HOW TO STUDY HISTORY

Written thousands of years ago, the Bible reflects the culture of its day. Today we’re inclined to interpret Scripture through the lens of our Western individualistic culture, which is very different from the culture of the Bible’s day. With help from a Study Bible, commentary, or the text itself, journey into the ancient world and watch Scripture come alive as you hear the message the way the original audience would have heard it.

Ask these questions when studying History:

*Who was it written to? Who was it written about? How does the Bible describe them?  

Where does the narrative take place? Where was it written? What can you learn about their town and travel?

When did the events take place? When was it written? What was going on in history at that time?

Why was this message given to those people at that time? 

*What worldview, cultural, religious, political factors and experiences were a part of their world and how did that influence them? What was their understanding of God at that time? 

*How would the original audience have heard this message? 

NEW TO CHARA? Start with the questions we ask the most—they are noted with an *asterisk.

KEY PRINCIPLE

Before you understand it today, understand it back then. Practice exegesis (think exit), to pull out how the original audience would have heard its message. Avoid eisegesis, which is reading into the text your own presuppositions and bias. 

RESOURCES TO HELP STUDY HISTORY

WHAT TO STUDY NEXT