Children ask some of the most thought-provoking questions. Their quest to understand the world around them drives them to ask questions. Why is the sky blue? Why do I need to wear a hat? Why does the cat purr? Why do you have to go to work? Why can’t I go see my friend? Why is your hair gray? Their innocent curiosity expressed in questions forces the adult in their life to pause and think. Finding a simple answer that adequately satisfies the questioner but also expands their understanding can be challenging. And if the child is not satisfied with the answer the follow-up question is immediately expressed: “But why?”
A child’s curiosity can teach us a few things about learning and studying the Bible. They intuitively know what it takes to gain greater understanding of what they see. Look back at the questions I listed in the previous paragraph. What does each question begin with? They begin with “why?” The question “why?” is essential for gaining a greater understanding of any new concept or skill. It drives down to the underlying cause and the desired effect. Once a person has an understanding of the underlying cause and effect then creativity and synthesis can expand the learning even more.
For example, as a florist I make floral arrangements. Sometimes I copy a recipe I’ve been given in order to duplicate someone else’s design as closely as possible. I’m told exactly what to put in the arrangement and where. I can make some pretty nice arrangements this way. That doesn’t mean, however, that I have a good understanding of floral design. To have a good understanding of floral design I need to know why I’m putting those particular flowers in the arrangement and why they should go where the recipe says they should go. Imagine a child watching me put flowers together in a vase and asking the question, “why are you doing that?” In order to answer that question I need to understand the theories of composition and color choice. I need to understand the how the shape of a vase or container can influence the placement of flowers in an arrangement. Once I understand those things I am no longer limited to following a recipe and copying someone else’s design. I can get creative and use those same theories to create my own beautiful designs. Understanding “why” is essential to mastering floral design.
Likewise, in order to understand what the Bible says, we need to ask the question “why?” It will help us understand the underlying motivations, intentions, causes, and desired outcomes of the biblical authors. It forces us to pause and think through the issue or concern. The question “why did Paul use this particular word to make his point?” urges us to do a bit more digging. Why did Jesus speak to the Samaritan woman? Why did Peter want to go to Jesus on the water? Why did David not kill Saul when he had the chance? Why did Moses take Joshua with him up Mt. Sinai? All these questions force us to pause and think. They motivate us to do a bit more research, look up a word, read more of the Bible, or find someone to discuss the question with. They move us to greater learning.
Like a child, get curious and start asking lots of why questions. And don’t stop by asking it just once. Ask the follow-up question, “but why?” Then ask it again. It may take a few attempts to really drill down to interpretation gold. It is tempting to answer the question with just what we see in the text. But the goal is get to the motivations behind it. So, don’t be afraid to ask “why?” again and again. Become that nagging child that is just never satisfied with the first answer that comes to mind.
Another learning principle that we can glean from a child’s example is to ask questions of the Bible that we don’t know the answer to. A child asks questions precisely because they don’t know the answer to the question. They are not afraid of looking stupid or of offending someone with their questions. They simply want to know. They don’t worry about not finding an answer. They trust that the person they ask will know or know how to find an answer. And in the case where they can’t find an answer, well then, they can’t find an answer. It doesn’t stop them from asking the question. Similarly, good Bible study will ask questions that we don’t know the answer to. Questions that we don’t know the answer to will drive us to look for answers, to look at other passages and other parts of the Bible and to seek out insights from other Bible studiers. It will expand our knowledge of the Bible and how others have interpreted it.
As I’ve practiced asking why questions of the Bible and questions that I don’t know the answer to, do you know what I’ve discovered? I’ve discovered that the more questions I ask and answers I find, the more questions I have. I’ve discovered just how much I don’t know and how much more I have yet to learn. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by it and in that moment, I remember that my God is big! He is so big that I will never fully comprehend Him or all that He has done for me. His Word is an endless spring that feeds my soul. And while it refreshes and revives, it also leaves me thirsty for more. And so, I keep asking “why?” I keep digging and finding more riches in His Word.
Drink of the everflowing spring of God’s Word. Let it refresh your soul and leave you thirsty for more.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
(Psalm 19:7-10)