How to Read & Study the Bible for YourselfSample

Can you remember a time you were thirsty—maybe after a race or hike—and couldn’t find water?

In a moment like that, something—anything—to drink is nice. But an endless source of water you could draw from would be even better.

This is the analogy Jesus uses when he meets a woman at a well one day. You can read their encounter in today’s passage from John. In it, Jesus tells the woman that those who drink the water he offers “will never be thirsty again.”

In other words, we can return again and again to God’s Word for truth, comfort, conviction, direction, and inspiration. And by God’s grace, we’ve got what it takes to dig our own wells and draw spiritual water that can sustain us through the droughts of life.

By reading and studying the Bible you have a well you can draw from…

• When the dark shadow of tragedy turns up in your life.
• When the winds of transition sweep through.
• When your mind is racing with anxiety or ruminating with thoughts of dread.

So today I want to give you a structure that will help you study any passage of Scripture. It’s what I call the “IN model,” and it has three layers.

1. Intent
After reading from the Bible, we often ask ourselves, How do I feel about what I just read? A better place to start is, What is the author trying to say? What did they feel? What was their intent when they wrote these words?

2. Inspiration
As you read, invite the Holy Spirit into the process. Does a word or phrase stand out to you? Is there an inner prompting? What thoughts are feelings does the text inspire for you?

3. Incarnate
The word incarnate means “to embody.” So the final step is to ask yourself, How can I embody this spiritual truth? How should this shape the way I live?

Try applying the “IN model” as you read today’s passage from Hebrews. The author was likely writing to Jewish Christians, and the Psalm that he quotes—which would have been familiar to his audience—contains my wish for you as you dig deeper into Scripture. I hope that today, as you consider the intent, look for inspiration, and apply God’s Word to your life, you will without a doubt "hear his voice.”