RESOURCES

Do you have trouble understanding what you read in the bible? Check out this bible study tip.

1. WHAT’S THERE?

  • What comes immediately before and after the passage?
  • What is the cultural context of the original readers?
  • Note Characters, relationships, locations, time, actions, and reactions.
  • Imagine yourself in the story. What do you see, hear, and smell?
  • Look for repeated words, comparisons, contrasts, cause and effect.

2.  WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

  • Develop some questions based on your observations. What stirs your curiosity?
  • Imagine the perspective of the people in the scene.
  • Answer your questions from the text and the context.
  • Why is this passage or story here? Try to summarize it in one sequence.

3. SO WHAT?

  • How does this passage challenge how I see God, myself, or the world?
  • Is there a command to obey or a promise to hold on to?
  • How can I live this out with my community?
  • How does this change what I’ll do tomorrow?