Observation: Be Curious

Have you ever looked at photos from the James Webb Space Telescope? Billions of dollars, decades of work, and countless hours of observation went into capturing those breathtaking images of distant galaxies and ancient starlight. But behind every stunning image lies something simple: curiosity. Humans have always gazed at the night sky and wondered—How did it all begin? Are we alone in the universe? We were made to ask questions, to seek, and to discover.

Curiosity isn’t just for scientists staring at the stars; it’s also essential for our relationships. Imagine a couple sitting across from each other at a restaurant, silent, staring at their phones. Their connection starts to fade when they stop asking questions, stop engaging, and stop paying attention to one another. Relationships thrive on curiosity—so does our relationship with God.

Yet, when it comes to studying the Bible, many people feel hesitant to ask questions. Somewhere along the way, they were told, “Don’t question God—it’s a sign of unbelief.” But if you open the Psalms, you’ll see question after question: “Why do the nations rage?” (Psalm 2:1) “Why have you forgotten me?” (Psalm 42:9) “From where does my help come?” (Psalm 121:1). God invites our questions. He welcomes our curiosity.

So when we approach the Bible, we need to ask: What’s really happening here? Observation is about slowing down, asking good questions, and paying attention. And when it comes to observation, one of the most important tools is recognizing the genre of what we’re reading.
Observation Starts with Curiosity: How Did Jesus Study the Bible?

In Luke 2:41–52, we get a rare glimpse of Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy. His parents lose track of him during a trip to Jerusalem, only to find him three days later in the temple. What was he doing? “Sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46). Jesus, the Son of God, was curious. He listened, he asked questions, and he grew in wisdom.
Jesus’ example shows us that curiosity is not a weakness—it’s a sign of humility and eagerness to learn. If Jesus approached Scripture with curiosity, shouldn’t we?

When we open our Bibles, we need to ask questions. We need to be curious about the People, Places, Things, and Ideas in the text. And one of the first questions we need to ask is: What kind of writing is this?

You wouldn’t read a recipe as if it were a love poem, and you wouldn’t recite a love poem as if it were a recipe. In the same way, you can’t read every part of the Bible the same way. Genre matters.

The Genres of Scripture: Understanding the Recipe for God’s Word

The Bible isn’t one book—it’s a library of sixty-six books written in different styles, to different audiences, for different purposes. If we want to observe the Bible accurately, we need to recognize its genres. Here are five major ones:

1. Law:
The first five books of the Bible, written by Moses, include God’s commandments for worship, moral living, and community life. Laws like “Do not steal” or “Love your neighbor as yourself” reflect God’s moral character. But what about commands like “Do not eat pigs” (Leviticus 11:7–8) or “Build a parapet around your roof” (Deuteronomy 22:8)? These laws were tied to Israel’s worship practices and societal structures—they’re not directly binding on us, but they still teach us about God’s care for holiness, safety, and justice.

2. Narrative:
Narrative tells a story. Think of Genesis, Exodus, or the Gospels. These books recount what happened, but they don’t always tell us what should happen. Just because Solomon had hundreds of wives doesn’t mean God endorses polygamy. Narrative describes, but it doesn’t always prescribe. When reading stories in the Bible, ask: What does this story teach me about God, humanity, and God’s plan of redemption?

3. Poetry:
Hebrew poetry, like Psalms and Song of Solomon, uses vivid imagery and parallelism to convey deep truths. “Your teeth are like a flock of sheep” (Song of Solomon 4:2) isn’t dental advice—it’s poetic imagery expressing beauty. Poetry engages our emotions, imagination, and spirit. Don’t read poetry like a historical timeline or a rulebook. Let the imagery sink in.

4. Prophecy:
Prophets were God’s messengers. Sometimes they spoke words of warning (“Turn from your sin, or judgment will come”), and sometimes they spoke words of hope (“For to us a child is born…” Isaiah 9:6). Prophecy isn’t primarily about predicting the future—it’s about boldly declaring God’s Word to specific people in specific situations. Ask: What did this mean to the original audience? How does this point me to Christ?

5. Letters:
Most of the New Testament is made up of letters—written by apostles to churches or individuals. Letters like Romans, Ephesians, and Philippians are packed with theological teaching and practical instructions. They’re often the easiest to apply directly to our lives because they were written for people in the same spiritual era we live in: the age of the church.

Putting Observation into Practice: Psalm 23
Let’s practice observation with one of the most well-known passages in the Bible: Psalm 23.

• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Who is the Lord? What does it mean for Him to be a shepherd?
• “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Why “even though” and not “if”? What is this valley?
• “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” What’s the difference between a rod and a staff? Why do they bring comfort?

When we slow down and ask questions, we notice details we might otherwise miss. Observation isn’t about jumping to conclusions—it’s about lingering, noticing, and being curious.

Why Observation Matters
Peter warned us in 2 Peter 3:15–18 that some people twist the Scriptures to their own destruction. Why? Because they don’t take the time to observe. They rush past the genre, context, and original meaning to make the Bible say what they want it to say.
But when we approach God’s Word with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to observe, something incredible happens: we begin to see Jesus.

• In Law, we see God’s perfect standard, fulfilled in Christ.
• In Narrative, we see God’s faithfulness unfolding through history.
• In Poetry, we feel the beauty of God’s love and care.
• In Prophecy, we hear the call to repentance and the promise of redemption.
• In Letters, we receive clear teaching and encouragement for our daily lives.

Jesus is at the center of every genre, every story, and every word.

Be Curious. Ask Questions. See Jesus.

The Bible isn’t a puzzle to solve—it’s a treasure to explore. When you approach Scripture with curiosity, when you ask questions and pay attention to genre, God will meet you in His Word.
So, be curious. Be observant. And let the living Word of God reveal the heart of God to you.

**New City Fellowship’s COMMA Bible study method is a modified version of the COMA method found in One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm, published by Matthias Media and Holy Trinity Church in 2011.**

Click here to listen to messages from our 2022 sermon series, "The Sword of the Spirit." We dove deep into how to study and interpret God's Word.