I developed the MISSION Method for studying my bible because I wanted a way to dive deep into scripture and not miss any aspect of what I was reading. There is so much richness in the Word of God, and I wanted a way to squeeze every last drop of goodness out of this source for Living Water.
Meditate on the Word
This is where you read the scripture or passage in context. You read the the entire pericope, perhaps the entire chapter, so that you get an idea of the full context of what is happening. This is also when you look at the verse or passage in multiple translations. I always recommend looking at both word for word translations and thought for thought translations. You should read the passage several times before moving on.
Investigate – Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
This is where you look at who wrote the book, who is talking, who they are talking to, where they are, why they are there, what are they saying, and why.
Study Words, Characters, Places, Themes
This is where things start to get fun….at least for me…. Notice, are there words or phrases that are repeated? Are there words you don’t quite understand, or want to know more about? Even if you know the meaning of a word, it can still be highly profitable to look into it further in a concordance. Take note of characters, places, and what seems to be going on.
Seek Further Understanding From Other Resources, Commentaries, Concordances, Dictionaries, etc.
Now pull out those resources. You can use apps like Bible Hub and Blue Letter Bible for this, or you can use actual books, or a combination of both. A concordance can give a better understanding of words and how those words were used in other places in the bible. A Bible Dictionary can give a wealth of information about People, Places, and important concepts in the Bible, such as salvation, witness, etc. Another resource I highly recommend is the 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary. It is also available as an app. It is one of my favorite resources for words, as it often gives extensive and exhaustive definitions that include references to scripture.
Interpret With Exegesis
This is CRITICAL. First, lets talk about what exegesis is, and it’s nemesis, eisegesis. Eisegesis is what you will often find in devotionals, particularly those that are geared toward women. It’s the “what is this verse saying to you” or “what does this verse mean to you” vibe that has nothing to do with actual scripture. Let me explain.
Exegesis and eisegesis are two approaches to interpreting texts, particularly biblical texts, and understanding their meanings. Here’s a breakdown of each term and their key differences:
Exegesis
Definition:
Exegesis is all about pulling out the original meaning of the text. It’s a careful and thoughtful process that digs deep into the historical, cultural, and linguistic background of the scripture to understand what the authors meant when they wrote it and how the first listeners would have received it.
Key Characteristics:
- Objective: Focuses on understanding the text as it is, based on context.
- Contextual Analysis: Considers the historical, cultural, and literary context of the passage.
- Textual Evidence: Utilizes the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) and manuscript evidence to inform interpretation.
- Scholarly Consensus: Often involves consulting scholarly works, commentaries, and the consensus of biblical scholars.
Eisegesis
Definition:
Now, eisegesis, on the other hand, is like wearing rose-colored glasses while reading the Bible. This approach tends to impose the reader’s own feelings, beliefs, or biases onto the text. It can lead to misinterpretations that stray far from the original message, often reflecting the reader’s personal views instead.
Key Characteristics:
- Subjective: Focuses on the reader’s interpretation rather than the text itself.
- Personal Bias: Often reflects the interpreter’s views or experiences, potentially distorting the original meaning.
- Selective Reading: May involve cherry-picking verses to support a particular viewpoint or agenda, ignoring broader context.
- Lack of Contextual Awareness: May overlook historical and cultural elements that are critical for proper understanding.
So as you can see, exegesis is a disciplined and methodical approach aimed at understanding a text’s true meaning within its context, while eisegesis is a more subjective method that can lead to misinterpretations by projecting personal views onto the text. So for faithful biblical interpretation, exegesis is key, as it seeks to honor the original message and intent of the scriptures.
Now, to interpret with exegesis…This is where you look at scripture and summarize what it is saying in your own words, with everything you’ve discovered so far. This is not about personal reflections. This is about biblical meaning. An example of Eisegesis would be putting yourself in the place of David in the story of David and Goliath, and identifying your “Goliath”. This is a favorite misuse of scripture among authors of devotionals. This story has nothing to do with us. It was about God…God’s faithfulness and David’s trust and reliance on God. The Bible is FOR us, but it is not ABOUT us. If we believe the Bible is true, then we need to honor it’s true interpretation and meanings.
Observations, Obstacles
Observations are just that. Things you observe in scripture. You may observe a repeated theme, or a connection to other scriptures, you may observe the character of God, commands to obey, warnings, references, instructions… You may observe that we are commanded to forgive others, even when they repeatedly hurt us. This is also a place to reflect on obstacles that may arise….Examples of obstacles may be things like your pride preventing you from forgiving someone when you observe scripture saying you are to forgive others, so that He will forgive you. These are serious issues that deserve your time to meditate on, pray about, and resolve.
Now What
Finally, we are at application. This is where you take what you have learned through the study of scripture and apply it to your life. It may involve taking action, begging for forgiveness, shifting your beliefs, changing your mindset or finding rest in knowing who you are in Christ. Application may be simple, or it could be difficult, in a life-changing sort of way. It could be setting aside time for consistent prayer and Bible study, or it could be having hard conversations about saving a marriage that was headed for divorce (without biblical grounds).
There are unlimited possibilities for how scripture may apply to your life. And while the exegetical interpretation may never change, the application may change over time as life circumstances change. That is what makes the Bible alive and active. It is always there for us, and it holds the answers to our problems, even if they aren’t always the answers our flesh wants.
