Here is a simple little Bible study method I’ve developed over the years. You need a sheet of paper (best to do this in a journal so you can look back and reflect later). I like to draw two lines: one horizontal and one vertical, dividing the page into quadrants. And at the head of each quadrant, I write the following words:

1. Inspire
2. Inquire
3. Irritate
4. Implement

Inspire

As you’re reading, take note of anything that really inspires you and write it down in this quadrant. “What resonates? What stands out?” These are the first questions I always ask when I am reading Scripture — or when I’m leading a Bible study. These questions give good information. There is likely something in the text that will resonate with your heart and soul. Pay attention to that. Look for some nugget of information, some picture, some part of the parable that really stands out to you and write it in this first quadrant.

Inquire

Serious Bible study focuses on more than the parts of Scripture that resonate with us. Bible study should also raise a few questions for us as we read. “Why is Moses saying this? What is Paul’s point? What in the world is ‘propitiation’?” This is where we inquire as we study. What questions do you have? What do you find confusing? What doesn’t make sense? Pay attention to those questions. The Holy Spirit is probably at work there to lead you to study something at a much deeper level. Even Simon Peter was confused by some of the things Paul wrote (2 Peter 3:15-16). It’s foolish to think that we won’t have a similar experience when we engage the text.

Irritate

This one requires us to be really honest. Yes, some of the things we read in the Bible will irritate us. We’ll be challenged by some of the things we read. So let’s name those things by writing them in this third quadrant. If we really believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then we ought to expect there to be some things in there that challenge us, that call into question our views and our perspectives. We shouldn’t always expect God to agree with us. It’s been said that God likes to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. That’s definitely true when it comes to Bible study.

Implement

This is the final question, perhaps the most important one. What changes do I need to make after reading this text? How can I implement this passage into my life? Take some time and write your responses in this final quadrant. I really appreciate Eugene Peterson’s perspective on this. Speaking about the Bible, he says, “Everything in here is meant to be lived.” And I love that. If we’re not careful, we might lose sight of this. There are plenty of academics who have studied the Bible at a high level as a piece of literature. They can tell you all the in’s and out’s of this Greek verb and that Hebrew word. But they’ve lost sight of the fact that these Scriptures are intended for life.

Maybe this little Bible study method would be a help to you as you read.