How to Read a Bible Passage: Five Questions Before You Close Your Bible
John 20:31 (KJV): “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Reading the Bible is not merely collecting verses. Scripture reveals God, exposes the human heart, points to Jesus Christ, establishes truth, and calls for a response. The goal is not simply to finish a passage; it is to understand what God has said well enough to live faithfully because of it.
1. What does the passage actually say?
Slow down before explaining it. Identify repeated words, commands, promises, people, places, contrasts, causes, consequences, and the movement of the passage. Observation protects you from making the text say what you already wanted it to say.
2. What is happening around this passage?
Read what comes before and after it. Ask who is speaking, to whom, under what circumstances, and why. A verse separated from its context can be made to support ideas the inspired writer never intended.
3. What does this reveal about God and His redemptive purpose?
The Bible is many books, but it tells one great story of creation, fall, promise, redemption, and restoration. Ask what the passage reveals about God’s character and how it belongs within the unfolding witness that culminates in Jesus Christ.
4. What truth must I believe?
Distinguish the text’s lasting theological truth from details unique to the historical setting. Ask what this passage teaches about God, humanity, sin, salvation, faith, holiness, obedience, the church, hope, or the work of the Holy Ghost.
5. What must change because I read this?
Bible study that produces no response is unfinished. Is there something to believe, confess, stop, begin, forgive, obey, share, pray, or patiently wait for? You have not fully heard the Word until you have considered what faithfulness to it looks like.
Before You Leave This Resource
Say the passage back to yourself in one plain sentence. Then write one action you will take because of what you read. Don’t just think; think about what you think about.