Questions to ask when reading Scripture

Who is the Author?

Who are the Recipients?

What is the historical background of the passage?

What is the outline or structure of the passage?

Are words repeated? What is the significance?

Are there usual words in the passage that call for more exploration?

How does passage fit in the surrounding paragraph?

Why did the author place a passage where he did?

In one sentence what is the main point of the passage?

How would the original audience be affected by the passage?

How does the passage connect to the overall storyline of the bible?

How does the passage reveal Jesus as Savior?

How does God want this passage to function in my life?

What kind of response does the passage call for?