I just don’t get the Bible
February 13, 2008 | T. Suzanne Eller
A few of my friends and I were sitting around a campfire recently and the conversation turned to faith.
“I just don’t understand the Bible,” one friend said. “I read it. I just don’t get it.”
Maybe that’s your struggle, too. One resource that has really be helpful to me is Studylight. It’s an online resource that allows you to read passages of scripture (it also has an audio feature that will read it to you), but it offers much more than that.
It allows you to search through different versions of the Bible, for example New Living Testament or The Message, which shares the verse in more modern-day language.
Studylight offers Biblical commentaries, where theologians share context and the Greek or Hebrew meanings of words. There’s much more, but this is a great start.
Another thing that helped me when I first began to study the Bible was to read it with the Five W’s in mind: Who, what, why, where, and when.
This is one of my favorite passages to share with teens.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)
We can read this scripture and make it a stand-alone thought (which really can be confusing, and sometimes people misconstrue the original meaning this way) or we can study it a little deeper with the 5 W’s.
- Who is the author of the book of the Bible, 1st Timothy? It was written by Paul the Apostle, Timothy’s spiritual mentor. Paul was an experienced missionary and church planter (someone who starts new churches in areas where there might not be a church). He traveled long distances to tell about Jesus, and what it meant to be a Christ follower.
- What is the book of Timothy? It was a personal letter written to Timothy.
- Why did Paul write this letter? Two reasons: One, to encourage Timothy. Two, to give him practical tips gained by Paul’s experience and wisdom to help Timothy deal with difficult people and to effectively minister.
- Where was Timothy when this letter was written? He was in the city of Ephesus. Timothy was a leader in the church and tangling with problems. One dilemma was a group of teachers who were creating confusion among the new believers by focusing on the old Law rather than grace.
- When was this written? Sometime early in Timothy’s ministry. It was written after Jesus’ death, and during the latter part of Paul’s ministry.
When we read the scripture one more time in context (understanding the 5 W’s) we understand more clearly what this verse means, and the advice that Paul was giving to the young minister.
Then we can apply it practically in our own lives. How can this teaching to Timothy help you or me when we face difficult people, or when we feel ill equipped to share our faith? Paul is telling Timothy to live his faith by example when it is questioned or when people try to misconstrue what he is sharing. It’s not about his age or about getting into debates, but to trust God and lead by living a life of relevant faith.
Do you have questions about Scripture? Do you know of any great study helps? Do you ever struggle with understanding the Bible? I’d love to dig deeper into the Bible with you if you do.
Blessings,
Suzie
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