Introduction

In the opening of their book, the Hendricks note that most people fail to live the Christian life full of promise and hope because they are unable to read their Bibles. Therefore, it is critically important that we learn to read the Bible. Reading and understanding the Bible is something that is both parts method as well as reliance upon the Holy Spirit. The Bible is also God’s Word that has been given to us to equip us for all we will need to do (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Since there is a personal God working through the chosen hands to record this revelation of himself, there is a set method. Just as it would be insulting for someone to reinterpret our words to whatever we want them to say, it is infinitely more offensive to God when we ask the question “what does this passage or verse mean to you?” We should not ask that question in the Bible. We can ask how a passage may be personally applicable, but there is one meaning to a passage. That meaning is infinitely deep, but it is one meaning. These are the steps I recommend you use for reading the Bible and teach as well. By practicing the method ourselves, we should be able to guide others to do the same.

Method

Observation

• Read the passage once to get exposure.
• Notice any repeated words or phrases.
• Reread, but slower noting any interesting vocabulary or work order. Is there awkward phrasing or wording that feels “wooden”?
• Where does this passage fall? What came before and what comes afterwards?
• What is the genre?
• What is the message of the book and the style?

Interpretation

• Based on what you have observed, what is the meaning of the passage?
• There is only one meaning of the passage, but that meaning could be very broad!
• Use other verses and your theology to help guide your interpretation.
• After making observations and trying to interpret the Bible, you can consult a Study Bible or Commentary. You should only use these resources AFTER you have tried to observe and interpret on your own. These resource are like guardrails so you do not make up your own meaning.
• Write down your interpretation. Can you defend it? If you cannot write down (articulate) or defend (give supporting reasons for your interpretation), then you did not complete the work of interpretation. You may have a vague or general sense of meaning, but you have not interpreted yet.
• Write down your interpretation, consult the resources, and then revise your interpretation. Do so until you have a good concise statement.
• Interpretation should naturally flow out of good observations. These steps build.

Application