I had a conversation recently with a friend about the Bible. My friend’s question was, “How can I understand what the Bible says?” What an excellent question . . . I ask that all the time! From the perspective of an amateur Bible reader, that is, I’m not professionally trained to interpret Scripture, I’ve compiled a short list of the things I do as I approach the Word of God.

1.        Decide in your heart and mind that the Bible is absolutely true.

After all, aren’t we supposed to believe it’s the inspired (God-breathed) Word of God? When I’m reading my Bible, I choose to believe everything it says. I may not understand everything, but I believe it is true.

2.        Ask God to help you understand.

As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit, who instructs and guides us in the ways of God. Before I begin reading each day, I ask God to open my heart so that I may see His Word.

3.        Make the decision to apply what God speaks to you through His Word.

I once heard a pastor say that God will reveal His Word to you only as far as you will apply it. If I truly want to understand what He’s saying, I need to decide that I will obey what He says, no matter what. If we want to hear from God, we must align ourselves to obedience.

4.        Read the Bible for what it says.

It is true that the Bible contains poetry, epic sagas, allegory, figurative speech, and all the great elements of literature. But, that doesn’t make it less true or believable. As an amateur Bible reader, my first inclination is to believe the Bible as I read it. When Genesis says God created two people, Adam and Eve, I believe they were two real people - not tribes or people groups, not apes that would turn into humans later, but real, actual people (without belly buttons). Don’t try to read in your own preconceived ideas, just take the Bible at face value.

5.        Identify obvious use of figurative language.

We have obvious figurative language we use today. For instance, my wife tells me all the time she’s going to pound my face with a 2X4. She hasn’t done it (probably because we don’t have any 2X4’s around), it’s a figure of speech. The Bible also has obvious figures of speech. God told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the sands on the seashore. This is obviously a figure of speech.

6.        When you have a question, ask a pastor.

When you have a question . . . you will! But, the beauty of the church is that God gave us pastors and teachers. These are people with insight into the Scripture, a good ability to explain what it means in simple terms, and who have been professionally trained at seminary. They have studied the original languages used; they have researched the historical context and they understand the culture of the day. Central is blessed more than many other churches. We have three full-time pastors who’ve been through seminary. We have one full-time youth intern who is in seminary. And we have three (that I know of) retired pastors who attend here. These are all people professionally trained and experienced in the interpretation of the Scripture. When I have a question, I ask one of them.

Reading the Bible is one of the most important things you can do as a Christian. In the Bible, we discover the framework for the way we think and believe about everything in the Universe (our worldview). In the Bible, God reveals Himself to us more clearly than through any other way. You cannot separate God from His Word. If you want to know Him, know His Word.