First Things First Sample

How do I understand the Bible

The most important part of our relationship with the Bible is how to understand it. There are three ways to understand what you have read in the Bible:  

Understand the Bible spiritually - The Bible is a spiritual book written to spiritual beings. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what He is speaking to you through the scriptures. 

Understand the context of the scripture  - It is important to know when and to whom the scripture was written. Do some additional research to learn about the audience that the writer was addressing in the scripture.  

Understand that the Bible is completely Christ-centered - The whole Bible is the story about God’s redemption of His people, and that redemption comes through Jesus Christ. Scholars say that “the Old Testament anticipates Jesus, and the New Testament reveals Jesus.” It is important to understand that all scriptures point to God’s love for us through Christ.*

When we read the Bible through this lens, we allow God to speak to us clearly and to let the Bible change us from the inside out. 

*Information gathered from ESV.org