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Read, Think, Repeat: How to Study the Word with Intention and Purpose
This study is about learning how to humbly dive into the Word, ask deeper questions, and build your understanding with clarity, context, and reverence. We’re not just reading—we’re thinking, and that’s where transformation begins.
Jennifer Paulino
April 25, 2025
Let’s Rethink “Reading the Bible”
Many people grow up with a concept of what it means to interact with the Bible. I say interact because many people mistake reading for study.
My father always emphasized the importance of critical thinking as the pathway to enlightenment and spiritual awakening. He explained that simply reading the Bible leaves out too much of what God is trying to say to us.
For context, my father is a Pastor and a teacher. He also has an educational background in theology and family counseling from a Christian College along with secular educational accolades such as a bachelors and a masters related to business administration.
I give you this context for the purpose of illustrating a point.
Most people would read the start of this post and either not think much of who my father is, which can lead to deception (more on that later) or focus on it and discard the heart of what I said because they don’t know if they can trust the source.
Hence my point, critical thinking is an essential part of enlightenment and awakening.
The Berean Blueprint (Acts 17:11)
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Noble meaning: having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.
Examining comes from the base word Examine meaning: inspect (someone or something) in detail to determine their nature or condition; investigate thoroughly
OR
test the knowledge or proficiency of (someone) by requiring them to answer questions or perform tasks.
Luke mentioned that in Paul’s visit to Berea, the Bereans embraced the word (received it with eagerness) and examined it. He refers to them as being people of high moral principles and ideals because of this.
It shows us how we ought to interact with the word of God.
The Three Layers of Study: Structure, Function, Integration
We must first approach the word from a place of structure, followed by function and then integration.
Many people want to jump straight into integration without understanding structure (history): How is the word of God written? Who wrote it? To whom is it written?
Then we can get into function (context): why was it written/ purpose?
Finally taking both of those into account we get into integration (application): how do you apply the biblical teachings into your life? How do you help others apply them to their life?
Integration comes from revelation as each of us is experiencing this life differently.
However, if you do not have the biblical foundation to filter your revelation through, you will find yourself applying the Word incorrectly. Many times in the slightest ways that leads to overwhelming chaos in the long-term.
Wisdom isn’t proven by what you can repeat—it’s revealed by how well you understand what you’ve received.
Reflect & Reset
Next week, we will dive into how to study the Bible, but for now. I want you to meditate on the importance of studying and your relationship with education.
Do you view education as liberating or overwhelming?
What are you most challenged by, when it comes to education?
What are some coping strategies/mechanisms you can use to help you combat the emotions that come up when you think of studying or the Bible in general?
There is great power in slowness as it increases comprehension.
If this helped you shift the way you see the Word, don’t keep it to yourself.
Share this with someone who’s hungry to go deeper but doesn’t know where to start.
Studying scripture was never meant to be a solo sport—let’s sharpen each other.
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