Reading Scripture Through Jesus
Christ as Our Lens
Purpose of This Study
This study invites us to approach Scripture as disciples rather than defenders. It helps us understand why Christ—not literalism, tradition, or power—must be the lens through which Christians interpret Scripture.
We are not here to win arguments or prove righteousness, but to better understand how Jesus taught us to live—and how that teaching shapes our understanding of the Bible itself.
Opening Prayer
Christ our teacher and living Word,
we come not to master Scripture, but to be shaped by it.
Quiet our need to be right.
Open our hearts to see You more clearly.
Help us listen with humility,
speak with care,
and discern with love.Lead us as You led the disciples—
patiently, truthfully, and toward life.
Amen.
Core Scripture Readings
Luke 24:27
“Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.”
What does this moment suggest about how Jesus wants His followers to approach Scripture—alone or in relationship?
John 1:14–18
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us…”
How does seeing the Word embodied in Jesus change what it means to “know” God?
Matthew 5:17–20
“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
What do you notice about Jesus’ posture toward Scripture in this passage—defensive, dismissive, or purposeful?
What Does It Mean That Jesus “Interprets” Scripture?
Read Together: Luke 10:25–28
A lawyer stood up to test Jesus… “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?”
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think Scripture needs interpretation at all?
- What does it suggest about faith that Jesus explains Scripture rather than simply quoting it?
- How does this challenge the idea that the Bible should be read without context or discussion?
Community Insight
Jesus does not treat Scripture as self-evident. He models discernment, showing that faithful reading requires wisdom, relationship, and context.
The Word Became Flesh
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean that the Word of God became a person rather than remaining a text?
- How does this shape the way we think about obedience?
- In what ways might focusing only on rules cause us to miss the heart of faith?
Gentle Prompt
Consider whether your faith has been shaped more by texts or by Christ’s example.
Fulfillment, Not Preservation
Read Together: Matthew 5:21–22
(an example of “You have heard it said… but I say to you…”)
Discussion Questions
- How does Jesus change the focus of the law in this passage?
- Does fulfillment mean “keeping everything the same,” or “bringing it to its intended purpose”?
- Why might this distinction matter in a modern world?
Community Insight
Jesus moves faith from external enforcement to internal transformation.
Scripture, Power, and Responsibility
Read Together: Matthew 23:23–24
“You tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness…”
Group Reflection
- Can Scripture be misused? Why or why not?
- What happens when Scripture is used to justify fear, exclusion, or control?
- How does Jesus respond to religious leaders who enforce rules without compassion?
Grounding Question
How can we remain faithful without becoming rigid?
Reading Scripture in a Modern World
Guided Reflection
- The Bible was written in societies shaped by empires and monarchies.
How might that influence its language and imagery? - What responsibility do modern Christians have when applying ancient texts to today’s world?
- What role does conscience play in faithful interpretation?
Important Clarification
Reinterpretation is not rejection. It is participation in a living faith tradition.
Quiet Implication
(Read Aloud)
Christ is not one voice among many in Scripture.
He is its interpretive center.
The Bible does not present itself as a flat collection of equally weighted instructions. It tells a story that unfolds across centuries—shaped by human limitation, historical context, and evolving understanding of God. Within that story, Jesus stands not as a footnote or addendum, but as the one through whom its meaning is clarified.
When Scripture is read without Christ as its lens, it can become fragmented—verses detached from purpose, commands separated from compassion, authority divorced from love. Interpretation shifts from discernment to enforcement. Faith becomes about preservation rather than transformation.
Jesus shows us another way.
He reads Scripture with attention to context, purpose, and human impact. He refuses to let faith harden into rigidity. He deepens the law rather than simplifying it, calling people not only to right action but to transformed hearts. Again and again, He places love of neighbor, mercy, and justice at the center of faithfulness.
At the same time, Christ does not float free from Scripture. He roots His life and teaching within its story. He engages its language, honors its witness, and fulfills its purpose. Scripture grounds His call to discipleship in history, accountability, and shared tradition. Without that grounding, Christ can be reduced to a comforting symbol rather than a living teacher who challenges, disrupts, and calls us to costly love.
Faithful reading lives in this tension.
To read Scripture through Christ is not to dismiss it, soften it, or reshape it to fit our preferences. It is to take responsibility for how it forms us and how it is used in the lives of others. It is to ask not only What does this say? but Who does this shape me to become?
Walking His Way holds this posture deliberately.
We do not seek certainty without discernment, nor obedience without compassion. We return again and again to Christ—not to avoid Scripture, but to read it more faithfully. In doing so, Scripture becomes not a weapon or a relic, but a living witness that continues to call us into transformation.
Faithfulness is not found in rigid answers.
It is found in walking with Christ as He teaches us how to listen, discern, and live.
Personal Discernment
(Journaling or Silent Prayer
- Where do I feel tension between Scripture and modern ethical questions?
- What interpretations have I accepted without reflection?
- How might Christ’s life and teachings guide me through these tensions?
No one is required to share.
Practice for the Week
Choose one Gospel passage this week and ask:
- What does this teach me about how Jesus treats others?
- How might this shape how I live—not just what I believe?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, Living Word of God,
Teach us to read Scripture with humility and courage.
Help us seek truth over certainty, love over control,
and faith that reflects your life and teachings.
Guide us as we walk your Word together. Amen.
Practical Notes
- Avoid political examples this week
- Reinforce: Christ-centered interpretation is historic Christianity, not innovation
If tension arises, remind the group:
- This study does not ask anyone to abandon Scripture.
We approach the Bible with reverence, humility, and seriousness. Our commitment is not to diminish Scripture, but to engage it more faithfully. - This study asks us to take Christ seriously as our guide.
Jesus is not an add-on to Scripture—He is its fulfillment and interpretive center. When questions arise, we return first to His life, teachings, and example.
Additional Guidance:
- Do not rush to resolve disagreement —let silence work
Faithful discernment often requires sitting with discomfort. The goal is not consensus, but deeper understanding shaped by Christlike love. - Encourage curiosity over certainty.
Remind participants that questions are not a sign of weak faith. In Scripture, Jesus consistently invites people to rethink what they believe they already know. - Affirm questions as faithful engagement
- Gently redirect harmful interpretations.
If Scripture is used to justify exclusion, fear, or dehumanization, bring the conversation back to Christ’s treatment of the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the outsider. - Model humility.
Leaders are not arbiters of truth but fellow disciples. It is appropriate to say, “I’m still discerning,” or “Let’s sit with that question.” - Protect the dignity of all participants.
Personal experiences, doubts, and convictions should be treated with care. Disagreement never justifies dismissal or harm. - Keep the focus on practice, not winning arguments.
Ask often: How does this shape how we live? Who does this call us to love more faithfully?
Closing Reminder:
Walking His Way is not about replacing one rigid framework with another. It is about forming disciples who read Scripture with wisdom, live with integrity, and follow Christ with courage and compassion.
Let the Spirit do the work you cannot.
Walking His Way 