Annually, on the first Sunday of the year, I take questions from our congregation in place of the usual expository sermon. Many have shared that it is one of their favorite traditions at Grace Chapel. This conversational sermon style allows us to get into topics and address questions that certain pericopes of Scripture may not address.
I will be honest, though it saves me a week of sermon prep, it is more nerve-racking than a usual Sunday. I am never sure what questions will come, and I have to be ready to give a biblical defense for just about any topic that could be raised.
Here is a sampling of the questions I’ve received, and there are many more:
- How should I tithe? Is it my first 10 percent? Do I wait until I’m out of poverty?
- Should Christians watch R-rated movies?
- Are we supporting abortion when we pay taxes to a government that funds planned parenthood?
- How do you move past/let go of what a person believes was their future of promises to a new beginning? As well as knowing full and clear that God is leading you to a new path with new people?
- After confessing to God, should I also confess to those I have transgressed against and if so how?
- Does the Bible say men and women must have a wedding to be recognized as married by God?
- What do you think heaven is like?
- How does God’s mercy work with His perfect justice?
- How to honor God while challenging and wrestling with Him?
- I know that God gave us free will, but it also says that God knows our decisions and the choices we will make. If He knows our decisions, and the paths we will take, then do we really have free will? Or is what we choose to do not really a choice?
- What advice do you have for sharing the scriptures with people with vastly different worldviews?
- What is the best way to start when wanting to create a positive thought life and end negative self talk?
- Do you think that during God’s creation He chose to evolve somethings? Making both creation and evolution part of the process?
- Can you explain the trinity? Why is there 3 in one God?
As Christians, we must always go to the Bible for guidance. The Bible is an invaluable source of wisdom that can help us make decisions that lead our lives in a God-pleasing way. We need the Bible’s teachings to teach us how to live and make decisions.
However, finding answers to our questions isn’t always easy to do without making mistakes or coming up with conclusions that aren’t accurate. If you’ve ever opened your Bible and felt a bit confused, or worried you’re not reading it correctly, you’re not alone. As a pastor here in Denver, I meet many believers who feel this way about biblical interpretation.
We should stay curious as Christ followers and go to God’s Word for answers. But how can we ensure that we are using the Bible correctly? Let’s look at some tips for practicing biblical interpretation in everyday life.
Read The Bible in Context
The first step is to read the Scriptures carefully and contextually. In other words, don’t just skim through them or jump right into interpreting passages without taking time to understand them within their context.
When we talk about reading the Bible contextually, we mean understanding the ‘who, what, when, where, and why’ behind each passage. This means reading multiple translations of the Bible to understand better what specific passages mean and how they fit together. It also means looking at each passage’s historical context to understand its original meaning and purpose.
Whether you’re reading about the life of Jesus in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) or exploring other books of the Bible like Genesis or Romans, context helps you avoid common misunderstandings.
I shared in our Q&A that I will always start my sermon prep by reading the Bible passage in five different translations. This practice alone helps me understand the passage more fully and in context.
Today, we have incredible tools at our fingertips that can help with reflection and study. Bible apps like YouVersion offer Bible reading plans and a multitude of translations. Study Bibles like the ESV Study Bible or NIV Study Bible provide helpful notes explaining historical context.
Online resources like Bible Gateway and Logos let you compare translations side by side. Just remember, these tools can help you learn how to study. But they’re there to supplement, not replace, reading.
Let me give you a practical example about how context can help. Take the book of Philippians, which many call the “joy letter” because the Apostle Paul mentions joy or rejoicing sixteen times in just four short chapters.
Now, that alone is encouraging. But here’s what transforms those verses from nice thoughts into powerful truth: Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell. He wasn’t writing about joy from a comfortable home or successful ministry tour. He was in chains, facing possible execution, yet penning words like “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
When you understand that context, suddenly Paul’s words carry tremendous weight. This isn’t superficial happiness or positive thinking. This is joy that transcends circumstances. It’s the same joy available to you when you’re facing your own trials.
Take Time To Reflect & Pray
Applying the Bible to life is done by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not left to our own devices to come up with meaning and application. The all-knowing and all-powerful God helps to apply God’s truth to our life.
We must take time to reflect on what we’ve read and pray about what we are reading. Even this morning, in my own quiet time, I stopped to pray multiple times, simply asking that God make His truth clear and relevant to my own life.
If you want your interpretation to be accurate, it’s essential that you ask the Lord to apply His truth and the power of Jesus Christ to your life, while respecting the context the passage was written in originally. This will help ensure that your interpretations are based on God’s revelation rather than just personal opinion or preference.
Scripture itself promises that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Before you read, simply pray something like: “Lord, help me understand what you want to teach me today.” It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Often, underlying principles can be applied across many different circumstances. For instance, Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This principle applies far beyond the original context of this passage and can be wrapped around your life situation.
Consider what kind of advice could be taken from this principle when making relationships or career choices. Trust the Lord to help you make sense of your thinking, motives, or actions that should be changed in light of this truth.
Seek Out Other Perspectives
Finally, don’t be afraid to seek out other perspectives from reliable sources such as pastors, teachers, and Bible scholars who may have different opinions than yours but are still knowledgeable about Scripture and its interpretation.
Reading books, listening to sermons, and reading articles and commentaries are all excellent practices when trying to make sense of a passage’s meaning. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to interpreting scripture correctly; people will give different conclusions depending on their backgrounds, education and experience. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to a more mature believer for help if you’re having trouble understanding a particular passage or topic!
One beautiful aspect of the Christian faith is that we’re not meant to figure everything out alone. At Grace Chapel in Denver, we encourage everyone to join a small group where you can discuss Scripture together. While personal Bible study is important, God designed us for community.
Don’t be intimidated if others seem to know more. We all start somewhere. In fact, new believers often ask the best questions because they’re reading with fresh eyes. I’ve been studying the Bible for a long time, and I still learn new things from people who are just beginning their journey with God’s Word.
Practicing biblical interpretation in everyday life involves more than simply reading Scripture. It requires careful consideration, prayerful reflection, and an openness to hearing other perspectives.
By taking these steps when trying to understand God’s Word, we can ensure that our interpretations are accurate and true while still allowing room for differing voices and views from other believers in Christ! After all, we are all here working together towards one common goal: to better apply the Gospel to our daily life.
Learning how to interpret the Bible for beginners takes time. Start small. Even 10-15 minutes a day makes a difference. Here’s your action plan for this week:
- Choose one book of the Bible to read (The Gospel of John can be a good place to start)
- Read a passage that feels natural, such as a story or teaching
- Re-read the passage in a different translation
- Use some of the tools listed above (Study Bible, BibleGateway, Logos) to see what you can learn about the context around that passage
- Pray for clarity and understanding
Remember, God wants to speak to you through Scripture. So stay curious. Seek out God and his truth by asking good questions. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
Want more biblical encouragement? Listen to Gospel Daily on Denver radio or your podcast provider, or visit Grace Chapel this Sunday. We’re here to help you grow in Christ, one day at a time.