How To Study The Bible

How to See What Scripture Is Showing You

A Simple Guide to Reading the Bible More Deeply

A Starting Truth

Scripture does not hide its meaning from us—but it often waits for us to slow down enough to notice it.

You don’t need special training to understand the Bible. You need to learn how to slow down and pay attention.

How We Approach Scripture

We do not read the Bible to prove what we already think. We read it to understand what God is saying and to know who He is.

Scripture is not a collection of proof texts to support our ideas—it is a narrative that reveals the character of God and His work in the world.

When we approach the Bible this way, we are no longer trying to make the text say something—we are allowing the text to speak.

A Common Question

“Pastor, how do you see things in the passage that I don’t see?”

I’m not seeing something different—I’m just slowing down long enough to notice what’s already there.

A Simple Way to Read Any Passage

When you read Scripture, look for three things:

1. What is happening? (Observation)

Ask:
– Who is speaking?
– What is being said?
– What is taking place?

Example (Genesis 3):
– God speaks
– The serpent questions
– The woman responds

Just notice what is there. Don’t interpret yet

2. What changed? (Movement)

Ask:
– What is different from before?
– Where does something shift?

Example (Genesis 3):
– Rest → tension
– Trust → doubt
– Innocence → shame

Look for where things stop being the way they were.

3. Why did it change? (Meaning)

Ask:
– What caused the shift?
– What influenced the change?

Example (Genesis 3):
– A question reframed God’s word
– Doubt reshaped perception
– Desire followed perception

A Key Insight to Remember

Most people read Scripture for information. Learn to read it for movement.

Where something changes… God is usually showing you something important.

A Simple Practice

As you read this week:
1. Slow down
2. Notice what is happening
3. Watch for what changes
4. Ask why it changes

You don’t need to rush. Understanding grows with attention.

One Final Encouragement

You may not see everything at once—and that’s okay.

The goal is not to master the text, but to let the text shape how you see.

The goal is not to win an argument with Scripture, but to be shaped by it.