Exegeting and Teaching the Bible for Lay Leaders (Part 2 of 4): Interpreting.
Recap: Why Observation Comes First
In Part 1, we explored the art of observation—how to slow down, notice details, and approach the Bible with fresh eyes. We learned that careful observation is the foundation for all good Bible study for beginners and lay leaders. By handwriting verses, asking “what’s weird?” questions, and paying attention to context and genre, you started to see Scripture as a living, layered conversation, not just a textbook. This groundwork is crucial. If you skip observation, you risk misinterpreting what the Bible says and missing the author’s intent.
Now, let’s move to the next step: interpretation. If observation gathers the puzzle pieces, interpretation fits them together to see the bigger picture. This is where we ask, “What does this passage mean?” not just to me but to its original audience. Let’s dig deeper together.
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Why Interpretation Matters
It’s easy to jump straight from “What does the Bible say?” to “How does this apply to my life?” But if we don’t pause to interpret, we might misapply a verse or pull it out of context. Interpretation bridges the gap between ancient text and modern life. It helps us avoid common mistakes, like reading our opinions into Scripture or misunderstanding the author’s message.
Paul’s advice remains true: “Correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). That means taking the time to understand what the passage meant to its first readers before drawing lessons for today.
Step 1: Trace the Flow of Thought
Every passage has logic or flow. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times it’s hidden beneath the surface. Start by outlining the main points and supporting ideas. If you’re studying a letter, pay attention to connecting words like “therefore,” “but,” or “because.” These signal shifts in argument or emphasis.
For example, in Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul moves from describing our spiritual death (“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,” v.1) to God’s mercy and grace (“But because of his great love for us, God…made us alive with Christ,” vv.4-5). The “but” marks a dramatic turn. Tracing this flow helps you see the author’s intent and keeps you from cherry-picking verses out of context.
Tip: Try writing a simple outline in your own words. Compare this to your earlier summary. What changed? What stayed the same? Why? Doing this exercise clarifies the passage’s structure and main ideas, making it easier to teach later.
Here’s an example of how to trace the flow of thought in Ephesians 2:1-10, using a simple outline in your own words:
Tracing the Flow of Thought in Ephesians 2:1-10
Verses 1-3: Dead In Your Transgressions and Sins
Paul begins by describing his readers' spiritual state before they knew Jesus: “You were dead in your transgressions and sins” (v.1).
He explains that everyone used to live according to the world’s ways and desires, under the influence of sin and spiritual forces (vv.2-3).
The tone is honest and dreary! But that’s the point! Our separation from God creates hopelessness.
Verses 4-7: Alive In Christ
The word “But” in verse 4 signals a dramatic shift: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ…” (vv.4-5).
Paul highlights God’s motivation (love and mercy) and His action (making us alive with Christ, raising us up, seating us with Him).
He emphasizes that salvation is a gift, not something we earned, and that God’s purpose is to show “the incomparable riches of his grace” (v.7).
Verses 8-10: A New Identity and Purpose
Paul summarizes: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (vv.8-9).
He concludes with our new identity: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (v.10).
Paul's thought flows from the problem of spiritual death to God's solution of being made alive with Christ and the purpose of living out good works as His handiwork.
Try this method with any passage you’re studying. Look for connecting words, shifts in argument, and the overall structure. Write out the main points in your own words to clarify the flow of thought for yourself and those you teach.
Step 2: Identify Key Words and Phrases
Certain words carry special weight in a passage. Look for repeated terms, unusual phrases, or theological keywords. These often reveal the heart of the message.
Let’s say you’re studying John 15:1-8. The word “remain” (or “abide,” depending on your translation) appears again and again. It’s important. Ask yourself: What does Jesus mean by “remain in me”? How does this idea connect to bearing fruit?
Use Bible study tools like Blue Letter Bible or BibleGateway to look up the original Greek or Hebrew terms. Sometimes, a word’s meaning in biblical times is richer or slightly different from that in modern English. But don’t get lost in the weeds. Stay focused on how the word is used in context. (This video walks you through doing a word study using Blue Letter Bible.)
Step 3: Consider the Historical and Cultural Background
The Bible was written in a world very different from ours. Customs, geography, and political situations shaped how people heard and understood God’s Word. When you bump into something unfamiliar, pause and investigate.
For example, in Luke 10:30-37, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. To us, “Samaritan” might mean “helpful person.” But in Jesus’ day, Samaritans and Jews were bitter enemies. Knowing this adds punch to the story: the hero is the last person Jesus’ audience would expect.
Use study Bibles, commentaries, or reputable online resources to fill these gaps. Even a little background knowledge can transform your understanding—and your teaching. I highly recommend The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (available in Kindle or Hardcover).
Step 4: Connect the Passage to the Rest of Scripture
Scripture interprets Scripture. Many Bible stories, prophecies, and teachings echo or fulfill earlier passages. When you spot a cross-reference or a familiar theme, take note.
For instance, when Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), He’s drawing on Old Testament imagery from Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34. Recognizing these connections deepens one's appreciation for the Bible's unity and richness.
Most study Bibles include cross-references in the margins. Follow a few of these trails. You’ll often discover that the Bible’s message is more interconnected than you realized. I encourage you to read my blog about cross-referencing to understand the pros and cons better.
Step 5: Ask, “What Was the Author’s Main Point?”
Every passage was written for a reason. Ask yourself: Why did the author include this? What problem is being addressed? What response does the author want from the original audience?
Take Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” This verse is often quoted to inspire confidence, but in context, Paul talks about contentment in every situation, not winning at life. The main point is about relying on Christ’s strength, whether in abundance or need.
Writing a one- or two-sentence summary of the passage’s meaning in its context will help you avoid reading your ideas into the text. Compare this with your previous summaries. What changed? What stayed the same? Why?
Step 6: Watch Out for Common Pitfalls
Interpreting Scripture isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few traps to avoid:
Over-spiritualizing: Not every detail is a hidden symbol. Sometimes a tree is just a tree.
Ignoring context: Don’t pull verses from their literary or historical setting.
Confusing genre: Remember, poetry, parables, and prophecy have different rules for interpretation. (The highlighted links will take you to my blogs on how to interpret these specific genres).
Modern bias: Do not impose today’s culture or values on ancient texts.
Check your interpretation against trusted resources or discuss it with others in your local Bible study group.
Step 7: Use Simple Bible Study Methods
You don’t need fancy degrees or expensive commentaries to interpret Scripture well. Here are a few tried-and-true methods:
S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer): Write out the passage, jot down what you see, summarize its meaning, and pray for understanding.
Inductive Bible Study: Ask three questions—What does it say? What does it mean? How does it apply?
One of the best books on this method is Kay Arthur’s “How to Study the Bible.” I have spent years using Inductive Bible Study to engage and teach the Scriptures for decades.
Word Studies: Use Bible study tools for laypeople to look up key terms and see how they’re used elsewhere in the Bible.
These methods keep you grounded in the text and help you teach the Bible clearly and faithfully.
Step 8: Practice with a Passage
Let’s put this into action. Take Psalm 1, which we used in Part 1. After observing the details (the two “ways,” the tree, the chaff), ask:
What is the main contrast the psalmist is making?
What does “delight in the law of the Lord” mean in this context?
How does the imagery of a tree by streams of water deepen our understanding of spiritual flourishing?
Write a summary.
What’s Next?
Interpreting Scripture is a skill anyone can develop with patience and practice. The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become in understanding and teaching the Bible to others. Remember, the goal isn’t to impress people with your knowledge. It’s to help them encounter God through His Word.
In Part 3, we’ll move from interpretation to application. How do we take what we’ve learned and live it out? How do we help others do the same? Stay tuned as we continue this Bible study journey for beginners and lay leaders—one step at a time.
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