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Crash Course: How to Study the Bible
For many, Bible study is an intimidating endeavor. Where do I start? How do I proceed? How will I know I’m on the right track? Actually, Bible study is really a very simple process. Jesus’ conversation with the religious expert in Luke 10:25-37 gives us an example of how God wants us to read, think through, and apply Scripture.
Bible study must always begin with this question in our hearts: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The way Jesus answered this question helps guide us through three steps in Bible study.
First comes observation – “What is written in the Law?” (v. 26a). We must first read and become familiar with what the Bible actually says. Facts are the most important thing in this step.
Second comes interpretation – “How does it read to you?” (v. 26b). We then can determine what this reading means in to its original audience. Original context is the most important thing in this step.
Lastly comes application – “Do this and you will live” (v. 28). Once we have adequately observed and interpreted, we can then determine what timeless principles are taught here, and seek to apply them. Self-evaluation and action are the most important things here.
Now, let’s apply these steps to the Parable of the Good Samaritan to see how they work in real life.
First, we must observe the basic facts about the parable: a man is jumped, beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Two men pass him by without stopping to help, while a Samaritan goes out of his way to assist and care for him.
Next, we must look to the cultural context to interpret Jesus’ meaning. The 15-mile road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a very secluded, dangerous road; robberies were a common occurrence. The priests and Levites were supposed to be models of godliness (like this lawyer!), while Samaritans were the religious outcasts. So, in this context, it is significant that the heretic turns out to be the hero!
And this leads us to seek the application to ourselves: the lawyer’s question turned the second greatest command into a technicality (v. 29); he thought he was commanded to only love those he viewed as his neighbors. But even the Samaritan understood clearly what neighborly love is. To conclude, Jesus turns the lawyer’s question around: the question is not, “Who is my neighbor?” but “Am I a neighbor?”
One thing—the hardest part—now remains: “Go and do the same” (v. 37).
