Ask Better Questions When Reading the Bible: A Practical Guide to Understanding Scripture

Author: Dave Jenkins
Podcast: Contending for the Word Q&A
Date: April 4, 2026

Show Summary

Many Christians open their Bible with a sincere desire to understand God’s Word, yet they often feel unsure how to approach the text. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why asking the right questions is one of the most helpful habits believers can develop when reading Scripture.

Rather than rushing through a passage or approaching the Bible with assumptions, Scripture calls us to read thoughtfully, prayerfully, and attentively. Asking good questions helps us slow down, examine the context, understand what the passage means, and respond faithfully in light of Christ.

In this episode, Dave walks through several key questions Christians should ask when reading a Bible passage. These questions help believers understand what the text is saying, what it reveals about God, and how it should shape our lives today.

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Key Scriptures

• Psalm 119:18
• Acts 17:11
• Luke 24:27

Episode Highlights

• Why asking better questions helps us understand Scripture carefully
• How context protects us from misreading the Bible
• Why every passage of Scripture ultimately points to Christ
• How to apply biblical truth faithfully in everyday life
• Why humility, patience, and prayer matter in Bible reading

Full Article

Many Christians want to read the Bible faithfully, but they are not always sure where to begin. They may open the Scriptures, read a passage, and then walk away wondering what they just read or how it fits into their lives. Often the issue is not effort but approach. Scripture itself calls us to read thoughtfully, carefully, and prayerfully.

Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Acts 17:11 describes the Bereans as those who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Luke 24:27 tells us that Jesus, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Together, these texts remind us that understanding Scripture requires humility, attentiveness, and a desire to know God’s truth, not merely to gather information.

The big idea of this episode is simple: asking the right questions helps Christians read Scripture carefully, understand its meaning clearly, and apply it faithfully in light of Christ.

Learning to ask better questions when reading the Bible is one of the most important habits Christians can develop for understanding Scripture accurately.

1. Ask Questions That Seek Understanding, Not Confirmation

One of the most important habits Christians can develop is asking questions that help them understand the biblical text rather than merely confirm what they already think. Instead of beginning with, “How does this fit my situation?” we should begin with questions like: What is happening in this passage? Who is speaking? What is the main point being communicated?

These kinds of questions help us approach Scripture with humility. They remind us that God’s Word speaks with authority apart from our preferences, assumptions, and personal agendas. Good Bible reading begins by listening to the text on its own terms.

2. Ask Questions About the Context

Context is essential for understanding Scripture. Helpful questions include: What comes before and after this passage? What book of the Bible is this found in? What is the historical or cultural setting? How does this passage fit into the larger argument of the book?

These questions help us avoid isolating verses from their intended meaning. They allow us to see how each part of Scripture fits within the broader flow of God’s Word. Context protects us from careless interpretation and helps us handle Scripture faithfully.

3. Ask What the Passage Reveals About God and Christ

Jesus teaches us that all of Scripture ultimately points to Him. That means one of the most important questions we can ask is: What does this passage teach me about God’s character, purposes, promises, or redemptive work?

This keeps our reading Christ-centered rather than self-centered. Even passages that do not mention Jesus directly still reveal the character of God and unfold the story of redemption that finds its fulfillment in Christ. Faithful Bible reading does not stop at moral lessons. It looks for how the text reveals the glory of God in the person and work of Christ.

4. Ask How the Truth Applies Faithfully Today

Only after we understand what a passage means should we ask how it applies. Helpful application questions include: What truth is God teaching here? How should this shape my thinking, desires, or actions? What does faithful obedience look like in light of this passage?

Application rooted in right understanding guards us from misusing Scripture or forcing it to say something it does not say. True application grows out of faithful interpretation. When we understand the meaning of the text, we are better prepared to live in obedience to the God who has spoken.

So when you open the Word of God, do not rush. Slow down. Pray for understanding. Ask thoughtful questions. You do not need a complicated system or advanced training to begin reading the Bible faithfully. You need humility, patience, and a willingness to listen carefully to what God has said.

Over time, asking good questions will deepen your understanding, strengthen your faith, and help you grow in biblical discernment. God delights to reveal His truth to His people, and when we approach Scripture thoughtfully and prayerfully, He uses His Word to shape us more into the likeness of Christ.

Takeaways / Reflection Questions

• Do I approach Scripture seeking understanding or merely confirmation of what I already think?
• How often do I slow down enough to consider the context of a passage?
• What does this text reveal about God’s character, purposes, and promises?
• How does this passage point me to Christ?
• What would faithful obedience to this truth look like in my life today?

Call to Action

Thank you for listening to this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A. We pray this episode helps you read God’s Word with greater care, humility, and confidence. Please share this episode with others, and visit the Contending for the Word Q&A page at Servants of Grace or watch more episodes on YouTube.