The following are things to think about. Not all of them will apply to every passage of scripture, but many will. By the time you’ve considered several and noted down your thoughts the passage will be much more meaningful to you.
1. Ask who, what, where, when, how & why questions about the passage.
2. Write down everything you observe of importance in the passage, no matter how small, including about relationships between characters.
3. What is the immediate context of the passage of scripture? i.e. what is the situation? You will need to look at verses before and after it. Is there a relevant cultural or historical context that’s important to know?
4. Who was it first written or spoken to and what would it have meant to them. Put yourself in their shoes. How would they have felt, reacted etc? What messages/applications were there for them?
5. Can you determine what the key intention of the writer or speaker was in writing it or speaking it? And, what was their tone?
6. Is there anything in the passage that you can relate to the main gospel message of the Bible about Christ, his sacrifice and resurrection?
7. What do you learn about God, Christ or man from the passage?
8. Is something emphasised or repeated, thus showing its special importance? What’s the key theme? (Preachers must preach key theme)
9. Give thought to why a conjunction is in the passage. i.e. what linkages or contrasts are words like therefore, but, so, because, yet & nor making?
10.Is there something in the passage that makes you wonder, ponder or you just don’t understand? Pray and seek an answer to your question.
11. Is there anything in the passage you find interesting or challenging? Does it impact or convict you in any way? How does it make you feel? Was anyone in the passage impacted or convicted?
12. Are there other scriptures that link well that come to mind and that could clarify or add important meaning? Perhaps search for some.
13. Do you need to do deeper research into things raised, or is there an important word in the passage you need to do a Greek or Hebrew word study of? Any technical interpretation points to consider, such as genre?
14. Is there any encouragement, exhortation, direction or command given in the passage that might apply to us today?
15. Have you an experience or relevant story you can relate to the passage?
16. *What 21st century life applications can you take from the passage?
Homework: Apply this to Psalm 150 and show me your work. God bless!