Share
THE JOURNEY How to read the Bible…and not twist what it says By Allison Antrim I have a tattoo on my right wrist that reads, “It is written.” I got it years ago after being inspired by the beginning of the movie Slumdog Millionaire, as well as a sermon I heard on I Corinthians 4:6. I wanted a permanent reminder of the antidote to my anxiety (that everything in my life was foreknown by God before I was even born), and also the permanent assurance that God’s Word is established and true. For most of my life, God’s Word has been a source of joy, beauty, and encouragement. But it also has perplexed me in its complexity. Some things in the Bible seem plain as day and thus should be agreed upon by everyone. In contrast, others bring different conclusions to different people. I’ve also seen how Christians and non-Christians alike casually throw out Bible verses to support whatever viewpoint they have. I’ve wondered how this could be if all of Scripture is indeed God-breathed and useful for us in all things. Like our pastors, I think the answer lies in being aware of the enemy’s tactics and the steps we take to make sense of the Bible as we read it. Satan led Eve astray by planting a seed of doubt in her mind about God’s Word, and he’s never stopped doing that to humanity. In an age in which we are drowning in a deluge of information, it’s tempting to skim verses as quickly as headlines from social media, grab what we want, and move on. But this significantly increases the risk of misinterpreting and misapplying God’s Word, often to prooftext our own preferences. If we can pause and take the time to apply accurate reading practices while we read the Bible, we have a better chance of hearing God speak and applying his words the way he intends. The Word of God you have on your bookshelf or phone is a gift. It’s been carefully translated through the painstaking work and martyrdom of many throughout history who so wanted you to know the truth of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Make time to read the Bible this week, and use Warren Wiersbe’s 5 questions to guide your reading. Watch how the Holy Spirit changes your heart and mind. May we all become Christians who are not just hearers of the Word, but also those who can confidently read and live out what is written. What’s your current Bible reading practice? How will you deepen your study of God’s Word this week? Five Questions of Bible Study 1. What’s the major theme or “big idea” of this passage? 2. How is that theme presented? What genre of writing is used? 3. Who was the original audience? What was going on in their lives at the time and what did the passage mean to them? 4. What does it mean to me? How does it address what is happening in my life or my heart today? 5. How can I make this passage meaningful to others? [Monday, May 19] John 8:1-11 In this passage, a trap meant for Jesus catches those who laid it. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees interrupt Jesus’ teaching in the temple with a woman “caught in the act of adultery,” reminding Jesus and the crowd what the law says regarding the punishment for this sin. But Jesus surprises them all by saying, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” The tables have turned. Condemnation evaporates. And a woman wallowing in shame and humiliation gets a chance at a new start. What does Jesus’ answer to his accusers’ question tell you about the law, sin, and forgiveness? Who of the accusers was the first to leave? Why do you think this is? [Tuesday, May 20] John 8:12-30 One of the seven “I am” statements in John appears here, when Jesus tells the people, “I am the light of the world.” Though the Pharisees say Jesus’ statement can’t be trusted, Jesus uses the Jewish law of Deuteronomy 19:15 to explain that he and His Father are in agreement about what he says, and therefore his words are true. Twice Jesus says that he does not judge or condemn. He then contrasts the unbelievers among the Pharisees and the people with himself, assuring them that his crucifixion will reveal who he really is. What does Jesus mean by calling himself the light of the world? How has his light changed the way you see your life and the world around you? [Wednesday, May 21] John 8:31-47 Jesus explains that those who believe in him and adhere to what he says will be set free. This is a puzzling statement for some, who question him until Jesus explains his metaphor of slavery. He boldly declares that those who don’t believe him not only will remain slaves, but that they don’t believe because their father is not in fact Abraham or God, but the devil. Compare verse 31 and 32 with verse 47. What do these verses tell you about what it means to believe in God? Have you experienced being set free by Jesus, and what does that freedom look like in your life? [Thursday, May 22] John 8:48-59 The argument between Jesus and the people escalates to the people declaring that Jesus is possessed by a demon. They simply can’t handle what Jesus is saying, especially about eternal life for those who follow his teachings. After all, Abraham, the father of their faith, and every prophet, had died, and these were all very close to God. But the last straw for them is when Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” The people are incensed to hear Jesus call himself I AM, the name God told Moses to call him in Exodus 3:14. What did Jesus mean when he said that those who followed his teachings would never die? How do his words give life to those who believe? [Friday, May 23] John 9:1-17 Jesus explains to his disciples that the blind man they see before them is not blind as a consequence of anyone’s sin, but so that “the power of God could be seen in him.” He heals the man with spit and dirt, an act which confounds the Pharisees because they view it as working on the Sabbath, a major no-no for anyone wanting to uphold the law. Yet the formerly blind man does think there is something special about Jesus, that he must at least be a prophet. What do Jesus’ words about the blind man suggest about disability, weakness, or other physical ailment? Whether or not physical healing occurs, in what ways can such things showcase God’s power? {extra journey resources} CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE. CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project. CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading. The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others. The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages. Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference. Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share what you are learning, questioning or experiencing. We love conversations! © 2025 Heartland Community Church |