To Be A Berean-Observation
In this step of understanding how to study the Bible, we must look at how to observe scripture. All things point to God via creation, love, kindness, church worship, Christian gatherings, holy actions, and one of my favorites, Christ's inevitable return. To think of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit sitting on the most heavenly throne excites me to the core. As with many declarations of God's power and sanctity, let us focus on the observation of God's words in scripture.
“20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;”
Proverbs 4:20-21 NKJV
As we read the scripture in the Bible, we must ask “who, what, when, where, and why.” Over forty different authors wrote the Bible, over a 1,500-year period, and none of these books or letters contradict one another. It is important when asking “Who” to ask, “who wrote this, and to whom is the audience?”
“16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
When it comes to the “What”, ask yourself what is happening and/or has happened, also to emphasize “What is the theme or main message that the scripture is speaking on?”
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
One of my favorite steps in studying Scripture is the “When”. I have heard many say, “Knowing so many authors wrote over 66 books in the Bible over such a long period of time is amazing.” And indeed, it truly is! Scripture can be broken into three categories: Past, Present, and Future. Think of them as buckets and sort them into the proper ones. Scripture talks about the past and during certain events, which helps us understand what was going on, but it also talks about future events, which fall into Biblical prophecy.
“That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.”
Ecclesiastes 3:15 NKJV
Now we come to “Where”. When in this step, one should ask “Where did this passage take place?” And “Where was the audience?” Imagine it as setting the scene in a book or perhaps a letter addressed to the sender and recipient. Throughout the Bible, certain locations are listed, whether it be regions such as Canaan or specific geographical locations, such as Mount Sinai. When looking at the surface, it is regions or dots listed on maps. However, when looking deeper, you see cultures. For instance, Canaan. It is the Promised Land that God had given the Jews of the Old Testament and has promised to Israel today (Genesis 17:8, Deuteronomy 1:8). However, those there (Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Girgashites) represented very pagan and perverse cultures. God commanded those cultures to be wiped out and none of their culture was to be adopted (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).
Lastly, we come to “Why?” This is one of the most asked questions that people have when reading the Bible. God guides the writers to interpret His word into the books of the Old and New Testaments. Scripture was written for the individuals of the time and the future readers; it was written to document His will, role, and influence for all time, past, present, and future. When we think about it, every verse in the Bible declares His name and goal for everything, but we are still wrapped under our own free will, which makes us ask the question, “Why”.
“9. having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,10. that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.11. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,12. that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:9-12 NKJV
Stay the course for the kingdom,
Austin