A beginner’s guide to the inductive method

Since learning the inductive method for studying God’s word, I have learned more from God’s word than I can remember ever learning in such a short amount of time. This didn’t just happen magically.

I want to share the same tools and tactics that have helped me get the most amount of value out of my reading time.

My first tip is to slow down. It’s not a race! For so long I have aimed for quantity instead of quality and ended up blazing through books of the Bible without remembering a whole lot about them. Now, my goal is quality.

More often than not, my reading time is under half an hour, yet I learn so much because I’m slowing down AND because I’ve become more equipped to know how to read the Bible. Learning the inductive method has helped me to dig into the true meaning of scripture and be able to apply it to my own life.

The inductive method has three steps: comprehension, interpretation, and application.

The order matters for this! We tend to jump to the application, instantly trying to find a way to make the text relevant to ourselves in our present time. When we do this, we run the risk of missing out on what the text meant to its original audience. It becomes easy to take the text out of context and assume it means something completely different from what it was intended to say or mean.

Instead, we need to come to scripture humbly, realizing that first and foremost, the Bible is about God. We come to it to better understand Him. Once we understand what the text says about God, we can begin to understand what it means for us. Fortunately, there is an easy method of going about this, called the inductive method.

Step 1: Comprehension

First, we must understand what the text says. And more than that, what it said to its original audience. To know this, we need to do a little research about who the book was written to and why.

Here are some background questions we’ll need to answer:

  • Who wrote the book?

  • Who was the audience?

  • When was it written?

  • What was the purpose of the book?

  • What is the genre of the book?

  • How does it fit into the overall story of scripture?

  • Where does it fit in the timeline of redemptive history?

  • What are the key themes in the book and their key verses?

  • What is the tone of the book? How does it contribute to the overall purpose and argument?

  • What is the big idea that runs from beginning to end? What is the main point?

Step 2: Interpretation

Now, we dive into understanding what the text means. There are several tactics we can use to help us in our study.

  • Look up cross references to see what other passages of scripture say on the topic/account you are reading about.

  • Read the passage in different versions to have a fuller understanding of the intended meaning.

  • Paraphrase the chapter. Take a chunk of scripture and write it out in your own words. It will force you to truly understand the text for yourself instead of breezing past passages that are familiar.

  • Summarize the content. In a few sentences, what is the main point of the passage?

  • Find the metanarrative. This is the overarching storyline of scripture that includes creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Read more here if you’re unfamiliar with this concept.

  • Read a commentary. My personal recommendation is the Moody Bible Commentary. It’s incredibly helpful and also concise. No reading pages of commentary on just one Bible verse! This commentary gets to the point quickly and explains things in plain language.

Step 3: Application

Now is where get to look at what the passage means to us. First, look at what this passage tells us about God, and what we learn about ourselves in light of that.

  • What does this passage say about God’s identity?

    • List God’s stated character

    • List God’s actions

    • List God’s implied character

  • What does this passage say about our identity?

    • What is true about our old/sinful nature?

    • What is true about who we are in Christ?

Second, we ask ourselves application questions and pray that God gives us the wisdom to apply what we’ve read to our lives.

  • How should the truths I have learned from this book change me?

  • What should my response be to God’s character?

  • How do I live out my sinful identity? What do I need to confess?

  • How should I be living out my new identity in Christ?

I pray that these steps help you have wisdom and clarity as you read God’s word. Keep showing up faithfully and allow Him to do the work in you as you abide in Him.

Allison Mattson