I sat with my Bible opened on the desk in front of me, having spent hours studying a passage for an upcoming sermon. But I had nothing. I had faithfully followed the disciplines of good Bible study—making observations, keeping the original audience in mind, noting context, asking “where, what, when, why and how,” and writing down key words for further study. But still, I had…nothing. God speaks through His Word, but at that moment He seemed frustratingly silent.
Every student of the Bible has faced a similar experience. It’s enough to cause some to throw up their hands and abandon their study. But Scripture holds beautiful treasure to be discovered, even if it doesn’t give up some so easily.
In the last 40 years of Bible study, I have relied on a few “hacks” to get to the meaning of the text. These tools are easy enough for anyone to use.
ANOTHER VERSION
Reading a text in another translation is a common Bible study tool. However, not many students of Scripture actually do it. There are hundreds of translations available for the English reader, from the more literal translations like the New American Standard Bible and English Standard Version to the paraphrase versions like the Living Bible or The Message. Various translations open the door of possibilities for words, phrases, and transitions which may not be clear in our preferred version. Fortunately, online sites and Bible apps enable the student to switch between translations with ease.
PARAPHRASE
The Inductive Bible Study method begins with Observation (“What do I see?”) and eventually progresses to the step of Interpretation (“What does it mean?”). If the student is unable to move through interpretation, they can try paraphrasing the text in their own words. By rewriting the passage, trying not to use most of the same words in the biblical text, the student actually engages the act of interpretation. I make multiple interpretative decisions when I paraphrase “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) as “Therefore, you are rescued from sin to eternal life by the free gift of God and via the instrument of your faith.” This exercise enables me to understand exactly where I am having interpretive difficulty with my study. And, the Christian doesn’t have to run into trouble with a text for this discipline to yield deeper meaning.
DRAW A MAP
Problems with understanding a text are often the result of not understanding how the pieces of a text fit together. So, when stuck, stand back and get the bigger picture. Is this text a problem and solution? Is it cause and effect? Is it a fact followed by multiple examples? Do the verses answer “Why?” (a reason for something), “How?” (a method for accomplishing something), “What?” (facts about something), or something else? I imagine drawing a map that traces through the text, plotting the movement through each of the verses. This activity invites the Bible student to determine how each of the parts relate to one another. It is, in and of itself, an interpretive exercise.
STATE THE TOPIC
Interpretation is the discovery of what a text is about. At some point in your study, try to summarize the verse(s) in one word. This is the theme, or the topic of the passage. Like the other exercises above, this requires the student to make interpretive decisions. The goal is to find a word that summarizes, not just part of the text, but the whole.
Take the Parable of the Prodigal Son as an example. I’ve heard some people state the topic as “reconciliation” or “salvation” or “repentance.” Of course, those themes are found within the story. But the Prodigal Son parable isn’t primarily about any of those topics. Similarly, “parenting” and “celebrating” are in the narrative, but the parable is not about either of those topics either. The topic that better covers the entirely of the parable—from the younger brother’s rebellion to the older brother’s disappointment—is “grace.” Choosing this topic over the others is an interpretive exercise based on the context found much before the story in Luke 15:1-2.
FIND THE BIG IDEA
This exercise follows logically after stating the topic. I learned this practice during seminary preaching courses but is helpful for anyone working through the meaning of a text. The Big Idea is a summary of a passage written as a question and an answer.
First, start with the question. Imagine a question that a person might ask for which your passage is the answer. For example, if someone asked the question, “Why should we trust in the Lord, leaning on Him and not ourselves?” the well-known Proverbs 3:5-6 would come to mind. If someone asked the question, “Why should Christians demonstrate humility in their interactions with other people?” brings to mind Paul’s great Christ Hymn in Philippians 2:5-11. Writing a question forces the student to ask “What is this passage really about?”
Next, decide the answer. In short, the text under study is the answer. But the Bible student should summarize the text to write the answer. It’s possible that the answer might have two or three or more parts. The answer should pull the drawstring of the text together.
As an example, let’s return to the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Here is a plausible question and answer for this text:
QUESTION: Why is Jesus’ grace so difficult for some to accept?
ANSWER: Because, rather than seeing ourselves as slaves who can be forgiven to become sons of the Father, we prefer to see ourselves as sons who are working to be slaves of the Father.
Now we put the two together to form a complete Big Idea: “Jesus’ grace is so difficult to accept because, rather than seeing ourselves as slaves who can be forgiven to become sons of the Father, we prefer to see ourselves as sons who are working to be slaves of the Father.” This Big Idea reflects my conclusions about this text. I may write and rewrite these parts in order to refine my understanding of the text as a whole. The exercise alone is a helpful discipline for interpretation.
If you’ve made it this far in this article, you are obviously interested in becoming a better student of God’s Word. God wishes to reveal Himself and He favors the persistent person. So, the next time you find yourself sitting with your Bible open on your desk and a blank stare on your face, don’t despair. The truth is out there and God will surely reward your hunt. Use these exercises or any others you might learn to hear God speak from His Word.