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Earlier last month we gave some ideas on switching up your Bible study routine. Changing things around can help break the monotony and gather a different aspect or view point. A fresh view at a common passage can spark a new level of understanding. One way to help study the Bible is called an inductive Bible study. So what’s an inductive Bible study? How is it different? How is it helpful? Who can do an inductive Bible study? Well, I’m glad I asked myself all these questions, because that really helped set me up for the following paragraph:

An inductive Bible study isn’t that much different than from what you’re probably doing already. You don’t need anything more than a Bible and notebook. No third party book with three easy payments of $9.95 required. It’s just a quiet time with just you, God, His word, and some writing utensils. An inductive Bible study can help make the Bible become personal. It brings the stories of others; people who lived thousands of years ago, into your life, today. One of the best things about an inductive Bible study, anyone can do it. You don’t have to go to seminary or even know a great history behind the Bible. It’s about a willingness and desire to learn, study, and meditate on God.

Awhile ago I did a look at InterVarsity, a ministry that focuses on college students and can be found on college campuses around the nation and world. (You may have missed it. It was before we officially launched. Make sure to check it out!)  They have a great step by step guide on how to do an inductive Bible study. It’s simple, well described, and extremely helpful in understanding what exactly an inductive Bible study is (and its purpose).

Here is an overview of the four guidelines on how to have an inductive Bible study.

Book Overview - read the book of the Bible you’re looking to study (you can skim it if it’s long). Try to focus on the big picture of the book. Find a topic or impressions left by the book. Write it down a few, and explain to yourself how that applies to your life.

Map Out the Book – Group chapters together by stories or however they are most naturally grouped. Give each group a title. Find the main theme. How does that connect with your life?

Chapter – Make a list of things of interest (people, places, things, ideas) from one of the chapters. Note repeated or contrasted words. Write down why these are of interest to you. What does this passage tell of God?

Paragraph – Take the paragraphs in the chapter, and write a title for them, and see if there are any paragraphs that connect. Again, look for repeated, contrasted, or similar words. What are the meanings of those words? What are the connections to your life? Write the main truth or thought from the paragraphs. What is one thing that God is trying to show you in those paragraphs.

You don’t have to do all of these steps in one sitting. Only do as much as you’re comfortable with. If you’re thinking that you could use a little hot sauce in your quiet time, you should try doing an inductive Bible study for a few chapters in your reading. Let us know if you try it out, or if you’ve tried an inductive Bible study before, or if you check it out and find that that’s what you’ve been doing without knowing it. We’d love to chat about it!

[InterVarsity]

Have you tried our September Challenge yet?  Earlier this month, we challenged you to mix up the personal devotions routine.  Here were our suggestions:

Start your devotion time out with a song of praise. Play a CD and sing along!

Get out in nature. Take a walk with your Bible. Find a shady nook or sunny spot (depending on your mood) and settle in.

Tape the verse your memorizing around your house. Try the mirror in your room, in front of your toilet, the dashboard in your car, or on your refrigerator. I have even taped it up in the shower…hey, I can meditate in there!

Buy devotional CDs, a Christian book on CD, or the Bible on CD. I have a friend who downloaded the Bible on to her mp3 player. She listens to scripture all day long.

Take some quiet time to watch the sunrise or set with God.

Our time with God is a sweet fragrance to Him. So light candles in your devotion area to enjoy a nice scent as well.

Do you wake up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep? Have a little devo time then. Pray about whatever is on your mind.

Leave for work 15 minutes early. Use that time to pray over your day of work.

Instead of getting mad during your commute, get with God. I use my drive time home to pray for situations that happened that day.

Group devotions! I love reading books together and discussing them with other Christians.

Make a long distance friendship a little bit closer by reading a book of the Bible together. Call, email, text, Facebook or Tweet each other about it!

I just tried one of these this past weekend, and I’m glad I did.  How about you? Let us know if you gave it a shot!

lemort via Morguefile

Each month, we are going to come up with a challenge to help us all become better Godly Sheep. We encourage you to try the challenge at least once this month.  You don’t have to do the whole list.  Even if you try just one idea, or make up one yourself, let us know how it goes!

I thought it would be great to start our new site with some fresh ideas for our devotional time with God. Here’s a list that I came up with. My personal favorites are #1, #3, #9.

1. Start your devotion time out with a song of praise. Play a CD and sing along!
2. Get out in nature. Take a walk with your Bible. Find a shady nook or sunny spot (depending on your mood) and settle in.
3. Tape the verse your memorizing around your house. Try the mirror in your room, in front of your toilet, the dashboard in your car, or on your refrigerator. I have even taped it up in the shower…hey, I can meditate in there!
4. Buy devotional CDs, a Christian book on CD, or the Bible on CD. I have a friend who downloaded the Bible on to her mp3 player. She listens to scripture all day long.
5. Take some quiet time to watch the sunrise or set with God.
6. Our time with God is a sweet fragrance to Him. So light candles in your devotion area to enjoy a nice scent as well.
7. Do you wake up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep? Have a little devo time then. Pray about whatever is on your mind.
8. Leave for work 15 minutes early. Use that time to pray over your day of work.
9. Instead of getting mad during your commute, get with God. I use my drive time home to pray for situations that happened that day.
10. Group devotions! I love reading books together and discussing them with other Christians.
11. Make a long distance friendship a little bit closer by reading a book of the Bible together. Call, email, text, Facebook or Tweet each other about it!

Do you have a creative way you commune with God? Did you try one of ours? Leave us your thoughts! We’d love to hear your input!