Bible Study That Works

by David L. Thompson

Many people spend time studying the Bible, but few are able to study the Bible systematically and inductively. In Bible Study That Works David Thompson outlines and demonstrates a method of Bible study which is consistent in its approach and not controlled by theological presuppositions. This method, often referred to as the "Inductive Bible Study" method, was developed and taught by Wilbert Webster White at The Biblical Seminary in New York. From there the method was transplanted to several other seminaries such as Princeton and Union (Virginia), and taught around the world by organizations such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Bible Study That Works is the most readable and complete introduction to this method available today.

Genres: Faith, Christian, Scripture, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Kara Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was helpful to get a basis for Inductive Bible Study.

[Adam Godbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful but quite dry.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though there are some things I disagree with the authors on (such as their use of Word when it should word), those are mostly minor things, at least how they are presented in this book. This is an excellent book on how to approach interpreting Scripture, and is an excellent introduction into Inductive Bible Study. If you prefer a video format, this playlist by Dr Brian Russel is excellent: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list.... It's a very good introduction and overview, but of course is not the same as getting this book & the book he's working from and digging in.

[Annie Hogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book better than the other book on inductive study that I’ve read, Women of the Word. This one is more straightforward since it’s not also dealing with women’s encumbrances. It’s also more thorough, and though I’ll be starting slowly, I think (hope!) over time that I’ll incorporate more and more of this approach.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is easy to follow along with and a great tool for the experienced Bible student and the fledgling alike. Brevity and application are the strong suits of this title. I have found it helpful in my personal study and would consider it a great group read book if one were to teach a class to lay people at their local church.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips for in-depth Bible study. I highly recommend this book.

[Rodney Crainer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There just have to be better resources made in the past 50 years.

[Brett Marko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a refreshingly simple book that also has a tremendous depth to it. The methodology that David Thompson suggests are quite simple and center around asking ourselves what are we reading and what clues can we gain from the text itself. It was interesting how he shies away from using commentaries and other reference material at least in the beginning. I have to agree that sometimes we need to think for ourselves first before consulting reference materials.

Overall a very refreshing book.

[Dan Gobble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great help for those studying the Bible in an English translation. Helps in being more intentional in executing exegesis instead of isogesis, reading out of the text what it has to say on its own terms instead of reading into the text our own preconceived notions/theology/beliefs. An approach which promotes reading a given text in light of its own context, first and foremost, versus the proof-texting approach we hear in so many sermons where proclaimers bombard us with verse after verse, most of which is taken out of context.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little resource for learning how to inductively study the Bible. It is written at a lay level, perfect for use as a tool for training. Dr. Thompson always offers examples and keeps the reader grounded in the Scripture, so that the theory is never divorced from the practice.