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Inductive Study- an excellent way to make God's Word personal to you.

A great and personal way to study the Bible is to use the inductive study method.  First spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind and teach you God’s Word.
Read a passage, and break it down in 3 parts. The length of the passage is entirely your choice. The 3 parts are:
1.       What it says literally (the contents)
2.       What it means (the principles)and thirdly
3.       What it means to me (applications)

This past month I started the Book of Hebrews. My first day was only the first 4 verses of the 1st chapter.
The Book of Hebrews 1: 2-4 (NIV)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last day he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.  After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

What it says (the contents)
1.       Vs 1 Long ago God spoke to the prophets in many ways.
2.       Vs 2 In the last days He has spoken through His son Jesus who He appointed heir to all things and through whom He made the world.
3.       Vs 3 Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact replica of God’s nature, Jesus upholds all things by His powerful Word and after making atonement for our sins, He sits at the right of God on high.
4.       Vs 4 He was made better than angels.
 
What it means (the principles)

1.       God has spoken in the past through the prophets
2.       God has spoken in the present through Jesus
3.       Jesus is God and the universe is held together by His Word.
4.       Jesus is above all.
 
What it means to me (personal applications)

1.       Where in my past has God spoken to you? Make a list of the times you have heard His voice- comforting you, protecting you, healing you, convicting you, loving you...
2.       Do you hear God’s voice through Jesus? Jesus has said that my sheep know me. How intimately do you know Him? Does the Jesus you know reflect who He really is? We can only know the real Jesus from the Word and through prayer.
3.       Is you world held together by Jesus? If yes why then does it seem to fall apart so often? We need to look carefully at the areas that seem to fall apart so easily? Fears? Doubt? Distrust? Self taking over? If He holds the universe together, then you need to let Him do it and hand over all the areas of your life to Him- family, health, family loved ones, the future...Look at the area of your life that is falling apart today and consciously thru prayer, hand it over  to Him.
4.       Is Jesus above all in your life? Or is there something else that is high up on the list? It can even be something like religion and traditions that make you feel good, your reputation , family, job, church ministry...“Christ is not valued at all if He is not valued above all” Augustine


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