Study

How to Study Scripture

Jonathan Pickens
3 Days
Introduction
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Where Do I Start?

Day 1

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Scripture is not silent on Scripture.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is living and active, discerning our heart's very thoughts and intentions. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that it is breathed by God, written so that we may be equipped for every good work. John 1:1 says that the Word was in the very beginning. 1 Peter 1:25 seals scripture as enduring forever.

The Word of God we behold is not a passive player in our stories. It plays an active role in helping us know the Father more as we are shaped to look like Jesus in response.

Let’s get started.

Summary

In Psalm 119, the psalmist asks God to help him understand the Word and to teach him the decrees. In Luke 24:24, we see that Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Let’s follow the same posture as we prepare to open scripture and start with prayer. 

Father, thank you for the gift of your Word. Thank you that you have given us your Word, and that it is true, completely reliable, and trustworthy to speak to us about who you are. Father, we love you, we trust you, and we ask for your help in understanding your word. Amen. 

Now that we’ve prayed, spend a moment to create a game plan for your daily time in God’s Word. Look ahead at your calendar and pick a consistent time and place to spend time in the Scripture. Be careful to remove any distractions that may get in your way! Make use of the “Do Not Disturb” function on your devices, grab your physical copy of the Scripture, and settle in!

To understand the Holy Word of God that we are holding in our hands, we get to take up the job of a detective and ask five key questions: who, what, what, how, and why?

Who? 

  • Who is writing this text? And who are they writing to?

What?

  • What is happening? What are the verbs? What is being done?

What? 

  • What is the object of what’s being done? 

How?

  • How is the action being done? Pay attention to the prepositions!

Today, you have uncovered the who, what, what, and how of our passage together. As we look ahead to tomorrow, we will prepare to answer the most important question of the five: why?

Scripture References

12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
25but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

24
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Jonathan Pickens
Jonathan Pickens
Jonathan Pickens leads the Student Ministry for Passion City Church Cumberland. He graduated from the University of Georgia and is currently finishing his Masters in Theology from Dallas Seminary. He lives in Marietta with his wife, Mary, and their daughter Rae. He loves anything outdoors, time with family, and the church.