What kinds of questions can we ask ourselves when reading the Bible?

Question

If you do not believe it is important to read the Bible, please do not respond, I do not need any responses such as "Why am I reading this?" I would like to know what kinds of questions people ask themselves about the passage they are reading in the Bible so that they get more out of it. I often find myself just reading my Bible and closing it, and I don't think I get out of it all that I could. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I like to ask myself questions like,
What does this action or creation or situation tell me about God's personality?
How can what these people experienced affect my daily life?
What would I have done in their shoes?
How does this relate to the theme of the entire Bible?
What was the landscape like in what is described here and how would that affect the outcome or the individuals' reaction(s) to what they experienced in that terrain?

I could go on...

I really respect your question. Asking myself questions like these and then doing any kind of research that might be needed to answer these questions really does deepen my appreciation for what I'm reading, deepens my understanding of all that can be taken from it, increases my ability to remember and apply what I've read and draws me closer to God as a person and friend. I hope any of the questions I listed help you in a similar way.

Answer 2

First, Observe the facts: Main characters, geography of the time, ruling party, cultural influences, expectations, style of the book (wisdom literature, letter, history, prophecy), who was it written to, etc.

Go through the reporter questions:
Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?

Then, concentrating more on the WHY... Dwell on the content and actions of all those involved. What's God doing? What are the people doing? What are the consequences to their actions?

Once you understand the context it was written in and establish the lesson God taught them... what is the Lord teaching you through it?

If we don't learn from history... we're liable to repeat the mistakes of history. Plus it's just awesome to see God's consistent character throughout scripture.

MacArthur has some bible studies through each book that may help you be blessed with a deeper understanding of scripture. I would recommend you start with the gospels... Mathew, Mark, Luke, or John although you may reference much meaning from the Old Testament since Jesus quotes it a lot.

Answer 3

"Where am I in this story? How can I apply its message to my life?"

"What is surprising about this passage? Do I understand why? Do I need to consider another point of view?"

"Do I know the background story? Who are these characters and why do they say that? What are the people expecting here?"

"How do my feelings change as I read this? What is affecting me and why?"

"How will my future attitudes and actions change as a result of reading this passage?"

Sometimes there are no questions to ask. Just read very, very slowly, a few words at a time and let them sink in. Try to feel them, not just mentally translate them into your personal style. If the passage permits, project yourself into one of the characters. Then try again with a different character.

Answer 4

Ask yourself who is doing the talking and to whom was it originally addressed. What was the condition and secular history of that time (that might take a little research outside the Bible). What came just before and after the passage you are reading - the context setting. What spiritual issues was God trying to address in it and what eternal principles are being taught. What other scriptures are there that talk about the part you are reading at the time. What can you learn for your own life and what is God trying to say to you personally through it. There are many ways to study the Bible. Character studies, Book studies, Topic studies etc. One of the best study Bibles I've found is the Thompson Chain Reference Bible - has tons of study helps. God Bless as you let HIM talk to you through HIS Word!

Answer 5

You should ask God for wisdom of what you are reading. People think that the Bible contradicts itself, but it doesn't. Sometimes the Bible is symbolic. Some things have different meanings in different parts of the Bible. Also, if you read something and don't understand it, give yourself some time and reread it again in a few weeks. You'll be amazed that you'll understand it then. It's all about growing. We don't understand things because we don't know how to accept it. Knowledge is power. All of the people that think God doesn't exist don't have knowledge. They don't know how to accept God or His ways, so they run from Him and make fun of Him and Christians.

Answer 6

I read the Bible 5 days a week and do a Bible Study, I always pray before I read that God will help me to understand and by the Holy Spirit my eyes will see what He wants me to see and know. I started listen to a radio pastor and he even makes the book of Numbers more meaningful. His name is Dr. J. Vernon McGee and his website is www.ttb.org. You can listen to him on line or radio. I highly recommend this to you if you have trouble understanding the Bible. I have learnt things from this program that I never would have gotten on my own. I hope you find it as rewarding as I have.

Answer 7

I am not Christian and I think that everyone, especially Christians should read the Bible. Ask yourself why the people in the stories do what they do, and what they hoped to accomplish. Ask yourself what the implications of these truths are, what does that mean about God and what does it mean about man? Don't forget to evaluate the possibility that these stories were never meant to be taken literally and after numerous translations some of them bear little resemblance to the original. And please ask yourself what in the Bible actually excludes science.

Answer 8

Before reading it always ask God for understanding and clarity. It would also help to join a bible study with a good bible teacher

Answer 9

Four Stages of Development

Stage I: Chaotic, antisocial. A stage of undeveloped spirituality. The Stage 1 person is selfish, disordered, and generally incapable of loving others.

Stage II: Formal, institutional. The stage II person, typified by many churchgoers, is usually attached to the forms rather than the essence of her religion, and she may quickly take offense at anyone who attacks these forms. Personal stability and outward appearances are very important to her.

Stage III: Skeptic, individual. The stage III person is often referred to as a “nonbeliever” because he has given up being “conventional”. He thinks independently and is often deeply involved in social causes. An advanced stage III individual is an active truth-seeker.

Stage IV: Mystic, communal. This is the stage of unity. A person arriving at stage 4 sees an underlying connectedness between herself, other creatures, and her surroundings. With little or no outside prodding, and as a confident yet humble, self governing human being, she reaches out to others in recognition of the whole world as part of her community. “Mystics” comprehend the value of emptiness. Rather than being frightened by the enormity of the unknown, they acknowledge it and immerse themselves even deeper into it, that they may understand more.

Answer 10

Any questions, except those with the intention to reject it. Yes, in our heart, we know whether we want to learn or to reject.
If we want to learn, we will get the answers after pondering for some time on our questions.
If we want to reject, we will stop thinking about it or reopening it to get the answers in other parts of the Book. Yes, some questions in this part will be answered in other parts. That is why the true learner can answer many questions.