Asking Better Questions of Your Bible
HANNAH HAGARTY | GUEST In the life of a believer, “What should I read today?” is a common question when it comes to Scripture. Often, we answer that question based on feelings. What do we feel like reading? What do we feel applies to the situation we are walking through? Feelings are real, necessary, and Scripture addresses them, but there is a better way to begin. Because, inevitably, the day will come when we don’t feel like reading. If feelings are the motivating metric, we won’t. A better approach to reading and studying Scripture is to begin with Spirit-led understanding by asking good questions of the text. Many Christians have been taught that the first question in response to reading Scripture is, “what does this mean to me?” But when application comes before understanding, we risk trading Scripture’s richness for whatever feels relevant at the moment. Asking Questions Whether we are children learning about our world or an adult learning a new skill, the means of understanding come through the same route: asking questions. This is why Bible study books often include a few questions at the end of each chapter. It is not enough just to read the Bible; we need to meditate or think about the text in order to absorb it. Questions bring us to this beneficial, deeper reflection....
