How to Read the Bible 101Sample

The Roof: Context is Everything

Today is day three on our journey to become better readers of the Bible! Before jumping in, let’s review:

Review:

The Bible is a story that leads to Jesus and invites us to become like Jesus. Reading it is kind of like sitting with Jesus in the living room of a house. Like any good house, this one has a strong foundation, a sturdy roof, and four walls that hold it all together.

The foundation of this house is Jesus. He’s the true king of creation and the rightful ruler of our lives. So, when we read the Bible, we ask questions like, “How does this part of the Bible point to Jesus? What in this passage is showing me how to become more like Jesus?”

Today, we’re looking at the roof of this house and how it helps keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.

Context is everything.

What is context? Context is the information that gives meaning to what we are reading. Why is it important? Because without the context, you might know what the Bible says, but totally misunderstand what it means. On the flipside, learning the context is the cure to just about every bad Bible interpretation out there.

For example:

You just showed up to your friend’s house to catch up with them and one of your other friends since you were out of town last week and you haven’t seen them in a while. When you walk in the door, you overhear your two friends talking loudly about something that happened last week while you were gone. One of your friends is describing how crazy it was when that blonde guy hit the bald guy in the chest with an ax, and the bald guy just looked him in the eye and snapped his fingers.

What in the world is going on here? If you’re missing the context, then you might think they are describing some crazy street fight that happened on the news. However, if you know the context that one of your friends had been trying to get the other one to watch Avengers: Infinity War, you would know they were talking about the scene where Thor and Thanos face-off at the end of the movie.

In this scenario, whether you knew the context or not, you would have known what your friend said, but you wouldn’t actually understand what he meant. And while this example may be silly, it still illustrates the point that context is everything.

And this is so much more true when it comes to reading the Bible. Because the Bible isn’t just a conversation between our friends about the movie they watched while we were out of town. It is the written word of God that reveals truths about who He is, what He’s done, and how that changes everything for us.

When it comes to the Bible, the context usually falls into one of two categories:

1. The Biblical Context.
2. The Historical Context.

The Biblical Context is everything else in the Bible that gives meaning to what we’re reading. While that sounds like a lot, the best thing to do is start small and focused, and then slowly zoom out from there. First, look at the verses that come before and after the verse you’re reading. See how those shape the meaning of what you’re reading. Then, read the rest of the chapter to figure out what it’s talking about. After that, think about the book it’s found in and whether or not that book is in the Old Testament or the New Testament, and how the rest of the Biblical story shapes your understanding of what’s happening in that specific part/passage.

The Historical Context is all the things that were going on at that point in history. Questions like, “When did these events take place? Where did they take place? What was going on at that point in history? How was their culture and society different from ours today? And how does this information help us better understand the part of the Bible we’re reading?” can help us make sure we aren’t missing out on what God is trying to show us through His Word.

Let’s apply this idea to these words from the Apostle Paul:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

By themselves, these verses sound like helpful advice for what to do when we’re feeling anxious. Pray, give thanks, and tell God what you need. Which are great things to do. But, these words become even more powerful when we start one sentence earlier:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7 NIV

The Lord is near. These verses aren’t just good advice. They’re good news. Paul isn’t just telling us what we should do, He’s reminding us what God already has done. He came near as Jesus. Now, His Spirit lives inside of us. Because of that, we can go to Him with confidence, knowing that He is near, that He loves us, and He hears our prayers.

So, as you embark on your Bible reading adventures, here’s some advice to help you read the Bible in context:

1. Instead of just reading a few verses, read the whole chapter.
2. Read the Intro Chapter in the YouVersion Bible app (NIV).
3. Subscribe to the Bible Project and watch their How To Read the Bible videos.

Challenge: During today’s reading, if you find yourself struggling to understand what’s going on in each of the passages, try one of the above tips to help!