Looking for what the Bible passage meant then adds to our understanding of how we might apply it now. Ultimately, we want to see WHY this passage matters to me and HOW I should be living my life.
Here's what we are suggesting! Simply stated, read, reread and ask a lot of questions. Begin by asking these questions:
- Who was this letter written to?
- What was going on in their world?
- What question, concern or problem was the letter (or epistle) trying to address?
- What was the central idea or theme the writer was trying to convey? Remember, always read the passage in the context of the rest of the letter!
- How does this letter's content fit within the context of the whole of scripture?
- What personal applications can I make from this passage of scripture?
More specifically, we need to ask if can we read the letters of the New Testament and apply them without consideration to context and cultural norms? Some would say we should, but in reality very few if anyone actually does.
Here are two examples to consider.
