Discovering Jesus’ True Character

By Krista Breilh

“Reading the Bible is SO intimidating.”

Has that thought ever flown through your head? If it has, you are not alone—we’ve all been there. There are so many places we could start reading—questions popping up as we go. But within all of those pages and chapters and stories complete wonder, awe, and wisdom are waiting for us. The Bible is one of the most powerful tools Jesus gave us to help understand Him better and we want to be women who use that access point as much as we can!

One of my dearest mentors, Emily Jamieson, has graced me with so much knowledge and wisdom on how to read the Bible in a way that is life giving and I asked her to sit down with me to share some of those tips with you. Learning how to read the Bible to understand more about Jesus’ true character has transformed everything for me, and I hope it does the same for you. In the video below, we unpack the HOW TO of reading the Bible and then actually apply the practice WITH YOU through the story of “Feeding of the 5000.”

Our heart is to equip you so you can have your own intimate encounters with the Living Word!

Make sure you have your Bible, a journal, and a pen nearby when you listen because you are going to need them!

4 Steps on How to Read the Bible to Discover Jesus’ True Character

For those of you who are a little less visual and want a step-by-step guide, follow the steps below!

1) Get in Front of God’s Word

When reading the Bible to understand Jesus’ character, we suggest opening up to any passage in one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). A few story suggestions: Woman at the well (John 4), Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:45-56), Bartimaeus receiving his sight (Mark 10:46-52). Don’t feel like you need to read a whole chapter at once. Start with a section, or even a verse or two!

2) Notice Where Jesus is Mentioned

As you read through the passage, observing what is going on in the story/scene and take notice of where Jesus is mentioned. Don’t overthink it—just notice Him. What you note could be something Jesus says or it could be someone else mentioning Him. It is important to understand the overall narrative arch of a story before you dive super deep into what Jesus is trying to teach you through it.

3) Observe Jesus’ Character

Go back and read the passage again, pausing at every moment Jesus speaks or is mentioned. Then imagine yourself in that moment observing Him doing or saying what is written. As a bystander, what would you observe about Jesus’ character through His actions and words?

4) Apply Jesus’ Characteristics to Yourself

Apply His character traits to your own life. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8) so how He acted 2,000+ years ago is how He is going to continue to act today. How incredible is that?

Putting it Into Practice

Jesus’ Character in the Story of the Feeding of the 5,000

Let’s apply what we just learned as we read the story of the feeding of the 5,000:

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.” Mark 6:30

Where is the first place we see Jesus mentioned?

“The apostles gathered around Jesus.”

So, the apostles gathered around Jesus. It’s a simple statement, yes, but now think if you were standing there observing. What conclusions would you make about Jesus as a person if people were gathering around Him?

People want to be near Him.

He is a safe place.

People desire His company.

It might be helpful to ask yourself, why do I choose to gather around someone? What does it look like whether in hard times or good times to draw near to Jesus because you desire his company and know that He is a safe place?

Where is Jesus Mentioned Next?

The Word says that the disciples then went and reported to Jesus all they had done.

When you get home from work or school or a long drive and run to a friend or family member and confide in them, what does that reflect about their character and your relationship to them?

They are a safe place.

They are good at listening.

They want to listen.

So … drawing conclusions from the text, we can do the same thing in our own lives! Ladies, Jesus is so eager to process life with you and receive all the reports of what you did in a day. He is a safe place and the best listener.

Now it is YOUR TURN! Right Now!

Open up your Bible, choose a passage, or finish the story of Feeding the 5,000 and GO! Jesus is excited to reveal more of Himself to you through the time you make to be with Him!

Remember, what was written out above is a snapshot to what Emily and I unpack in the video. Make sure to check out the full video for the FULL run down!