There’s a quiet habit many of us have when we open our Bibles, one we may not even realize.
We come looking for answers and comfort. Then, almost instinctively, we ask, “What does this say about me?”
It’s not wrong to long for guidance. But if we’re not careful, we can miss something far more important.
The Bible wasn’t written to us, but it was written for us.
It was written for real people, in actual places, navigating their own circumstances. And when we understand that, it actually deepens its meaning instead of distancing it. Because now we’re not just pulling verses out to fit our lives, we’re stepping into the story God has been telling all along.
When we look at the Bible like God’s redemption plan, a love story, we can see that it’s bigger than us, but it’s not disconnected from us. That may sound obvious, but it changes everything. When we begin with ourselves, scripture becomes nothing more than a self-help book. But when we begin with God, His character, His mercy, His audacious love, His Word opens up in a way that is so much deeper, richer and far more transformative.
We live in a culture that constantly points us inward; trust myself, it’s all about me, my truth. But Scripture gently and firmly redirects our gaze upward. It reminds us that we find truth not by searching ourselves, but by knowing the One who created us.
When we miss the Author, we miss the message. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells one unified story: redemption. It reveals a God who is holy, faithful, merciful and unchanging. It’s not just theology, it’s the foundation for trust we so desperately long for. Because when we know who God is, we begin to understand His promises.
So how do we study Scripture in a way that keeps God at the center?
It starts by slowing down. People live in a world of quick reads and checked boxes, but the Bible was never meant to be rushed. It invites us to linger, to dwell in the words we need so desperately. There is so much beauty in basking in His Word and letting it wash over us.
There are some simple questions we need to ask to understand scripture, too.
When we look at a passage, we should ask: Who wrote it? Who did they write it to? What was the culture at that time? Are there any repeated words or phrases? What stands out or surprises us? Instead of hurrying to a takeaway, let the passage speak first. There is a difference between reading Scripture and dwelling in it.
Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we use as we read scripture, not for confirmation of what we already think, but for clarity. “Lord, show me what is true.”
When we have prayerfully asked the questions and understand the culture, we move toward understanding.
