The Depth of an AUTHOR
This week we’re uncovering the CHARA Bible Study Method: AUTHOR. Join us in the conversation and check out this video as we chat about this week’s Bible study (also available as a podcast!).
DAY 1 - INTRO TO STUDYING AUTHORS
Every author has a style. It’s influenced by their background, their language, their culture.
Every author has a story. Something that has given them the experiences and knowledge to communicate in a certain way and about certain topics.
Every author is unique. Designed by God with the ability to love, cry, pray, praise, teach and pass along wisdom.
The authors of the Bible had one more thing - God’s inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). God inspired 40 authors - from different walks of life - to write lasting truths in what is now known as the Bible. They didn’t choose the words, these words were God-breathed.
This week we will be studying the A (AUTHOR) in the middle of CHARA Bible Study Method - an easy, memorable way to study the Bible on your own.
Knowing the author is key to having a deeper understanding of a passage of scripture. As we understand their cultural background, their occupation, their style of writing, we see their message come to life in a whole new way!
DAY 2 - HOW TO STUDY AN AUTHOR
How do we learn about an AUTHOR? Let’s use Isaiah 61:1 this week as an example.
STUDY TIP: Ask the questions - Who was the author? Why was this written? - and find a lot of the answers in the front of any of the 66 books found in a study Bible.
Isaiah 61:1 is a passage written by Isaiah. We can find a lot of what we need to know about an author in a study Bible. In the beginning of each book in a study Bible, you’ll often find information on the author, audience, culture and history. This section can also include overall book outlines and themes to help us grasp what the author is trying to communicate throughout the chapters.
The entire book of Isaiah is a call to repentance for the nation of Israel. It is also a book that points toward the redemption of Israel through the coming of the Messiah. Both messages are spread out through the entirety of the book, showing their need for a Savior and Deliverer.
Not only is Isaiah mentioned by name in the New Testament more than 20 times, and quoted in it extensively, Isaiah’s overall message is repeated throughout the New Testament.
What questions do you have about Isaiah?
DAY 3 - STUDYING ISAIAH (OUR AUTHOR)
This week, we’re learning how to study with the AUTHOR - specifically studying Isaiah 61:1 with the author in mind.
Isaiah is one of the most notable prophets in the Old Testament. A prophet is someone that God used to communicate messages from Him. There were hundreds of prophets throughout Jewish history, 17 of whom would have their own named books in the Old Testament.
Sometimes these Old Testament prophets spoke about what God wanted in that moment.
Do not sin (Ezekiel 33:9)
Turn from idolatry (Isaiah 45:20)
Seek after God with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13)
Yet often He used prophets to foretell specific future events that would come to pass. Isaiah did both.
Isaiah lived in Jerusalem around 740 to 681 B.C. during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. All of these kings were evil except Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3), who we see interact with Isaiah throughout the Old Testament.
Isaiah doesn’t give much detail about himself in his writings, but we learn about his entry into prophecy in Isaiah 6. Read Isaiah 6:1-8. We often think of prophets as perfect and pure enough for God. What do these verses tell us about Isaiah’s state when God first called him?
DAY 4 - STUDYING THE AUTHOR’S LITERARY STYLE
Knowing Isaiah is the AUTHOR, read this week’s passage: Isaiah 61:1.
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.”
At first glance, this verse may seem as though Isaiah is talking about himself. But there is more we can learn by understanding the AUTHOR, which will help give us a different perspective.
Understand the literary style of the AUTHOR. We know from what we studied this week, that Isaiah was a prophet who prophesied future events and promises from God. His literary style was prophecy, so we have to keep this in mind when reading his writings. Read 2 Peter 1:20-21. What do you learn about prophecy? Does this help you understand how Isaiah was anointed as a prophet in Isaiah 61:1-3?
TIP: To understand more about the 9 major literary styles found in the Bible, check out our Literary Styles in our Content Library.
DAY 5 - STUDYING THE AUTHOR’S WRITINGS
As we study Isaiah 61:1 this week, we may be tempted to think Isaiah is talking about himself, but let’s look a bit deeper today.
Start by reading other passages from the AUTHOR. Isaiah prophesied something earlier in his writings about the Messiah, which correlates with the verse we’re studying. Read Isaiah 11:2. What is ON the Messiah?
DID YOU KNOW? The word Christ derives from the Greek word christos, which means “anointed one.” How does this correlate with the verse we’re reading?
Next, read other passages that quote the AUTHOR. Using a study Bible, look for references connected to Isaiah 61:1. Take time to read them and learn something new! We found one that helps show some clear direction in understanding the passage - read Luke 4:16-21.
Based on what we learned this week about the AUTHOR, how do you interpret Isaiah 61:1? Who is this passage speaking about? How does this message give you comfort?
Isn’t it amazing the things we can uncover and understand as we get to know the author more deeply? We hope you are encouraged and inspired to study different authors on your own!
Written by: Heather Erickson
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