Jeremy Bishop (2017), public domain
It’s July, and we’re up to our knees in summer. The pace of this herky-jerky season always astounds me.
Some summer moments happen in a flash: the pop of fireworks, the sting of a bee, the crack and boom of a late-afternoon thunderstorm, and the cool thrill of jumping in a pool. The whole summer, in fact—I’m amazed every September at how quickly the months disappeared.
Other parts of summer seem to stretch on and on: the long hours of daylight, humidity that suffocates the region for weeks, and lightning bugs that aren’t in a hurry to be anywhere in particular.
Just like summer, studying the Bible can sometimes feel like a slip-and-slide or a long hike in the woods. Faithful students of the Bible will set their expectations and effort accordingly.
The Fast
Some aspects of Bible study happen in an instant. We sit down, read a passage, and God gives immediate insight.
We grasp part of God’s character. We are in awe of our Creator. We bend the astonished smile of our soul toward God in praise.
We see our sin. We’re exposed and guilty. We fall on our face before God in confession and repentance.
We recognize the work of Jesus. God’s mountainous mercy casts us in its deep, loving shadow. We thank God for adopting us as his children.
A promise of God lands flush between our eyes. We sense the strength of the Holy Spirit in our weakness. We bless God for the hope and encouragement he gives.
These moments happen because some portions of the Bible are straightforward. We need no advanced degrees or hours in a monastery—God has made the meaning of this text plain, he has sent his Spirit, and his word lands with power.
We should anticipate, savor, and remember these moments. I fear that older Christians are prone to forget just how radical, beautiful, and simple some aspects of following Christ can be.
The Slow
However, not every encounter with the Bible is all snaps and flashes. Sometimes we need to take the long, uphill path to the summit to see the spectacular view.
It takes time to study the Bible well. Since we are removed from the original audience by years and miles, we must put in work to understand the meaning of the text.
But the work is worth it! The understanding that comes through hours of effort is no less valuable than that which comes in a moment. In fact, we’re more likely to remember and internalize those truths we must sweat to unearth.
The Bible rewards this work. It doesn’t take superior intelligence, sophisticated tools, or months away on a retreat. There are simple steps to studying the Bible that are available to everyone.
- Observe. Read the text carefully and notice what you read. Write down your observations. Every word of the Bible is inspired by God, so it is right for us to pay close attention to what is written.
- Interpret. Ask questions of your observations. Interrogate the text. Track the author’s reasoning through the passage and attempt to land on the main point. How would the original readers/hearers have understood this?
- Apply. Bring the biblical truth home. How should this truth affect you? How should it change your church? Your neighborhood?
Bible Study is for Plodders
Anyone that sets out to run a race must train. As a runner gradually builds technique, endurance, and grit, the miles get easier and the half marathon isn’t as intimidating. And throughout the training, she is actually running, making progress and doing good for her body.
Bible study is, in one respect, for plodders. Give yourself to the Scriptures regularly, and you’ll gradually build the skills you need to understand and apply God’s word. And as you grow in these skills, you’ll grow more and more into the person you were created to be.
