Building Biblical Literacy for Faithful Discipleship

The Bible is God’s Word—inspired, authoritative, and sufficient for life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3). But the Bible is also a library of diverse books written in ancient languages, in specific historical contexts, using various literary forms. To read it faithfully, we need to read it on its own terms.

Biblical literacy means more than knowing isolated verses or favorite passages. It means learning to understand Scripture in context, trace themes through biblical books, recognize different genres, and see how the whole Bible tells one unified story that points to Christ.

This page provides foundational principles to help you study God’s Word more faithfully and grow in your understanding.

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Why Biblical Literacy Matters

1. God Speaks Through His Word

The primary way God communicates with His people today is through Scripture. If we want to know God, hear His voice, and understand His will, we must know His Word. Biblical literacy is not optional for disciples—it’s essential.

2. We Can Misunderstand and Misapply Scripture

When we don’t read the Bible carefully, we risk:

• Taking verses out of context
• Importing our own assumptions into the text
• Missing the author’s intended meaning
• Applying Scripture in ways the author never intended
• Building doctrine on isolated verses rather than the whole counsel of God

Biblical literacy protects us from these errors and helps us read Scripture faithfully.

3. Deeper Understanding Leads to Deeper Transformation

The better we understand God’s Word, the more fully we can be transformed by it. When we see the big picture of Scripture, trace themes through biblical books, and understand passages in context, the Bible comes alive in new ways. We move from surface-level reading to deep, life-changing engagement with God’s truth.

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Basic Principles of Biblical Interpretation

Principle 1: Context Is King

The most important rule of interpretation: Always read in context.

Immediate Context: What comes before and after the verse or passage? How does it fit in the paragraph, section, and chapter?

Book Context: What is the purpose and argument of the whole book? Where does this passage fit in the author’s overall message?

Biblical Context: How does this passage relate to the rest of Scripture? What do other passages say about this topic?

Historical Context: Who wrote this? To whom? When? Why? What was happening historically that prompted this writing?

Example: Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”) is not a blank check for personal ambition. In context, Paul is saying he’s learned contentment whether he has much or little—Christ strengthens him to endure any circumstance. Context changes everything.

Principle 2: Recognize Different Genres

The Bible contains diverse literary forms, each requiring appropriate reading strategies:

Narrative: Historical accounts that show God at work (Genesis, Acts). Look for what God is doing and revealing about Himself. Not every narrative action is prescriptive—it’s describing what happened, not necessarily commanding us to imitate it.

Law: Instructions given to Israel (Exodus-Deuteronomy). Ask how this reveals God’s character and His design for human flourishing. Ask how Christ fulfills the law and what principles apply to us.

Wisdom: Observations about life under God (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). These are generally true principles, not absolute promises. Wisdom literature trains us in godly thinking.

Psalms: Songs of worship, lament, thanksgiving, and instruction. The Psalms teach us how to pray, how to bring our emotions to God, and how to preach truth to ourselves.

Prophecy: Messages from God through prophets, calling people to repentance and pointing to future hope. Look for both the immediate application (to original audience) and the ultimate fulfillment (often in Christ).

Epistles (Letters): Instruction from apostles to churches (Romans, Ephesians, etc.). These are occasional documents addressing specific situations, but containing timeless truth. Pay attention to the flow of argument.

Apocalyptic: Highly symbolic literature (Daniel, Revelation) using vivid imagery to communicate theological truth. Don’t get lost in speculation—focus on the main message.

Principle 3: Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

The Bible is its own best interpreter. When you encounter a difficult passage:

• Look for clearer passages on the same topic
• Let explicit teaching inform ambiguous texts
• Trace themes through the whole Bible
• Recognize that the New Testament often clarifies or fulfills Old Testament passages

Principle 4: Observe, Interpret, Apply (In That Order)

Observe: What does the text actually say? Read carefully, noting details, repeated words, structure, and connections.

Interpret: What did this mean to the original audience? What is the author’s intended message? What theological truth is being communicated?

Apply: How does this truth apply to my life today? What does this reveal about God, about me, about how I should live?

Don’t skip to application without first understanding what the text means. Application divorced from interpretation leads to misuse of Scripture.

Principle 5: The Bible Points to Christ

Jesus said, “These are the Scriptures that testify about me” (John 5:39). The whole Bible—Old and New Testament—tells the story of God’s redemption through Christ.

As you study any passage:

• How does this fit into the Bible’s overall storyline?
• How does this point to humanity’s need for a Savior?
• How is this fulfilled or clarified in Christ?
• What does this reveal about the gospel?

Reading Christocentrically doesn’t mean allegorizing every passage, but it does mean recognizing that the entire Bible is part of God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

Principle 6: Read Below the Waterline

Most Bible study operates “above the waterline”—addressing behaviors, circumstances, and conscious thoughts. But Scripture targets what operates beneath the surface: unconscious beliefs, deep purposes, mental programming, and functional idols.

Proverbs 20:5 reveals this principle: “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” What drives us operates beneath conscious awareness like water in a deep well—hidden, requiring intentional effort to access.

Why This Matters:

Surface-level Bible study asks: What does this mean? What should I do? These are good questions, but incomplete. If we stop here, we miss Scripture’s primary target.

Below-the-waterline study asks:

• What unconscious beliefs does this passage expose?
• What functional idols (false sources of life) appear here?
• What does this reveal about what truly drives me?
• How does the gospel address these deep purposes?

Theological Foundation:

For unbelievers: The heart itself is corrupted (heart of stone, Ezekiel 36:26), trusting functional idols for significance and security.

For believers: The New Covenant gives a new heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17), fundamentally oriented toward God. However, “the flesh”—old programming formed before regeneration—remains. What’s below the waterline for believers is flesh-level counterfeits that contradict the new heart’s actual desires.

Sanctification is the Spirit’s progressive work of aligning the soul (mind, will, emotions, behavior) with the new heart’s direction. Reading below the waterline cooperates with this work by exposing and renewing what operates beneath conscious awareness.

Supporting Scriptures:

• Proverbs 20:5 (deep purposes require drawing out)
• Jeremiah 17:9 (the heart is deceitful)
• Mark 7:21-23 (sin comes from within)
• Hebrews 4:12 (God’s Word penetrates soul and spirit)
• Romans 12:2 (transformation through mind renewal)

True transformation addresses the whole person—not just behavior modification, but renewed beliefs, redirected desires, and Spirit-empowered dependence on God.

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Practical Steps for Studying the Bible

1. Pray Before You Read

Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to see wonderful things in God’s Word (Psalm 119:18). Acknowledge your dependence on Him for understanding. Pray for a humble, teachable heart.

2. Read Whole Books

Instead of jumping around or reading isolated verses, read entire biblical books. Understanding comes from seeing the flow of thought, the development of themes, and the progression of argument.

Start with shorter books: Philippians, Ephesians, 1 John, James, Jonah, Ruth.

Read multiple times: Read through the book several times before diving into detailed study. Each reading reveals new details and connections.

3. Ask Good Questions

As you read, ask:

• What does this passage say about God?
• What does it say about humanity?
• What does it teach about sin, redemption, or salvation?
• What commands or principles are here?
• How does this connect to the surrounding context?
• What is the main point the author is making?
• How does this fit into the Bible’s big story?

4. Use Study Tools (Wisely)

Caution: Use tools to inform your reading, not replace it. Read the text first, form your own observations, then consult resources.

Study Bibles: Provide notes, cross-references, and context. ESV Study Bible and Gospel Transformation Bible are excellent options.

Bible Dictionaries: Explain biblical terms, customs, places, and people.

Cross-References: Show where else the Bible addresses the same topics or uses the same language.

Online Resources: Sites like Bible Gateway, Blue Letter Bible, and BibleProject offer free tools.

5. Trace Themes Through Scripture

Pick a biblical theme (covenant, kingdom, faith, worship, suffering) and trace it through the Bible. See how the theme develops from Genesis to Revelation. This builds biblical literacy and shows the unity of Scripture.

6. Memorize Scripture

Hide God’s Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11). Memorization isn’t just for children—it’s a spiritual discipline that shapes how we think, strengthens us in temptation, and prepares us to encourage others.

Start small (one verse per week) and review regularly. Memorize passages, not just isolated verses, so you internalize the flow of thought.

7. Study in Community

Discuss what you’re learning with other believers. Join a Bible study. Ask your pastor questions. The Spirit works through the body of Christ to illumine Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Different perspectives and insights help us see what we might miss on our own. Studying in community also provides accountability and encouragement.

8. Use the “Reading Below the Waterline” Method

While the foundational principles above help you understand what Scripture means, this method helps you experience transformation through Scripture by addressing what operates beneath conscious awareness.

The Four Steps:

Step 1: Ask the Heart Question – Move beyond “What does this mean?” to “What does this reveal below the waterline?” Look for unconscious beliefs, functional idols, and false sources of significance or security.

Step 2: Expose the Counterfeit – Identify what people in the passage are trusting instead of God. Ask: “What is my flesh’s version of this functional idol?”

Step 3: Embrace the Gospel – Connect the passage to Christ. Ask: “What gospel truth addresses this flesh pattern? How is Christ superior to the counterfeit?”

Step 4: Apply Below the Waterline – Address three levels: (1) Belief – What false belief needs replacing with gospel truth? (2) Desire – What counterfeit am I turning from toward Christ? (3) Dependence – Where must I stop living independently and practice dependence on God?

Why this works:
Traditional application targets behavior. Below-the-waterline application targets beliefs, desires, and dependence—bringing the soul into alignment with your new heart’s direction. This produces sustainable, Spirit-empowered transformation rather than temporary willpower-driven change.

Learn more:
For a complete guide with detailed examples and practice exercises, see our guide: Learn About Our Method

Our Bible Studies

At The Gospel Today, we’re committed to helping you develop biblical literacy through careful exposition of Scripture. Our verse-by-verse studies model faithful interpretation and application.

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Keep Growing

Biblical literacy is a lifelong pursuit. None of us will master Scripture in this life—but we can grow in our understanding year by year, becoming more competent readers and faithful disciples.

The time you invest in learning to study God’s Word will pay dividends for the rest of your life. Don’t be discouraged by what you don’t understand. Celebrate what you’re learning. Ask questions. Stay curious. Keep reading.

God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). As you study it faithfully, the Spirit will use it to transform you from the inside out.