Reading the Bible with our heads, hearts and hands

INTRODUCTION: READING THE BIBLE WITH OUR HEADS, OUR HEARTS AND OUR HANDS

We will ask the same three sets of questions of each passage in the series. There is a video explaining the technique at the bottom of this post.

1. HEAD QUESTIONS: RESEARCH

For example: 

• What do I already know about the people, places and events in the passage? 

• What might I need to find out? 

• Are there any words or phrases I don’t understand?

I find it helpful to ask myself…

Who is in the story? Where is it set? When does it take place? What happens?

Head questions invite us to research, noticing the details in the passage rather than rushing on to interpretation or personal response. 

Note: Bible passages in this booklet are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. You can find a searchable version of the NRSV at https://bible.oremus.org/ . You might find it useful if you want to look for other references to a person or place in the Bible. 

2. HEART QUESTIONS: REFLECT

For example: 

• What do I feel about this passage? Where does this reading surprise me, delight me, puzzle me or trouble me? 

• Who do I identify with and empathise with in it? 

• If I imagine myself there what do I want to say and do?

• Does it remind me of things in my own life or our world? 

‘Heart’ questions invite us to reflect.

3. HANDS QUESTIONS: RESPOND

For example:

• What might this passage be prompting me to do?

• Does it challenge me to think differently, act differently, set a relationship right or pray about or ponder something?

‘Hands’ questions ask us to think about how we should respond.