Did you know that missionaries, when working with remote new people groups, first translate the book of Mark into the new language? So often new believers in a remote people group are given for their first glimpse of the bible, the book of Mark. Isn't that interesting?
They are only given one book to read and the Holy Spirit works in their lives because they read and meditate on it, put into practice the teaching and make it part of their life.
I want us to ask the following question:
What if I had never been in church or ever heard teaching or preaching on the book of Mark or the bible in general, how would I read the Gospel of Mark?
What would jump out at me?
An example : When you read Mark chapter 1 you will be hit with supernatural events almost immediately. Jesus is baptized and the heavens open! Not something any of us have ever witnessed, yet the scripture describes it. Next we see demons cast out and Peter's mother in law healed by Jesus merely taking her by the hand....this is AMAZING stuff.
My point is consider the power Jesus possess....his compassion....how accessible he is to the people.
You could also consider how the people reacted....how amazed they were...how the crowds gathered....how they wanted to be near Jesus.
I hope you see the treasure of God's word.
Ken
The rest of this blog is from a earlier post back in August of 2008....further explaining the formal inductive method. This is for you to read if you want more information of bible study...but for our study, the approach listed above is great.
Why an Inductive Bible Study?
A Chinese proverb says "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."
My wish for you is for you to learn how to "fish" - how to study God's word in your own quiet time. In this way the Holy Spirit will be your teacher - He is a perfect teacher and I know you will grow in Christ.
As a testimony - I grew up trying to be a "daily bible reader" out of sense of Southern Baptist Duty...not love for God or His word, but because you could raise your hand in Sunday School if you were a daily bible reader. Just before I dozed off to sleep I would flip open the bible and try to read something to say I had at least read the bible that day. I would read the bible ONLY if i was involved a formal book study...but it still was "How much do I HAVE to read to get through this?" I thought people who liked to read the bible also liked to read fine print on contracts and the phone book for fun. (maybe you have been there or you are there today...there is much better way to live in Christ.)
About 15 years ago I
learned much better how to study the bible. It was over a period of time, but God
began to call me to read his word. I was not satisfied with my walk
with Christ and knew that God's word had to be part of becoming His
disciple. I asked God
in very simple prayers to understand the bible before I began to read
each time. God answered those prayers and I received the Holy Spirit's
guidance in understanding God's word. I may have heard but didn't fully understand at the time,
but John 16:8 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..."
- it clearly says one of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit is to
help us to understand the bible. My walk with Christ began to grow and
I gained a sincere desire to learn more and a love for God's amazing
bible.
You can't learn all the Bible in a single day (I warn you because overreaching goals trip up so many). Pray asking for God's help and take small steps - His word will be come Fresh and Alive and Active. With God's help, the words will begin to almost leap off the page. By God's grace, you will become one of those "Jesus Freaks" who say..."I was reading this scripture the other day and WOW...God just showed me this!"
How do I begin?
First if you don't have a quiet time...Begin a quiet time today...God will honor your efforts.
Second - If you have a quiet time - Begin with PRAYER FIRST...then read smaller passages of the Bible, but study deeper.... ask questions.
For example:
What is the “big idea” of the passage?
Who is writing or speaking and to whom?
Click the link for a download of a PDF guide to the Inductive Bible Study Method.
Some people will ask every question and be very formal...while some will use 4-5 main questions to look at the text. Both are fine. The main point of the inductive method to bible study is to first seek God in prayer, read a small passage and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you God's word.
One word of caution - an attempt to find "hidden things" not present in the scripture is sometimes a fault of students using this bible study method. God's word is powerful as it is written ...just ask the questions and see what is written in God's word.
Also to add further depth to your study.... invest a few minutes to read the Book introduction and try studying the maps for the highlights will add a whole new element to bible study.
Call or email me if you have a question during the week.. I want to help you and see you grow in Christ.
In Him,
Ken
You can't learn all the Bible in a single day (I warn you because overreaching goals trip up so many). Pray asking for God's help and take small steps - His word will be come Fresh and Alive and Active. With God's help, the words will begin to almost leap off the page. By God's grace, you will become one of those "Jesus Freaks" who say..."I was reading this scripture the other day and WOW...God just showed me this!"
How do I begin?
First if you don't have a quiet time...Begin a quiet time today...God will honor your efforts.
Second - If you have a quiet time - Begin with PRAYER FIRST...then read smaller passages of the Bible, but study deeper.... ask questions.
For example:
What is the “big idea” of the passage?
Who is writing or speaking and to whom?
Click the link for a download of a PDF guide to the Inductive Bible Study Method.
Some people will ask every question and be very formal...while some will use 4-5 main questions to look at the text. Both are fine. The main point of the inductive method to bible study is to first seek God in prayer, read a small passage and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you God's word.
One word of caution - an attempt to find "hidden things" not present in the scripture is sometimes a fault of students using this bible study method. God's word is powerful as it is written ...just ask the questions and see what is written in God's word.
Also to add further depth to your study.... invest a few minutes to read the Book introduction and try studying the maps for the highlights will add a whole new element to bible study.
Call or email me if you have a question during the week.. I want to help you and see you grow in Christ.
In Him,
Ken
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