I love this simple post from Justin Taylor.
Justin was executive editor of the ESV Study Bible.
He also edited a great new edition of some of John Owen’s works.
Here’s one suggestion. Try to put down on paper the various questions that the passage is answering. You might want to start with the standard questions (who, what, when, where, why, how).
Here’s one example: a single sentence from Romans 8:3-4:
By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
How do all these clauses relate to each other. Here are some questions you can ask to find out:
What did God do?
He condemned sin in the flesh.
(Note: this is why Rom. 8:1 — “no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”–is true. God has to condemn sin; he will either condemn your sin, or he has already condemned your sin in the sacrifice of his Son. Unite with Jesus and condemnation is gone forever.)
How did God condemn sin in the flesh?
By sending his own Son [Jesus].
How did Jesus come?
In the likeness of sinful flesh.
Why (negatively) did Jesus come?
For sin.
Why (positively) did Jesus come?
In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled.
In whom?
In us.
Who are we (negatively)?
Those who do not walk according to the flesh.
Who are we (positively)?
Those who walk according to the Spirit.
If only I could get everybody from RBC — elders, teachers, ministry staff, newcomers, middle-schoolers, everybody to do this!
This technique works so well because it places our attention into the details of the text. It is so very common (and so very unhelpful) to read a verse and then turn away from it to our experience, opinion, feelings, history, hopes….
So get into the Word and get to work.
If you have the Holy Spirit inside you, the Bible in front of you, and pen and paper near to hand you are well on your way.