BIBLE READING METHODS
As you read, discuss, and apply the Bible with other Christians, you may find that you want to push a little further and understand the passage. The COMA method is a helpful tool for Bible reading, both because of its flexibility and because it helps people to integrate their personal Bible reading with the bigger picture of the Bible – the unfolding story of Jesus Christ’s saving rulership. As a result, this method helps people to avoid common pitfalls and understand the Bible. COMA stands for: Context, Observation, Meaning and Application.
This is really a summary of how we read anything. Even when we pick up a newspaper article, we notice what sort of thing we are reading and how it fits with other things around it (Context); we read the words in sentences and paragraphs, taking note of the main events, people and content (Observation); we integrate what we observed in our heads and form a conclusion about what the author is trying to say (Meaning); and we reflect on whether the author's message has any relevance for our lives (Application).
Context: placing the passage within its literary surroundings or historical background as well as considering the circumstances in which it was written
Observation: examining the passage you’re reading by making notes, asking questions, and considering the structure, tone, and wording of the passage
Meaning: considering the main point or idea that the original human author wanted his original audience to understand in a particular text from our study of context and observation thus far
Application: defining shared principles between the original audience and us today and making a plan to put those principles into practice
It could be very useful to follow the COMA process consciously when we read the Bible, because it encourages us to ask good questions of the text and to understand it clearly and thoroughly. When we’re reading and discussing together, it also very helpfully directs the conversation as you can work through the four steps together and come to some conclusions, rather than bouncing around with lots of different random thoughts or observations.
Suggestions for discussion preparation:
- Read the passage aloud.
- Ask some context questions of the text:
- Who wrote the passage?
- Why was it written?
- To whom was it written? Who was the author’s intended original audience/reader?
- What sort of writing is this?
- Are there any clues about the circumstances under which it was written?
- How does this passage connect to the rest of the book? What has happened so far? What happens after this passage?
- Ask some observation questions of the text:
- What is the structure or arrangement to this passage? Are there any major subsections or breaks in the text?
- What surprises are there?
- What are the key words or phrases?
- What words or ideas are repeated?
- Are there characters? If so, what do they do or say?
- Ask some meaning questions of the text:
- What is the main point of the passage?
- How does this passage relate to Jesus? How does the passage describe, point to, or refer back to Jesus Christ?
- What does this teach us about God?
- How could we sum up the meaning of this passage in our own words?
- Ask some application questions of the text:
- Is there something to worship or thank God for?
- How does this passage challenge (or confirm) my understanding?
- Is there a promise for me to claim or a truth for me to believe?
- Is there something or someone I need to pray for specifically this week?
- Is there something I am convicted about that I need to change or begin doing?
- Is there any relationship I need to work on?
- Is there an attitude I need to change?
- Pray together about what you have learned.
As you prepare for your time together, these four sets of questions should establish the framework for your preparation. You should aim to come to the meeting with something jotted down under each category: Context, Observation, Meaning and Application.