A Three-Step Guide to Meaningful Scripture

By Jesse Jackson

There is a common misconception that the Bible is an obsolete book with little relevance to everyday life. It is often dismissed as antiquated and impractical—a collection of allegorical stories that feel too obscure to ever be truly grasped. 

But for those who believe it is the infallible, inspired, and authoritative Word of God, the reality is quite different. They recognize that it is, as Hebrews 4:12 states, “living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

In other words, its penetrating power is unmatched because it reaches into the innermost being of a person to evaluate our true motivations. It effectively discerns and distinguishes between that which is genuinely spiritual and that which is merely of the flesh. 

A recent 2025 study reveals that although individuals are opening the Bible to find guidance, they are increasingly conflicted with its literal accuracy. This suggests that while many are searching for spiritual comfort, they still remain skeptical as to its authoritative nature. 

In addition, the American Bible Society recently identified a significant group -roughly 80 million Americans -who are curious about reading the Bible, yet remain unsure about the absolute authority it holds over their lives.

This poses a serious challenge today for individuals who desire spiritual guidance and insight, yet are unwilling to acknowledge the authority of the Bible. Instead of viewing the Bible as a source of absolute moral requirements inspired by God, many view it as a collection of inspirational insights like a self-help book. 

However, when the Bible is viewed through the lens of self-help rather than divine inspiration, we fail to see it for what it is -God’s authoritative Word. But if we truly want to experience spiritual results, we must first begin by submitting to its spiritual requirements. 

In other words, in order to experience the Bible on a personal level with real spiritual results, one must embrace the Author of the book as their Savior and Redeemer from sin and death (John 1:1; 3:16; 5:39-40). That is, the Bible is not just a manual for better living; it’s a relationship with a real Person. That person is Jesus Christ.

But for the person who already possesses a relationship with Jesus Christ, here are 3 steps to help you move toward a greater recognition of the Bible’s divine authority. You can easily remember this process with the acrostic A.I.M. 🎯

STEP ONE — A — Adopt the “Whole Counsel” Rule 

Begin reading entire books, not just isolated verses. While any part of Scripture is beneficial, engaging on a deeper level helps you move away from the “verse-of-the-day” reading and proof texting. Instead, strive to understand the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 20:27). 

For example, start with the Gospel of John which focuses on the identity of Jesus and which is written specifically so that readers may believe and have life (John 20:31). If a book is long, break it up into segments and read a few chapters a day. By moving away from “a verse a day” toward reading whole books of the Bible you develop a comprehensive understanding of what God is conveying. 

STEP TWO — I — Identify the “Content”  

Ask the question, What does God mean by what he says? Move beyond looking for a “good feeling” or a personal takeaway. Instead, seek to understand the substance of the book and its content. 

For example, ask, What is the author’s main argument, recurring theme, key words? This step is crucial and acts to bridge between just reading and immediately applying by first understanding the message as it was originally given. In other words, respect the author’s voice before listening to your own. This process ensures proper interpretation and application.

STEP THREE: M — Measure by “Submission Before Application” 

Instead of reading with preconceived notions, begin by asking the Lord to align your heart with His truth. Before jumping right to personal application, look for the Divine Mandate: 

• Are there specific biblical mandates or moral requirements mentioned? 

• If so, are these instructions specifically to us, or were they specific to the original audience? 

• If they are for us, are we ready to submit and obey them? 

Remember: Even though all of Scripture is for us, not all Scripture is to us or about us. Failing to make this distinction can lead to “spiritualizing” the text — seeking a deeper or secondary spiritual meaning at the expense of the literal meaning — which creates a lot of confusion. For example, God’s command to build an ark was to Noah, not to us, yet we can learn from Noah’s faith. We will expand on this further at a later time.

Summary: Commit to reading entire books of the Bible from start to finish, seek to identify the content of the book, and measure by submission before application. 

This three step process will help you to A.I.M. properly when you open the Bible. First, we begin by looking at the horizon and broadening our view (Adopt the Whole Counsel Rule) by reading entire books. Secondly, we move toward the “bullseye” (Identify the Content) by seeking to understand God’s actual message as it was originally intended. Thirdly, we determine and measure the path by determining specific biblical mandates —identifying to whom the text is speaking (Measure by Submission Before Application) and choosing to either obey them or learn from them.

By using the three step A.I.M. process we shift our focus from the “me-centered” approach to a “God-centered” approach and increase our understanding and belief in the authority of God’s Word.