Some of my favorite memories from seminary are from Dr. Hubbard’s class. He is also the reason why I like Inductive Bible Study. While I had done forms of inductive study prior to this class, it was his format that particularly moved and inspired me. In the class, I participated in group studies with teams that generated papers on various Old Testament text. Dr. Hubbard’s goal for us was to cultivate Bible study skills, not skills in Bible research. Inductive Bible Study meant the study of the passage itself, its contents, teachings and meaning for today. No outside helps were to be used in this process. The team was to focus on the passage with only references to the chapters just preceding and following the passage being allowed.

The Wednesday Evening Men’ Study at The Grove Covenant Church has been using a similar format to Dr. Hubbard’s in our study for the past few years. The men meet for one hour from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No offsite pre or post work is required to participate. In fact, it is discouraged. The study process shown below begins with the reading of the passage and participates engage in answering the following four questions.

1. Who are the text’s main characters, what do we know about them, and how is each portrayed (e.g., positively, negatively, as unimportant, as hero, etc.)? Trace the development of the plot from beginning to end (i.e., the sequence of events, conflict between characters, unexpected coincidences, and the resolution of the conflict, etc.).
2. What are the text’s main themes (i.e., what central ideas, attitudes, conduct, etc. seem to be addressed)? Which (if any) verses seem to highlight or express those themes?
3. What is the purpose or intention of the text (i.e., why was it written or what is its goal)?
4. What application flows from the text? (i.e., what might it teach about God, the Church, or the Christian life today?).

Without exception, these four questions fill an hour long study no matter how short the passage.

Over my years of following Christ attending The Grove and other churches and recently serving in vocational ministry, a constant theme I hear among men is that they need to read the Bible more. Most every man at The Grove has at least one Bible, let alone all the Bibles available online and through apps. Yet it seems at times we can go days without having the Word shape and influence us. Our Wednesday evening study offers an opportunity to take a deep dive into a passage and let it form you. I invite you to join us for one hour on Wednesday evenings to explore this method of study. I think you will like it!