Sabbath School for Adults: How To Interpret Scripture: Lesson 6: Why Is Interpretation Needed?

Friday May 8

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “What to Do With Doubt,” pp. 105–113, in Steps to Christ, and from the document “Methods of Bible Study,” section 1 (Preamble), section 2 (Presuppositions Arising From the Claims of Scripture), and section 3 (Principles for Approaching the Interpretation of Scripture). “Methods of Bible Study” can be found at ww.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/materials/bible-interpretation-hermeneutics/methods-bible-study.

“In your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to hear what the Lord has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ’s feet, and learns of Him, the word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Bible, Christ
says, You must become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto salvation.
“Do not read the word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the word, do not try to make the word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the eternal Rock.” —Ellen G. White, Messages to Young People, p. 260.

Discussion Questions:

 How do our worldview, our education, and our culture influence our interpretation of Scripture? Why is it so important for us to be aware of the outside influences that we inevitably bring to our interpretation of the Bible?
 We all agree that we are sinful and negatively impacted by sin. In what ways does sin affect how we read the Bible? That is, what does sin do to us that could cause us to misinterpret the Word of God? For example, how might a desire to do something condemned in the Bible cause us to read the Bible in a skewed way? In what other ways does sin filter how we interpret the Bible?
 How can a better understanding of the biblical times and culture help us better understand some passages of Scripture? Give some examples.


Inside Story

Losing Four Sons in Poland

By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission

God blessed Wiesława Winiarska with four sons in Lodz, Poland.
Then her son Grzegorz died in a freak accident when he was 26.
He had taken up running and, while jogging near railroad tracks, was sucked onto the tracks by the wind of a fast-passing train.
Her son Jacek committed suicide at 28. He struggled with life and hanged himself.
Sławek was 39 when he was beaten badly in a street mugging. He died in the hospital.
Her last son, Jarosław, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 16. After multiple operations, he died at 33.
Winiarska has no sons to turn to for help in her old age. At 68, she is in failing health. She has diabetes and has suffered two strokes. She has severe back problems and walks with a cane. She has lost most of her sight and expects to go blind.
“My life hasn’t been a bed of roses,” she said. “Even so, I can say that I am happy. In fact, I have never been as happy as I am now.”
Several years ago, a young medical student, Tomasz Karauda, knocked on her house door with a free copy of Signs of the Times magazine. After that, he visited often to talk and offer encouragement.
He helped her travel to the hospice to visit her dying son Jarosław, and he comforted her the day that he died.
“Tomek was the first person in my life who helped me,” Winiarska said. “He showed me God.”
After she lost her last son, she gave her heart to Jesus.
“I feel like Job,” she said. “I have received so much, and I have lost so much as well. But God has given me a second life, just like Job.”
Winiarska loves Psalm 23:4, which reads, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (NKJV).

Winiarska, pictured, also loves to share her life story with Adventist congregations. Young people usually respond with tears. She tells them that she would never want anyone to suffer an ordeal like hers.
“God’s love keeps me alive,” she said. “My new life began with baptism. Without God, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
Thank you for your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering in 2017 that helped build a television studio for Hope Channel in Poland, broadcasting the gospel to the Polish-speaking world.