Inductive Study

I am one of those people that needs lists and charts to get and stay motivated. I get bored with long term projects pretty easily, or I just lose my motivation. That has definitely happened with my Bible reading! Plus, it doesn't help that every time I start a Bible Reading Plan with the intent to read all the way through the Bible, it starts me out at the beginning. I have read Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus ... I'm not even sure how many times.

So, I'm doing something new. I thought about making myself a sticker chart, but then I remembered that I'm not a preschooler. Unlike somebody I know...

So I did some googling, and decided that Inductive Bible Study would be perfect for me. I found this type of Bible Study, which I had heard of way back when I worked at a Baptist Church, and so far it is pretty fantastic.

I decided to start in Psalm and Proverbs, just one of each per day. I bought myself a pack of 50 colored pencils, and went to town. I wasn't really sure how it would work, but it really does make you focus on the key words and phrases, and by extension the important themes and ideas, in each chapter.

One of the more interesting aspects of this study method is how it gets you to focus on contrasts. For example, in Psalm 1, it contrasts those who obey God's law versus those who don't. The author uses what I'll call "plant imagery" -- which I conveniently underlined in green! -- to contrast the blessed versus the wicked. Before I started this inductive method, I would have read the chapter once, but I probably would not have paid much attention to such details. This time around, I can appreciate the contrast between a tree that prospers and does not wither, and chaff that the wind blows away.

Proverbs 1 was a little more difficult, and not just because it was a lot longer. Proverbs, at least so far, is a lot heavier on the "key words," where the Psalms are largely about contrasting ideas. (This is after reading exactly two books of each, so this very astute observation may change.) But it is, I think, enlightening to know just how many times in one chapter Solomon uses words like wisdom, understanding, discipline, and knowledge. In particular, he writes of Wisdom as if it were an actual being not to be ignored. Wisdom "calls aloud ... raises her voice ... cries out." I have a much more visceral reaction to that kind of Wisdom than I do to the general idea of being wise like Solomon.

All in all, I think this Bible Study method might actually work for me. Added benefits - my Bible looks pretty, and I can tell exactly what I have read and what I haven't.

Internet Woes

Is there a Bible verse about not going crazy when you don't have internet for two months? I know it's not exactly a life struggle a la Job, but I certainly felt disconnected from the rest of the world! Now that we are finally settled in our new home, (and hooked up to the www) it is time to get back to the Word. Unfortunately, I didn't just take these last two months off of the internet - I admit I have not read the Bible like I should have.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12 


We used to sing a song in church based on these verses. It is always a refreshing, renewing reminder of God's love and patience.

If all goes according to plan, we are hoping to start a garden in a community plot this year. I pray that we can use this season as a time of growth as a family, as individuals, and as servants.