An Inductive Bible Study Example

Here is one example of a very detailed and thorough study of Ephesians.

Please note this disclaimer: I have not read this entire study. (The thing is HUGE. I checked to see how many printed pages it would be...36!!!) Obviously, the study was not designed for the Web. One of the fundamental principles of web design is to avoid large pages which force people to do a lot of scrolling. Al Gore created hyperlinks to avoid that. (Is that joke too old to use now?) I will get off the web design high horse and return you to your regularly scheduled disclaimer... I have NO IDEA if I agree with the author's conclusions or his theological framework. So, you ask, why would I point you to a study I know so little about? Good question! Two reasons. First, the reason I want you to give this a look is mostly to see how much a person can glean from this kind of Bible study. Secondly, I believe you are all sharp enough to look it over and make your own conclusions.

There is a danger. I do not want you to look at that study and say, "Oh my GOODNESS! I could NEVER do that!! I don't have time. or I am no where near that good as a Bible student!" Don't be intimidated. It is just an example of the scope of this kind of study.

I will continue my exploration for more examples of inductive studies for your review.

For those of you joining us in cyberspace and not on Monday evenings, I will get some of the introductory material to you in the next several days.

Here is the url for the Ephesians study:

http://home.att.net/~dennisschmidt/qv-induct/eph.htm

He Has Us Where He Wants Us

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes, when someone has us "right where they want us," it is not a good thing. I think of a plotting person with an evil glint in her eye, rubbing her hands together. I hear a devilish snicker. I remember being in 1st grade. Were you ever the butt of someone's practical joke? It is a humiliating, horrible feeling.

This verse from Ephesians 2 says that God has us right where God wants us. And it is a GOOD thing! God is not going to humiliate us, but wants to "shower grace and kindness" on us. A God who is "immense in mercy" has "embraced us." Being right where God wants us is a great place to be.

The alternative is to be "mired in that old stagnant life of sin" where you fill "your lungs with polluted unbelief" and "exhale disobedience." Is that where you want to live?

Think about the "grace and kindness" God has showered on your life. How has God brought you out of the "stagnant life" to "right where he wants you?" How has God "embraced you?"

I invite you to share your thoughts to those questions. Post your e-testimony (that's corny...help me think of something better) and tell us how God has you "right where he wants you."

Online Bibles

In case you don't know about these, here are a few good resources for online study. You can read the text in various translations. Very useful!

http://www.bible.crosswalk.com

http://www.biblegateway.com

http://www.blueletterbible.org

There are others as well. If you have a favorite you use, or discover another one, post a link so we can all check it out. One of the most useful things about these online bibles is being able to read several different translations so quickly.

Monday School Notes and Discussions

Time for some confession. Several times in my life I have attempted to develop the habit of journaling. Sometimes it was because I had to do it for a class. A couple of times it was because I wanted to try to have some lasting record of my scattered thoughts. The results were always the same. I would start off with great enthusiasm and think, 'This is great. If I just take 10 minutes every day and write something, in no time at all it will be second nature...like eating.' Well, eating is much more rewarding. A few times I actually kept a journal for several months. Usually, it was more like several weeks. So, this is like a disclaimer. I don't have a good track record with this sort of thing. Maybe, though, since this has an element of interactivity to it, it will be a more successful venture. It won't be like I am just writing for myself. You will be reading (and responding, AHEM!) so I will have more incentive to keep this going.

Here are some links for the websites on Ephesus. If you find anymore or wish to comment on any of them, please feel free.

http://bibleplaces.com/ephesus.htm

http://www.padfield.com/2000/ephesus.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05490a.htm

Don't forget that next Monday (9/27), we will be discussing the first chapter of Ephesians. Make an outline of the chapter. (Hint: most scholars find three major sections within the chapter.)

Shalom!