1. Preparation: Quiet the Mind 🤫

Setting Aside My Own Ideas.

• The Goal: Ask God to help you see what the Bible actually says, not just what you expect it to say.

2. Context: The Big Picture 🖼️

The Surroundings.

• The History: What was life like for the people who first read this? (Think about their jobs, their leaders, and their troubles).
• The Location: Where does this story fit in the whole book? What happened in the chapter before this?
• Key Question: If I only read this one verse, what important information am I missing from the verses around it?

3. Observation: Looking Closely 🔎

What is within the section?

• Repeat Words: Which words does the writer use many times? (These are usually the most important).
• Connections: Look for words like because, so that, and but. They show how the writer’s thoughts are connected.
• The "Gap": What parts of this passage feel strange or different from your culture?

4. Meaning: The Original Message 📜

The Author’s Point.

• The First Listeners: What did the author want the first readers to understand or do?
• The Simple Summary: Try to say the main point in one short sentence. Do not use "church words" (theological jargon). Use words you would use at the market or with your family.

5. Application: The Bridge to Today 🌉

Bringing the Truth Home.

• The Constant Truth: What does this tell us about God that never changes, no matter what language we speak?