Last night at my church, I had the opportunity to teach a workshop called, "How to Read and Study Your Bible," on principles/methods of biblical interpretation. I've come to believe this is one of the most important things I can do as a pastor. Why? /1 
We are in a state of near crisis in the American Church concerning the trustworthiness (and therefore functional authority) of Scripture. (I said in the Church, not in the world.) /2
Not only do fewer and fewer Christians have any clue how to interpret the Bible -- guided by sound, consistent principles -- many have given up on (or, sadly, are utterly unaware of) even the *possibility* of a humbly confident, rationally defensible take on scripture. /3
Thus, when confronted with hard passages, far too many today simply shrug (or wag their their finger) and respond, "That's just your interpretation" or "well, there are so many other interpretations," rather than making like the Bereans. /4
As a result, many have come to believe that most "controversial" passages (e.g., regarding gender, sexuality, etc.) are truly up for grabs, with zero basis for favoring one interpretative option over another. /5
Thus, interpretations are spoken of as "positions" and are seen as exercises of personal choice. Hence, complementarians can *only* be misogynists, advocates of the poor can *only* be Marxists, the traditional view on sexuality can *only* be homophobic, and the like. /6
After all, you chose to adopt that view, despite the availability of other equally viable options, and despite the indecipherable ambiguity of the passage. And you refuse to un-choose it. /7
In the meanwhile, more and more exasperated individuals have left for the Roman Catholic Church, frustrated by Protestant hermeneutical uncertainty. I have heard said on more than a few occasions: "I just want someone to tell me the right answer." /8
My point is, we not only need to teach the Bible; we need to teach people *how* to read the Bible. It's one of the most important jobs we have as pastors, ministry leaders, mentors, disciplers. We cannot assume people know how. They don't. /9
Last night one woman told me she's been in the Church her whole life, but that was the first time she was ever taught how to read/study the Bible. What an incredible joy and honor. What a tragedy. /10*
For those asking for resources, whether for yourself or for those you're leading, you might look into these super helpful books: LEVEL 1: How to Study Your Bible (amzn.to/2DTfZfq); LEVEL 2: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (amzn.to/2BynG5b).
