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My graduate program directed me into the new Academic Center. The class was called Inductive Bible Study. It was taught by Dr. Howard Hendricks, fondly known simply as Prof.
I had done my research. Upper classmen had assured me that this would be one of my favorite classes. But, their universal enthusiasm made me suspicious. Was this a underclassman hazing? No class could be that outstanding, could it?
We didn’t have to wait for Prof to come into class. He was already there watching as we came in and found a seat. I don’t know about others but I felt his eyes watching us.
No, it wasn’t scrutiny. Rather, it was something good. I’ve been watched in the past and it was always a bit creepy, but this time there was something good about it.
When the clock struck the top of the hour, “Wham!” he began class at a dizzying pace. It wasn’t fast and uncontrolled but extremely deliberate, planned, purposeful and amazingly captivating.
The class time buzzer sounded. Our first class was over and I hardly knew that time had raced by so quickly. I was hungry for more.
After a day of classes I was looking forward to my assignments. At least the one class that I had with Prof was on the front burner of my mind. I dove into my work with enthusiasm.
I looked forward to this class every week. Steadily I learned a method to study the Bible on my own. It wasn’t dependent on commentaries, imagination or someone else’s work.
Following the principles of Observation, Interpretation and Application the insights of the Bible began to open up. Discovery was exhilarating. This experience was more than just the elation of emotions, it was investment of time and effort that was producing lifelong jewels of truth that would mark my life and service to the lives of others.
After decades of ministry, I am thoroughly convinced that what I learned in that class from Prof marked my life for a lifetime. The habit of independent Bible study is my daily routine as I prepare to deliver God’s Word to His people. For lives that are hungry for spiritual truth this preparation of a feast emerges from this habit of discovery.
What is amazing is that this way of skillful living is not exclusive to the professionals behind the pulpit. Instead, it is a practice that can be learned by anyone. Try it; I highly recommend this way of life.
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