Exegeting and Teaching the Bible for Lay Leaders(Part 1 of 4): Observation.
How to Read and Observe a Bible Passage in Context
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of teaching the Bible—whether to a small group, Sunday school class, or even your own family—this series is for you. Over the next four posts, we’ll break down the process of studying, applying, and communicating Scripture into practical steps anyone can follow—no seminary degree required. Let’s start where all good Bible teaching begins, with careful observation.
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Why Observation Matters More Than You Think
Ever notice how two people can read the same Bible passage and walk away with entirely different takeaways? That’s why “how” we read matters. Observation is the foundation of exegesis—the fancy word for “figuring out what the Bible says in context.” It’s about training your eyes to see what’s “in” the text before jumping to what it “means” for today.
Think of it like detective work. You’re gathering clues: repeated words, key characters, shifts in tone, and puzzling details. The goal isn’t to sound scholarly but to let the Bible speak for itself. As Paul says:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Step 1: Choose Your Passage Wisely
Start small. If you’re new to this, avoid tackling entire books or chapters immediately. Instead, focus on a manageable section—like a parable (Luke 15:11-32), a psalm (Psalm 23), or a compact teaching (Matthew 5:3-12).
I realize that digital Bibles are all the rage today. However, I want to encourage you to use a physical Bible in step one. Get a pencil, pen, or highlighter and mark the following:
Verbs (action words)
Circle names of people and places (nouns and pronouns)
Look for connection words (e.g., and, but, therefore, so, because of)
Jot down questions in the margins
Writing slows you down and helps you notice details you’d otherwise skim. I’ve created a free course called S.O.A.P.+ to help you master this step.
The Power of Handwriting: Deepening Your Bible Study Through Writing
Studying Scripture through handwriting offers benefits that typing cannot match. Research shows that writing out passages engages the brain more deeply, enhancing memory and comprehension. Handwriting encourages you to slow down and thoughtfully process ideas, essential for grasping complex theological concepts.
This method creates a sensory connection between your thoughts and the page, helping you recall verses and insights more easily. While typing is faster, it lacks the mental engagement that handwriting provides, particularly when analyzing Greek terms or a passage’s structure. For teachers aiming to teach Scripture effectively, using a pen can significantly improve their engagement with God’s Word.
Step 2: Read Like You’ve Never Read It Before
Ever rushed through a familiar verse like John 3:16? Familiarity not only breeds contempt but also breeds apathy. This time, read the text like it’s brand new. Ask:
Who is speaking, and who are they speaking to?
What actions, commands, or promises are stated (implicitly or explicitly)?
Where and when does this take place? (Hint: Check the chapter intro in your study Bible for context.)
For example, when Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened” (Matthew 11:28), notice the audience: “exhausted people.” That changes how we understand His invitation.
Step 3: Note the Obvious (Yes, Even the “Boring” Stuff)
Start by listing plain facts:
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus naps during a storm.
Ruth “clung to” Naomi (Ruth 1:14)—a Hebrew word implying stubborn loyalty.
The Good Samaritan spends “two days’ wages” on a stranger (Luke 10:35).
Don’t skip the “who cares?” details. Why does John mention it’s “about noon” when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman (John 4:6)? Because the heat can explain why she’s alone, and why Jesus’s kindness matters.
Step 4: Crack Open Multiple Translations
Comparing translations is like getting a second opinion. The NIV says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The NLT paraphrases, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God!” The ESV keeps it literal: “Cease striving.” Each adds nuance.
For this step, go ahead and lift the lid on your laptop or open an app on your phone. Tools like YouVersion or BibleGateway let you toggle between versions in seconds. If a word puzzles you, look it up in the NIV’s footnote or a study Bible.
A word of caution: Avoid using modern dictionaries to define biblical words. Words' meanings depend significantly on their context and can change over time. Understanding how a word is used requires consideration of when and where it is spoken or written. A word's biblical usage may differ from its contemporary cultural meaning. Our goal is to grasp the meanings of words as they were used in the Bible. I wrote about this here.
An excellent resource: This video walks you through doing a word study using Blue Letter Bible
Step 5: Ask the “What’s Weird?” Questions
The Bible doesn’t waste words. If something seems odd, it’s probably essential. Why does Jesus spit on dirt to heal a blind man (John 9:6)? Why does Paul call himself “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15, NIV)? These questions aren’t just trivia—they’re doorways to deeper understanding.
Take the spit-and-dirt moment. In a culture that saw saliva as having medicinal properties, Jesus’ method wasn’t random. But why dirt? Some scholars suggest it echoes God forming humanity from dust (Genesis 2:7), hinting at creation-level restoration. For Paul, calling himself the “worst” sinner isn’t false humility; it reveals God’s grace. If even a persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:1-2) can be transformed, no one is beyond redemption.
When Nehemiah wept over Jerusalem’s ruins (Nehemiah 1:4), his grief wasn’t just emotional. It revealed his priorities: he mourned a city that symbolized God’s presence among His people. Notice how he pairs fasting with action, confessing Israel’s sins while rallying resources to rebuild (Nehemiah 2:5). For lay leaders today, this teaches a powerful lesson: prayer and planning aren’t opposites. Actual burden for God’s work drives us to kneel in intercession and roll up our sleeves.
Odd details force us to slow down and confront what we might otherwise ignore. They remind us that Scripture isn’t a flat textbook but a layered, living conversation with the God who still speaks through the unexpected.
Step 6: Map the Context
Every Bible passage is part of a larger story. Read the whole chapter before you teach Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things…”). Paul isn’t talking about winning football games; he’s describing contentment while sitting in a Roman prison.
Ask:
What happens before and after this passage?
What’s the author’s main point in this book? (A Bible introduction or commentary summary can help.)
Step 7: Name the Genre
Scripture isn’t one-size-fits-all. Poetry (Psalms) uses metaphors to stir emotions and reveal truth in layers—think of “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1), which paints God’s care in terms a nomadic culture would feel in their bones. Prophecy (Isaiah) often blends fiery warnings with tender promises, like a parent disciplining a child while whispering, “I haven’t given up on you” (see Isaiah 1:18-20). Letters (Ephesians) tackle real-life issues: Paul writes to new believers confused about identity, unity, and spiritual warfare, offering practical steps to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).
When Jesus says, “I am the vine” (John 15:5), He’s not giving a horticulture lesson. It’s a metaphor rooted in everyday life. Vineyards were as common as corner coffee shops in first-century Israel. By calling Himself the vine, He’s saying, “Stay connected to Me, or your spiritual life will wither like a broken branch.” But if we misread this as a literal farming tip, we miss the heart of His message.
Why does genre matter? Imagine treating Job’s poetic debates about suffering as a how-to manual for grief, or reading Revelation’s apocalyptic imagery like a newspaper headline. Genre acts as a guardrail, keeping us from veering into confusion or misapplication. Proverbs, for example, offer general wisdom (“Train up a child…” Proverbs 22:6) rather than ironclad promises. Parables (like the Good Samaritan) use fictional stories to confront biases, not to report historical events.
Identifying genre helps you answer questions like, “Is this passage prescribing behavior, describing a situation, or inviting reflection?” When teaching, clarify the genre upfront. Say, “This psalm is a prayer of desperation. So, let me read it like someone crying out to God, not a theological textbook.” That simple shift helps you and those you teach grasp the text’s purpose and power.
Step 8: Write An Initial Summary of Meaning
Once you’ve done steps one to seven, I challenge you to write a summary (one or two sentences) to express what you think this passage means in the Bible to the people who heard it.
This step can be tempting to write an application (what it means for us today) instead of what the text means in context. We will work on interpreting and applying the passage to our lives later.
Your Homework: Practice on Psalm 1
Grab a notebook and try these steps with Psalm 1. Notice how the psalm contrasts two “ways” of living. Circle every word about growth (“tree,” “streams,” “fruit”). Ask why the wicked are compared to “chaff” (v. 4)—useless husks blown away by the wind.
What’s Next?
In Part 2, we’ll dive into interpretation: how to bridge the gap between ancient texts and modern lives. You’ll learn to spot themes, trace arguments, and avoid common mistakes.
For now, focus on slowing down. The best Bible teachers aren’t the ones with the most answers—they’re the ones who’ve learned to ask better questions.
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