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COLLECTIONS
Commentaries,
Word Studies, Devotionals, Sermons, Illustrations
Old and New Testament. |
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INTRODUCTION TO
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
WHAT IS IT?
(Click
to skip the intro and go directly to OBSERVATION) |
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Do you long for a relationship with God, but feel lost when you open your Bible,
not even knowing where to begin?
Or perhaps you begin each year with a resolution to read through the Bible, only
to give up in frustration, wandering about somewhere in the "wilderness"
of the book of Numbers?
Or do you read passages of Scripture and find
that only moments later you can't even remember what you just read?
Are you frustrated that there are so many
different opinions about what the Bible says on a given subject and you wonder
which one is true?
Or do you doubt whether it's even possible
for you to understand God's Word, since you're not a pastor, an elder or a
degreed theologian?
If any or all of these questions describe you, then take
heart, beloved, for you are about to embark on a journey called "Inductive Bible Study" (IBS),
one that has the potential to radically transform your life as you study God's Word
in a way you heretofore never thought possible. Inductive Bible Study
will expose you to an approach that can be applied to any Scripture,
any time, any place, by any one. All that is required is the Holy Book, the
Holy Spirit and a humble, teachable heart.
As you begin this journey, remember that the
Bible will be your primary resource "for no (spoken)
word
from God (is)
void of power (a
more
literal
rendering of Luke
1:37 ASV then other translations) and "His divine power has granted to us
everything
pertaining to life and godliness (read that phrase again - do you believe this
is true?), through the
true knowledge of Him (found in
His Word) Who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these (His
"glory and excellence") He has
granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them (we)
might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that
is in the world by lust." (see notes
2 Peter 1:3-4)
Beloved, if you are not convinced on the
sufficiency and power of the Bible as your guidebook for abundant, supernatural
life, you
might consider performing a simple study on the inherent
Power of God's Word. You must understand
and believe that the Word of God not only is sufficient for every need but that
it is a "love letter" from God, because it is!
"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John
3:16) Your objective is to learn to read the Bible as if God were
personally speaking
to you. Why? Because He is! B. B. Warfield was absolutely correct
when he said
The Bible is the Word of God in such a way
that when the Bible speaks, God speaks.
Allow the Author to speak directly, personally and
powerfully to your mind but also to your heart. Remember that the Bible is the
only book whose Author is always present when it is read.
Knowing the living Word
is the key to understanding the written Word.
Beloved, many saints are sitting under
the Word today in Bible believing churches, but they are not in
the Word for themselves. The psalmist writes that the blessed man or woman who
flourishes like a tree by water is the one who delights not
under but "in the law of the LORD, and in His law
meditates (see
Primer On Biblical Meditation) day and
night." (Psalm
1). The great need for most
believers is to "get into" the Word for themselves. Instead many are sitting in pews growing
older, but not growing "in
the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (see note
2 Peter 3:18).
Inductive Bible Study is profitable...
not just that we should know
but that we might
grow!
IBS is not a method to fill our head with
Biblical facts and make us "smarter sinners". The ultimate goal
of all IBS is the transformation of our lives from glory to glory, daily
becoming more
like our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you ready to get into the
Word so that the Word can get into you in a way you never
previously thought possible? Then, my friend, get ready for the joy and
adventure of Inductive Bible Study.
|
Your
Primary Resource:
THE BIBLE |
|
GOD
SPEAKS
V
THROUGH HIS WORD
V
DIRECTLY TO YOU
V
NOW YOU ARE EQUIPPED
TO STUDY OTHER
RESOURCES |
After observing the schematic, you
still may not appreciate the basic premise of Inductive Bible Study so let's illustrate two
different
approaches to Bible study using the life of a frog as our subject of study.
If you wanted to learn about frogs, you could go to the library and check
out a book entitled "The Life of Frogs" (or in today's web savvy world you might
"Google" the term "frog's life"). But how would you know that the
so-called frog expert had really given you an accurate interpretation of a
frog's life? You wouldn't if you relied solely upon that one source. On the
other hand you could go to a nearby pond, sit by the water's edge and begin to
observe and write down what you observed about the local frogs - how they
gathered food, what they liked to eat and not eat, where they
liked to sit, how they mated, where, when and how they
laid their eggs, what transpired when the eggs hatched, and how
long it took tadpoles to grow into adult frogs. Then you could take one of the
slimy green creatures back home (not to your kitchen though), dissect him and
observe how he was constructed in great detail, even observing the
interrelationships of the innermost
parts under a dissecting microscope.
Now, let's be honest. Reading a reference by
a "frog expert" is easier and more aesthetically pleasing than sitting by a pond
and (heaven forbid) even touching one of the little green critters. And besides,
you could glean the salient frog facts in a fraction of the time it would take
you to perform your own
observations of the frog's life cycle. So what's the
point? In the first method, you might remember what you read for a few days, but
with the second method you would likely be able to recall your observations
months, even years later. And which method provides the potential for the joy of
self discovery? Which method "costs" the most (in time and effort)? I'm sure you
can see the clear distinctions between these two methods.
In terms of Bible study methods, you can
study someone's else's study or you can study the Scripture for yourself. The
inductive method provides you with the skills and familiarity with the tools
which make it possible for even beginning students (and even children) to
confidently study the Scriptures on their own.
Dr Howard Hendricks eloquently sums up the
differences in the two contrasting approaches to Bible study writing that
Knowledge that is self-discovered is stored
in the deepest part of the mind and remains the longest in the memory. There is
no jewel more precious than that which you have mined yourself.
From the frog illustration, you can easily
see that the key difference in the inductive approach is personal, active
involvement in the process. As someone has said...
"I hear and I forget"
"I
see and I remember"
"I do and I understand"
Instead of studying resources about the
Bible, inductive study focuses first upon the Bible. You need to be willing to
lay aside your preconceived notions, pet interpretations, ready references, study notes, sermon tapes, etc,
coming to the Scriptures as for the first time. Your primary
resource is
God's Word, then other secondary resources. The tendency for many Bible students
at the beginning of a study is to rally secondary resources that
will do the "observing" and "interpreting" for the reader. It's quick but
is it correct? How can you know if you don't make your own independent
observations
and arrive at your own interpretation based on those
observations?
And why even go to the Scriptures if you almost immediately forget what you've
just read? Research show that we learn more and retain more, the more
actively we are involved in the learning process.
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PERCENTAGE
REMEMBERED
COMPARED to METHOD of LEARNING |
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1 |
10% |
Of what we read |
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2 |
20% |
Of what we hear |
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3 |
30% |
By watching a
demonstration |
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4 |
50% |
Combining #2 and #3 |
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5 |
70% |
Combine #4 with writing
out what you learn |
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6 |
90% |
All of the above plus
application or practice |
The key to effective, fruitful inductive
Bible study is personal involvement and learning how to
carefully, prayerfully observe... not sitting by a pond, but sitting at the
feet of Jesus, allowing the Spirit of Christ to lead you into all truth.
Give me the insight, Lord,
As I read Your Word today,
So I will truly understand
Your message and Your way. —Monroe
Inductive Bible study has as one of its major goals to give the student the
knowledge and tools to allow them to "fish for themselves" so to speak.
The Bible is a remarkable book. Millions of copies are bought each year. It has
been the number-one bestseller for decades. But tragically, the Bible is said to
be the least-read bestseller of all time!
J. I. Packer is surely correct
when says that...
If I were the devil, one of my first aims
would be to stop folk from digging into the Bible.
Alan Redpath (past pastor at Moody
Bible Church) once advised believers to "wreck" their Bible every 10
years! Do you use your Bible every day until it eventually falls apart? If
you've never studied your Bible inductively, then you are about to experience
that it is a wonderful "tool" by which you can wear out your Bible! Remember --
a well-worn Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul, and a Bible that's falling apart
usually belongs to someone who isn't!
The treasures of the Word of God
Are great beyond compare;
But if we do not search them out,
We cannot use what's there. —Sper
Although he does not use the term, the following quote by Martin Luther
appears to allude to the basic practice of inductive Bible study...
I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that
the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each
limb I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf.
The godly missionary
Amy Carmichael
indirectly alluded to the
value of inductive Bible study warning all saints to...
Never let good books take the place of the Bible. Drink from the Well, not
from the streams that flow from the Well.
R A Torrey
may have been
exaggerating somewhat but this is some truth in his declaration that...
Ninety-nine Christians in every hundred
are merely playing at Bible study; and therefore ninety-nine Christians in
every hundred are merely weaklings when they might be giants.
I love how Grant Osborne
introduces the second edition of his excellent text
The Hermeneutical Spiral: A
Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation...
There is no greater privilege or joy
than studying the Word of God. When we realize that God loved us enough
not only to send His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, but
also cared enough for us to give us His revealed truths to challenge and
guide our lives, we are amazed at how little we deserve and yet how much
He has done for us! There is only one set of final truths in this world,
not mathematics or science (for all physical laws are invalid in a quasar
or a black hole), but only the Word of God. In this the eternal principles
intended to direct us through this life are truly found. Therefore it is
both a privilege and a responsibility to study God’s Word
as carefully as possible.
To fail as a Christian to study God’s
inspired revelation is tantamount to refusing to know the laws of the
country we live in and breaking those laws with impunity. It is a failure
that can and will have catastrophic results, for it means we do not care
about the rules we have promised to obey by virtue of being citizens of
our country—whether that be the USA or Britain or heaven (cf. Php 3:21-note).
(Osborne,
G. R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical
Interpretation. Rev. and expanded, 2nd ed. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press. November 30, 2006)
(Digital
version on Logos) (Bolding
added for emphasis)
May the Spirit of the Living God
give all of His children a burning desire to diligently study His Living Word inductively that He
might make each of us into
"oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, (Why? What should be the final goal of all
serious Bible study? Smarter sinners? No! Sinners more like their
Savior...) that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3) (cp Ps
1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 -notes
Ps 1:1; 1:2;
1:3;
1:4; 1:5;
1:6) |
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INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
IS IT "BIBLICAL"? |
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You may be asking "Did anyone in Scripture
study
inductively?" This is a fair and relevant question.
In the book of Acts we encounter a group of saints
often referred to as the "Bereans" who seem to approach
the Scriptures with an inductive mindset.
Luke records that as a result of jealousy,
the Jews stirred the city of Thessalonica into an uproar which prompted...
the brethren (to)
immediately (send)
Paul and Silas away by night to Berea and when they arrived, they
went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these (Jews at Berea)
were
more
noble-minded
than those (Jews)
in
Thessalonica,
for they
received
the
word with
great
eagerness,
examining
("searched"
KJV)
the
Scriptures
daily to see
whether these things
were
so. Therefore many of them
believed.
(see notes
Acts 17:10-12)
The New Living Translation has a good paraphrase of this verse
writing that
the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in
Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They
searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas,
to see if they were really teaching the truth.
The Bereans were open to the Truth, but as any good inductive student would do,
they searched the scrolls for themselves which may explain why Dr.
Luke referred to them as
noble-minded. This Greek word (eugenes, Strong's #
2104
from eu = good, well + génos = race, family) can
mean "of noble birth", but in context conveys the idea that these men and
women were open-minded, unbiased and characterized by a willingness to learn and
evaluate something fairly. This is the attitude we should have as we
begin to explore a passage inductively. The moment we come to a passage and say
"I know what this one means", we are in "trouble".
Needed:
Men and Women
Boys and Girls with...
A Berean Mindset!
To experience
the most fruitful inductive study, we need a "Berean mindset". We need
to
approach the Word of God "as if for the first time" and avoid
approaching it with our mind
already made up. We also need to approach the precious Word with teachable
hearts that continually exhibit a willingness to allow the truth of the text to
transform and renew our thinking if such a change needs to transpire. This
supernatural transformation of one's thinking upon confrontation with the Word
of truth is at the very heart of
Application,
the third aspect of inductive study.
As you have noted in the above passage two key verbs
are highlighted in
blue
and merit further analysis by looking briefly at the original Greek words. As
you will learn later Greek word studies can be a valuable, illuminating
component of inductive Bible study.
Receive
The Word
The first verb is
received.
What did they receive? Who did they receive it from? (Begin to
practice the habit of "bombarding" the Scripture with these 5 W's and
H type of questions) In the context of (Acts
17) clearly the Bereans received
the spoken word from Paul and Silas. The verb received (dechomai,
Strong's #1209) describes a deliberate and ready
acceptance. It means to receive kindly and to take to oneself what is presented
or brought by another. It means to welcome as one would welcome a teacher, a
friend, or a guest into one's house. In modern day terms, you get the picture -
the Bereans "put out the welcome mat" for
Paul's teaching!
What was their attitude? How
did they receive Paul's message?
Luke says with "great eagerness" which is literally "all
eagerness". How much? Not just "some" or "partial" but "all eagerness", which
the NAS translates (see
Bible Versions) as "great
eagerness". Eagerness
is the Greek word
prothumia (Strong's #
4288, a compound derived from
pro = forward and thumos = heart or spirit) which
conveys the picture of a ready and willing mind, a forward spirit (forwardness),
or an eager mindset (such a person is moved by a strong and urgent desire or
interest, with the implication of ardor and enthusiasm). In short, they
didn't approach study with a sense of drudgery but with a wholehearted sense of
excitement and anticipation. Dear
saint, does this
attitude describe the way in which you approach the Word of
Life? If not, keep reading and then begin practicing the inductive
technique. If you persevere you will be pleasantly, profitably surprised by the
joy of self-discovery and the spiritual growth which you experience! Remember
that God feeds the birds, but He doesn't throw the food into their nests!
Examine
The Word
The Bereans were not content with simply hearing
Paul, but
continually sought to check out what he said by daily (How often?)
personally
examining
("scrutinizing", Wuest) the Scriptures.
The Greek verb (anakrino
from ana = up and down, again +
krino = judge) (Strong's #
350) paints an interesting picture as it literally describes
a process of "judging up and down". One can almost picture the Bereans
"carefully sifting" the Scriptural scrolls, their eyes going up and
down the pages, prospecting as it were for
the truth as one would for pure gold and then (on the basis of the truth
gleaned) forming an opinion regarding
Paul's message. The Bereans had discovered the timeless principle that it is
amazing how much light personal study of the Scriptures will shed on the
commentaries on the Scriptures.
Anakrino has an interesting secular
association in that it was used of one who meticulously examined legal evidence. In a
related use anakrino
also described an investigation for the purpose of passing
sentence in a judicial setting. These secular uses emphasize the
careful, exacting nature of the Berean's approach to the Scriptures. For the Bereans, God's
Spirit along with God's Word was their final "judge"
which enabled them to assess the authenticity and accuracy of Paul's "commentary".
As good "IBS" students the primary goal of the Bereans was
to know what "saith the
LORD", a goal they achieved by practicing the art and skill of
careful
observation.
Although the Berean approach is not
specifically called "inductive Bible study", I think you will agree that
their approach to the Scriptures closely parallels the approach described
in this section.
Paul also used the verb
anakrino
in
writing to the saints at Corinth explaining that as believers we have each received
not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
Who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which
things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught
by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words
and this is in
contrast to
a natural (psychikos from psyche
= soul; that part of immaterial life in common with the animals; Latin Vulgate
translates it "animalis" - in
context
the contrast is between the "spiritual" and the unregenerate natural) man (who) does not
(absolutely does not) accept (dechomai
- accept readily, welcome as a teacher, "put out the welcome mat for") the things of the Spirit of God
(why not?)
for they are foolishness (moria ~ "moronic") to him and he cannot (does not have
the inherent ability to) understand them, because they are
spiritually appraised (anakrino) (1Cor 2:13-14)
It was Francis Bacon who said...
Let no man think or maintain that a man can
search too far or be too well studied in the book of God's word or in the book
of God's works. (Amen!)
Horatio Bonar
adds that...
We must study the Bible more. We must not
only lay it up within us, but transfuse it through the whole texture of the
soul.
Christian author Jerry Bridges
writes that...
As we search the Scriptures, we must
allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and
conduct.
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INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
CALLS FOR CONTINUAL DEPENDENCE
ON THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD |
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Always begin your time in God's Word with
prayer...
Psalm 119:12
Blessed art Thou, O LORD.
Teach me Thy statutes.
Spurgeon's comments on this verse are
relevant to inductive Bible study: Teach me thy statutes; for thus only can
I learn the way to be blessed. Thou art so blessed that I am sure thou wilt
delight in blessing others, and this boon I crave of Thee that. I may be
instructed in Thy commands. Happy men usually rejoice to make others happy, and
surely the happy God will willingly impart the holiness which is the fountain of
happiness. Faith prompted this prayer and based it, not upon anything in the
praying man, but solely upon the perfection of the God to Whom he made
supplication.
Lord, thou art blessed,
therefore bless me by teaching me.
We need to be disciples or learners -- "teach
me;" but what an honour to have God Himself for a Teacher: how bold is David to
beg the blessed God to teach him! Yet the Lord put the desire into his heart
when the sacred word was hidden there, and so we may be sure that he was not too
bold in expressing it. Who would not wish to enter the school of such a Master
to learn of Him the art of holy living? To this Instructor we must submit
ourselves if we would practically keep the statutes of righteousness. The King
Who ordained the statutes knows best their meaning, and as they are the outcome
of His own nature He can best inspire us with their spirit. The petition
commends itself to all who wish to cleanse their way, since it is most
practical, and asks for teaching, not upon recondite (secret, hidden) lore, but
upon statute law. If we know the Lord's statutes we have the most essential
education.
Let us each one say, "Teach me Thy statutes." This is a sweet prayer for
everyday use. It is a step above that of Psalms 119:10, "O let me not wander,"
as that was a rise beyond that of Psalms 119:8, "O forsake me not utterly." It
finds its answer in Psalms 119:98, 99, 100: "Thou through Thy commandments hast
made me wiser than mine enemies," etc.: but not till it had been repeated even
to the third time in the "Teach me" of Psalms 119:33,66, all of which I beg my
reader to peruse. Even after this third pleading the prayer occurs again in so
many words in Psalms 119:124,139, and the same longing comes out near the close
of the Psalm in Psalms 119:171 -- "My lips shall utter praise when thou hast
taught me thy statutes."
To summarize, the Bible is to be our primary
Source and God's Spirit is to be our primary Teacher.
John reminds us that the Spirit abides in and
with us in order that we might be enabled to distinguish truth from error...
And as for you, the anointing which
you received from Him (in context referring to the Holy Spirit each believer
receives from the Father at the moment of initial salvation - cp 1Jn 2:20, Jn
14:17) abides in you, and you have no need to have anyone teach you; but as His
anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just
as it has taught you, you abide in Him (our responsibility if we truly seek to
hear from God's holy Word)" (1Jn 2:27).
And so the apostle John teaches that
the Spirit of God, Who lives in each believer, is readily accessible as our
personal Tutor. To be sure, God has
given us pastors and teachers for our edification (1Co 12:28, Ep 4:11, 12-see notes
Ep 4:11;
12), but remember that they are in
addition to and not a substitute for the Teacher, the Holy Spirit. What a
wonderful truth that even the humblest
believer in Christ, even he or she is but a newborn babe, may be taught of God through His Word, even when human
teachers are lacking.
The Lord Jesus made it abundantly
clear to His disciples declaring that
When
the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth for He will not
speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak and He will
declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me (Jesus), for He will take
what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:13,14).
The apostle John quoted Isaiah 54:13 recording Jesus' promise that
'THEY
SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father,
comes to Me (Jn 6:45).
Jesus went on to add that
It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh
profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (Jn
6:63)
J C Ryle (1816-1900 -
short biography)
wisely wrote that...
A humble and prayerful spirit will find a
thousand things in the Bible which the proud, self-conceited student will
utterly fail to discern.
Dear reader, may the testimony of the
psalmist be your testimony as you seek to know God through His Word of Truth and
Life (Jn 17:3, 2Ti 2:15-note;
Jas 1:18-note;
Php 2:16-note)...
I have not turned aside from Thine
ordinances, for Thou Thyself hast taught me. Ps 119:102 (note)
Spurgeon commenting on this verse
says: "They are well taught whom God teaches. What we learn from the Lord we
never forget. God's instruction has a practical effect -- we follow his way when
he teaches us; and it has an abiding effect, -- we do not depart from holiness."
The Living God teaching His Living Word - How
wonderful is this truth for all of us who seek to be His students using His
Scripture!
|
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INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
CALLS FOR A PROPER
ATTITUDE |
|
J I Packer
rightly reminds us that
One of the many divine qualities of the Bible
is this: that it does not yield its secrets to the irreverent and censorious.
And so, as you begin this journey, inductive Bible study
may seem somewhat labor intensive or academic, but if you desire to learn how to
rightly divide the Word of Truth, you will need to persevere and exert effort (click
incredible illustration of desire and effort). Bob Smith in his
practical book
Basics
of Bible Interpretation writes that...
God wants everyone to be able to understand
the Bible, for its message is essentially how we can have and enjoy the greatest
kind of life, free from the futility of pointlessness, free from the limitations
of our human, earthly thought patterns, free from the fear of death and dying.
Not everyone understands it this way. In fact, many are so convinced they can't
understand the Bible that they never give it a second look. It's strange how we
will study most any other subject with diligence only to have the acquired
knowledge perish with us. But the words of the Bible are words of life!
You too may have approached the Bible as "snack food"
out of fear that deeper study was only for the "professionals", but in inductive
study you will come to learn that you too can experience a veritable feast at
the King's banqueting table (because you are!).
As
Oliver Wendell Holmes
once said...
What you bring away from the Bible
depends to some extent on what
you carry to it.
And so in order to experience effective, profitable inductive Bible study we
need the right attitude as emphasized by the following Scripture. The
apostle Peter writes...
Therefore (term
of conclusion),
putting aside
all malice and all
guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babes,
long for
the
pure
milk of the word, that by it you
may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of
the Lord." (See
notes
1Pe 2:1;
2:2;
2:3)
Did you notice the order?
Putting
aside the perverse precedes practice of the positive. The
Greek verb for "putting
aside" was used to describe taking off one's old dirty clothes!
Sin in one's life will destroy one's appetite for the Word and needs to be cast
off by confession and repentance (cf 1John 1:9). So first seek a "clean slate" as did
David who prayed
"Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me
and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead
me in the everlasting way." (Ps
139:23-24;
Spurgeon's notes v23,
verse 24)
Peter uses a figure of speech ("newborn
babies") to draw a poignant comparison between the appetite of a baby for its
mothers milk and the appetite the believer should have for Gods Word. He
commands us to
long for pure milk, to desire it earnestly, to long for it greatly,
to intensely
crave possession of it and to have great affection for it. David wrote "As
the deer
pants for the water brooks, so my soul
pants for Thee, O
God." (Ps 42:1
-
Spurgeon's note)
where the word for
pants
is the same word translated
long for in first Peter.
Spurgeon explains the idea of panting...
As after a long drought the poor fainting
hind longs for the streams, or rather as the hunted hart instinctively seeks
after the river to lave its smoking flanks and to escape the dogs, even so my
weary, persecuted soul pants after the Lord my God. (Spurgeon)
The meaning of this word picture is obvious.
Sinners bought with the precious blood and made into new babes in Christ are to crave the spiritual milk of God's
Word just like babies crave the bottle.
And just as the Bible is to be our primary
source in inductive study, Peter instructs us to make sure the "milk" we partake
of is
pure,
genuine, without guile or deceit, unadulterated and not mixed with anything
else. When you "eat" the Bible inductively, you want to do so without any
"additives". (See related messages by John Piper -
Long for the Pure Milk;
Sweeter than honey;
Meditate on the Word;
Open My Eyes That I May See;
Thank God for an Inspired Bible;
Wonderful Things From Your Word)
Why does Peter insist on a healthy diet of
pure milk? What is his goal? It is nothing short of growth! Spiritual growth,
which is only possible when one takes in pure milk. No intake of God's Word will result in
stunted spiritual growth and the off shoot, spiritual
maturity. Test yourself -- How long have you been a Christian? How would you grade your spiritual
growth over the months, years? Are you growing up in Christ or simply growing
older?
Remember the principle - No regular intake of the Word = No spiritual growth!
Howard Hendricks adds that (1
Peter 2:1;
2:2;
2:3)
tells us: in order
that you might grow. Please note, it is not that you may
know. Certainly you can’t grow without knowing. But you can know and not grow.
The Bible was written not to satisfy your curiosity but to help you conform to
Christ’s image. Not to make you a smarter sinner but to make you like the
Savior. Not to fill your head with a collection of biblical facts but to
transform your life. (Ibid)
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Search the Scripture's precious store
As a miner digs for ore;
Search, and you will surely find
Treasures to enrich your mind. –Anonymous |
Francis Bacon once remarked that
some books are to be tasted,
others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
Will H. Houghton encourages us
to...
Lay hold on the Bible
until the Bible lays hold
on you.
When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart.
(Ps 119:18, Luke 24:45, Ep 1:17, 18-notes)
Surely the
Word of Truth and Life is to be "chewed and digested" so that it becomes part of our
innermost being, not merely informing us but transforming us. Such was
the approach of the weeping, downcast prophet Jeremiah who declared
Thy words were found and I
ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I
have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
(Read the entire chapter to see the
context
in which the "weeping prophet" proclaimed this powerful principle testifying to
the hope and assurance found in God's Word.)
German theologian Johann Bengel
(1687-1752) said,
Be like a maker of a well who
brings no water to his source but allows the water he finds there to flow
freely without stoppage, diversion, or defilement.
David Shepherd sums up the
importance of our attitude toward Bible study by observing that you can...
Blame none but yourself if all the
Bible you get is that little bit from under the calendar hurriedly
snatched as a sop to conscience.
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INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
THE BENEFITS |
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If you're still not convinced that
Inductive Bible Study is worth the investment of your time and effort, glance
over a few
of the benefits listed below.
(1) You will learn how to
carefully observe the
Scriptures and in so doing you will be enabled to "rightly
divide the Word of Truth" (2Ti 2:15-note)
and you be equipped to accurately interpret God's Word on your own.
President Teddy
Roosevelt rightly declared that
"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth
more than a college education."
(2)
You will no longer be dependent on commentaries, devotionals, pastor's
sermons, conferences, etc. Please do not misunderstand. Believers should sit under a godly teacher of the Word, but this
should be a stimulus, not a substitute for getting into the book for ourselves!
(3) When you encounter differences
between interpretations in commentaries, which you frequently will, IBS enables
you to discern which comment represents the most accurate interpretation.
(4)
You will increase in the knowledge of God and His ways, growing "in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2Pe 3:18-note)
As Matthew Henry put it...
They who would grow in grace must be inquisitive.
Phillips Brooks
said that...
The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope,
then he sees worlds beyond: but if he looks at his telescope, then he does not
see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through, to see that
which is beyond; but most people only look at it; and so they see only the dead
letter.
Spurgeon wrote that...
The sight of the promises (of the Bible)
themselves is good for the eye of faith. The more we study the words of grace,
the more grace shall we derive from the words.
(5)
Your personal faith will be greatly
strengthened for "faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ."
(Ro 10:17-note)
As D. L. Moody said...
The study of God’s Word brings peace to the
heart...light for every darkness, life in death, the promise of our Lord’s
return, and the assurance of everlasting glory.
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