Key Terms
Grammatical-Historical Method — A way of studying the Bible that focuses on two things: what the words mean (grammar) and what was happening when they were written (history)
Grammar — How words, phrases, and sentences are put together — the structure that carries meaning
Historical Context — The events, culture, and circumstances surrounding a passage — the world the author and readers lived in
Literal Interpretation — Reading the Bible according to its normal, natural sense — not woodenly literal, but according to how the author intended the words to function
Key Concepts
- The grammatical-historical method defined simply
- Grammar + history = the path to meaning
- Literal interpretation means natural interpretation, not wooden literalism
Scripture Focus
2 Timothy 2:15
Nehemiah 8:8
1 Peter 1:10-12
Learning Objectives
- Explain the grammatical-historical method in plain terms — what it is, why it works, and what it looks like in practice
- Understand that literal interpretation means reading according to the author's intended sense — including figures of speech, poetry, and symbolism
- Identify the two pillars of the method (grammar and history) and explain why both are necessary
Resources
Download the companion handout for this lesson to review key terms and concepts offline.
Download Lesson Handout (PDF)