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1. For CHANGE
   
   2 Timothy 3:16-17 says…
   
   “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 SO THAT the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim 3:16 - 17

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KEY QUESTIONS in APPLICATION

Using 2 Timothy 3:16 as a lense, Doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness there are four questions that can be asked.

a) What do I need to believe as a result of this text? (Doctrine)

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b) What do I NOT need to believe as a result of this text? (reproof)

c) What do I need to do as a result of this text?  (Training in righteousness)

d) What do I need to NOT do as a result of this text? (Correction)

2. In it’s CONTEXT

The bible was not inspired and written in a vacuum but in cultural and historical context. This reality creates a rich tapestry as God outworks his redemptive plan through history and is expressed in the scriptures.

As one delves deeper into the word we must pay attention to Literary context – historical context – linguistic meaning and prevailing context. This can sound intimidating to many but when one treats scripture as an adventure of knowing God and his will it becomes exciting and enthralling.

Here are a couple articles and resource on doing so. 

Understanding the Bible in it's context Hand out

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Reading the Bible in it's context - Seedbed

Why it is important to read the Bible in it's context - Craig Keener

3. In COMMUNITY

It sounds weird but reading in community is the biblical pattern of reading in the early Church and in Jewish times. Whilst this in part was due to illiteracy, reading in community also helps to minimise the sway that can happen through personal experience, personality etc.

This is one reason why Life Communities are so important. They help create a platform for reading and living out the word in every day life.

For families it is also a powerful practice to read the word with your Children. Your example and wisdom can help them tackle the big and small questions but their innocence and position often helps them to better appreciate and understand things that adults miss. 

One practice all our Life Communities (Kids through to Adults) should use is the 'Discovery Bible Study' Method. With kids, it is easy to engage the Children in retelling the text through getting them to draw the story or for slightly older, create Cartoon scripts. This ensure's they 'translate' the story into their level naturally and enables them to better approach scripture. 

In the 'Helpful Resource' at the bottom of this page are some links to help families read the word together. 
 

4. To and through and toward CHRIST

Jesus is the hero of scripture. From the opening passages in Genesis, through the law and prophets as they point forward to Jesus coming and in the Epistles as we reflect back and look forward to Jesus coming again. JESUS IS THE CHAMPION.

When reading we need ask, how does this speak of Jesus? Or what in this show a need for Jesus. When we keep our eyes on Jesus reading the scripture come together in the grand narrative/story that God intended.

5. Towards COMPLETION
 

“ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:19 – 21

EVERYTHING IS HEADING IN THIS DIRECTION: There is a trajectory in scripture that we need to see and note.


The kingdom has come in Jesus, it is here in his continual work and it is coming in his second coming and restoration of all things. If you don’t keep this in mind you will mis-use scripture.