The Bible is God's Word (And We Must Handle It Responsibly)

Big Idea: The Bible is God's Word—God-breathed, precious, and true. We have a responsibility to handle it carefully, not carelessly.

Scripture to Read:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed

• Acts 17:11 - The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily

• 2 Peter 1:20-21 - No prophecy came by human will alone

Reflect:

• Do you handle God's Word responsibly or carelessly?

• Have you ever taken a Bible verse out of context to make it say what you wanted?

• Are you like the Bereans—examining Scripture to see if what you hear is true?

The Berean Example: In Acts 17, Paul preached in various cities. Most people just accepted whatever philosophy came their way. But the Bereans were different—they listened to Paul, then went home and searched the Scriptures to see if what he said was true. They were students of God's Word.

That's what we must be.

Action: Commit to being a Berean this week. When you hear a sermon, read a Christian book, or see a Bible verse on social media, ask: "Does this align with Scripture? Can I verify this?"

The Bible Points to ONE Thing: Jesus

Big Idea: The entire Bible—Genesis to Revelation—is about Jesus. It's not about you. It's not a collection of random stories. It's one unified story marching toward the cross and resurrection.

Scripture to Read:

• Luke 24:27 - Jesus explained how all Scripture is about Him

• John 5:39 - The Scriptures testify about Jesus

• Colossians 1:15-20 - All things were created by Him and for Him

What Happened on the Road to Emmaus: After Jesus rose from the dead, He walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). They didn't recognize Him. Jesus asked what they were discussing, and they explained the crucifixion. Then Jesus did something incredible:

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27)

Jesus showed them that the ENTIRE Old Testament—from Genesis through the prophets—is about Him.

A Pet Peeve: You are not David slaying Goliath. That story isn't about you. It's a true historical event that points to the cross. If you're anywhere in the story, you're one of the weak Israelites on the sidelines watching a warrior defeat your enemy on your behalf. That's a shadow of Christ.

Everything—cover to cover—points to Jesus.

Reflect:

• Have you been reading the Bible as if it's about you instead of about Jesus?

• How does this shift your perspective on familiar stories?

Action: This week, as you read any Old Testament passage, ask: "How does this point to Jesus? What does this reveal about the coming Messiah?"

Context, Context, CONTEXT

Big Idea: The first rule of biblical interpretation is CONTEXT. Without context, you will misunderstand Scripture.

The Rule: Context. Context. Context. Context. Context. You can't write it down enough. Context is everything.

Why Context Matters: Three Examples

Example 1: The Bear Photo Without context, you don't know if this is a man's pet or if he's about to be mauled. If I tell you it's from Russia, suddenly it makes sense.

Example 2: The Truck in Power Lines How did it get there? Tornado? Hurricane? Accident? Without the full story, you're left guessing.

Example 3: Mary and Joseph We picture Mary on a donkey with Joseph walking beside her through the desert, alone. But that's a Western idea. In the East, they would have traveled with a caravan—family, friends, cousins. It was dangerous to travel alone.

Why do we picture it wrong? Because we fill in the gaps with our own Western context. We think of how Rachel went into labor—we got in the car alone and drove to the hospital. But that's not how it worked in the ancient East.

The Bible is an ancient Eastern book. We have to work to understand its context, or we'll read it through our Western lens and miss the meaning.

Reflect:

• What other Bible stories have you filled in with your own cultural assumptions?

• How might understanding the ancient Eastern culture change how you read Scripture?

The Structure of the Bible

Big Idea: The Bible is God's library, not just one book. It has different types of literature, and you have to read each type appropriately.

The Old Testament Structure:

1. Genesis - Esther: The HISTORY of God's People

• Genesis 1-11: WHY God created (relationship and love)

• Genesis 12 - Esther: The story of God's people from Abraham forward

• Key moment: Genesis 12 (Abrahamic Covenant—land, people, blessing to all nations)

2. Job - Song of Solomon: The WRITINGS of God's People

• Commentary during the history

• Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

• Think of it as the people of God reflecting on what's happening in their lives

3. Isaiah - Malachi: The PROPHETS Amongst God's People

• Major Prophets: Longer books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel)

• Minor Prophets: Shorter books (Hosea, Joel, Amos, etc.)

• They're prophesying DURING the history, calling people back to the covenant

Important: The writings and prophets are happening within the timeline of the history (Genesis - Esther).

The New Testament Structure:

1. Matthew - John: The GOSPELS (God's Revelation to the World)

• Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptic Gospels—same perspective)

• John (unique theological focus)

• All about Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection

2. Acts: The Story of God's NEW People

• The church is born

• God forms a new people to carry the promise from Genesis 12 to all nations

3. Romans - 3 John: The TEACHINGS of God's People

• How do we live in light of the New Covenant?

• How does the church behave?

• How do we deal with sin, relationships, spiritual gifts, etc.?

4. Revelation: God's FINAL VICTORY for His People

• God wins

• Heaven comes down to earth

• All things are restored

Reflect:

• When you open the Bible randomly, do you know what section you're in?

• How does knowing the structure help you understand what you're reading?

Action: Before you read your next Bible passage, identify: Am I in history? Poetry? Prophecy? Gospel? Teaching? This will help you read it correctly.

Five Themes of the Old Testament

Big Idea: The Old Testament follows five major movements that all point toward Jesus.

1. THE FALL (Genesis 3)

• Sin enters the world

• Humanity is separated from God

• Creation is broken

2. THE COVENANT (Genesis 12)

• God chooses Abraham

• Promises: Land, people, blessing to all nations

• This is about Jesus coming through Abraham's line

3. THE NATION (Exodus - 1 Kings)

• Israel is formed as God's people

• David's kingdom—Israel at its peak

• Solomon's reign—wealth and glory

• But they abandon God

4. THE EXILE (2 Kings - prophets)

• Israel splits: Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom (Judah)

• They're sent into exile in Babylon for 70 years as discipline

• The prophets call them back to the covenant

5. THE RESTORATION (Ezra - Malachi)

• After 70 years, they return to the land

• They rebuild the temple and walls

• But they're still waiting—hoping for a Messiah to save them

At the end of the Old Testament, Israel is sitting in silence, waiting for hope.

Then Jesus comes.

Reflect:

• How does understanding these five movements help you see the Bible as one unified story?

• Where do you see Jesus hinted at in each of these movements?

You Have to Know What Type of Literature You're Reading

Big Idea: You can't read poetry the same way you read history. You can't read prophecy the same way you read a letter. Different genres require different approaches.

Examples:

Poetry (Psalms):

• Full of metaphor, imagery, and emotion

• "The LORD is my shepherd" (Psalm 23)—God isn't literally a shepherd, but the metaphor is beautiful

History (Genesis - Esther, Gospels, Acts):

• Actual events that happened

• Read it as narrative—what happened, why it matters, how it points to Jesus

Prophecy (Isaiah - Malachi):

• Often calling people back to the covenant

• Sometimes looking forward to the Messiah

• Filled with imagery and symbolism

Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes):

• General principles for life, not absolute promises

• "Train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6)—generally true, but not a guarantee

Letters/Epistles (Romans - Jude):

• Written to specific churches with specific problems

• We learn principles that apply to us, but we have to understand the original context first

Reflect:

• Have you ever read a Psalm and treated it like a history book?

• Have you ever read a Proverb and treated it like an absolute promise?

Action: Before you read a passage, identify what type of literature it is. Ask: "How should I read this genre?"

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive

Big Idea: Some passages describe what happened (descriptive). Some passages prescribe what we should do (prescriptive). We have to know the difference.

Descriptive: This is what HAPPENED

• David killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

• Paul sent handkerchiefs that healed people (Acts 19:11-12)

• These are historical events, not commands for us to repeat

Prescriptive: This is what we should DO

• "Go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19)

• "Repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38)

• These are commands for us to obey

The Danger: Christian TV preachers say, "Send me $19.99 and I'll send you a cloth I prayed over, and you'll be healed!"

That's evil. That's taking a descriptive passage (Acts 19) and turning it into a prescription. Paul never charged anyone. He never commanded us to do this. It happened once, and we're told nowhere to repeat it.

Reflect:

• Have you ever seen someone take a descriptive passage and make it prescriptive?

• How can you tell the difference?

The Test:

• If it happens once and is never repeated → Probably descriptive

• If it happens multiple times and is commanded → Probably prescriptive

Action: When you read a passage, ask: "Is this describing what happened, or prescribing what I should do?"

The Context Circle: How to Study a Passage

Big Idea: Start with the text, then zoom out until you find the meaning.

Step 1: Start with the TEXT

Read the verse or passage you're studying.

Example: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Step 2: Read the SURROUNDING VERSES

Read the verses immediately before and after.

Philippians 4:10-13: "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me... I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Ah! Now we understand: This isn't about bench-pressing or achieving your dreams. It's about enduring hardship and being content in all circumstances.

Step 3: Read the CHAPTER

If you're still unclear, read the whole chapter.

Example: John 6 - Jesus says, "Are you going to leave too?" Why is He asking that? Read the whole chapter—many disciples left because of His hard teachings.

Step 4: Read the WHOLE BOOK

For shorter books (Philippians, Ephesians, James), read the entire book in one sitting to get the full context.

Example: Romans 1-2 - Romans 1 talks about homosexuality, but if you only read that, you miss Paul's point. In Romans 2, he says the Jewish people are just as sinful because of pride. Paul's point: Everyone is sinful. All sin is idolatry. We all need Jesus.

Step 5: Read the CORPUS (All Writings by That Author)

If you're still struggling, read all of Paul's letters, or all of John's writings. Scripture interprets Scripture.

Example: If you're confused about something in Galatians, read Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, etc. Paul often addresses the same themes in different letters.

Step 6: Read the WHOLE BIBLE

Sometimes you need the full scope of Scripture to understand a passage.

Most of the time, you'll find meaning in Steps 1-3. But don't skip the work if you need to go deeper.

Two Key Questions to Ask Every Passage

Big Idea: Every passage of Scripture tells us something about God or something about human nature.

Question 1: What does this tell me about GOD?

• His character, His attributes, His actions, His promises

Question 2: What does this tell me about HUMANITY/SIN?

• Our condition, our need, our rebellion, our brokenness

If you're struggling to understand a passage, ask these two questions and you'll start to find meaning.

Misunderstood Verses (Context Fixes Everything)

Example 1: Philippians 4:13

What we think it means: "I can bench press 300 pounds! I can achieve my dreams! I can do anything!"

What it actually means (in context): "I can endure hardship. I can be content whether I'm rich or poor, well-fed or hungry, because God gives me strength."

The Truth: This isn't about achieving—it's about enduring. It's so much more beautiful when you understand the context.

Example 2: Jeremiah 29:11

The verse: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

What we think it means: "God has a great plan for MY life! He's going to bless ME! I have a future and a hope!"

What it actually means (in context): This was written to the Israelites in exile in Babylon. God is saying: "After 70 years of discipline, I will bring you back to the land. I am faithful to my promises."

The Real Meaning: This isn't a promise to YOU—it's a promise FOR you. It tells you something about God's character: He is faithful when we are faithless. He always keeps His promises.

That's a deeper, richer meaning than a temporary blessing.

Reflect:

• Have you ever clung to Jeremiah 29:11 during a hard time, only to feel abandoned when things didn't work out?

• How does understanding the context give you a better foundation?

The Application: If God was faithful to a wicked people who committed spiritual adultery for 600 years, He can forgive me too. He is faithful. That's the real promise.

Final Encouragement

Big Idea: You can't escape context. You have to do the work. But when you do, the Bible comes alive.

The Goal: When you sit down with your Bible and a cup of coffee in the morning, the Word of God should come alive to you—not because you're reading it carelessly, but because you're reading it responsibly, with context.

You're not looking for what the Bible says TO you. You're looking for what it says ABOUT God, ABOUT humanity, and ABOUT Jesus.

And then—THEN—you can apply it to your life.

Action Steps:

Today:

• Pick one verse you've misunderstood (Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11, etc.)

• Read the surrounding verses, then the whole chapter

• Ask: What did this mean to the original audience? What does it teach me about God?

This Week:

• Commit to reading one book of the Bible in one sitting (start small—Philippians, James, 1 John)

• Use the Context Circle method on any passage you don't understand

This Month:

• Become a Berean—examine everything you hear against Scripture

• Stop taking verses out of context on social media

• Teach someone else how to read the Bible with context

Remember:

• The Bible is not about you—it's about Jesus

• Context is everything

• Do the work, and the Word will come alive

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
— 2 Timothy 3:16