Feed Yourself!
An Introduction to Inductive Bible Study
Dan Michael Cogan
My kids are currently 9, 7, and 5. And there are a lot of things they’re good at. They’re artists, Lego aficionados, storytellers, trampoline athletes, and more. But do you know the thing they’re best at?
Eating.
Man, can they eat!
But it wasn’t always this way. When they were babies, they couldn’t feed themselves. Every bite had to be placed directly into their mouths for them. And that was crucial to get them to the point where they can go into our kitchen and pour way too many Goldfish into a bowl or even put together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Beyond feeding themselves, as they grow, they’ll also be able to help feed others.
Studying the Bible is similar.
Early on, we depend on others to “spoon-feed” us through sermons, podcasts, devotionals, and Bible studies. But as we mature in the faith, we need to learn to feed ourselves directly from the word of God: the Bible itself.
Enter the Inductive Bible Study (IBS) method.
What is Inductive bible Study?
Inductive Bible Study is basically an approach that investigates Scripture.
In addition to pastoring, I serve as a police chaplain, so I’ve had the opportunity to speak with some of the detectives in our police department. They way those detectives think and work is instructive for us and really quite similar to the IBS approach.
Namely, those detectives go straight to the source whenever possible and ask some very basic questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how?
Instead of asking around for the opinions of whoever might be willing to share theirs, they ask the people who were actually there.
Whether you’re a brand new student of the Bible, or you’ve been studying God’s word for decades, IBS will deepen your understanding of the Bible and grow your ability to engage it for yourself.
The process itself is quite simple and it built around three moves:
Observe: “What does it say?”
Interpret: “What does it mean?”
Apply: “What difference does it make in my life?”
In other words, IBS prioritizes discovery over opinions. It teaches us to use our God-given minds to carefully read and think before turning to commentaries, podcasts, Reddit threads, or even (gasp!) ChatGPT for answers.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
The goal for the follower of Jesus in studying the Bible is not merely to gain information, but transformation.
IBS helps us…
Develop a personal devotion to God by learning to “feed ourselves” spiritually
Go directly to the primary source (Scripture itself)
Live out the principles of the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scriptura (because nothing is equal in authority to the word of God… not even your favorite social media influencer!)
Just like my kids, gradually growing in independence at the dinner table, as you study the Bible for yourself, it won’t only benefit you. It will also benefit others as you grow in your ability to spiritually nourish them (this is, after all, the model of making disciples Jesus gave His disciples)!
7 Aspects of Inductive Bible Study
While there are three simple moves in IBS, each one, like a diamond, has different facets or aspects that show their beauty. I only wish P.R.O.I.D.A.C. made a meaningful acronym!
Pray: Begin by asking God to open your eyes and heart.
Read: Slowly, carefully, more than once… and, OUT LOUD!
Observe: Who / What / When / Where / Why / How
Interpret: Consider context (historical, cultural, authorial, biblical), cross-references (what other passages of Scripture can help shed light on this one?), and the unity of Scripture (the Bible is one cohesive message, and that message is, “Jesus!”). Seek the clearest meaning, and always read with a Christ-centered lens.
Discern: In total dependence upon the Holy Spirit, weigh carefully what you’ve seen and understood.
Apply: Be honest and specific: “What has God’s word shown me today?” Remember, transformation is the goal, not just information.
Confess: Truth is best learned in community. Accountability and encouragement help us live out what we’ve studied.
The Benefits of Inductive Bible Study
Those who practice IBS consistently find it to be:
Empowering: because we can study Scripture for ourselves
Discerning: it helps us separate truth from error
Sanctifying: it grows us in living lives that are pleasing to God
Assuring: it builds our confidence in the word of God
Guiding: it provides direction for our lives
Reproducible: it equips us to disciple others
Inductive vs. Deductive
Inductive begins with Scripture and draws the meaning from the text
Deductive begins with a belief or doctrine and checks it against Scripture.
Both are valuable! Just like both Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology are valuable, both inductive and deductive study are helpful. IBS lays the foundation, ensuring our conclusions are rooted in what the Bible actually says.
Why Not Start Now?
Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, “Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” The birds don’t have to plant crops, but they do go out and gather their food.
What do I mean?
Some effort on our part is expected!
IBS likewise is an active and personal engagement with Scripture. Even more, it’s a dialog with the Author (God) and authors (His human writers).
So, are you ready to learn how to feed yourself?