The Discovery as we RESEARCH (READ)
This week we’re uncovering the CHARA Bible Study Method: RESEARCH (READ). Join us in the conversation and check out this video as we chat about this week’s Bible study (also available as a podcast!).
DAY 1 - INTRO TO READING
When you read the Bible, do you ever REALLY read the Bible? You know what we’re talking about….Taking in every single word. Stopping to ask questions. Capturing your thoughts in a journal. Soaking in every detail. The kind of reading that takes you into another world and leaves you craving more?
When we REALLY read a passage in the Bible, it’s when it can really come to life for us. Words jump off the page. We start to see common themes in words and phrases that continually repeat themselves. We start to understand what the original Greek or Hebrew language was trying to communicate. But where do you start?
Here are 3 simple things you can do to engage in the Bible passage you’re reading and digging deeper:
Read in different Bible translations: Read the passage in a Bible translation you’re familiar with, and then read it in another Bible translation (or two) to get a clearer perspective of what the passage is saying.
Ask questions: What do you observe as you read? What questions come to mind?
Look it up: What words stand out that are worth looking into further? What repetitive words, phrases or transition phrases stand out?
What Bible translations do you like the most and why?
DAY 2 - UNDERSTANDING TRANSLATIONS
As we learn to RESEARCH (READ) the Bible this week, let’s talk Bible translations or versions. They exist because most people are not fluent in the original languages in which the Bible was written (Greek, Hebrew and some Aramaic). Also the English language has evolved and changed over time.
Original Language: Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages have different complexities compared to the English language, as there are often multiple English words for just one word in Greek or Hebrew. So when translating the Greek or Hebrew biblical text from the original manuscripts into English, there may be many words to choose from to communicate the author’s intended message. Depending on the Bible version, translators focus on either making the text literal or a readable translation, and many fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.
An example of English vs Greek: when it says we are to be “devoted” to the Lord’s ministry in 1 Corinthians 16:15, the Greek word tasso, means devoted, designate, determine, directed, placed, appointed, or assigned.
Current English Language: Now in today’s language, if you told someone that they had pictures in the “cloud” - would you think they literally had photographs up in the sky? Or is it possible that they have stored photographs in an online storage that we call “the cloud”? Understanding historical and current language matters - which is why translations are so important. Translators take the original Biblical language and then make sure they can find the right current-day words to match!
What questions do you have about Bible translations?
If you want to learn more about translations, check out the How to Choose a Bible Version article in our Content Library.
DAY 3 - READ IN DIFFERENT BIBLE VERSIONS
As we’re learning to RESEARCH (READ) a passage using the CHARA Bible Study Method this week, let’s use Psalm 1:1-2 as our example passage. For those of you that want to DIG DEEPER this week, expand your study to the full chapter of Psalm 1.
Using Bibles at home, the YouVersion Bible app, or Biblegateway.com read different Bible translations. We recommend looking at NIV, ESV, CSB, KJV and NLT.
Now let’s REALLY READ the passage! As you read Psalm 1:1-2 in different translations, take note of specific words or phrases that stand out to you.
For those of you who like paper and pen, print off this page and use your favorite pens, colored pencils or highlighters, to highlight those specific words or phrases that stand out to you across Psalm 1:1-2.
We’ve started the first one for you...
WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?
What is common across all translations? What ideas or themes are repeated? Did you see that each translation speaks to the common actions of not walking, standing, or sitting with the wicked/ungodly, sinners and mockers?
What’s different? Did you see that there are variations of words used? What words stand out to you that you may want to research more deeply?
Ok. Now it’s your turn. What questions do you have as you read Psalm 1:1-2?
DAY 4 - UNDERSTANDING “BLESSED”
As we’re studying Psalm 1:1-2 this week, and learning how to really read a passage, let’s ask questions. This is the fun part of reading scripture! For this week’s passage you may ask a question like:
What does it mean to be blessed (vs. 1)?
Well, let’s use a few ways to find the answer:
Different Bible versions: As we read the different translations in Psalm 1:1, we start to get a better understanding that this doesn’t mean that we are going to have blessings on us, but that we will be happy and have joy.
Study Bible notes: Across many different study Bible notes, we find that the word “blessed” does not point to having money or good health, but refers to finding joy as you put your trust in the Lord. If you look at the reference passages associated to verse 1 in a study Bible, it points to places all over the Bible that mirror this same message. Look up Psalm 40:4, 89:15, and 128:4. What else do you learn about those that are “blessed”?
What other passage references do you find in a study Bible? What did you learn from reading those additional passages?
DAY 5 - UNDERSTANDING “MEDITATE”
As we’re studying Psalm 1:1-2 this week, and learning how to really read a passage, we’ve been training ourselves to ask questions. Another question you may ask yourself when reading this passage could be:
What does it mean to meditate on the law (vs. 2)? Again, let’s use a few ways to find the answer:
Different Bible versions: As we read the different translations we see that while the word “law” is used, other versions refer to the “Lord’s instruction” which helps us realize that this is likely talking about God’s teachings and not only about rules or laws that are legislative in nature.
Study Bible notes: We learn in Psalm 1:2, that a righteous person (who has right-standing with God) is happy when meditating on the law or God’s Word. This is meant to point to happiness when we seek guidance for life in God, not in those that are wicked. Prior to Jesus coming, “the Word” would have been the Old Testament. Read John 1:14. Who is the Word now? (Hint: We read about His coming, death, and resurrection in the New Testament.)
Looking at the reference passages connected to verse 2 in a study Bible, helps us understand this verse more clearly. For example, read Psalm 19:7, 112:1, and 119:6. What else do we learn from the psalmist through these additional verses?
DIGGING DEEPER (optional): For those of you who would like to explore the full chapter of Psalm 1, what other questions would you ask yourself? Here are some of our ideas:
What word pictures does the psalmist use (vs. 3-4)?
What is chaff (vs. 4)?
What is the way of the righteous (vs. 5-6)?
Your turn. What questions do you have?
To learn more about Psalm 1, use a Bible commentary (see our recommendations in our Content Library), or an online reference library like www.logos.com or www.blueletterbible.org to look up the original Hebrew meaning or other key details about the passage.
For example: looking up the Hebrew word for “blessed” in Psalm 1:1, we learn it is אֶשֶׁר (asher), which we learn means happy or happiness. Look up Genesis 30:12. What was the name of Leah and Jacob’s son and what did his name mean?
Written by: Heather Erickson
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