Just reading
the Bible because we’re supposed to as Christians, or because it’s the right
thing to do, is NOT enough. I know
someone who has read faithfully for probably 60 years but her life shows no
transformation from it. Without reading
intentionally, nothing much will be accomplished. Yesterday I posted about the basic inductive
reading method. Today I give examples
from Scriptures on what I would be asking myself and where some of my thinking
goes. May our Lord of Glory use this to
help open our eyes to His life giving Word.
And He entering into
a boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, a great tempest arose in the
sea, so much so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
And His disciples came to Him and
awakened Him, saying, Lord, save us! We perish! And He said to them, Why are
you afraid, little-faiths? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and
there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea
obey him! Mt. 8:23-27
Observe-
Jesus is in a boat in a bad storm with His disciples.
Jesus is asleep, the disciples are afraid, so they wake up Jesus to save
them. He speaks “__”. He rebukes the wind and sea- calm comes.
Disciples marvel.
Interpret- what
does it mean
Context first. Check
out the surrounding verses and chapters, the book it’s in and in context of the
Bible as a whole. Use Scripture to
interpret Scripture.
Cross reference: Similar passages: Mr. 4:36-41; Lk.
8:22-25 verses on faith, trust, concern for others (Php. 2:4), acting in love,
rebuking (Lk. 4:38+), etc.
Word Study- check any words not understood for original
meaning. (little faith- trusting Christ too little)
Ask: Who, what, where, when, why, and how about the text. Why
were the disciples afraid? What options did they have? How did Jesus respond?
Apply- Ask and
think on questions such as:
The disciples follow Jesus into the boat but not into His
place of rest. Why not?
Jesus was asleep, the storm did not concern Him, why?
(Trust in Father? Faith? Compare to His other behaviours.)
Am I ever like Jesus, calm in the storms of life? Why?
Why not? Am I lacking in faith or trust?
How can that be changed?
Am I afraid in the storms of life? Who can I count on to
save me? Do I blame God for the storm?
Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to stop bothering Him even
though He wasn’t worried and was tired. (Showed concern: do I?)
He did something for them- acted out of love. He uses words and the storm stops. Am I able to do these things out of
love? Do I even try? If not, why? How should I change?
Second passage- woman in adultery (Jh. 8:2-11) read if unfamiliar...
Observe-
(shortformed) Jesus in temple teaching. Pharisees bring woman
caught in very act of adultery to Him and set her in their midst. They bring up
Moses/ Law and ask Jesus what’s to be done (to accuse Him). He writes on
ground. They continue to ask. He says ‘He who is without sin cast the first
stone’. Jesus bends down, writes on ground again. Hearing, convicted, one by
one the crowd leaves oldest to youngest. Woman alone. “Where are accusers?” “Go,
sin no more.”
Interpret-
Context- Judging discussed immediately before and after
this passage. John shows Jesus as Son of God- God wrote law with His finger-
was Jesus alluding to this?
No similar passages. Lv. 20:10; Dt. 22:22 say both man and
woman caught in adultery must be put to death. Only woman brought, yet caught
in act thus unfair treatment.
Answer- Who are Pharisees/ scribes? Where was the man in
adultery? Why didn’t they bring him? What were they really trying to do? How
did Jesus deal with the situation?
Apply-
When catching two in sin (like kids), do I ignore one’s
sin and shame the other? How am I like
the Pharisees in my actions? How am I
like the woman?
Why did Jesus start writing on the ground after they asked
the question? Why did He not
answer? Would I have spoken up to
justify my own beliefs? Do I seek obedience to law without mercy?
Do I continue to bug Jesus to get MY desires done or do I
wait patiently? How can Jesus remain so
calm when they are trying to trap Him?
Am I convicted of my own sin? Do I judge other without
judging myself first? Do I consider their sin greater than mine?...
What do I learn from these questions and how do I change in
light of them?
I hope these examples of where my own thinking goes (without all I think) helps you to see how just reading is not enough. We need to seek out and chew on every morsel to get out of the words all things pertaining to life from the Word of life.
Be blessed.