hermeneutical spiral by Grant Osborne

I am going to go through this large book, probably rather slowly:

I like this on the first page: "We take a three person approach to studying the Bible."

First is the third person approach, asking what the Bible meant originally (exegesis).

Then we take a first person approach, asking what it means to me right now in my life (devotional).

Then we take a second person approach, asking how I can share with you what it means in the terms of a message. This can mean sharing what it means to me. But it can go beyond that to what I think it means to you (meddling?). This is sort of a sermonic approach.

All three levels are important in studying the Bible, even if you never give sermons. It is still very helpful to think about how you would share what you have found out with others. Very important.