Wilderness Survival to Backroads Compass: Reading Your Bible
Hey there, Friend! Great to have you back with me on this journey!
Lately, I have been diving into what I am calling Backroads Theology — a scenic route through some theology books where I can learn to read and understand God’s word more deeply. There is no rhyme or reason for why I chose the specific books. I did some research on Bible theology and the various top-notch seminaries and Bible colleges, and chose some books from those courses. Let me say… this does not give me a degree or any certificate. This is my journey in learning more, and I invite you to join me if you like!
So, back to the first book I chose to read, “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. The first thing that grabbed me was how we read the Bible. You know what I mean, right? We read it, and then we highlight and circle what we think is the greatest thing about that verse, but do we really understand what that verse is saying in the context of the whole passage? I remember when I would read the Bible without even thinking about context or how it applied to life. I just read it so that I wouldn’t be counted as a fluffy Christian. (you know the one that fills the seat 2 times a week to mark off a box in the task list?) Anyhow, I would read and highlight a few things that stood out, but honestly, I wasn’t trying to understand the whole idea of that book, chapter, or passage.
I would like to start by saying that we can know is true is that God’s Word will always be His way of guiding us.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105, ESV
I was trying to learn the scriptures that would make sense when I needed them. You know “God doesn’t ever leave us or forsake us” or “I can do all things through Christ.” This was the survival part of reading the Bible. These short concepts based on a single verse can be very encouraging when you have nothing. When you are just learning to trust God rather than yourself, you need something that will remind you that this is possible. These are those scriptures that we write on an index card and hang on the wall, or write on a mirror with a dry-erase pen.
Now hear me, friend. I am not saying that this is not helpful. By all means, please write these scriptures for encouragement every day. There are many to be found. What I am saying is that just a scripture here and there is not all there is to reading God’s Word. We need to read in a way that shows us how God is guiding us to navigate any direction in life by studying His Word beyond simple scripture.
okay…. Let’s hold up for a sec while I give you a bit of encouragement.
I have been there. I get the frustration of reading the Bible and not having a clue what it meant. I would sit and wonder whether I would ever learn anything. I mean, I could memorize the verses every week, but how did that help? I know, I know, you’re probably thinking that memorizing the Word is getting it in my spirit. But Friend, if I don’t understand how, then what good is it? There is more than just the surface of a few encouraging words. Some stories and connections take us beyond the primer reading of the Word.
You don’t need a degree to read the Bible for meaning and understanding. What you do need is an intentional learning agenda. The type of reading I am referring to is called exegesis (es-uh-GEE-sis). Don’t get intimidated by the word; know that there is a word for this learning. All it means is to ask questions when you study the Bible. You see, when you ask the right questions, you can understand what you are reading in the Bible. It helps you navigate the stories and applications. It’s like the compass that guides the van as we take the backroads.
The Bible wasn’t written as a collection of random inspirational thoughts or quotes, even though we love to create all kinds of signs and shirts with our favorite ones. The Bible is not something you crack open when you need a “fortune” to help you through the week. The Bible is the compass that provides detailed direction, helping us understand how to apply what God says to our lives.
“So here is what I am learning about this… 5 questions can change how you read and how you understand what you read. I’ll walk you through a real example in Wednesday’s Journey Note so you can see how this actually works. But for now, let me give you the framework.
- What is happening? It is very helpful to ask what is going on in this book and chapter. That will give you an overview of what the passage may be saying.
- Who was this written to? When you know who the audience is, you can get a better idea of why the writer is choosing specific terms. Paul couldn’t write to the Corinthians like Moses wrote to the Israelites. They were two different groups of people in two different times.
- What did they need to hear? In order to understand the context, it is helpful to understand what problem the audience was facing or what behavior they were exhibiting.
- What is the timeless truth? What is God saying about His character? How is He showing us His plan? What is the principle behind the lesson for the time and culture?
- How do I apply this to my life— now? This is where we apply what we learn to our backroads journey. It is this question that leads us to understand how applying this truth will change our lives.
So many times, we want to get the application part without going through the other questions. We want to apply God’s word to our lives so we can get out of the wilderness and move forward. But remember, we will always face circumstances, and we need to know how to apply the Word of God. When we stop pulling a verse just for survival and start reading for direction and application, we will find freedom instead of condemnation.
My Friend… each verse will connect to the whole story. And that is where the breakthrough is found! The Bible has become more than just a survival guide with inspirational quotes. It has become the compass that will direct our journey as we apply His word to our lives on the backroads.
Here’s what changed for me. When I started asking these questions instead of just checking the box, something shifted. I stopped reading to prove I wasn’t a “fluffy Christian” and started reading because I actually wanted to hear what God was saying. The Bible stopped feeling like a test I was failing and started feeling like a conversation I was invited into. That’s when the wilderness began to clear.
You don’t have to wander the wilderness any longer. The underbrush has been cleared away, and you are now ready to start a fresh journey on the backroads.
I am going to encourage you right here… Choose one passage this week. You may choose Jeremiah 29:10-14 or perhaps John 4:1-26 (the Woman at the Well). Whatever you choose, read the WHOLE passage and ask these 5 questions. Then journal about your encounter with God’s Word. Put the story into words that apply to your life.
This is why we are traveling the backroads. To slow down and allow ourselves to see clearly and find that God’s word is so much more than a quote to help us through a hard time.
