FOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK TO UNDERSTAND OUR BIBLE:

When we read and study our bible rightly divided (II Tim 2:15) there are at least 4 questions we should ask, to help get a better understanding of its context.

1. Who is talking?

2. Who is being talked to?

3. What is being said?

4. Can I put myself in this text as being the one being talked to or about?

Then, the key is to NOT insert yourself into a passage that you don’t belong in, one that is NOT talking to or about you. If we do, our doctrine will not be correct. 

Example: You may think you need to sell all you have or keep the law as Jesus taught in the 4 gospel books.  And so you should do these things if you were obeying the words of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  But those two things are not requirements for us today as it was for the Jews under the law to go into their earthly kingdom.  We are to listen to Jesus' last words by the person who saw and spoke to Him last for the updated new information Jesus gave to him for us today - that would be Paul.  Romans – Philemon.  ALL scripture is FOR us but not ALL scripture is written to and about us.