My favorite way to read and study the Bible is to do it book by book. Topical studies certainly have their place. And daily devotionals can also be beneficial.
But there is no substitute for going through one book from beginning to end, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.
And when you do this, it’s best to begin by learning as much as possible about the author and the original readers.
Let’s use the book of 1 Peter as an example.
The author was Peter the Apostle. The first verse of the letter tells us that. We know much about him from the four gospels and the book of Acts.
What about the readers? Let’s focus on them because we can discover much about Peter’s audience right from the letter he wrote to them.
Here’s where reading the entire book can be extremely valuable. If we just read the whole letter in one sitting, which takes about 30 minutes, and look for any verse that tells us something about the readers, we can learn much about them.
Right away, in verse 1, we learn where they live: the regions of “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” in what is today called Turkey. So most of them were probably Gentiles.
As we proceed through the rest of this letter, we learn much about their circumstances. Here’s a list of all the verses that speak to that.
1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials
2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
2:19-21 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
3:13-18 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
4:12-19 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
You don’t need a theology degree to discover what these Gentile Christians are experiencing: much suffering and persecution from unbelievers. It’s a recurring theme in this letter. At a minimum, they are being reviled, insulted, and slandered for their faith. Physical abuse may also be involved.
Just by reading the text we find out what it was like to be a Christian in Turkey in the first century. Life was hard, and Peter’s letter was written to encourage and instruct believers who were enduring “the fiery trial” (4:12) of opposition.
May we never underestimate the benefits of simply reading Scripture and asking questions of the text (such as “what does this book tell me about the original readers?”).
This approach to the Word is known as the “inductive Bible study method.” Kay Arthur has done a wonderful job of promoting this type of Bible study through her books (hundreds of them) and the Precept.org ministry. It’s a great way to read and study the Bible, and I highly recommend it.
I have read her book How to Study Your Bible several times. If you’re new to inductive Bible study, this resource is a good place to start.
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