Daily Christian Journey

Unlocking the Secrets of Scripture: A Guide to Meaningful Bible Study

The way we approach Bible study can significantly impact our understanding and application of God’s Word. By asking the right questions, we can unlock the secrets of Scripture and deepen our relationship with God.

Question 1: What Can I Learn About God?

As the main character of the Bible, God is the hero of the story. By studying Scripture, we can gain insight into His character, conduct, and concerns. This can be done in three ways:

• Character: Look for direct statements about God’s attributes, such as Isaiah 6:3. Also, infer truths about His character from passages like 1 Kings 22:1-40.
• Conduct: Observe what God does in a passage, like Psalm 23, which reveals His actions towards His people.
• Concerns: Note the people and issues that God cares about, such as those on the margins of society (Exodus 22:21-22).

Question 2: What Can I Learn About Humanity?

Every passage has something to teach us about humanity. Approach this question from three angles:

• Created in God’s Image: Look for aspects of what it means to be created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28). What longings or desires are expressed in the passage?
• Fallen Condition: Identify the sinful beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, or tendencies mentioned or implied in the text (Proverbs 6:16-19).
• Redeemed People: Discover what our lives should look like as redeemed people, both individually and as a body of believers (Acts 2:42-47).

Question 3: How Can I Love God with My Whole Being?

Loving God with our whole being takes many forms. Consider the following:

• Praise: Reflect on what you can praise God for, often flowing from what you learn about His character, conduct, and concerns (1 Peter 1:3-5).
• Confession and Repentance: Identify sin in your life, confess it to God, and take tangible steps of repentance (1 John 1:5-9).
• Promises: Look for promises to believe, thinking through how God wants to change you through the gospel present in the passage (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Question 4: How Can I Love My Neighbors?

God calls us to interact with others, including family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and neighbors. The Bible teaches us how to do this in various ways:

• Reconciling with Others: Consider what the passage teaches about reconciling with others, aiming to “live peaceably with all” if possible (Romans 12:18).
• Serving and Caring: Look for direct commands and examples of caring for others, such as David’s kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

By asking these four questions, we focus our attention on the main message of the Bible and prepare ourselves to apply biblical truths to our lives in meaningful ways.