6 Important Questions to Ask When You Study the Bible

How to Study the Bible

Sometimes Bible study can seem daunting, really difficult. I can remember when I first started studying the bible. I just sat there without a clue as to how or where to start. Is that you?

Do you need a little help to get started?

If you answered yes to these questions, I am here to help you and mentor you along the way.

How I Got Started

I learned to ask six important questions of the Bible text when I studied the “Inductive Bible Study Method” through Precept Ministries International. It changed the way I viewed the Scriptures and it taught me Who God is by who He says He is in His word.

I learned, and am still learning more about Christ and the work He did on the cross, and that the Holy Spirit is our guide and our helper. Without Him no Bible Study method will measure up. 

Asking Questions That Lead to Biblical Truth

Asking these 6 questions slowed me down and helped me carefully read and observe the text of God’s word. The text studied and the surrounding context are king and key to accurately interpreting the scriptures.

That is our goal, accurate interpretation that leads to accurate application and obedience.

Jesus says if you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15 The desire to study God’s Word grows from a heart that loves Him and strives to be obedient. 

Truth Over Feelings

By asking these 6 important questions we are gleaning from the text the truth of God’s Word. We are training ourselves to say what does God say and not what do I think it says or means.

Feelings need thrown out when it comes to the study of the Bible. Our feelings can be deceptive and will lead us away from the truth we are seeking and need to mature in Christ.

This way of approaching Scripture will fill us up instead of leaving us running on empty.

First Find a Place to Start

I always recommend studying through an entire book. Topical studies are good and sometimes needed. However, do not replace your main study time with just topics only.

The goal is to keep what you are studying in context. If you take a topic out of the context of where it is written you risk misinterpreting the text.

When you finish answering the 6 questions you will more than likely cover your topic anyway.

Start small. Pick a small book in the New Testament to start with and venture out from there.

•It takes practice to develop a habit.

•Do not overwhelm yourself.

•I recommend starting in Titus or 1-3 John.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin,

• Print your free worksheets
• Or have a notebook, pen or pencil,
• And your Bible at hand.
• Begin with prayer by asking God to give you a teachable heart. Ask Him To guide you into all truth and keep you from error. Jeremiah 33:3 says,

” Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

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Discover What the Text Says By Asking Who?

Start your study of the Bible by asking the question Who?

•Who is speaking?

•Who is this passage about?

•Our most important “Who” is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

I spend a lot of time with this question! The reason we start here is because if we do not know what the Bible teaches about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we will never come to an accurate understanding of the Scriptures.

If we do not seek to know God through His word we will make a god of our own understanding.

This is so dangerous!

Look at the culture around us. Even many so-called churches have fashioned a god that meets their every felt need.

It All begins With God

It all begins with God. Read through the text you have chosen one time before you write down anything. This will familiarize you with the context and get you started.

Go back to the first verse of the chapter and begin to read through again looking for any references to God.

When you come to a place that references God stop and record what the text is teaching.

EXAMPLE: Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” 

What does this passage teach us about God?

1) God is grace

2) God brings salvation.

When you finish that verse move to the next until you finish the chapter.

Once you finish the chapter move onto Christ. Read through the text again only looking for what it teaches about Christ.

EXAMPLE: Titus 2:14, “who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” 

What do we learn about Christ from this passage?

1) Christ gave Himself up for His people

2) He is the redeemer and purifier.

Read through the text again looking for and recording everything it teaches about Christ.

Lastly look for what the text teaches about the Holy Spirit.

EXAMPLE: Titus 3:5, ” He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

1) The Holy spirit washes and regenerates or brings us from death to life.

2) He renews.

After you have gone through the chapter listing what you learn about the three persons of the Trinity, move on to others that are referenced  in the text.

EXAMPLE: Titus 1:1, “Paul, a bond servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness.”

What do you learn about Paul from this verse?

1)He is the author of the letter.

2)He is a bondservant of God and an apostle of Christ.

Special note: Not ever passage will teach you about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. If you do not find anything it is ok just move on.

Discover What the Text Says By Asking What?

Staying in the same chapter begin to ask the question what.

•What do you learn about an event or the people?

•What instructions are given?

Work your way systematically through the text when you start asking the what, where, when, why, and how questions.

EXAMPLE: Titus 1:5, ” For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” (We already know by asking the question who that the Apostle Paul is the writer of the book of Titus. Titus 1:1.

In Titus 1:4 we learn that the letter is written to Titus.) What instruction is given to Titus 1:5?

1) Titus is to set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city.

Discover What the Text Teaches By Asking When?

As you read through the text look for references to time.

•Ask the question when will something happen?

•When do or will an event take place.

We find two references to time in Titus 1:2-3. Example: Titus 1:2-3, ” In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie,  promised long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

Discover What the Text Teaches By Asking Where?

Next ask the question where?

Where will this event take place or where was it said?

There is only one reference to a place that I can recall in the book of Titus. It is found in Titus 1:5. ” For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains,”

We learn from the text that Titus is in Crete and will remain there appointing Elders and teaching them what Paul had instructed.

Discover What the Text Teaches By Asking Why?

If you are a parent your child has probably asked this question a million times. Now it is your turn!

It is human nature to want to know the why behind everything. Be careful with this one we will never understand the why about everything.

We must learn to rest in not always knowing. God is in control and that is where we need to leave it!

There are a lot of why questions.

•Why this person,

•Why this time,

•Why will this happen…

Staying in the book of Titus let’s look at Titus 2:3-4, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, SO THAT they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,”

Why are the older women to possess these qualities? The two small words, “So That” answers the question why?

The older woman should possess these qualities first for the honor and glory of God and also to teach, encourage and strengthen the younger women.

Discover What the Text Teaches By Asking How?

Last and final question to ask when you are studying your Bible is “How.”

How is this or that to be done?

Let’s look at Titus 3:1 for our example. Titus 3:1,” Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.” Them in this passage is the believer.

You already know that if you have asked the who question while studying through this book! How is the believer to live according to this passage?

We live in submission to our government and to authority, the laws of the land.

The believer is also to live prepared, ready for every good work.

You Can Do This!

As you read and study your Bible begin to start asking these questions, especially the question “WHO?” Do not overwhelm yourself. Take it slow. As time passes it will be as natural as breathing. You will be amazed and blessed with what you will learn. Bonus! You are slowing down and putting the true word of God in your heart and mind! I am praying for you as you dig deeper into the word of God!

PLEASE READ: KNOWING THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

SUBSCRIBE AND DOWNLOAD THE FREE: I WANT TO KNOW YOU GOD WORKSHEETS

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