How to Study History
The Culture
Written thousands of years ago, the Bible reflects the culture of its day.
Today we’re inclined to interpret Scripture through the lens of our Western individualistic culture, which is very different from the culture of the Bible’s day. With help from a Study Bible, commentary, or the text itself, journey into the ancient world and watch Scripture come alive as you hear the message the way the original audience would have heard it.
Ask these questions when studying History:
*Who was it written to? Who was it written about? How does the Bible describe them?
Where does the narrative take place? Where was it written? What can you learn about their town and travel?
When did the events take place? When was it written? What was going on in history at that time?
Why was this message given to those people at that time?
*What worldview, cultural, religious, political factors and experiences were a part of their world and how did that influence them? What was their understanding of God at that time?
*How would the original audience have heard this message?
NEW TO CHARA? Start with the questions we ask the most—they are noted with an asterisk.
Download a beautifully designed printable version of the CHARA Bible Study Guide today!
KEY PRINCIPLE
Before you understand it today, understand it back then. Practice exegesis (think exit), to pull out how the original audience would have heard its message. Avoid eisegesis, which is reading into the text your own presuppositions and bias.
What to Study Next:
C
CONTEXT
Understand the text surrounding the passage
H
HISTORY
Understand the history and culture of the ancient world
A
AUTHOR
Understand the author’s purpose and their style of writing
R
RESEARCH
Dig deeper through word and translation study
A
APPLY
Identify how you can apply this passage to your life
Intro to the Bible
Common Questions About the Bible Plus the Layout of the Bible
The Bible’s Big Story
Understanding the Unified Story of the Bible
Layout of the Bible
Connecting the Table of Contents to the Story of the Bible
Recommended Resources
Our Favorite Tools to Understand the History
History in Action
Examples of Studying Passages with the CHARA Bible Study Guide
How to Study the History of a Passage
Join the Chara Team as we explore how understanding the culture of the Bible’s time can completely change the way you read scripture. It’s easy to see things through our modern point of view, but the Bible was written in a very different world. With the help of study tools and a little curiosity, you can step into the shoes of the original audience and hear the message the way they would have. Let’s take a journey into the ancient world and watch scripture come alive!