Four Steps to Study the Bible

STEP 1

OBSERVATION

Observation simply answers the question, “What do I notice?” or “What do I see?.” It requires considering who is speaking, what people are involved, where they are, what they are doing, what words are being used, etc.

Put simply, it’s the “who, what, when, where, and why” of the passage.

When you start observing the text, begin by looking for things that are emphasized, contrasted, listed, exaggerated, repeated, similar, different, or related. Have a pen out and don’t hesitate to mark up the page. Find out what is literally occurring in the set of verses – try not to just look at one and ignore the rest.

PRO TIP: For every observation, try to cite a specific verse that supports the observation. (If you can't cite a verse, it probably isn't an observation.)

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STEP 2

INTERPRETATION

While observation is the process of determining what’s there, interpretation is the process of determining what the passage of scripture is saying, or, in other words, what it means. It requires us to build a bridge between today's time and when it was written. What was true then? What is always true? And what is true now?

When interpreting a passage, it’s helpful to begin by investigating the context.

  • Literary context: What’s around the passage? What book is it in? And what do I know about that book?
  • Narrative context: Where does it fall on the Bible timeline?
  • Historical context: What’s happening in history at this time?
  • Cultural context: What customs, practices, actions, and attitudes were common at this time?

PRO TIP: Sometimes, you’ll need to consult other resources to be able to understand the context! More on that in the dive deeper section below.

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STEP 3

APPLICATION

“So what?” “What difference does it make?” or “How does this have anything to do with my life?” As you apply the truths of God’s Word, ask questions like:

  • Is there a command to obey?
  • Is there a sin to repent from?
  • Is there a promise to cling to?
  • Is there an example to follow? Or one to avoid?
  • Is there someone I should share this truth with?
  • What could I do today to put this principle into action?

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STEP 4

PRAYER

Simply talk to God! The point of studying the Bible isn’t just to learn facts or check a box – it’s to come to better know the God of the Bible, to fall more in love with him!

When we pray we can ask God to help us understand what we’re reading, confess any sin our time in the Word has exposed, or ask for His help in following through with our application of the text!

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