Observe what this passage says
The first step in studying the Bible is observation: carefully examining the text to understand what it says. This means spending time with the passage, reading it multiple times. Fifteen to 20 readings is a good target. Don’t rush. Let the text speak to you through repetition and familiarity.
It’s also important to read the passage according to its genre. Poetry, narrative, prophecy, and epistles all follow different patterns and styles, and recognizing this helps you read appropriately. Unless the genre suggests otherwise, read the passage as a complete unit. For example, in a book of poems or short stories, each section might stand alone. But in most cases, the author wrote the passage with a purpose in mind, and it's respectful, as well as wise, to read it in the way they intended.
As you read, make a conscious effort to come to terms with the author. This means paying attention to the specific words and phrases they used, and asking what those terms meant to the author and the original audience, not just what they mean to you today. Our modern understanding of a word might not match the original intent. Look for how the author defines their terms within the text. Use multiple translations to see how different people at different times translated the passage, and when needed, consult tools for studying the original Hebrew or Greek to clarify meanings. Be alert for idioms or cultural expressions that might not translate clearly into English. Pay attention to where your presuppositions are imposing meaning to the author's terms that the author did not intend.
Throughout your study, maintain a careful discipline: don’t add to Scripture, and don’t take away from it. Let the text speak for itself. Keep every passage in its context. Avoid building an entire theology on a single verse, and resist the temptation to force a passage to fit your existing theology. Use simple and clear passages to understand complex and obscure passages. Don't let a possible understanding of a difficult passage force you to complicate a straight forward passage. Let the author's message shape your understanding, not the other way around.
Remember, similar words or phrases don’t always mean the same thing, even when used by the same author. Meaning depends on context, and it’s possible for identical words to carry different nuances depending on when and how they’re used.
As you observe the passage, write down everything you notice. Be detailed and include even the obvious. This helps you avoid relying on assumptions or skipping over key details. Observation is about seeing what's really there, not what you expect to see.
Finally, ask lots of questions. Curiosity is essential to good Bible study. Try to answer as many questions as you can from the passage itself. Consider: Who is the author? Who was the original audience? Who is speaking in this passage, and to whom are they speaking? These may not always be the same person or group. Also consider the historical and cultural background. What was happening at that time? What events had already taken place, or not yet happened, within the timeline of the narrative?
By approaching Scripture with open eyes and an inquisitive heart, you give yourself the best chance to hear what it truly says.
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