Understanding the Bible
Text: Psalm 1
Introduction
Though this seems like something that shouldn't even need to be said, it really does. Too often people will read into a verse something that's not really there (kind of like interpersonal communication between the sexes!?). Observe the "who", "what", "when", "why", and "where" of the passage - collect the FACTS. We should be able to observe the text and accurately summarize what's there. It's also good to note what the text doesn't say. At this step you're just gathering the facts, not trying to interpret them. The studious term for this step is "Observation."
Try this with a well known verse like Jn. 3:16. Make a list of the "who's" and "what's" that it says. What about the motivation for what God did? Collect as many facts as you can. As you get deeper into Bible Study, you'll find tools that also help to make deeper observations - such as what is the "greek" word (the original language of the New Testament) for "love" in this verse. That's a glimps of things way ahead. For now, collect the data soley from your Bible.
Don't ask this question until you've done a good job on the first one. The meaning can only really be arrived at after some good observations are made. In Bible School, they call this step, "Interpretation." The purpose is to discover the significance of the text. As a general rule, a text will only have only one real meaning, or "interpretation" - but many potential applications.
Try this question with the same verse as above. What does it mean that God loved the world? Does it mean planet, or people? (A clue is the word "whoever" or "whosoever" [depending on your translation] - does that sound like planet or people?? Meditate and speculate - then be sure to evaluate your conclusion. Any true interpretation will be consistant with the rest of God's Word.
This is perhaps the most important of the three questions (but keep it in it's right order!) because it presents our heart as fertile land to the Holy Spirit in which He will bring personal growth and cultivate Christ-likeness in us. One will think of work, school, ministry, parenting, relationships, etc., that God's principal will apply to in his specific life situation.
With the above cited verse as an example, what application might you draw? For example, "God must really love me. He
gave alot so that I could have eternal life with Him." As well, the question could arise - "have I really accepted His love." Things like that.
As we read the Holy Scripture we expect to gain an understanding of what is written. Though it's true that knowing the culture and history surrounding a passage will certainly enhance our understanding, it's also true that even the novice can gain a basic understanding of the passage by faithfully asking three basic questions as he or she reads. Scripture should be read actively, not passively Try to imagine yourself in the role of the original writer and receivers and visualize their responses, etc.
This third question ought to be asked with prayer that God would do His work in your life.
