Friday, October 13, 2023
Over this past week, we have learned about the importance of keeping Scripture close in times of poverty and in times of plenty. But often we aren’t exactly sure how to do that. In the “Featured” section of the CedarCreek app, there are four great possibilities, and below is another method to try.
Matthew 22:36-37 (NIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
When we sing and worship, we love God with our hearts and soul. When we read and study the Bible, we love God with our minds. One popular method of Bible study is the Inductive Study Method (ISM). Engaging with Scripture in a more focused and systematic way allows us to uncover truths written in Scripture and learn how to apply them to our lives.
The ISM uses three main steps, but prior to beginning any reading of the Bible, it is essential to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text for you.
1. Comprehension: What does the text say?
This step is asking about what is objectively on the page. Here, context is essential. Read what comes before and after a passage. Note any repeated or significant words. Try reading it in several other Bible versions to see how different translations change how you see the passage. Ask questions of the text, but don’t worry about finding answers right away. You should not be looking at the study notes in your Bible or at commentaries yet.
[Pro tip: I recommend the New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), and the New American Style Bible (NASB) translations. Check out Bible Gateway. It’s really easy to switch translations.]
2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
What does the author want us to understand about this passage? We must remember that the author determines the meaning, not us. We want to know God; thus, we need to understand what God wants us to know through his inspiration of the human author. In this step, we use two main tools: cross references and paraphrasing.
Cross references, generally found in the center column of your Bible or on the bottom of the page, direct us to other verses throughout the Bible that say similar things. Focus on following the cross references on passages that are confusing. Then paraphrase or summarize the text by putting it into your own words. This helps us better understand the ideas being communicated.
3. Application: How should it change me?
When we truly understand something, we can more faithfully apply it to our lives. Prayer is an essential part of this step. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, direct us to change, and lead us in understanding. How can what we learned impact our relationships, our personal lives, and our actions?
After studying a passage on your own, consider consulting study notes or other commentaries—scholars have studied the Bible for their entire lives and have knowledge and insights we don’t. You could also discuss what you learned with others to help clarify areas of confusion and create unique bonds with your study partners.
The ISM takes time and requires effort, but it is very rewarding. It allows us to discover the truths of Scripture and connect with God in a powerful way. The Bible is a beautiful story—the story of God redeeming his people from the beginning until the end. When we put the time into our study, the Word comes alive and we develop a deep love for it. And as a result, our relationship with God is transformed.
Questions:
Have you ever considered that studying the Bible is a way that you love God with your mind?
When thinking about the meaning of Scripture verses, how does the idea that the author determines the meaning, not you, sit with you?
Next Steps:
Try using the ISM method with our John Reading Plan. It’s available on the app under the Explore tab. Read John 1 in several different translations. See how each translation communicates the same idea in a slightly different way. Make it a practice to consult at least one other translation during your study time.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Word. Thank you for the privilege of knowing you through the pages of the Bible. Thank you for the lives of those that have gone before who gave their lives so that I can read your Word. Give me a hunger for the Bible. Help it come alive to me and transform me into a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
This post was written by Julie Mabus, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut.