An "On-Ramp" to Expository Bible Study: Your First Steps in Understanding Scripture

Sometimes Bible study can feel overwhelming. You want to get into the Word, but the text feels too dense, too ancient, or too complicated to understand on your own. That is where expository Bible study comes in. With this method, expository study, we focus on letting Scripture speak for itself, guiding us as we move through it one step at a time. Christopher J.H. Wright reminds us that the Bible tells the story of God's mission to rescue His creation, and understanding this narrative transforms our lives.[1]

If you’ve ever wondered how to study the Bible in a way that lets God’s truth shine through without outside interference, then this series is for you. This first post will break down what expository study is and why it matters, so before the journey begins, there are a few things you will need to know.

What Is Expository Bible Study?

Expository Bible study is all about getting to the heart of the text by drawing meaning directly from it. We’re not here to impose our ideas onto Scripture or look for hidden messages that might suit our personal agendas. Instead, expository study asks us to approach Scripture with open minds and hearts, allowing it to teach, guide, and even correct us. As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” God’s Word, along with God’s Spirit, is our guide.

Expository Bible study is reliable because it roots us firmly in the Word. Think of it as getting to know someone by listening to what they actually say, rather than what others say about them. Kevin J. Vanhoozer highlights the importance of an expository approach in his book Is There a Meaning in This Text? emphasizing that proper interpretation of Scripture requires us to grasp the original context and intended meaning before applying it to our lives today.[2]Expository study encourages us to approach the Bible as God’s message to us, ready to be unpacked and understood in its true context.

Why Expository Study?

Maybe you’ve tried reading the Bible before, and it felt like you were just skimming the surface. Expository study changes that by giving you tools to go deeper, to understand the who, what, where, when, why, and how behind each passage. This approach grounds us in the truth, leaving no room for confusing interpretations, or trendy hot takes that twist the truth in the text.

The author of Gay Girl, Good God Jackie Hill Perrys says that we cannot love God deeply if we do not know Him truly, and knowing Him comes from engaging with His Word.[3] When we choose to read God’s word through an expository lens, we are saying, “God, I want to hear exactly what you intended in these words.” It is about honoring scripture as God breathed and then handling it carefully, like a treasure worth guarding. If the letters from a loved one are precious, how much more precious are the Words from the God of the universe written specifically for you?

A roadmap of the next six stops on your expository Bible study journey.

The Roadmap: Your First Six Steps in Expository Study

This series will take you through six foundational posts, each building on the previous one. As you learn how to engage in expository Bible study take note of how your faith is impacted and consider sharing what you learn with someone else. Share this blog with someone you want to join you on this journey. Just know that God has spoken, His truths are available to you, and you can learn how to know His heart through His Word. Here’s a sneak peek of where we’re headed:

Blog 1: An "On-Ramp" to Expository Study This introductory post (the one you're reading!) will help set the expectations for the journey ahead. Think of the roadmap as a GPS for the journey, giving you the essentials you need to start strong. Bookmark this post and refer back to it as often as you would like as you continue with each step.

Blog 2: What Is Expository Study? Here, we will dive into what expository study means and how it differs from other ways of approaching Scripture. You will also learn how focusing on the text itself allows God’s intended message to come forward.

Blog 3: Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: Why Does It Matter? In this post, we will consider the importance of reading from the text, exegesis, instead of reading into the text, eisegesis. The difference is like following an already perfected recipe exactly versus throwing in all of the random ingredients your three year old wants to add!

Blog 4: Tiered Insight Mapping This post will explore a uniquie method for studying scripture. Why? Have you ever gotten lost in your notes, trying to make sense of them weeks or even months later? Tiered insight mapping is a method that helps you prioritize your findings, organizing your thoughts into primary, secondary, and tertiary insights. This method will provide you with a blueprint for structured, organized, meaningful study.

Blog 5: Essential Tools for Bible Study Every expert has a set of their go to tools. To dig deep, you need the right tools too. We will cover some basic Bible study tools to help you enhance your personal study and giving you practical guidance on how each can enrich your Biblical understanding.

Blog 6: How to Approach Different Biblical Genres Different parts of the Bible, poetry, prophecy, narrative, etc., each require a unique approach. We will discuss how understanding each unique genre helps you apply expository study more effectively, and therefore understand God’s message more clearly. Each of these posts will take you deeper in the Word, helping you grow not only in knowledge but also in confidence as you read, study, and apply God’s truth.

Why Bother with Expository Study? The Benefits

The beauty of expository Bible study lies in its surprising simplicity and its power to transform. Rest assured, expository study is absolutely worth the effort. First and foremost, it keeps us grounded in truth. Expository study avoids trendy interpretations and keeps us focused on God’s intended meaning instead of our own. Secondly, it deepens our understanding of the Bible. You will not simply read Scripture, you will understand it in a way that impacts your daily walk with God. It also protects against misinterpretation.

Misunderstanding Scripture can lead down dangerous paths. Expository study builds a guardrail, helping us stay aligned with biblical truths. Finally, it prepares us for real-life application of God’s Word. Expository study equips us to apply God’s Word accurately, making us better prepared to handle life’s challenges with wisdom.

Here is a warning: From this point forward, if you study the Bible without letting it study you, you may only become more self-righteous and surer that you know better than others.[4] Please avoid this trap. Expository study allows us to come humbly to God’s Word, ready to listen, learn, and be changed. Jen Wilkin cautions against engaging in many of the modern “spending time in the Word” approaches that are centered around selective reading of the Bible through the lens of personal focus at the expense of what God actually said.[5]

It is dangerous to remix the truth in the text with our own ideas

Getting Started: Key Scriptures to Remember for Expository Study

As you begin this journey, there are a few foundational verses that can set a helpful framework and emphasize the importance of approaching Scripture with reverence and care. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 2 Timothy 3:16 reads, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” In James 1:22 we read, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” And finally, we see Jesus’s words in Matthew 7:24-25 that, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

How to Use This Series Effectively

Here are five simple tips that will help you on your journey. First, start with prayer. Before each time you read a blog about expository Bible study, take a moment to pray. Ask God to open your heart and mind, guiding you as you seek to understand His Word. Secondly, use a notebook. Record your insights, questions, and reflections. The act of writing helps reinforce what you learn. Dr. James Zabloski said, “We learn by what we did, but we remember by what we reflect,”[6] and John Maxwell said, “Reflection is the process that turns experience into insight.”[7] Let your notebook reinforce your revelations.

Next, read each post in sequence. Each blog post builds on the last, creating a steady learning curve. Take time to absorb each step fully before moving to the next post. It is also important to engage with others. Share your journey with friends or a small group. The Bible is not only meant to be read privately, but also in context of a community of believers. King Josiah and the prophet Ezra set a wonderful example for us, showing us the power of publicly reading God’s Word! Studying together can deepen understanding and provide accountability. And finally, stay open and humble. Approach Scripture with a teachable spirit. God’s Word has the power to change us, but only if we’re willing to let it.

Ready to Dive In? Join Me on This Journey!

This series is designed to equip you with everything you need to study the Bible expository-style. Together, we’ll unlock the depth and beauty of God’s Word, one post at a time. I hope that as you walk through these steps, you will not only grow in knowledge but also deepen your relationship with God. The Bible is more than just a book; it is God’s letter to you, meant to be read, studied, and cherished. Remember, at the end of the day, the Bible calls us to live what we believe.[8]

Stay tuned for the next post, What Is Expository Study?, as we dive deeper into the heart of expository Bible study. Bookmark this page, share it with friends, subscribe here to become a part of the Truth in the Text community, and get ready to discover the truth in the text. God’s Word has so much to reveal when approached with open minds and hearts.

Final Encouragement

Remember, expository study is about more than checking off a box or finishing a task. It is about encountering God through His Word, letting it shape and guide you. Expository study is a journey, one that draws us closer to the Author Himself. As we take this journey together, I hope you find yourself growing, changing, and embracing the beauty of God’s truth in ways you never imagined.

Five simple biodegradable pots with small plants growing in each.

Footnotes

[1] Christopher J.H. Wright, The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 27.

[2] Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009), 250.

[3] Jackie Hill Perry, Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2018), 78.

[4] Timothy Keller, Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter (New York, NY: Viking, 2021), 22.

[5] Jen Wilkin, Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds, updated edition (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 92.

[6] James Zabloski, "Why We Reflect," video, accessed November 18, 2024, Liberty University Canvas, https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/695234/pages/watch-why-we-reflect?module_item_id=72161021.

[7] John C. Maxwell, "What Are You Reflecting On?" John Maxwell Blog, last modified May 6, 2020, accessed November 10, 2024, https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/what-are-you-reflecting-on/.

[8] Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2020), 161.

Bibliography

Allen, Jennie. Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2020.

Hill Perry, Jackie. Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2018.

Keller, Timothy. Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter. New York, NY: Viking, 2021.

Maxwell, John C. “What Are You Reflecting On?” John Maxwell Blog, last modified May 6, 2020. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/what-are-you-reflecting-on/.

Wilkin, Jen. Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds. Updated edition. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019.

Wright, Christopher J.H. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader, and the Morality of Literary Knowledge. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009.

Zabloski, James. "Why We Reflect." Video. Accessed November 18, 2024. Liberty University Canvas. https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/695234/pages/watch-why-we-reflect?module_item_id=72161021.