Reading the Scripture to Understand

Remember the big story

1. God creates, we rebel, God creates again (Genesis 1-11)

2. God chooses Israel, Israel is unfaithful, but God remains faithful (Genesis 12-Malachi)

3. God comes in Jesus to bring his kingdom near, fulfill his promise to Israel and set all people free from sin, disease and death (Matthew-John)

4. God pours his Spirit out on Jesus’ followers, the church, and makes these people from different nations one kingdom, family and body; they become a sign of God’s new creation coming now. (Acts-Revelation)

5.  God completes his work of redemption, making a new heavens and a new earth where he will dwell forever with his people in his creation (Revelation 20-22)

Understand the smaller story

Choose a small passage to read.  Make sure you can understand the translation.  Pray before, during and after.

1. OBSERVE: Read it carefully and look for patterns, details and significant words.  Note: “Who, What, Where, When, Why and How”

2. QUESTION: Ask your honest questions about what the story means.

3. INTERPRET: Try to answer your questions using the details you see in the text, and some background information from commentaries (biblegateway.com).  Write down one big idea or insight that you think the author is trying to communicate through the story.

4. APPLY: How do you want to put what you have learned into practice?