Context
The word "Context" is made up of two words: Con and text — which means to be with-the-text. To be with-the-text is vital because God is using the text — His scriptures — to speak to us. We often goof it up by replacing the text with something else...our own biases, beliefs, upbringing, desires, etc. As a result, instead of seeing what God is saying to us through His text, we merely pervert the scriptures to be with-my-desires, with-my-denomination, with-the-culture, etc. When we do this, the Bible essentially becomes our fortune cookie within which we have written our own fortunes.
The text of scripture itself is full of details in which God reveals much. We are often blinded because of the meaning we try to force the text to say. Instead, it is essential to let the text speak clearly. The best way to do this is to look for the details in the passage you are reading, such as names, places, times/dates, verbs, cultural symbols, etc. These elements found in the text will provide vibrant life to what you're reading because these very details are what provide meaning. If you are trained in the original languages, this would be the time to use your brains to bring about a more precise understanding of the details in the text.
One word of caution: People are too quick to read the study notes at the bottom of their Bible's pages. We must be aware that these contributors are not authors of scripture, and they bring their own biases to the table. While they may be very learned scholars and even be correct most of the time, they are not the text. For our purposes in learning how to study the scriptures ourselves, always save commentaries of any kind until afterwards as a way to check your work or theirs!
Summary
Once you're done reading through the passage and collecting the details from the text, it’s a good idea to read the passage straight through again. This is called the Summary. The reason we read through it again is so we don't get too distracted by any one detail. Everything in the passage works together as a complete whole. If someone were to base our lives upon one detail concerning us, they would have an incomplete understanding of who we are. Likewise, the fullest meaning of the details is best understood within the entire passage in which they are presented.
Theology
The word "Theology," like the word Context, is also made up of two words: Theos and -ology — which means God-study. Many people often fear the word Theology because it brings to mind academia, stuffy lecture halls, and biblical scholars. However, the most basic meaning of this word is to learn God and for no better reason than because He wants to be known by us. Some of my favorite theologians are children who eagerly learn God from the scriptures, in full faith believing He is who He says He is.
There are numerous scriptures indicating God's desire to be known, such as John 1:18, "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." God has chosen to reveal Himself to us that we might know Him, His ways, and His Kingdom. Therefore, this third-step — Theology — is the most important reason we are studying the scriptures to begin with. The scriptures reveal God because God is choosing to reveal Himself to us. It is truly remarkable to realize God chooses to be known.
Reflect back through the passage you've read — the details you've noticed and the story as a whole. How was God revealing Himself in the passage? What did you learn about Jesus from what you've read? This will be easier to glean in some passages than others. For instance, one passage might simply say, "God is love," while in another it may take several chapters to reveal that God is love through His actions.
Anthropology
"Anthropology," like the words Context and Theology, is also made up of two words: Anthropos and -ology — which means man-study. This term is often used for the study of humanity in the context of certain cultures throughout the world. For our purposes, we are concerned with what the scriptures teach concerning mankind, the certain human characters involved in the passage, and ultimately what it says about us.
The scriptures tell us more about ourselves than we could ever hope to ponder on our own. "For the word of God is living 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" (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible is like a mirror for our soul. It reveals blemishes and blindspots much like a real mirror does for our face. As we study scripture, God will be completely honest with us concerning our condition, our needs, our desires, our values, our relationships, our attitudes, etc.
There is a particular order to this Bible study method, and Anthropology has purposefully been placed last. It is common for us to read our Bibles with the first intention being to fix ourselves, make ourselves feel better, recharge our soul for the day to come, etc. However, when we come seeking our own desires first, we often force the Bible to falsely say whatever we want it to say in order to meet the need we came with in the way we want that need to be met.
We should first seek to properly see the scriptures through Context, within the full Summary/Story, with a primary goal of noticing how God is revealing Himself to us. After we have done those steps first, we will have a far better chance of rightly recognizing how God is revealing our own hearts and lives. Romans 1:23 indicates we have been far too willing to exchange the trueness of God for images that look like ourselves and other parts of creation. When we read through scripture with a man-centered priority, we will quickly force God to look like us rather than seek how we should reflect Him. Genesis 1:26–27 clearly says we were made in His image. He is the light, and we reflect His light — not the other way around (John 1:3–9). Seek revelation of God first, and this will lead to a proper revelation of your life. Creator first. Creation second. Always.
Now that you have examined the Context, reflected on the Summary, and identified how God has revealed Himself, write down how God was revealing the hearts of people in the passage. What was He also revealing about your own heart and life through the scriptures?
