The Interpretative Journey | A Bible Study Method

Years ago, as a student attending Dallas Baptist University, I was introduced to the Interpretative Journey Bible study method created by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays.

This method, outlined in their book, Grasping God’s Word, proved to be useful in both my Homiletics and my Systematic Theology classes as I dove deeper into Scripture.

The Interpretive Journey is a method for studying and applying the Bible faithfully and responsibly. It helps readers move from understanding what the text meant to its original audience to understanding what it means for us today.

It’s often visualized as a four- or five-step process (depending on the version used), guiding us from the “world of the text” to the “world of today.”

Here’s a breakdown of the classic four-step Interpretive Journey (as described by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays in Grasping God’s Word):

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Step 1: Grasping the Text in Their Town

Question: What did the text mean to the biblical audience?
This is about discovering the original meaning.

1. Study the historical and literary context.

2. Ask: Who wrote it? To whom? Why? What situation were they facing?

3. Observe key words, grammar, tone, and structure.

Goal: Understand what God was saying then before deciding what it means now.

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Step 2: Measuring the Width of the River to Cross

Ask: What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?

This “river” represents the cultural, historical, and covenantal gap between the two contexts. Consider differences in time, culture, language, situation, and covenant (Old vs. New).

Goal: Recognize what separates us from the text so we don’t misapply it.

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Step 3: Crossing the Principlizing Bridge

Ask: What is the theological principle in this text?

This is the timeless truth that transcends culture and applies to all of God’s people. The principle should be consistent with Scripture, rooted in the text, and relevant to both audiences.

Goal: Identify the enduring spiritual truth.

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Step 4: Grasping the Text in Our Town

Ask: How should individual Christians and the Church today live out this truth?

This is where you apply the principle personally and corporately.

Goal: Live the timeless truth in a modern context.

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(Optional Step 5: Grasping the Text in View of the Cross)

Some teachers add a fifth step between 3 and 4: How does the New Testament or the gospel of Christ affect this principle?

This step ensures our interpretation aligns with the Christ-centered message of Scripture.

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Example: Joshua 1:1–9

• Step 1: God commanded Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, promising His presence and success if Joshua obeyed His law.
• Step 2: The audience was Israel under the old covenant; we’re not Israel entering Canaan, nor are we under the Mosaic Law.
• Step 3: The principle: God’s people can have courage and success when they trust and obey His Word, relying on His presence.
• Step 4: Today, believers can courageously pursue God’s mission in their lives because God is with us through the Holy Spirit.

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Interpretation moves from “What it meant then”to “What it means now.”
It keeps us from distorting Scripture and anchors application in accurate understanding.

Personally, I’ve found this method useful when I am studying and attempting to understand what God’s Word says and how it impacts me today. Perhaps, it might work for you, too.

Until my next post…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

You can now find my articles in The Christian Grandfather Magazine.

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Please hit me up if you have questions or drop a comment below. And please subscribe to my blog!

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