Starting a new book of the Bible is like opening a letter from an old friend. Jen Wilkin often refers to this step in Bible study as “reading the envelope”.
Before you dive in, it’s helpful to understand the context—5 W’s are a useful framework to think through: the who, what, when, where, and why. Context is key when starting any book of the Bible, and understanding it will deepen your study and application of Scripture. Here are some simple questions using the 5 W’s to guide you as you begin your study:
1. Who Wrote This Book?
Understanding who the author is can give you insight into the book’s tone and purpose. Knowing the author’s background can help you better understand their perspective and message.
2. Who Was It Written For?
Each book of the Bible was written to a specific group of people. Understanding the audience will help you see why certain messages were important to them—and how they can apply to us today.
3. When Was It Written?
The time period of a book can make a huge difference in how we understand it. Knowing the historical context helps you see the bigger picture of God’s unfolding plan.
4. What Kind of Book Is This?
The Bible is filled with all kinds of literature—history, poetry, letters, and more. Understanding the genre of the book you’re reading will help you interpret it correctly. For example, the poetic language in Psalms is different from the historical narrative in John, and recognizing that helps you read each book with the right lens. (Literarily is a helpful resource to learn more about genres.)
5. Who Are the Key Characters?
Every story has its characters, and the Bible is no different. Who are the key figures in this book? Identifying the characters helps you follow the story and see how God worked through their lives.
6. What Are the Main Themes?
Every book of the Bible communicates important themes. What is the central message of the book? What can you learn from it? Identifying these themes will help you apply the book’s lessons to your own life.
Helpful Tools to Get You Started
How do you find all of this information? A few helpful resources:
- ESV Study Bible: A study Bible is a great resource to help answer these questions. Most study Bibles include introductions to each book that give you a snapshot of the author, audience, and key themes.
- The Daily Grace has several helpful resources that are great investments for your home library!
- Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study – Kristie Anyabwile
- Free online resource: Bible Project book by book videos are great for gathering context questions
Here’s a free printable with these questions for you to fill out and add to your Loved Bible as you begin!
