Christ is GREATER, Lesson 1…the Basics of Inductive Study
It All Starts with the First Step!
Step 1: Observation
Are you ready to dive head first into Hebrews? Me too! I hope you have a dedicated notebook for this study…we are going to fill it up!
Other stuff you might need: sharpened colored pencils and/or fine-tip colored pens. I use a combination of these for color-coding key words in the text. If you plan to mark in your Bible, make sure you use a pen that will not bleed through the page. Pigma Micron 05 pens (found at Hobby Lobby) are great. If you want to practice before marking in your Bible, you can print the scripture…here are the first three chapters.
Observation of the text is simply identifying the obvious. We would really like to find the who, what, when, where, why, and how (5W’s & H). We can’t find all of these every time, but we can certainly look!
This is a picture of the key words in Hebrews…make yourself an index card with these to use as a Bible bookmark!
Besides marking key words, you may also want to mark references to time. I use a small green alarm clock. You can also mark geographic locations by double underlining them in green. For example, Egypt is mentioned in Chapter 3, so you may double underline that geographic location.
You do not have to use the symbols in the picture. You can make up your own – just make sure you are consistent with them. Under the “Bible Study Tools” to the right of this page, check out Precept Camden. There is a link to PDFs of all kinds of key word symbols here.
Each week I will give a few suggested assignments to step us through the inductive study method and the content of Hebrews. Feel feel to make comments here under “speak your mind” OR you can leave comments on our facebook page…SHINE Ministries.
Week 1 Assignments (record answers in your notebook and we will discuss a little later):
- Try to find the answers to some of the “5Ws & an H” questions…I will post these on our SHINE FB page too.
- Who wrote Hebrews? Does the first chapter tell us like most other letters in New Testament?
- To whom is it written? This is obvious from the title 🙂
- What kind of literature is Hebrews? A letter (epistle)? Use the Bible study tools I have linked on the right side of the page to investigate.
- Why was Hebrews written? See Hebrews 13:22
- When was Hebrews written? Use some of the online Bible study tools to help find this.
- Practice marking your key words/phrases for chapters 1-3.
- From Chapter 1, list everything you learn about Jesus in verses 1-4.
- From Chapter 1, list what you learn about angels.
Hebrews 1:5-13 can seem a little confusing. The writer is trying to tell us that Jesus is superior to some things by using a lot of Old Testament scriptures strung together. Try to list a few things that Christ is superior to based on these scriptures.
I can’t wait to read your comments & questions! This study is intended for interaction – so don’t be shy – we are in this together. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. My great friend, Vicki Howard, will be helping facilitate this study, so we both will be responding to your questions and comments. And feel free to respond to each other!
I just finished my first lesson in Hebrews and I have already learned so much! I noticed the Facebook post concerning the author of Hebrews. I have studied and read that several names have been suggested, including Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Paul. The information I read concluded that Hebrews was probably written by one of Paul’s close associates who often heard him preach. Regardless of who the author was, I know I am going to learn a lot through this study of Hebrews!
Hey Stephane! It sure sounds “Paul-ine”, doesn’t it? Hebrews is going to knock our socks off!
Shelly, I am creating an online teacher training lesson on helping students grow. Bible study is one of the facets of the lesson and I would like to use your picture of the key words of Hebrews as a good example of how to mark your Bible. Would that be alright with you?
Of course you can. Let me also share this resource with you:https://karikingdent.com/key-word-symbols/. Kari King Dent has tons of inductive Bible Study markings!