have to be made. For clarity of where this has been done the translators use the following annotations:

Italics - Words that aren't in the original languages but have been added are put in italics. Most of the time this is for proper English. Other languages don't have the rules we have, such as the use of "the". And there are things that can be implied in Greek and other languages that a reader in that language will understand, while in English it has to be explicit.

Asterisk - Verbs where the tense used for English doesn't match the original text exactly have an asterisk "*" next to them. In Greek, one can use a different tense than is proper in English. And there are verb tenses in Greek that don't exist in English.

Small Caps - Direct quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament are put in small caps. If a word in the New Testament text is an addition or change from the Old Testament quote, that word is left in normal text. This makes it easy to see where original quotes are with accuracy and where the paraphrases occur.

Capitalized Personal Pronouns - Personal pronouns are capitalized when they pertain to Deity. (I do this as well in my Bible study notes.)

Quotation marks - Quotation marks are not in the original languages, but are added in accordance with proper English usage.

Brackets - Brackets "[]" surround text that may not be in the original text, but appears commonly in most manuscripts.

Why A Bible Study?

If there is one thing I would change about the majority of the churches I've attended, it would be to have more study of the Bible. It seems pretty basic to me. If we are Christians, then we should want to know more about Christ. And the most direct way is to read and study the Bible. Yet I've attended too many churches that have no Bible study at all. The church I currently attend only has a couple small groups out of over a hundred that are Bible studies. And there is no in-church Bible study of any kind, let alone a service or pastor-led study. Quoting a few verses here and there to support one's point is not a Bible study. A Bible study is going through a book of the Bible verse by verse.

If a football player refuses to learn the playbook, he is kicked off the team. God won't kick someone off the team. And I certainly wouldn't advocate it. But I would question if someone who never studies the Bible really is a believer. If someone says they are a Buddhist, but they never study the teachings of Buddha, would you think they really are a Buddhist? When I find someone who claims to be a Christian but never opens a Bible, I caution that person to consider their situation carefully. I ask them to consider if they really are a Christian, or if this is something else to them. I've written an article on the subject titled, "Most Christians Are Crazy." One's own soul is not something to gamble with.

It could be argued that a Sunday morning service is not the best forum for a Bible Study. I don't agree with that view, but I understand it. In one church I attended the senior pastor's primary content for Sunday morning sermons was a verse by verse study of a book of the Bible. And it worked extremely well. In fact, attendance more than doubled during his tenure. Although he did do topical sermons as the occasion warranted. But the practice ended when he moved on to another church, and within a year there were fewer services and far fewer people attending. I have no problem with a topical Sunday morning sermon as part of the worship service, especially as it is allows the pastor to be responsive to the season or whatever subject may arise in the church, culture, and life. However, it does not have to be an either/or decision.

If a strictly topical approach is used for the Sunday morning sermons, there ought to be another service at a different time where someone teaches from a book of the Bible, verse by verse and in depth. It doesn't have to be the senior pastor. It's probably better that it isn't the senior pastor. And it doesn't even have to be a pastor, it could be anyone who is qualified to teach. Second, I think every small group should take up a book of the Bible and do a group Bible study at least once a year. There are plenty of books in the New Testament that aren't very long, and have a lot to offer. I know it's easier to use a prepared curriculum, especially for new small group leaders. And I don't fault anyone for seeking the wisdom of those who study the Bible for a living. To that end, there are many good commentaries out there. I'm partial to the Word Biblical Commentary and the New International Commentary because they are well regarded for their fidelity to scripture and the historical record. But there are free commentaries and resources on the Blue Letter Bible website. Regardless, all are the works of man, and should never be taken without question.

Regardless, I try not to let my immediate circumstances get in the way of my own growth. When there was no Bible study available where I lived at the time, I studied on my own. Even if there is a Bible study available, I still study the Bible on my own. I just spend more time on my own when there's no group available. However, there is value in studying with others. No one knows everything. And others, even new Christians, have different perspectives that can be very helpful. So I try to be part of a group when I can. For those who miss a week in my group, do not have access to a local Bible study, or are just looking for another resource, I am documenting my Bible study here.

The Lockman Foundation

The Lockman Foundation has graciously given me a license to quote the entire New American Standard Version [NASB] of the Bible, something that is not possible under fair use copyright limitations. They did this free of charge. This says more about them and their faith than it says about me. I have no special status that would warrant this. While I could document my Bible study without it, being able to quote from the most accurate English translation available makes this so much easier and more effective. I cannot thank them enough for this gift.