THE DIG BIBLE STUDY METHOD · FIELD GUIDE
Look closely. See the whole. Know God.
Take time with each step of DIG. This guide explains how to observe the text, read it in context, and consider what God reveals about Himself.
Keep your Bible open as you read. The guided study of Luke 24:13–35 gives you a passage to practice with.
Begin with prayer, then work through the chapters below at your own pace.
The three steps are simple:
D: Details.
What does the passage say?
I: Interwoven.
How does it all fit together?
G: God.
What does God reveal about Himself?
BEFORE THE THREE STEPS
Before opening your Bible, ask God to help you understand His Word.
You do not need a Bible degree or years of experience. You need a willing heart, an open Bible, and a desire to learn.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, help you see what is written, and grow your understanding of God.
And don’t stop praying once you begin. Keep listening and praying throughout your study.
01 · LOOK CLOSELY
Every word in Scripture has a purpose. Names, places, actions, questions, and even small phrases help us understand what God has written.
Our first step is to slow down and pay attention.
Read the passage carefully, one verse at a time. Don’t worry about finding some hidden meaning. Begin with what is right in front of you.
You might underline words, circle names, or write down a few things you notice. There is no required way to take notes.
The goal is to notice what the Bible actually says before deciding what it means.
The Bible was written long ago, in places and cultures that may be very different from ours.
To understand it well, we must first consider what its words meant when they were written.
This is part of an approach called historical-literal interpretation. It means reading Scripture with care for its history, language, and intended meaning.
Here are four helpful things to consider.
Who wrote the passage? Who first received it? What was happening in their world?
For example, knowing that Israel was living under Roman rule helps us understand many events in the Gospels.
You do not need to become a history expert. Start with clues in the passage, and learn more when it would help.
People in Bible times had different customs, jobs, governments, and ways of life.
A wedding, a shepherd, or a meal might have meant something different to them than it does to us today.
Understanding these customs can help us see why certain details matter.
Pay attention to the actual words being used.
Notice who is doing an action, who receives it, and how ideas are connected.
If a word is confusing, first look at the verses around it. Sometimes the Bible explains its own words.
You can also compare Bible translations or use a Bible dictionary. Just remember that a word’s meaning must fit the passage where it appears.
The Bible contains history, poetry, laws, letters, prophecy, parables, and more.
We should read each kind of writing as it was meant to be read.
For example, when a psalm says that mountains sing, we understand it as poetry. We don’t expect mountains to have mouths!
Reading the Bible literally does not mean ignoring poetry or figures of speech. It means seeking the meaning the author intended to share.
One of the greatest dangers in Bible study is bringing our own ideas into Scripture and making the passage say what we want.
We all have opinions, experiences, and beliefs that affect how we read. That is why we must keep coming back to the words on the page.
Before asking, “What does this mean to me?” ask, “What was the author saying to the people who first received this?”
KEEP YOUR OBSERVATIONS GROUNDED
Also, be careful about what the passage does not say.
If Scripture leaves out a detail, don’t fill in the blank with a guess and treat it as fact.
And remember that a story telling us what someone did does not always mean God wants us to do the same thing.
Don’t give up! A confusing detail can become a great chance to learn.
Try these steps:
Sometimes you still won’t understand. That’s okay.
Make a note, keep reading, and return to it another day. You don’t have to solve every question before moving forward.
A helpful habit: Try reading the passage more than once, or write out a few verses by hand. Slowing down often helps us notice what we missed.
02 · SEE THE WHOLE
During Details, we looked closely at the individual words and facts.
Now it’s time to put them back together.
Read the entire passage again at a normal pace. Instead of stopping at every detail, pay attention to the message as a whole.
Think of a woven blanket. Each thread is important, but no single thread shows you the full design. You must step back to see how everything fits together.
The same is true of Scripture.
WORDS · PEOPLE · EVENTS
THE PASSAGE IN CONTEXT
As you read, ask yourself:
Pay attention to how the passage moves from beginning to end.
For example, a person may begin a story afraid but end it trusting God. That change may help us understand the meaning of the whole event.
Context means the words, events, and ideas that surround a passage.
A single verse may sound like it means one thing when read alone. But when we read the verses around it, the meaning can become much clearer.
Think about context in widening circles:
Verse → Passage → Chapter → Book → Whole Bible
Begin with what is closest. Then look farther out when needed.
You may also notice that another part of Scripture speaks about the same event or idea. Look it up and compare the passages.
Scripture helps us understand Scripture.
But remember, our goal is not to collect as many cross-references as possible. It is to understand what God is saying in the passage we are studying.
Interwoven may be the easiest step in DIG, but it is very important.
You don’t need to collect more details or write another page of notes. Simply read and consider the full message.
If it helps, try reading aloud, having someone read to you, or using another trusted Bible translation.
The goal: See the passage as one connected message, not a collection of unrelated verses.
03 · KNOW GOD
This is where everything has been leading.
We’ve explored the Details. We’ve seen how they are Interwoven. Now we ask the most important question in the DIG Bible Study Method:
THE HEART OF DIG
God gave us the Bible so we could know Him.
The Scriptures reveal who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He has promised.
They teach us about God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When we study, our greatest goal is not to become experts in Bible facts. It is to grow in our knowledge of God Himself.
Here are some questions to help you:
You may discover something new about God. Or you may be reminded of something you already know.
Both are valuable.
You might learn that God is patient. You might see His justice, His faithfulness, or His care for people who are suffering.
Your answer does not need to be long or impressive.
Sometimes just a few words are enough.
We want to learn what God reveals about Himself, not invent ideas about Him.
When you reach a conclusion, ask:
Where do I see that in the passage?
Try pointing to a verse or phrase that supports your answer.
Often, the simplest way to describe what you’ve learned is to use the same words Scripture uses.
As you continue studying, you’ll begin to see how the truths you learn about God fit together throughout the whole Bible.
And as you grow in your knowledge of Him, your love for Him can grow, too.
TRY IT · LUKE 24:13–35
And, behold, two of them1 went that same day2 to a village called Emmaus3, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together4 of all these things which had happened.
Luke 24:13–14, King James Version. “Threescore furlongs” is about seven miles.
Why? Let the rest of the account explain. Keep a question separate from an observation.
Interwoven. Read verses 13–35 together. Follow the conversation, Jesus’ explanation of Scripture, and the disciples’ return to Jerusalem.
God. In verses 25–27, Jesus explains how the Scriptures speak about Him. What else does the passage reveal about Him?
OPEN YOUR BIBLE · A GUIDED STUDY
Let’s put these ideas into practice with the story of two disciples walking to Emmaus after Jesus’ resurrection.
01 · DETAILS
YOUR TURN · LOOK FOR THE CLUES
Read verses 13–16. Which clue tells you when this happens? Think about it before opening the example.
LUKE 24:13–14 · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
Behold, two of them1 were going that very day2 to a village named Emmaus3, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.
“That very day” sends us back to Luke 24:1–12: the tomb is empty, and the women hear that Jesus has risen (verse 6). These travelers are walking on the day of His resurrection.
That connection comes from the chapter, not from a guess. Verse 16 says they did not recognize Jesus, but does not tell us exactly how.
Begin with Luke 24:13–14.
You’ll notice that two people are traveling to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. They are talking about events that have just taken place.
The phrase “that very day” tells us when these travelers set out.
What day? Read the beginning of Luke 24. You’ll discover that it is the day Jesus rose from the dead.
Already, one small detail has helped us understand the story’s setting.
As you continue reading, notice that the two disciples are kept from recognizing Jesus. We aren’t told exactly how, so we don’t need to guess.
Keep reading and collecting details.
02 · INTERWOVEN
VERSES 17–24
VERSES 25–27
VERSES 30–32
Then they return to Jerusalem and tell the others what happened (verses 33–35).
YOUR TURN · TRACE THE CHANGE
Read the whole account. Try describing its movement in one sentence before opening the example.
Confusion → Scripture explained → Recognition. The same two travelers who speak of disappointed hopes in verse 21 return to Jerusalem with news about Jesus in verses 33–35.
“That very day” (verse 13) places the journey on resurrection day. Jesus explains Scripture (verses 25–27), and later they recognize Him (verses 30–31). Follow the account instead of treating each detail as a separate fact.
Now read Luke 24:13–35 straight through.
Notice how the story moves from confusion and disappointment toward understanding and joy.
Jesus explains the Scriptures to the disciples. Later, they recognize Him when He breaks bread.
Pay attention to how these events fit together, especially the important place Scripture has in the story.
03 · GOD
YOUR TURN · POINT TO THE TEXT
Read these words. What do they reveal about Jesus? Form your own answer, then point to the words that support it.
LUKE 24:26–27 · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
26 “Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”
27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Verse 26 → Jesus is the Christ. His suffering and glory were necessary, not a failed plan.
Verse 27 → Scripture points to Jesus. He explains what Moses and the prophets say about Himself.
These conclusions use what the text says. We do not need to guess how He kept the disciples from recognizing Him.
WHAT THE PASSAGE REVEALS
Consider what this story teaches us about God.
We learn that Jesus is the promised Christ. His suffering and resurrection were part of God’s plan. We also see Jesus using Scripture to help His followers understand who He is.
Those are not ideas we had to invent. They come from the passage itself.
Now consider what else you learned about Him.
Walkthrough Scripture quotations: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Highlights and observation numbers are study notes, not part of the Bible text.
That’s DIG! You’ve studied the words, followed the whole story, and discovered truths about God.
Choose 6 to 12 verses and practice the same three steps on your own. Use the final two minutes to respond after you finish DIG.
A SIMPLE COMPANION
Keep the free worksheet beside your Bible to gather your notes.
BEFORE DIG · PREPARE
Ask God to help you listen with an open heart.
THE THREE DIG STEPS
Read 6 to 12 verses slowly. Mark what you notice without rushing to explain it.
Read the passage as a whole. Sum up its main thought in one or two sentences.
Write what the passage shows about God. Use the passage’s own words when you can.
AFTER DIG · RESPOND
Pray, believe, obey, or share based on what you learned.
Have more time? Repeat the Details step, trace an important word, learn about the historical setting, or compare another trusted translation.
AFTER THE THREE STEPS
Once we’ve learned more about God, we can begin to think about ourselves.
This is important, but notice the order.
We don’t begin by asking what the passage says about us. We begin by learning what it reveals about God.
Knowing God helps us see ourselves more clearly.
After DIG, take time to consider:
Don’t rush to turn every passage into a personal to-do list.
Sometimes the best response is simply to pause, give thanks, and worship God for who He is.
What we’ve learned about Him should shape how we live.
The more you use DIG, the more natural it becomes.
Take your time. Studying a few verses carefully can be better than rushing through several chapters.
Keep a Bible and notebook nearby. Writing down details, questions, and discoveries can help you remember what you’ve learned.
Study with others. Another person may notice details you missed. Listening to each other can help you grow.
Let Scripture lead. Bible teachers, study notes, and other resources can be helpful. But don’t let them replace your own time in God’s Word.
Be willing to say, “I don’t know.” Not every question has an easy answer. Keep learning with patience and humility.
Keep praying. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reading, and thank God for what He reveals.
Use these tools after you begin with the Bible text. They can help you compare translations, search words, and learn about the setting.
A clean Bible reader with word-for-word translations, cross-references, and Hebrew and Greek word tools.
A broad study library with translations, cross-references, language tools, maps, dictionaries, and commentaries.
Practice these three steps with another passage. As they become familiar, you may find yourself noticing details, following the context, and considering what God reveals as you read.
The aim is to become a lifelong student of God’s Word, able to study Scripture for yourself.
Choose another short passage and keep practicing. Pray, read carefully, and let Scripture support what you learn about God.