It has been said of the Bible, ‘This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.’ It is so true. Dusty Bibles always lead to dirty lives. Quite often I have spoken to people who desire to read their Bibles but find it too hard to understand and apply what they read. When this happens, what started as a good intention is quickly pushed aside. If you need help to feed well from the Word of God and apply it to your life then here is a list of questions you can bring to the text:
Who? Who are the people in the text and what is said about them? Or, what does this person say?
What? What is happening in the text? What are the events? In what order? What are the arguments?
Where? This is like looking at a map. Where is it taking place? Where are they going? Where are the original readers? Knowing this gives the context to the passage.
When? This is a question of time. When did this take place? When did the writer write? Knowing ‘when’ helps us understand Mark 1:35. Jesus wakes early to pray after the busiest day recorded in the life of Christ.
Why? Why is this included? Why is it placed here? Why does this follow that? Why does this person say that? This question is one that seeks meaning. This, more than any other question, will lead to new insights.
Wherefore? Or ‘So what?’ What difference would it make if I were to apply this truth? This is the most important question of all.
The Word of God was given, not to satisfy our curiosity, but to change our lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment and take a pen and paper and begin today. May your Bible reading reap richer fruit as a result.
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