In what way is the Bible a road map for us today?
What are the ramifications if a teacher doesn't use the right road map?
What are the results of sound or "healthy" doctrine?
Read the tools that Pastor Mike gives for understanding the Bible, which tool interests you the most?
To understand the Bible rightly we must understand it in it's:
Historical Context - "A passage can never mean what it never meant." "This verse/book wasn't written to you, but was written for you." To understand the original meaning of this passage I must understand the setting, culture, history, people and author in the time it was written.
Grammatical Context - Words matter, these are God's word; we should understand how this word is written. The mood, tense, word usage, range of word meanings... all of it can bring out the meaning and color the words God is sharing with His people.
Literal Context - "If the passage makes common sense, seek no other sense." Most of the Bible is plainly understood. Some is poetry or prophecy which is not literally understood, but most is narrative or straight teaching, and its meaning is not mysterious.
Contextual Setting - "Context is King!" If you do not understand a verse, read the greater context of the passage, the paragraph it is in, the book it is in, the general idea the author has been presenting throughout the book. "The Bible is its best own interpreter." Use the Bible to answer confusion by looking at related passages that speak to the same thing. The Bible is 66 books, but one author, the Holy Spirit. All Scripture interrelates with itself.