Perhaps Reformation Day is a good time to be reminded of the difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible. The difference lies in our level of engagement with the text. Bible reading provides a broad familiarity with Scripture. Bible study, on the other hand, involves a more detailed analysis of context, message, and significance. In exegetical terms, we call these steps observation, interpretation, and application.
For example, this morning I went through the epistle of 1 John.
That's where my students will start when they begin to translate the Greek New Testament for the first time. Ultimately, the purpose of their Greek studies is not Bible knowledge for its own sake but to learn exactly what the Bible teaches so that they can apply its teaching in their lives. This difference is apparent even in the opening verse of 1 John, where the apostle uses two different Greek words to describe his experience with the earthly Christ. John not only "saw" the Word of Life. He "gazed at" him. He went from noticing to observing Christ. If we really want to do the Bible justice, we need both approaches -- a broad view of the text, as well as a more concentrated or in-depth study. We attempt to answer three questions whenever we open the Bible:
1. What does the text say?
2. What did the text mean in its original context?
2. What does the text mean to me as I seek to apply its truths in my life?
For me, accomplishing these three goals involves anywhere from 45-60 minutes of Bible study every morning. Remember: Bible reading focuses on breadth and familiarity. Bible study focuses on substance and comprehensiveness. Reading means taking a bite of delicious food. Studying means chewing on and digesting the nutrients so that our bodies can actually use them.
Happy Bible time!