The first step in studying God’s Word is to carefully observe what the passage is saying. In the observation stage, we give our complete attention to the text to find out what’s there. We must investigate the passage in the same way that a detective investigates a crime scene. How do we do that? Get the “big picture” and then discover the little details. Ask questions… lots of them! Look for certain key clues to discover meaning. See how the little details relate to the big picture.
Principles for Observation
- Read actively. I’ve written about this before, so I won’t belabor the point. I’ll just add this: as you read, be careful not to insert your own ideas, thoughts, or framework into the text. Instead, let the text speak for itself.
- Read patiently. Remember, Bible study is hard work. You won’t understand everything you read the first time you read it. That’s ok. Don’t give up. Keep looking!
- Read repeatedly. I often find that a passage really “opens up” after I’ve prayerfully read it 15 or so times. Each time you re-read, mark key words or phrases. Jot down questions and initial observations. Try to see how the various parts of the text relate to the whole. I’d encourage you to read the passage out loud, read it using different Bible translations, and hear the passage being read within it’s larger context using an audio Bible.
- Read prayerfully. Pray before, during, and after you read. Fellowship with God as He reveals glory to you in the pages of Scriptures. Ask the Lord to help you understand the meaning, application, and significance of God’s Word (1 Cor. 2:11-16).
- Read the context. To understand your specific text, you will need to see it within its larger context. Notice what is before and after your passage. This will help you see how your text fits within the overall argument, flow, or message of the book.
Now that you understand some key principles about reading, it’s time to “dig in” to our observation of the text. Just like any detective, you will need to ask some important questions as you seek to “gather the facts” in the passage.
Key Questions*
There are six key questions that you should know…
| Who? | Who wrote it? Who said it? Who are the main characters? Who are the people mentioned? To whom is the author speaking? About whom is he speaking? |
| What? | What kind of literature is this? What are the main events? What are the major ideas? What are the major teachings? What are these people like? What is the purpose? What is the theme? What is the relationship of this passage or paragraph to the rest of the chapter / book? What did this mean to the original audience? |
| When? | When was it written? When did this event take place? When will it happen? When did he say that? When did he do that? |
| Where? | Where was this done? Where was this said? Where will this happen? Where was this written? |
| Why? | Why was this mentioned? Why was so much space devoted to this event, teaching, or biography? Why was this reference mentioned? Why was this command given… promise made, etc.? Why did this paragraph follow after the previous paragraph? |
| How? | How is it done? How did it happen? How is this truth illustrated? How does this truth reveal the glory of God’s character or work? How does this passage relate to the gospel? |
| So what? | How do these truths apply to my life? How does this passage impact the way I should think, feel, pray, and/or live? |
Key Clues
If you look carefully, you will typically discover the answers to these questions within the passage or within its larger context. There are certain “clues” that we can look for that will help us discover what the passage is saying:
- Repeated words, phrases, or ideas. Repetition reveals what the author is trying to communicate to his readers. When we notice repeated words, phrases, references to people, or ideas, write them down. By doing so, we will be able to discern more of the message and theme of the book.
- Contrasts. Look for ideas, individuals, and/or items that stand in contrast with each other.
- Comparisons. Look for ideas, individuals, and/or items that are alike (ex. Ro. 5:12-21)
- Cause and effect or condition statements, such as “if… then” or “after…that.” Cause and effect tells how how something is or can be accomplished.
- Connecting words. Words that connect phrases or ideas (and, but, or, indeed, therefore)
- Verbs. Look to see if the verbs are past, present, or future tense.
- Purpose or result. Often indicated by the words that, so that, in order that, for to this end
- Figures of speech. Expressions that convey images; “Like a…”
Conclusion
Even though it’s a lot of work, observation is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and life-transforming parts of studying God’s Word. I pray that the principles relayed in this article will help you behold “the wondrous things” revealed in the Scriptures (Ps. 119:18).
* Editor’s note: Questions and clues very similar to these can be found in Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible, by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks. Moody Publishers, New edition, January 1, 2007. (Amazon affiliate link. Purchases help fund Sharper Iron.)
