The inductive Bible study method is a tool that gives your Bible study structure. It helps you grow in Bible literacy and comprehension. Regular and proper Bible study will grow your personal relationship with God.
Inductive Bible Study – Come as you are!
Learning how to study the Bible is definitely a journey. I am the first to admit that my personal Bible study has never been regular. I felt lost as to what to study next, how to study, and how much time I should study each day. The inductive Bible study method really helped me to have direction in my personal study!
All of these questions plus poor commitment and planning meant personal Bible study was often missed or rushed. Today’s post is written to describe the inductive Bible study method . I am not an expert. I am not even close to devout in my study. This post is humbly summarising the information that others have shared with me.
So come as you are. Humbly knowing that we are all sinners in need of Christ. Pray that God may work His Spirit in you, so that you may understand His Word! I hope you will find some encouragement and maybe a starting place to help increase your personal Bible study!
personal Reflections on the inductive bible study method
The inductive Bible study method will simplify your concept of study but also challenge your practice.
Simplify
The inductive Bible study method simplifies Bible Study. It helps you to slow down and just read the Bible as it is. You are picking out the obvious. The only tools you need will be a notebook, pen and your Bible and only sometimes a dictionary or commentary.
Be Challenged
So far the inductive Bible study method has also challenged me. I have to look at the text and use the brain God gave me to start to draw connections and build Bible literacy. Previously I would turn to my commentary or study Bible at the first sign of confusion or question. With this method I can dwell in the questions, pray about them and sometimes leave these questions or confusions unanswered for the immediate time frame. At first this is a little scary.
However, after a short while I came away from my Bible Study feeling refreshed and in awe of our God and Father. He has revealed so much about his amazing characters through his Word. And yet, God is complex. He is not fully comprehensible, he is great and I can find peace knowing that the things I do not understand about God are good because that shows how amazing he is!
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernement, so that you may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God”
Philippians 1: 9-11
The Inductive Bible Study Method In summary
Before we go to much further. Much of the information I am explaining to you comes from the book Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. So please grab your own copy and read it. Jen Wilkin’s way of describing Bible Study and the wisdom she shares will far surpass this blog post!
THe 5 P’s of bible study
In the book Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin she describes incorporating the 5 ps to our Bible study. I love the way that these simple practices has made me rethink Bible study. It has encouraged me to turn to God in prayer for wisdom, understanding and patience in my study!
Study with Purpose
Purposeful study means to look at the text in light of the ‘Big Story’ of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. How wonderful to instead of focusing on just what the story says but rather how does this story speak of the gospel message?
Study with Perspective
Understanding the context of the text in the perspective of the historical and cultural context. This helps us to see what is really being said!
Study with Patience
Slow down, give yourself time, don’t try create perfection (perfectly quiet, alone, peaceful). Set realistic expectations. And pace your Bible study for the long term!
Study with Process
Methodically read and study the Bible using the process of comprehension (observation), interpretation and application.
Study with Prayer
Pray for God’s help before, during, and after your Bible study! This is so important. The Holy Spirit is the only way we can understand and place in our heart the gospel! We need to pray for it!
Breaking Down the inductive Bible study Method
When you start the inductive Bible study method you study texts by observation, interpretation and application.
Comprehension – oBservation
Jen Wilkin’s describe observation as comprehension. Comprehension means to understand the text. What does it say! Read through the whole text, highlight repeated words, write down words you don’t understand and look them up. Ask the who, what, where, when, why and how questions. Summarize the themes of the text.
Think about the the context of the text. Who is it written by and to whom was it written, what stage in the gospel story. Once you have read the book or chapter several times you can create more of an outline. This can include the themes and a timeline of events or stories in the text.
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean? Use cross-references, paraphrasing and commentaries to understand to decipher the meaning of the text. Cross references expand our understanding of what is being said. Paraphrasing is writing out the text in our own words. It is not meant to be shared but rather to challenge our understanding of the text. You may get it wrong or want to change it later. That’s ok. try it out and then refer commentaries to seek guidance on your interpretation. This will help you to refine your thinking of the text.
Application
How should it change me? Not how can I fit this to suit my life….. The Bible is a living, breathing book. It should challenge and shape the way we live our lives! God is calling us to be more like Christ. Let His Word refine and change you! It will be a challenge and pray for perseverance!
- What does this passage teach me about God
- How does this understanding of God change how I am living, or my view of who I am?
- What should I do in response?
We should always be using God centered questions as a starting point when applying the text to our lives!
Practical ways to encourage personal Bible Study
- Plan out what you are going to study.
- Get setup with your bible, pens/highlighters, journal/notebook and any other material. Store it in an accessible location, out and ready to go. Try to keep it visible so you are reminded quickly of Bible study.
- JUST START
- Pray for perseverance and patience.
- Use a helpful study guide like the In All Things Study on Philippians by Melissa B. Kruger. It helped me to get in the habit and structure of the inductive Bible study method.
- Study with a friend. – Study the same topic. Meet regularly to discuss how you are going. Share your insights. Keep each other accountable. Send encouraging messages. Pray for each other.
- Join a Bible Study group – take the whole week to dive into the topic you are covering on study day.
- Study the Bible even when the time seems imperfect.
- Start with small bits and slowly build up. Studying the Bible is a skill and it takes time and hard work to make it a habit!
- Encourage Bible literacy and love by reading good quality material, listening to podcasts and playing gospel music.
- Consider a godly mentor. Ask an older woman, whom you respect to mentor you. Ask for her advice and prayers in your personal Bible study.
Resources for Bible Study
- ESV Journaling Bible
- Jen Wilkin’s Women of the Word
- In All things Melissa B. Kruger
- Simply Wholesome Home Bible Study Worksheet
- Journey Women Podcast Bible Study Resources
- Risen Motherhood Inductive Bible Study Tutorial
- Well Watered Women and Co – Give Me Jesus Journal, Bibles Study Resources and Articles
Thanks for this great post. Love the inductive way of biblestudy. I’ve been using this form of biblestudy off and on for a few years now, but more fully the last 6 months after reading Jen Wilkin’s Women of the Word book. I recommend it too ?? definitely makes you learn to think for yourself first before grabbing that study book or online resource. Once I’ve got a grasp on what it says and have tried to understand it, do I look for extra resources. I’m definitely still learning this process! What I find helpful is studying a bible chapter (or part) over a course of a few days (or week), as you often will find or pick up different things on different days.
Also I can’t encourage women enough to join a bible study group. There is so much godly wisdom found among other women, especially older women. Getting to know other women in our church community on a spiritual level as well is so refreshing and truely enjoyable.
Yes it is a nice way to approach God’s word! Yes I was constantly turn to the study Bible footnotes instead of just really dwelling in the scripture and not even praying for God to work understanding in me! Breaking it down and slowing down helps! Bible study groups are a beautiful way to ensure you are staying in the Word and sharing this with others! You are also gleaning other perspectives from God’s word too!
Love these book ideas. I’ll have to look into them!
Yes so far they have been fantastic resources!