If the Bible is all about God’s redemptive plan as revealed in Jesus Christ, then we must see how our text legitimately connects to the saving gospel message so we know how to live as Christians.
The structure (or organization) of a text will reveal an emphasis. That emphasis will help to discern the main idea and lead to application.
We must understand the context in order to see how the original audience understood the text. When we understand how the original audience understood a text, then we can understand how it applies to us today.
The Bible is God’s revelation of himself and his work in redemptive history. Our personal study of Scripture reveals this great God and how we are to respond to Him. The Bible is not an instruction manual nor a “how-to” book nor a magic spell to make us feel good. The Bible is not about us. The Bible is about God and the salvation he provides in the work of his Son, Jesus Christ.