How to Study the Bible

Before you ask what a passage means, spend time asking what it says. Read slowly. Read out loud. Read the same passage several times in different translations. Write down what you notice. Most people skip this step and wonder why the text feels thin.

Who wrote this? To whom? When? What was happening in their world? Every passage was written to someone before it was written to you. Understanding who that was is the beginning of understanding what it means.

Once you understand what the text meant to its original audience, ask: what timeless principle is at work here? Then: how does that principle apply to my life today? Keep a journal, use a study Bible with cross-references, and read with at least one other person when possible.

Our Wednesday evening class covers one book of Scripture per quarter in a format designed for both new and experienced readers. You are welcome anytime.