God wants to use every passage in the Bible for our spiritual transformation. Whether it’s a narrative passage or the Law in Leviticus God desired both the original audience and us to not just understand His truth but to also apply it.

Before we can apply God’s Word, we need to correctly understand it. We can do this by using proper Bible study techniques. (For more on that see “What is Inductive Bible Study” and “4 R Inductive Bible Study for Everyday Use.“)

We can better understand how God wants us to respond by first understanding the author’s intent for the original audience. The author had a goal in mind, a main idea he wanted to communicate. It’s our goal as students of the Bible to identify and understand the author’s main point.

Don’t let the steps below overwhelm you. If you are already using a solid inductive Bible study method you will already be doing most of them. And many of these steps overlap. For instance, as you observe the passage you will get a big jump on identifying the points and following the author’s train of thought.

Step One: Recognize the literary unit 

When trying to understand the author’s main point keep the passage for study within its literary context. Chapter and verse divisions were not in the original manuscripts but added more than a thousand years later to help us navigate. Although helpful, some of these manmade divisions break in the middle of the biblical author’s thoughts. Therefore, check before and after these divisions to ensure you have the full context. Look for the author’s breaks instead. Words like “finally,” “therefore,” and “now” indicate the author is shifting thoughts, wrapping up, or beginning something new. 

Step Two: Read the passage multiple times 

Use a word-for-word translation like ESV or NASB as your primary study Bible. After you read the passage from that primary translation read it again from a thought-for-thought translation like the NLT. Multiple readings from multiple translations will enhance your understanding. (Also see “Why are there so many Bible Translations?”)

Step Three: Thoroughly observe the passage 

Before we can know what any passage means we must see what it says. Good observation is objective and curious. Set aside any preconceived ideas and look for the details. Key words – words or phrases that the author uses multiple times – reveal what the author believed to be most vital. Important facts and the author’s tone will also point to his main ideas. (Also see “10 Observation Tips for Better Bible Study” and “Helpful Characteristics of Good Bible Observation.”)

Step Four: Identify his primary and supporting points 

Get to the heart of the author’s thoughts by considering the structure of the passage. First, check the grammar. Look for the independent or main clause of the sentences and identify the subordinate or dependent clauses. The dependent clauses support and clarify the independent clause. The independent clause directly points to the main idea. Also note the illustrations or examples used. Recognize what the author uses them to explain.

Step Five: Trace the author’s train of thought

Based on your study, identify the main problem the author addressed or primary topic he described or explained. If he addressed a problem, note his solutions. If he expounded on a topic, list his subtopics or supporting points.

Step Six: Determine how the author wanted his audience to respond 

God intended the audience to respond to what He inspired the author to write. Did the author want them to do something, stop doing something, believe something? Identifying this will point us to his main point.

Step Seven: Check with the author

Compare your interpretation of the passage to the author’s larger writing. Your understanding of this literary unit should support and complement the author’s themes and purpose found in the larger literary context and the whole book. If your understanding seems to be unrelated or even contradict, step back and rethink it. If you’ve been studying the whole book, this step will be quick. If you aren’t familiar with the whole book refer to a trusted resource that can give you a concise overview of the book’s content. (Also see “Recommended Bible Study Resources” and “First Steps to Study a Bible Book.”)

Step Eight: Write a summary statement of the author’s main idea 

Reduce what you’ve learned about the passage into just one sentence. All of your observations will support it, not contradict it. This one sentence will encapsulate what the author said in this passage.

Now what? When we have accurately identified the author’s main idea it lays the foundation for fuller understanding of all the truths and principles in the passage. And keeping the main idea in mind helps us better apply these truths to our lives. (Also see “How to Find Timeless Biblical Principles” and “Four Ways to Apply Scripture to Your Life.“)

What about you? Have you ever worked through a passage to find the main idea?

How to Find the Main Idea of a Bible Passage by Kathy Howard.

I thought I knew him. I followed his ministry. And over the years, I have read and reread his writings. But not long ago, I realized I didn’t know as much about the Apostle Paul as I thought. (For more on how to study the Bible see “The 4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use.”)

While studying Paul and his life for the 50-day devotional “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts,” I discovered several “new” things about the apostle to the Gentiles. Of course they were there all along; I had simply overlooked them. Maybe some will be new to you too. (Also see “5 Facts about Romans you may not know” and “7 Ways John is Different than the Synoptic Gospels.”)

6 little-known facts about the Apostle Paul

1. Paul didn’t jump right into long-term ministry (Galatians 1:13-18) – In my mind, Paul met Jesus on a dusty road, spent three days fasting in Damascus, regained his eyesight, then jumped right into ministry to the Gentiles and never looked back. But a closer examination of Scripture tells a little different story. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote he “went immediately into Arabia (Galatians 1:17).” In fact, he didn’t return to Jerusalem for three years (Galatians 1:18). What did Paul do during all this time in Arabia? Many scholars feel this may have been a spiritual retreat for Paul, a time to reconcile everything he knew from the Old Testament Scriptures with his new reality in Christ. In Arabia, Paul could immerse himself in the reality of his Savior and focus on learning and growing in preparation for ministry.
2. Paul’s nephew saved his life (Acts 23:12-35) – After Paul’s arrest by a Roman commander in Jerusalem, 40 Jewish men bound themselves in an oath to not eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. The Jewish leaders agreed to help them by petitioning the Roman commander to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin for questioning. The assassins planned to attack Paul during the transfer. But the son of Paul’s sister heard of the plot and reported it to Paul at the Roman barracks. When Paul told a centurion, the Roman commander ordered a detachment of almost 500 guards to move him to Caesarea under the cover of night.
3. Saul’s name was not changed to Paul (Acts 13:6-9)– During the biblical account of Paul’s first missionary journey, Luke writes: “Then Saul, who was also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9). From this point forward, Luke only refers to the apostle as “Paul.” This shift does not reflect a name change, as has often been said, but rather a conscious decision on Paul’s part to use a name he already had. Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he was given three names at birth. The third – Paul’s Latin name – better fit the predominately Roman environment. “Saul the Pharisee” chose to be known as “Paul, citizen of Rome.”
4. God gave Paul more than he could handle (2 Corinthians 1:8-11) – Paul and his companions suffered such extreme pressure during a particular situation in Asia they “despaired even of life.” Scholars aren’t sure what event Paul referred to in these verses, but the situation was so dire Paul believed he and his companions might die. He saw no way out of the life-threatening encounter. And indeed, without God’s miraculous intervention, they would have perished. When all human hope was lost God delivered them by His grace through the prayers of the believers (2 Corinthians 1:11). Note: For more about God giving us more than we can handle, see “The Real Promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13.”
5. Paul visited heaven before his death (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) – God gave Paul a glimpse of heaven during his early years as a believer, perhaps during his time of spiritual retreat in Arabia (Galatians 1:17). Paul didn’t know if he had been physically transported or was there in spirit. But he saw and heard “inexpressible things.” Pride would be the natural sinful response to an experience like this, but pride and conceit have no place in God’s servant. Therefore, God allowed something into Paul’s life to foster humility – a “thorn of the flesh.”
6. Paul felt deserted by everyone but God (2 Timothy 4:9-18) – Throughout Paul’s ministry he suffered trials and persecution for the sake of Christ. He was stoned, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and betrayed. He often went without food, sleep, and shelter. During his Roman imprisonment, he also felt alone with no other person to support or defend him. Demas left him because he loved the world. Alexander did him “a great deal of harm.” Yet through it all, the Lord stood with him. Paul was comforted and strengthened by God’s powerful presence.

Want to Learn More about Paul?

I would love to sit down with Paul and hear all his stories, find out all those things not recorded in Scripture. Perhaps he would recount all the gospel victories and tell me more about the suffering he endured for the name of Christ. Pain and struggle may have marked his life, but God’s lavish grace sustained him every moment.

Want to learn even more about Paul’s life and ministry? I have three resources to help. Check out this 40-day devotional through the book of Romans, “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Romans” and the 50-day devotional through the book of Acts, “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.” Also see the 9-week Bible study “Lavish Grace” which explores Paul’s writings and life experience with God’s grace.

Was one of these facts about Paul new to you? If so, which one? Do you know any other little-known facts about Paul? What would you like to know about Paul?

Kathy also speaks on the topic of grace and has an Acts retreat theme. She’d love the chance to share at your women’s retreat, conference, or event. 

6 Things You May Not Know about Apostle Paul by Kathy Howard.

Romans may be one of your favorite Bible books. It certainly holds a significant place in my own faith journey. (See “I’d Love to Tell You My Story with Jesus.”) Although the book of Romans is widely loved among Christians, there may be some things about Paul’s longest letter that you did not know. The following five facts about Romans will help build a solid foundation for your next reading or study of this beautiful book. (See also “First Steps to Study a Bible Book.”)

You’re invited to study Romans now!

By the way, if you’d like to study Romans now, I am beginning a study on Monday, May 25 in the private Facebook group “Reading the Bible Together.” All women are invited to join! Although not required for the study, some in the group will be using my new meaty devotional,“Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Romans,” as an extra resource.

5 Little-known Facts about Romans

1. Paul had not met the believers in Rome

Although Paul knew a handful of the Roman Christians from other places, he had not yet traveled to Rome. Paul had planned to visit the city for some time, however, one hindrance after another had prevented it (Romans 1:13). But, when Paul wrote this letter, a visit to Rome finally felt within his grasp. 

Paul likely wrote Romans around 57 AD, near the end of his third missionary journey during a three-month stay in Corinth (Acts 20:1-3). After he left Corinth, Paul planned a quick trip to Jerusalem to deliver an offering he’d collected for the believers there, then he would head to Rome (Romans 15:25-28). But Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. So, when he finally made it to the city two years later, he was in chains.

2. The Bible doesn’t tell us how the church in Rome began

In the first few decades after Jesus’ return to heaven, Scripture records the establishment of many churches across the Roman empire. But, the church in Rome is not one of them. However, when Paul wrote his letter in 57 AD, the Roman church was firmly established.  Although we can’t know for sure, it’s possible Roman Jews in Jerusalem for Pentecost carried the gospel home with them. We do know that Jews “from Rome” were there (Acts 2:10). Perhaps they even heard Peter’s mighty sermon the day the Holy Spirit arrived with power. 

3. The letter was delivered by a woman

We may not be certain how the gospel got to Rome, but we do know how Paul’s letter arrived. In his greetings, Paul’s high commendation of a female believer named Phoebe seems to indicate her as the letter carrier (Romans 16:1-2). 

Phoebe was a deaconess in the church in Cenchreae, a Greek seaport just two miles east of Corinth. If Paul wrote the letter during a stay in Corinth, perhaps Phoebe stopped by on her way to Rome to pick it up. Phoebe had also significantly participated in Paul’s ministry.

In fact, women occupy a prominent place in Paul’s list of greetings in Romans and represent various walks of life – single, married, mothers. The descriptions also confirm women held significant roles in the early church: Priscilla the teacher and discipler (Romans 16:3-4); Junia a prisoner for Christ (Romans 16:7); and the unnamed mother of Rufus who also mothered Paul (Romans 16:13). 

4. Paul worked to foster unity between the Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church

Although likely founded by Jewish believers, by the time Paul wrote, the church included a significant Gentile population (Romans 1:13). Sadly, the Jews and Gentiles had trouble getting along. Many of the Jewish believers felt as though they should continue to follow certain aspects of the Law and struggled to step away from the long-held traditions (Romans 14:5-6). But the Gentile Christians understood that their standing in Christ freed them from these legalistic regulations. Paul encouraged believers on both sides to stop quarreling over “opinions” or “disputable” matters (Romans 14:1) and put their fellow believers ahead of their own desires. 

5. Paul expected the Roman Christians to partner with him in ministry

The apostle Paul was both a minister of the gospel and a pioneer. For more than two decades he had carried the Good News of Jesus from Jerusalem to Greece, traveling almost 7,000 miles. Now he longed to take the gospel to new territory, to places where the name of Jesus had not yet been proclaimed. For Paul, this meant Spain (Romans 15:24). And Rome was on the way.

But Rome would not simply be a quick stop. He needed time to rest and fellowship with believers (Romans 15:24). He desired to encourage them and be encouraged by them (Romans 1:12). Paul also longed to preach the gospel in Rome (Romans 1:15). But then, Paul planned to take the gospel westward and he needed the help of the Roman Christians (Romans 15:24-28).  Their help might include funds, Latin translators, and even a base of operations for ministry to the west. 

Did Paul make it to Spain?

Although the last biblical historical account ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30-31), Paul’s letters and early church tradition offer clues. Likely, Paul was released from this first Roman imprisonment (Philemon 22, Philippians 1:19-26, 2:24) and continued his evangelistic work for a few more years (1 Timothy 1:3, Titus 3:12). Then, based on Scripture (2 Timothy 4:6-7) and tradition, Paul was arrested a second time in the mid-60’s AD and beheaded by order of Emperor Nero. He declared Christ to the end. (To learn more about Paul’s life and ministry, see “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.”)

Did you learn anything new facts about Romans? What is your favorite part of this amazing letter?

5 Facts about Romans You May Not Know by Kathy Howard.

Many of us tend to avoid reading any Old Testament Prophet. I can think of lots of reasons NOT to read them. For instance, they lived thousands of years ago in a land far, far away. Usually, the specifics of their God-given messages were for the people of their day or for the not-too-distant future. And very often, their messages are hard for us to understand or just, well, strange. 

(Also see “Tips to Help You Understand the Prophets.”)

Recently though, a prophet named Haggai reminded me how very valuable every part of God’s Word is for believers today – including biblical prophecy.

You know, people haven’t changed much since Adam and Eve got locked out of the Garden of Eden. We still want to do things our own way. We still cling to pride. We still put ourselves, our own goals and our own desires first. We still struggle to honor and obey God.

So, I shouldn’t be surprised when an Old Testament prophet says something that steps on my toes and gives good spiritual direction. Sure, they can call out those ancient Jews all day long. But when I see myself in the prophet’s words…

It happened again just this morning when I was reading the first chapter of Haggai. Let me take a minute to set the stage. 

Yes, an Old Testament Prophet is Interesting!

The prophet Haggai spoke for God during the “post-exilic” period in Jerusalem. The Jewish remnant had only been back in Judah from exile in Babylon about 18 years. (See “What is the Post-Exilic Period of the Bible?“)

They first arrived back in Jerusalem in 538 BC under God’s command to rebuild the temple Babylon had destroyed. They quickly got to work. They built the altar and started on God’s house. But in 530 BC, when the surrounding peoples strongly opposed the re-building of the temple, God’s people stopped the work. When things got hard they just gave up, turned away from God’s purposes, and took up their own activities.

Then a decade later, God called Haggai to be His prophet. 

On August, 520 BC the prophet Haggai received a message from God to give to the governor, the high priest, and the people in Jerusalem. Here’s my paraphrase of parts of Haggai 1:

“Why are you relaxing in your nice, comfortable houses while MY house is still just rubble? You’ve spent all your time pursuing your own agenda. But pretty much everything you’ve invested in hasn’t paid off. I withheld my blessings because you didn’t obey me. You put yourself and your desires before Me. You need a heart check, to give some serious thought to how you’re living your life. Will you obey me or not?” 

Find the eternal, timeless spiritual principle

When we read and study Scripture, part of our task is to find the foundational spiritual principles on which the details and the time-bound events rest. (For more about solid Bible study see “4 R Bible Study Method” and “How to Find the Timeless Biblical Principles in Scripture.“)

No, we aren’t living in ancient Jerusalem. God has not commanded us to build His temple. But we have a lot in common with the people described in the first chapter of Haggai. The underlying principles of God’s message are just as applicable to us today. 

For instance, twice God told the people to “consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5, 7). The Amplified version reads “thoughtfully reflect on your conduct.” The original Hebrew contains the concept of the inner most person, our heart. 

Essentially, God asked them to examine their hearts and minds, to evaluate their spiritual condition and their priorities. He called them to reflect on their lives and where they were going. Would they continue in rebellion and stay out of God’s favor? Or would they choose obedience and experience God’s favor (Haggai 1:13-14)?

The message of Haggai hit me right between the eyes. God calls me to “consider my ways,” to keep my priorities straight. He wants me to put Him and His purposes ahead of my own. To obey His commands. Only then can I fully experience His presence and favor.

Let’s not neglect any part of God’s Word. Every piece has value for us today. (Also see “6 Reasons to Read and Study the Old Testament.“)

Have you ever read Haggai or Zechariah?

Surprised by an Old Testament Prophet by Kathy Howard.

Do you tend to use online Bible study resources or physical, printed ones? I do take advantage of the great, online resources, but there are some physical Bible study resources I use almost every day. Not only do I prefer to have the printed page in front of me, but it’s not possible – or at least not free or easy – to find all this information online.

The resources I share below will be helpful no matter the Bible book or topic you choose to study. The information they provide will always be relevant. So, they are well worth the small financial investment. (Note: The Amazon links I share of my favorite resources below are affiliate links.)

My List of 5 Must-Have Bible Study Resources

1. Study Bible – Depending on the one you have, it might include things like background information on each Bible book, concordance, maps, cross-references, and more. It will also include commentary notes, but I encourage you to ignore those until you have done your own study first. 
2. Bible Dictionary – This type of reference not only includes definitions of people, places, objects, and more found in the Bible, but some also include maps, charts, and background information on Bible books. A good one to try is the “Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.”
3. Bible Handbook – The exact information will differ based on the one you choose, but handbooks can include historical, cultural, and archeological information as well as background information on the Bible books. The two I have on my shelf are “Zondervan Handbook to the Bible” and “The Wilkinson & Boa Bible Handbook.”
4. Concordance – A concordance is an alphabetical index of words used in the Bible. Each listing will show the main references in the Bible where each word occurs. A concordance is extremely helpful if you are doing a word, character, or topical study. (Note: A concordance will be specific to a particular English translation like the NIV or ESV, so look for one based on the translation you use most.) Also see “What is a Bible concordance and How do I Use it?“
5. Bible Background Commentary – This type of resource provides cultural and historical information on every passage in the Bible. They help bridge the gap of time and culture between the Scriptures and the life we live today. I love the two-volume IVP Bible Background Commentary. (New Testament volume and Old Testament volume) 

A few more thoughts about Bible reading and study

I love God’s Word and I love to help others gain the tools and confidence to dive in to study Scripture for themselves. I also work to provide you with all the Bible study resources I can. While there’s no one right method for Bible study, there are definitely correct and incorrect ways to approach and study Scripture. If you want to strengthen your Bible study muscles, you may find some of the following posts helpful:

• “How I Read & Study the Bible”
• “4 R Bible Study Method for Everyday Use“
• “Do You Read the Bible all Wrong?“
• “4 Tips to Help You Understand the Bible”
• “11 Tips for Spending Quality Quiet Time with God“

5 Bible Study Resources for Your Home Library by Kathy Howard.

“What does this Bible passage mean to you?” This question is often asked in many Bible study groups. Unfortunately, it’s a dangerous question. It can easily lead us far away from God’s truth.

Why Shouldn’t We Ask “What does this passage mean to you?”

The question itself implies that God’s truth is relative. The question sounds like it’s okay for a Bible verse or passage to mean one thing to one person and something different to another. But God’s truth is not relative. It is absolute because the Bible reflects the perfect character of its Author.

The Bible is true and unchanging because God is true and unchanging. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17). The times and our culture change constantly, but God’s Word never changes. It is just as relevant today as when it was first written. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).

It doesn’t matter what a passage means to us. It only matters what it means to God. Every passage in the Bible has just one, true meaning – what God meant when He inspired it to be written. While, there is but one meaning of any Bible passage, there is endless application. 

Keep reading to see what questions we should ask.

What Question Should We Ask First?

So, where do we begin? Let’s start with: “What does this passage mean?” Our first goal in Bible study is to discover God’s one, original meaning. It may sound daunting, but with the proper tools we can understand the Bible. In fact, God wants us to understand His Word. And it doesn’t have to be hard.

Inductive Bible study is a solid, reliable, evidence-based approach to Bible study. I teach an inductive method I call the “4 R Bible Study Method.” If you prefer video, see “Video Teaching on the 4 R Bible Study Method.” for a little hands on demonstration!

Yes! We can understand God’s Word when we handle it correctly! Just be careful. It is also easy to fall into some common ways of incorrectly approaching Scripture. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). (See also “Do You Read the Bible All Wrong?“ and “4 Tips to Help You Understand God’s Word.”)

What Question Should We Ask Last?

After using correct Bible study tools to understand what the Scripture means, we can apply God’s truth to our lives. Now, instead of asking, “What does this passage mean to you?” we can ask “What does this passage mean for you?” (For more on applying God’s Word see “4 Ways You can Apply Scripture to Your Life.“)

The Bible is a book by God and about God. (See also “Do You Look for God When You Read the Bible?“) It reveals God’s character, plans, purposes, and ways. Again, the Bible is by God and about God. But the Bible is God’s Word for us. Every spiritual truth we find in the Bible has real-life application for our lives today. And the way God shows us to apply His truth will change with time, the circumstances, and our need.

One meaning. Same truth. Endless application.

What Bible study method do you use?  Was today’s post helpful?

Don’t Ask “What Does this Passage Mean to You?” by Kathy Howard.

Faith is an abstract concept. Sometimes difficult to define and hard to describe. So how do we know if we are “doing it right?” How do we know if our faith is strong and genuine?

Although there is no official “faith test,” the eleventh chapter of Hebrews gives us a long list of real-life examples. These men and women, while not perfect, lived lives that demonstrated abiding faith in God. Faith that endured through any and every trial and into eternity.

The individuals described in this “hall of faith” are different. They came from different backgrounds, faced different trials. God delivered some from their temporal struggles and others He delivered to glory. While their lives may have been different, their faith exhibited common characteristics. (Also see “8 Tips to Help You Understand the Epistles.”)

If you want to know more about the Book of Hebrews, check out my brand new meaty devotional “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Hebrews.” Read more about it HERE or see it on AMAZON.

A Faith Example for Us

The author of Hebrews did not include a numbered list of faith characteristics in his letter. But he did give us example after example of men and women who lived by faith. Sometimes he told us what they did as they exercised their faith. Sometimes he gave us hints about what they thought or how they felt.

The list I share below is based on what the author shared. I thoroughly observed the passage and used solid interpretive guidelines to summarize the content with the list below.

The following faith characteristics, demonstrated in Hebrews 11, form a picture of what genuine, enduring faith looks like. We can evaluate our own faith by the faith of those who walked before us. But don’t be discouraged if you feel your faith falls short. These examples are from a lifetime, a life well-lived over time. Instead, let their faith encourage and challenge you to keep moving forward, to keep trusting, to continue to abide.

If you have time, read Hebrews 11:1-40 before you read through the list below.

1. Assurance of God’s Promises (vs 1) – Faith is not living with our fingers crossed, it’s a firm confidence in God and His promises to us.
2. Sacrificial lifestyle (vs 4) – Faith gives God our first and our best.
3. Continuously seeks God (vs 6) – Faith is not a one-time decision. Faith chooses to believe in God and follow Him each day.
4. Obeys in hard things (vs 7) – A life of faith is rarely “easy.” Obedience to God often runs contrary to our culture, and maybe even your family.
5. Trusts God when we don’t understand (vs 8, 17) – We don’t often see God’s big picture. Usually we just see the next step, then the next. Sometimes the next step doesn’t even make sense to us, but faith trusts God has a plan and the power to carry it out.
6. Keeps an eternal focus (vs 10, 13) – The best of God’s promises to us are eternal, they won’t be fully realized in this life.
7. Trusts God to do the impossible (vs 11, 19) – Circumstances may feel insurmountable, but faith knows God is all-powerful.
8. Fears God rather than man (vs 23, 27) – Faith doesn’t allow threats by man to keep it from obeying God.
9. Doesn’t run after temporal pleasures (vs 25, 26) – Faith chooses God over the pleasure of sin and the love of money.
10. Endures persecution for the sake of Christ (vs 35-38) – Although faith doesn’t seek persecution, it stands firm in God when it comes.

Faith Needs an Object

Our faith – our “belief, trust, and confidence” – needs an object. Our faith must be in something or Someone. The one true God, the Creator of all that is, is the only One worthy of our faith. Let’s us put our faith in God. He will not let us down.

You may also find these articles helpful:

• What does the Bible Say about Faith?
• A Simple Definition of Faith by Billy Graham

10 Characteristics of Faith from the Hebrews Hall of Faith by Kathy Howard.

Women often ask me about the best way to read the Bible. “Should I read it all the way through or should I slow down and read one book at a time?”

My answer is “YES.” Stay with me. I’ll explain.

More than three decades ago, when I first fell in love with God’s Word, I didn’t have the tools to really study the Bible for myself. So, I devoured all the in-depth Bible studies I could get my hands on. For a while, I used these kinds of resources as the guide for my time in God’s Word.

Then I realized I could – and should – go straight to God’s Word myself. Published Bible studies are wonderful resources and supplemental studies. But with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, we can learn straight from the Bible. (Also see “How the Holy Spirit Helps Us in Bible Study.”)

For several years I used a “Read-the-Bible-Through-in-a-Year” plan. Then I realized I felt rushed. The amount of reading required each day kept me moving quickly. Sometimes it felt like those family road trips we went on when I was a kid. There simply wasn’t time to stop and visit all the interesting places we passed. Why didn’t we have time to stop and see the “World’s Biggest Ball of Yarn?!” Plus, with that volume of reading every year I got to where I just wanted to hurry and check the box.

A Change in my Own Reading

I really longed to slow down and take my time. So, I made a change. (Also see “What My Quiet Time Looks Like.“)

In recent years, rather than going “wide” and covering all 66 books in 12 months, I’ve been going “deep.” I take a slow, purposeful pace through one Bible book at a time. Depending on the book, I read on average about 15-30 verses a day. This pace allows me to observe and interpret the passage using my simple inductive method the 4-R Bible Study Method. This is also the method we use in the daily Bible Reading Group I lead on Facebook, “Reading the Bible Together.” By the way, if you’d like some encouragement, structure, and accountability to stay in the Bible, I’d love for you to join us!

So, back to the first question. Which is the best way to read the Bible? Wide and fast through the whole Bible in a year or less? Or, slowing down and going deep?

Yes. We need both. 

We Need Wide 

Reading through the whole Bible in a relatively short period of time – a year or less – helps us see the “Meta-narrative” or big story of Scripture. (Also see “What is the Metanarrative of the Bible?”) We need to see how all the individual pieces fit together and the full scope of God’s big plan. Understanding the whole Book helps us better understand each book. (Also see “How Literary Context Aids Our Understanding.”) Reading individual books without that big picture understanding is like watching the 4^th Star Wars movie before you’ve seen movies 1-3. 

We Need Deep

Once we have a feel for the Meta-narrative, not only will the pieces make more sense we will also enjoy them more. We will see truths we would otherwise miss. 

Slowing down gives us time to reflect and savor. It gives God room to embed His truths in our hearts and use them to shape our character and refine our faith. Going slow gives God time to “catch us.”

A slow, deep pace plants God’s Word in our hearts where it can take root and grow.

Never read the Bible through before?

If you’ve never read the whole Bible through in a year or less, I highly recommend that you do. I’ve got a couple of reading plans on my website that can help. One reading plan takes you straight through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Another one, organized chronologically, will take you through most of Scripture in the order things happened historically. (The Bible is organized by category rather than chronologically. See “How is the Bible Organized?” for more.)

Pastor Lamb’s Reading Plan – This Bible reading plan, which takes you through the entire Bible in a year, was compiled by one of my former pastors. It includes reading assignments for every day of the week.

Chronological Plan – If you’ve never read through the Bible before or you don’t currently read your Bible at least five times a week, I suggest you begin with this plan. Although it doesn’t cover every single Bible book and verse, you will read through all the major stories and key passages of Scripture in chronological order. And it includes just 5 reading assignments a week.

Ready to dive deep?

If you feel you have a decent grasp of the Big Story, try slowing down and savoring one book at a time. Here are a few tips:

• Have a plan for reading – Pick a book of the Bible you’re interested in and start working through it at a pace that works for you. Or use a reading plan. There are multiple plans on my Resource Page that take you through individual books at a slow pace. 
• Start with the book’s Background – Before you start reading, find out the background info like who wrote it, who it was written to, and why it was written. It will lay the right foundation for your reading. For help see“First Steps to Study a Bible Book.”
• Consider how you’ll “digest” what you read – There are right ways and wrong ways to study Scripture. A faithful Bible student uses good study tools. One simple, but solid, study method is the 4 R Bible study method.
• Consider using one of the DEEP ROOTED books – Ready to try inductive Bible study but want some “training wheels” to get started? Each one of my Deep Rooted devotional books each you through a book of the Bible using the 4 R format. Volumes include Mark, John, Acts, Romans, and Hebrews.

What’s your current reading style? Wide or deep?

What’s the Best Way to Read the Bible? by Kathy Howard.

Critics of the Bible often claim that the resurrection accounts in the four Gospels contradict each other. While it’s true they are not identical, different does not mean contradictory. Instead, these various accounts complement each other and broaden our understanding.

I’ve seen police dramas in which the investigators doubt the testimony of two eyewitnesses whose accounts are exactly the same. Why do they doubt? Because identical indicates the witnesses collaborated and rehearsed their stories. But complementary stories that share different details ring true because every individual experience does vary. Each person sees unique aspects and encounters the same event from a different perspective.

Do We Really Need Four Gospels?

For the last several months I’ve been teaching through the Gospel of John in a Sunday morning adult Bible study class. In our first week, we discussed the purpose, themes, and structure of John’s account. The content clearly aligns with his stated purpose for writing (John 20:30-31). (By the way, if you would like to study the Gospel of John, I’d be honored if you’d check out my study “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Gospel of John.“)

Under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each selected what to include in their Gospel account. They shaped that material to meet their purpose and address the needs of their specific audience. If the Gospel authors included the same events, each focused on different aspects to support their overall purpose. (Also see “7 Ways John is Different from the Synoptic Gospels.”)

While each Gospel is unique and distinct, they do not contradict. Rather they complement one another. Together they provide a more comprehensive picture and deeper understanding of Jesus, His nature, His teaching, and His mission.

“Read Horizontally” Across the Gospels

Last week in our class we studied John’s account of Jesus’ resurrection found in chapter 20 of his Gospel. As part of my preparation, I read and compared all four resurrection accounts to get a broader understanding of what happened on the first Easter Sunday. (Also see “The Cross is Not Enough: Five Reasons We Need the Resurrection.”)

This strategy is an effective and practical way to better understand any passage from one of the Gospels. When an event or teaching we are studying in one Gospel is also recorded in one or more other Gospels we should also read those and compare. This study tool, sometimes referred to as “reading horizontally,” means we read across the Gospels. You can do this by separately looking up the event in each Gospel or by using a special resource known as a “Synopsis of the Four Gospels.” (Also see “4 Tips for Understanding the Gospels.”)

An Example from the Resurrection Accounts

If you’ve read about Jesus’ resurrection from more than one Gospel, you probably noticed that there are differences. None of the four Gospel writers tell this miraculous event the same. They each share different details and present things in a slightly different order. 

To see the big picture of the resurrection, I read all four Gospel accounts. I noticed that although each author shared different specifics, sometimes in a slightly different order, they all included the same basic information in five specific areas:

1. Women were the first to visit the tomb on Sunday morning.
2. The women discovered an open, empty tomb, and encountered angels.
3. The angels gave instructions to the women.
4. The women reported to the disciples.
5. Jesus appeared to His disciples and others, confirming His resurrection.

I started five lists, one for each of the broad areas above. Then I read each Gospel and added the specifics from each to the appropriate list. You can use this same process with any event or teaching in the Gospels. These lists reveal both similarities and distinctions. (The image to the right shows the basics of the lists I created.)

The differences in the details do not prove contradiction but instead are typical examples of eyewitness accounts. For instance, John wrote the Mary Magdalene went to the tomb first on Sunday morning. The other three Gospel writers all cite Mary Magdalene but also mention others. John did not exclude other women, he only specifically mentioned Mary Magdalene. 

When the four accounts are examined side by side, we find harmony on the essentials and variation on the details. This aligns with authentic, eyewitness testimony. Yes, the Gospels are different. And yes, the Gospels tell the same story. Four eyewitness accounts, one glorious truth.

The image to the right links to a PDF version of this infographic. If you’d like, feel free to download and print it for reference! Or you can also CLICK HERE for the PDF!

What is your favorite Gospel story?

How to Harmonize the Gospel Resurrection Accounts by Kathy Howard.

You’ve seen those odd biblical texts names in the footnotes of your Bible and wondered what they are. Names like Septuagint, Vulgate, and Masoretic Text keep popping up at the bottom of the page in tiny little print. But what are they? They are all either translations, versions, or collections of biblical text. Keep reading for a quick definition of several names you’ll want to know! (Also see “Why are there so Many Bible Translations?“)

Septuagint

During the time of Alexander the Great, many Jews lived outside Palestine. Since the Greeks imposed their language in the areas under their control, Greek became the common language for many Jews living outside Palestine. So, about 200 B.C. a group of 70 Jewish scholars produced a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures known as the Septuagint. You may see it referred to as “LXX” (70) in Bible footnotes and commentaries. (Also see “3 Reasons We Can Trust the Bible.” and “Who Wrote the Bible and Why Does it Matter?”)

Masoretic Text

Ancient Hebrew was written without vowel sounds or punctuation making the Old Testament text difficult to read. So, between the 7^th and 9^th centuries, Hebrew scholars known as the Masoretes, worked to incorporate the vowels, punctuation, and stress that was known through oral tradition, into the written text of the Scripture. The text they produced, which is known as the Masoretic Text, was based on the best Hebrew manuscripts and meticulously preserved oral tradition. The oldest copies we have today of the Masoretic Text are from the 9^th century. It is the traditional authoritative Hebrew version of the Old Testament on which most of our English translations are based. It’s commonly abbreviated as “MT” in Bible footnotes and commentaries. For a thorough explanation of the Masoretic text and its importance see “Following the Footnotes: The Masoretic Text” and “What is the Masoretic Text?”)

Dead Sea Scrolls 

In 1947, a teenage Bedouin shepherd found a collection of clay jars in a cave along the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. Those jars contained ancient manuscripts and manuscript fragments. Between his discovery in 1947 and 1956, close to 1,000 scrolls and scroll fragments were found in eleven caves in that area. About 230 of them are biblical scrolls. These Dead Sea Scrolls include complete or partial copies of every book in the Old Testament except Esther. 

Experts say most of the scrolls date to between 2,000 BC – 200 AD. These scrolls are the oldest existing copies of the biblical texts. That’s about a millennium older than the oldest existing copy of the Masoretic Text. What’s more amazing is there’s only a 5% variation between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Masoretic Text. That’s solid proof of God’s miraculous preservation. (For more on the Dead Sea Scrolls, see “9 Things You Should Know about the Dead Sea Scrolls.”) 

Vulgate

The Vulgate is a Latin version of the Bible commissioned by Pope Damasus I. The scholar, St Jerome, finished his translation in 400 A.D. He used the Septuagint, the Hebrew Old Testament, the Greek New Testament, and the Apocrypha. The Vulgate became the official Bible of the Church and dominated Christianity for 1,000 years before King James VI authorized a new English translation based on the best Hebrew and Greek manuscripts known at the time. (Note on the KJV: The King James translation was completed in 1611 AD. Older manuscripts have been discovered since its translation. Today’s English translations are based on these older manuscripts.)  

Apocrypha

The Apocrypha is a collection of fifteen books written during the time between the testaments. They are accepted as authoritative by the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Christians, but not by Protestant Christians or Judaism. Although they had been used by Catholics for centuries before, they were not officially included in the Catholic Bible until A.D. 1546. It’s believed their acceptance by the Catholic church was an attempt to counter Martin Luther and John Calvin’s criticism of these books during the reformation.

Based on historical evidence, conservative biblical scholars don’t believe Judaism ever accepted these books to be inspired and authoritative like the other 39 Old Testament books. The Jews believe that divine prophecy ended with Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi who were God’s prophets during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. (See also “What is the Post-Exilic Period of the Bible?“) So, they don’t accept any books dated after about 450-400 B.C. However, Jewish and Christian scholars find both historical value and insight on how theology developed between the testaments in the Apocryphal books. (See also “What is the Apocrypha?“)

Had you heard of these? Are there any other biblical texts names you’ve seen in the footnotes?

Odd Biblical Texts Names in Your Bible’s Footnotes by Kathy Howard.