This is a HUGE topic and it Matters!

There are many ways to read the Bible.

• You can read the Bible for the story – the grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and renewal.
• You can read the Bible for the history – to see how God has worked through real people and events.
• You can read the Bible to learn what not to do – the lessons from human failure and pride.
• You can read the Bible to learn what to do – how to walk in faith, love, and obedience.
• You can read the Bible for direction – guidance for decisions, purpose, and daily living.
• You can read the Bible to gain wisdom – truth that shapes the heart and sharpens the mind.
• You can read the Bible to learn principles – timeless truths that stand firm in every generation.
• You can read the Bible to become a witness – to share what God has done and is still doing.
• You can read the Bible to be pointed toward Jesus – the center of every story and the heart of every truth.
• You can read the Bible to know Jesus – His life, His words, His love, and His mission.
• You can read the Bible to be shown by Jesus who God is – the perfect reflection of the Father’s heart.

There is ONLY ONE WAY to Interpret the Bible

Because in the end, Jesus is the point of the Bible. The Bible reveals the Identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Identity of God. We are called to be more like Jesus, Our Identity is found in Christ.

I started reading the bible around 2003/2004. I was in my early 30’s. It didn’t last long. I got a bible that I could read in a language I could understand. That was truly a helpful idea. The Bible I was using had a plan to follow to read the bible in one year. That was the goal. I lasted about 3 months. I truly didn’t pick up the Bible again to read it with intention, until 2015.

I was sitting with my Pastor over lunch to tell him my story and that’s when he hit me with. “Do you read the Bible?” I quickly diverted to my 3-month story and began to tell him how I didn’t understand the Bible blah, blah, blah, and didn’t get too far into that story, when he cut me off and said, “DO YOU READ THE BIBLE? To which my only recourse answer was, “No.” He directed me to two possible places to get started. He suggested I start in either Proverbs or Psalms. Either was a great place to start. He recommended I could read ONE chapter daily. With Proverbs you could do it in one month, because there are 31 chapters. Psalms you could read on for almost 5 months, reading ONE chapter a day. I started with Proverbs 1. The first thing I truly learned from reading the bible, was that I would gain wisdom. I was down with that!

 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]
    knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction.

As I began my journey towards finding Jesus, I kept reading the Bible. I kept listening to those around me who knew the Bible. I kept working towards that missing piece I knew was there. Until the day came, That I FOUND JESUS. It was an exciting time. My Jesus story kept building. He was showing me that my Obedience and Faith would produce Fruit and Gifts, so that I could Spread the Word. Of course, I had no clue that was what was happening. It was just happening. Here is the GIFT that HE GAVE ME.

As I continued to read the Bible, I began to not just read the verses that people liked to quote. I read the entire Chapter of the verse that was quoted. In addition, I would go to the introduction of the book that the verse that was quoted from and get a summary as well!

As I began learning the meaning of Scripture, I started to take notice of something very important. Every single word I read. Every single Book. Every single Chapter. Every single Verse of the Bible, I read through the lens of Jesus.

Not only is the entire point of Bible Jesus, the Interpretation of the Bible is through lens of Jesus!

And you know what I am going to say? I say this with His Authority. I am not a scholar. I never went to school. I have not been taught. No one showed me this method. I have no previous biased. There was no base.

He Just GAVE IT TO ME.

He gave me a Gift.

Yes, I need commentary. Yes, I need help understanding scripture. Yes, I need to study His Word, to better understand it. Yes, I need help and direction from others. However;

I can SEE.

• Search the Scriptures
• Encounter Jesus
• Experience transformation

I can SEA.

• Seek truth
• Embrace grace
• Act in faith

I can C.

• Christ — the center, the message, the meaning

I can C incorrect interpretation of scripture. If it doesn’t match up with Jesus, then it’s from a wolf in sheep’s clothes. When I read the Bible, I am asking these types of questions:

What Would Jesus Do?
Would Jesus agree with that interpretation?
How would Jesus respond?
What would Jesus value most in this situation?
How would Jesus treat the person in front of me?
Would Jesus see this as an opportunity to love or to correct?
How would Jesus balance truth and grace here?
What would Jesus say if He were standing beside me right now?
Would Jesus be pleased with my attitude or tone?
How would Jesus respond to this injustice?
Would Jesus prioritize being right, or being relational?
How would Jesus use His words in this moment?
What would Jesus want me to learn through this challenge?
Would Jesus stay silent, speak up, or simply listen?
How can I reflect Jesus more clearly in what I do next?

There are many ways to Read the Bible. There is ONLY ONE WAY TO Interpret the Bible.

THE JESUS WAY.