Questions to Ask When Reading Your Bible:
- What is the background leading to this letter being written? Ask: What, Why, When, How, Where, Who.
- What attitude does the writer have towards those he is writing to?
- What was the circumstance that led him to write?
- Recipient—To whom did he write? Who does Paul address? The whole church or someone specifically?
- Context is king, have I looked at what is around the text or just isolated it? Take time to read the entire letter so as to understand the context.
- What problems and attitudes do the recipients have?
- What type of literature is the letter? Historical narrative, wisdom literature, apocalyptic literature, etc.?
- Are there any clear divisions in the letter itself and a flow to the author’s logic? Mark conjunctions and connecting words such as: for, therefore, in view of, because, in order that…
- Is there anything implied in what the author says? When the Lord said he is the God of Abraham, what is implied? Christ comes along and says it is the resurrection that is taught. He says this is implied in a dogmatic way (Matt. 22:31-32).
- How does the verse I am looking at fit into the flow of the entire book?
- Does the thought in the text relate to another thought that the author has previously provided that will help me understand this verse?
- What are other passages in the Bible ARE THERE that would shed light on the one what I am reading? Consider cross references that may be helpful.
- Are there words that are the same or synonyms?
- What are the definitions of these main words?
- What potentially is the theme?
- What are the contrasting words?
- Is there a purpose clause in the text?
- What questions in the text need to be answered?
- What commands are in the text?
- What descriptions are given that should teach you what you should be doing?