Why Do I Need to Interpret the Bible?
Did you know you already try to understand the Bible every time you read it? Maybe you didnât know that! When you hear a Bible story or read a verse, your brain starts thinking, What does this mean? We all do that.
The Bible is Godâs Word. God gave us the Bible so we can know Him and learn about Jesus, God’s son. Many people wrote different parts of the Bible a long, long time ago. But God helped them know what to write. Together, all the Bible stories tell one big story.
That story is about Godâs world being broken by sin. Sin is when we disobey God and go our own way, like when someone lies or cheats, or when people get hurt. But God didnât stop loving us! He made a rescue plan. Jesus came to save us. He died for our sins and came back to life so everyone who trusts Him can be with Him forever.
The Bible is true, and God wants us to listen to it and obey it (2 Timothy 3:16-17). But sometimes the Bible can be tricky to understand. Why? Because it was written a very long time ago to people who lived differently than we do.
Hereâs an example. In one Bible verse (2 Corinthians 13:12), Paul says people should greet each other with a holy kiss. Hmm…that sounds a little strange to us! Most people at church donât do that today.
So what was Paul talking about? Back then, people greeted friends differently. The big idea wasnât really âeveryone must kiss each other.â The big idea was to give a friendly hello to other Christians and show love to each other. We can do that today by giving a handshake or a hug, for example.
Thatâs one amazing thing about the Bible. Even though it was written a long time ago, Godâs truth is still true for us today. People long ago needed Jesus, and we need Jesus too. God loved people then, and He loves people now. God never stops loving His people.
Think about it:
⢠What is something in the Bible that confuses you?
⢠Who could you ask for help? A parent? Grandparent? Pastor? Teacher?
You can also send your questions to Zach, the host of the Keys for Kids podcast, and heâll send you a reply. You might even be featured in the podcast and the Keys for Kids devotional! Send in your question when you go to keysforkids.org/heyzach
This blog post has been adapted from our teen devotional Unlocked, originally titled “Why Do I Need to Interpret the Bible? (Part 1)” by Taylor Eising, August 21, 2023.
