In 1872, the HMS Challenger was decommissioned by the Royal Navy and later recommissioned for exploring the ocean depths. At the time, scientists thought life couldn’t exist more than a few hundred feet under the surface. The HMS Challenger was tasked with finding out if this was true or not.
As the crew began to plumb the depths, rather than finding a dark and lifeless place, they discovered thousands of new marine species, entire mountain ranges, and even clues to ocean currents and ecosystems. But this exciting discovery created a problem: every finding led to more questions! Because the deeper they went, the more there was to find.
Sometimes, studying Scripture is a bit like going deeper into the ocean. The further you go, the more you discover. That is why today, as part of our Consuming Scripture blog series, I want to introduce you to the Discovery Bible Method.
Roughly four years ago, I began helping lead the Leaders' Bible Study for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter at Wartburg. When an FCA chapter holds a Bible study, it likes to use the Discovery Bible Method. Why? Because this is a great Bible study plan that works with almost anyone, no matter where they are spiritually.
The full method has nine questions intended for a group that meets regularly. But when I lead the FCA Leaders every other Monday night, I reduce the method to just three questions—not because I don't find the rest helpful, but because these three questions usually fill our entire hour!
After an ice-breaker and opening prayer, we read the Scripture passage aloud, then ask, "From this passage..."
I love that this method starts with God. Too often, we humans come to the Scripture trying to figure out what we will get out of it. We read it through selfish eyes. But by starting with a focus on God, the author of what was read, we are reminded of who He is and what He has done (and can do). Discovering these truths prepares us to then ask...
Because we were made by God to be in relationship with Him, we then need to discover how He designed life to be lived as His image bearers. So as you read, ask what the passage reveals about living life on this earth or what the human condition is (or can be). This leads naturally into the last question...
This third question is critical—don't skip it! Stop, pray, and ponder what you need to do in light of what you just read in God's Word. If we put this in the context of the theme of this series, you aren't supposed to just look at your plate of food (i.e. look at Scripture); you are supposed to eat it (i.e. apply it to your life).
So may you embark on your own HMS Challenger voyage and dive into God’s limitless Word, letting it change you from the inside out!
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