Earlier this week I taught a class on the Inductive Bible Study method and used this ridiculous image as the closing challenge.

 

We build physical muscles by repeatedly lifting heavy things for weeks, months, and years.

We build endurance by regularly running, cycling, swimming, or doing some other activity for long, extended periods of time.

We get good at our jobs, crafts, and hobbies by doing them and practicing them over and over and over.

It takes time.

It’s a struggle.

But the value is in the struggle.

The struggle is how we develop strength, endurance, or skill.

 

The same is true with studying the Bible.

Using tools like commentaries, Logos Bible software, or Google too quickly for help short-circuits the process.

The value is in the struggle.

 

You learn by reading the text over and over and over.

You observe things you didn’t see before when you ask questions of the text like who, what, when, where, why, and how.

You find additional insights by looking for connecting words, comparisons, contrasts, and repeated words.

You improve your ability to understand the text by sitting with paper and pen and writing down the thoughts and questions you have as you read and re-read the text.

The more you do it, the better you get.

The longer you do it, the easier it gets.

But it takes time.

 

After you have wrestled with it on your own longer than you thought you could, go to the tools for help.

Look up unfamiliar words.

Compare your questions with the questions the commentaries were answering.

Check your answers with scholars you trust.

 

Tools are helpful, but don’t rush to them.

Struggle with the text on your own first.

Don’t skip your workout.

There is value in the struggle.

That is how you build your Bible muscles over time.