- 1. BEGIN WITH PRAYER. ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SEE WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT.
- Familiar passages should be read carefully.
- Example: Luke 15:4
- Where did the man leave the ninety-nine?
- He left them in the wilderness.
- The song says they were left in the fold of safety. Read carefully.
- 2. KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE OVERALL BOOK IN WHICH THE PASSAGE APPEARS.
- Is it in the Old or New Testament?
- Is it related to:
- Law
- History
- Literature
- Prophecy
- Biography
- Etc.
- 3. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE OVERALL CONTEXT.
- Consider the broader context, not just the singular passage.
- Avoid limiting the study and understanding of God’s word.
- 4. WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE TEXT?
- Who wrote the passage?
- Who is speaking or being quoted in the passage?
- Was the speaker inspired or uninspired?
- 5. TO WHOM IS THE TEXT ADDRESSED?
- What do we know about the people and their situation?
- What is their relationship to God, and how were they serving Him?
- What were their problems and weaknesses?
- 6. OF WHOM DOES THE TEXT SPEAK?
- Identify the people or groups discussed in the text.
- For example: understanding the Philistines, Samaritans, Pharisees, Sadducees, Athens, Corinth, Rome, etc.
- 7. WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE WRITING IN THE TEXT?
- The Bible contains different types of writings:
- Law
- Prophecy
- Letters
- Visions
- Etc.
- Familiarity with these types will aid in better understanding.
- The Bible contains different types of writings:
- 8. WHEN WAS THE TEXT WRITTEN?
- Knowing when the text was written helps understand the context and laws in effect at that time.
- It determines if the text has direct application to our lives.
- 9. WHAT IS THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE?
- Read the verses before and after the passage.
- Understand the surrounding discussion for clearer interpretation.
- 10. WHAT DO THE WORDS MEAN?
- Study the definitions of key words in the passage.
- Consider their historical and cultural context.
- 11. WHAT DOES THE PASSAGE TEACH?
- Apply principles to daily life.
- Understand the lesson, not just the facts.
- Look for personal applications and broader spiritual lessons.
Eleven Steps for Studying a Scripture
Faith & Reason Nexus 
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