The main rule for interpreting Scripture is a simple one.
These posts will give you tips on how to get the most out of your Bible study
Study Tip: Recognizing Context
- Where does the topic or conversation begin and end? It may be several chapters before or after your current passage.
- What prompted the topic? Was there a situation or a question?
- What type of book is the passage in? Prophecy that may have metaphors and symbols? A history book or a gospel narrative? Or a doctrinal epistle?
- Who is speaking? What is the occasion? Who is the audience?
Becoming aware of context is the first step. Next week we'll look at more context clues.
Study Tip: Keeping it fresh
One of the keys to getting something from your study time is staying engaged. This is easier said than done with some passages. I have a good friend who is a pro when it comes to Bible study, but she has absolutely no interest in the tabernacle, and will read over those descriptions. Genealogies, lists, building details, battles all present challenges in keeping focused. However, I find one of the toughest kinds of passages to study are the very familiar. In other words, how do you go about keeping it fresh when you study something you’ve read often?
Two weeks ago, I had to teach David and Goliath for Sunday school. I’ve been in church since I was a kid and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I’ve heard or read this story thirty or forty times. Here are some ideas to keep the story (or any story) fresh.
1. Read it out loud – We have a tendency to read ‘over’ things we think we know. (This is what makes me a terrible proofreader for my own stuff.) Reading out loud forces us to slow down and pay attention to each word. You also get the added benefit of hearing the words as well as reading them. If you’re in a class, try reading in parts rather than verse by verse. Have someone read David’s dialogue, someone for Goliath’s, Saul’s and any of the other people and then have a narrator fill in.
2. Details – David makes a point of describing his efforts to protect his father’s sheep. Then Scripture tells us he takes his shepherd’s staff and put 5 stones in his shepherd’s bag. What’s the connection? I think David was going out to protect his Father’s sheep- Israel- from an attacker. Oh and some folks believe the reason he picked up 5 stones was because Goliath had 4 brothers. David may have figured he’d have to whip them too before the battle was done. (2 Samuel mentions the deaths of Goliath’s brothers in battle.) Picking up on these little details will go a long way to keeping it fresh.
3. Other characters – We have a fair idea what the battle was like from David’s and from Goliath’s perspectives, but what about Saul’s? Or David’s brothers? Or the foot soldiers on either side? Do you think the witnesses told that story for the next 30 or 40 years? I bet they did.
4. My teacher’s materials had an exercise that went through the story identifying whose power each person was relying on. (The only person who gained a victory was the only person relying on God’s power and not his own. Hmmm.)
God’s word is living, and it is a limitless well of wisdom and insight. Ask Him what new angle He can give you on some of these old, familiar stories.
Study Tip: Prepared to learn
Today’s study tip doesn’t have much to do with the studying itself, but everything to do with its effectiveness. Before you open your Bible or notebook, take a few moments to walk through these questions to make sure you are prepared to learn.
1. Why am I studying?
Habit – I admit, this is often my reason. I read and study every day.
Obligation – Sometimes this one gets me, too. I teach, so I have to study.
Vindication – Ever want to win an argument or prove a point?
Need – I believe the best studying happens when it comes from a need to be with God, the spiritual equivalent of sitting with Him and hearing His stories, His advice, His comfort.
2. Am I prepared?
Clear the mind of distractions. Pray for the Holy Spirit to do the teaching. If necessary, use music to help make the transition to study time.
3. Am I ready to hear what God has to tell me?
Sometimes, God delivers a challenge, a reproof or even a rebuke through His word.
4. Am I ready to change?
God’s ultimate goal is conforming us to the image of His Son. I need to be ready and willing to change my actions, attitude or thinking based on what He shows me. That may involve giving up long-held, tightly grasped, ingrained notions.
After you study, before closing up, take a moment for review.
What did God teach me?
It helps me to write these down, and I refer back to them often. (Usually when I have to learn the same lesson again.)
Who else may need to know this?
God places us in the body of Christ for a reason, and instructs us to comfort others with the comfort we have received.
Finally, don’t forget to thank God for revealing Himself once again.
What would you add to be prepared to learn?