Getting in the Word

"A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t" - Charles Spurgeon

For much longer than I would care to admit, my Bible found itself as a nightstand accessory - collecting more dust than use. During the eras of my life in which my Bible saw the least usage, I felt utterly disconnected from God and lost in the ways of the world. I do not believe that Spurgeon is stating that a person who spends a vast amount of time in God's Word will 'have it all together' with a 401K, home with a white picket-fence and a beautiful / unproblematic family. Rather, he is referring to the inherent truth that a person who spends consistent and continual time in the Bible will have a soul that is intact and not subject to change - irregardless of the trials of this life.

If we are to call ourselves Christians, we must believe in the validity of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." So you want to feel closer to the living, breathing Creator of the universe? Amazing! He left us a guidebook that He authored Himself so that we may be able to better understand and serve Him. Psalm 119:105 (NIV) states, "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." In my humbling experience, following the light of the Word is infinitely more beneficial and easier than stumbling about in the dark.

But how does one get started studying the Bible? One possible method for studying the Bible which was presented in our classes at the Kanakuk Institute this week is the "Inductive Bible Study Method." The Inductive Bible Study Method (Inductive Method, for short) is an involved method of looking at a passage in the Bible, identifying key words and phrases, and intensely at the surface level to see the deeper meaning. Any inductive study (of the Bible or other material) - seeks to evaluate the evidence and come to a conclusion. The Inductive Method consists of three main steps: observation, interpretation, and application. In the observation phase, the reader looks at the text and asks the key questions: who / what / when / where / why / how? These questions generate the context of the passage and clear up any confusion for the reader on the author's intended message, as well as diluting the chance that the passage is misinterpreted or misused in the reader's spiritual life. The context of the passage is essential for the next step - interpretation. This step consists of ascertaining what the text actually means. Through a firm grasp on the context in which the author is writing the verses in question, the reader can answer this question accurately. When the context may be difficult to establish or questions remain, the reader can use the tools of cross-references in the Bible and commentaries (while this tool is valuable, it should not be the first option). The final step of the inductive method is that of application - i.e., asking: "How does this passage change my life?" This question may be 'easier' for some verses - John 3:16 - than others - Numbers 34:19-28. However, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 clearly states: "All Scripture..."; thus, while the practical applications of an extensive genealogy may be difficult to find on the surface, the Inductive Method helps to uncover the hidden fruit in each and every passage of the Bible.

As a person new to studying the Bible "inductively," I am excited to see the fruit that it will bear in my life. The most important step to any productive time in God's Word (in my humble opinion) is sincere time in prayer that your heart would be moved. Going before the Father before diving into the Word will help any time in the Bible to become more fruitful [insert Men's Warehouse gif]:

Finally (if you've made it this far), the Institute is going extremely well! I am beyond blessed to have a year in incredible community getting to study God's Word. The Holy Spirit has been moving in my heart and revealing so many different things to me that I hope to share on this blog - outside of class assignments. Here's a couple of fun pictures from my time at the Institute so far!

God Bless and take care of yourselves!

- Love, Jesse