How to Study Your Bible for Beginners | Understanding Scripture the Right Way

Main ideas / lessons

• Many people were taught to “study the Bible” but not how. The speaker grew up in church where studying was commanded without method, leading them to later pursue training and experience to develop their own approach.

• Reading the Bible is good, but “studying” is better because studying helps deepen one’s actual relationship and “walk” with God.

• Bible study is necessary for spiritual integrity before God (citing 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show yourself approved unto God”).

• Spiritual “shame” and manipulation come from misunderstanding the text.

  • The enemy benefits when people can’t “dissect” Scripture correctly (i.e., wrongly dividing or mishandling verses).
  • The speaker uses Satan’s temptations of Jesus (in Matthew 4 and Luke 4) as an example of misusing and slicing Scripture to manipulate.

• Right interpretation reduces church confusion and factions. Different groups arguing over the same Bible is attributed to wrongly dividing the word or using it selectively.

• You must study all Scripture, not just what feels good.

  • Citing 2 Timothy 3:16, the speaker emphasizes that all Scripture is useful for growth (including books many people skip, like Song of Solomon).

• Avoid turning Scripture into “medicine” for temporary emotions.

  • The critique: people often want comfort “like a drug,” reading only verses that match their immediate feelings (the speaker calls this “reading into” the text).
  • Instead, the goal is surrender to what God’s Word actually says—letting the Word reshape you.

• Use an interpretive discipline: Exegesis vs. ICG (reading into the text).

  • Exegesis (“XG”): careful, analytical study that draws meaning out of the text in its original/earliest form, resisting personal bias.
  • ICG (“reading into”): interpreting with preconceived ideas so the text is made to confirm what the reader already wants to believe.

• Core study method taught: SFPA = Scripture, Facts, Principles, Application The speaker provides a step-by-step framework and demonstrates it using example passages and stories.

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Methodology / instructions (detailed)

1) Start with the goal: seek approval before God (not people)

• Study because you can’t truly know approval before God without engaging Scripture.
• Don’t live to perform for approval of church/pastors.
• Live to please God, following the same Jesus.

2) Avoid “wrongly dividing” and Scripture-twisting

• Don’t isolate verses in ways that create a different message than the passage teaches.
• Be aware of how Scripture can be weaponized (example: Satan “quotes” Scripture to tempt Jesus while twisting its meaning).

3) Don’t skip Scripture—read the whole counsel

• Read more than “comfort verses.”
• If you only read what matches your current emotional state, you risk misunderstanding God’s intention.
• Include “harder” or less-used books because God is breathed through the whole Bible.

4) Practice exegesis (draw out) instead of ICG (read into)

Exegesis checklist (as described)

• Begin by taking the text as written.
• Use the earliest available wording where possible.
• Ask deeper questions when there appear to be conflicts (e.g., cultural or situational context; what was happening in the church?).
• Treat interpretation as learning God’s intent rather than confirming your preference.

ICG warning signs (as described)

• You come with a feeling and search for verses to justify it.
• You select verses while skipping inconvenient contexts/books.
• You ignore cultural and situational factors to make the text say what you already believe.

5) Use SFPA format for studying (the main “how-to”)

SFPA = Scripture, Facts, Principles, Application

A) Scripture

• Write down the exact verse(s) you are studying.
• No added interpretation first.
• Start with Scripture, not emotion or opinion.
• Avoid the pattern: “I’m sad, so I’ll find verses that match my sadness” (the speaker frames this as starting with the emotion).

B) Facts

Before interpreting, observe the facts in context:

• When did it occur?
• Where?
• Who is speaking?
• Who is being spoken to?
• What is happening?
• Why is it happening?

Use context so a verse doesn’t become a “pretext” (a text used to support what you already believe).

Additional facts-oriented habits:

• Read whole chapters, then return to the highlight verse for context.
• Compare translations carefully (the speaker mentions some editions may omit verses).
• Use cross references: God’s revelation is described as consistent; true insights should be supported elsewhere.
• Identify speaker/audience and cultural background: e.g., 1 John language about touching/seeing Jesus is explained by historical context (addressing claims about Jesus not being a real person).
• Don’t build doctrine on isolated verses: the speaker cites examples of church splits based on one verse.

C) Principles

• Ask: What permanent/eternal truth is communicated?
• Ask: What lesson is God teaching?
• Don’t seek “revelation without observation.”
• The speaker warns against remembering feelings but not the actual verse.
• Principles can be multiple in one passage if they come from the text, not personal imagination.

Example principles used in the Peter-on-water story:

• Jesus is Lord over chaos.
• Fear increases when attention leaves Jesus.
• Worship is the proper response to divine revelation.
• Even failing faith can still cry out to Jesus.

D) Application (last)

• Ask: How should I respond personally based on the principle?
• Keep the order: Scripture → Facts → Principles → Application
• Application is framed as: not every Scripture is directly “written to you,” but it is written for you—seeking how it reshapes your life and priorities.

Application prompts (as given):

• Where has fear distracted you?
• Have you mistaken panic for abandonment?
• Are you seeking storms to be calmed, or seeking Jesus himself?
• Will you obey Jesus even outside comfort zones?

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Demonstrations / examples used in the video (key takeaways)

Example 1: Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ…”)

• The speaker argues the verse is commonly misused as a quote for success/ambition.
• SFPA-driven reading:
  • Facts: Paul is writing from prison; the surrounding context emphasizes contentment and hardship.
  • Principle: God’s strength is not mainly about achievement; it’s about not being overcome by circumstances.
  • Application: trust God in lack and in abundance—learn to be content and continue believing.
• The speaker contrasts “winning seasons” vs. “hard seasons,” emphasizing contentment in both.

Example 2: “My God shall supply all your needs…” (Philippians 4:19)

• The speaker says people claim this verse as if it’s purely personal, but emphasizes context:
  • Facts: the Philippians supported Paul; he is recalling who gave while others didn’t.
  • Principle: the blessing is linked to a communal, other-focused posture (“you can’t be selfish”).
  • Application: ask how God can use you to bless others, not only how God can bless you.

Example 3: Matthew 14:22–33 (Peter walking on water)

• SFPA-driven reading:
  • Facts: disciples in storm; Jesus intentionally lets this happen; Peter asks to come; he walks, then sinks when distracted; Jesus saves; storm calms after Jesus is in the boat.
  • Principle: the climax is worship (“Truly you are the Son of God”), not Peter’s performance.
  • Application: focus on Jesus rather than fear; obey when commanded; worship as the proper response.

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Closing emphasis / prayer focus

• Approach Scripture with surrender and humility:
  • “I could be wrong.”
  • Ask God to teach rather than require God to match your feelings.
• The Bible’s purpose is to reshape you, not fit your life.
• The final desire is that the story’s climax—Jesus being recognized as the Son of God—become the ongoing theme of the listener’s life.

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Speakers / sources featured

Speaker

• Unspecified (the main speaker; no name provided in the subtitles)

Biblical sources / references (mentioned)

• 2 Timothy 2:15
• 2 Timothy 3:16
• Matthew 4 and Luke 4 (Satan’s temptations of Jesus)
• Romans (referenced: “Romans 23” mentioned)
• Psalms (referenced: “Psalms 46:11” mentioned)
• Philippians 4 (notably 4:10–19, including 4:13)
• Song of Solomon (discussed)
• Matthew 17:21 (discussed regarding omitted verses in some translations/manuscripts)
• 1 Corinthians (referenced: “two or three witnesses”)
• 1 John (touch/see Jesus example)
• 2 John and 3 John (referenced regarding recipients/leadership context)
• Esther and Deborah (referenced to show women in leadership)
• Matthew 14:22–33 (Peter walking on water)
• John 14:7 (referenced indirectly via “as it predicted…the world will know…by the love you have for one another”; exact citation not clearly stated)
• Matthew 14:22–33 (NIV) (explicitly mentioned)