Bible Study That Works [Paperback]

David L. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dr. David Thompson is eminently qualified to lead the reader step by step into a life-changing study of God's Word. He has been a pastor as well as a teacher. He has dealt with people of varying backgrounds and abilities. He has been successful in leading people into the kind of "Bible study that works." --Robert A. Traina, Foreword --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David L. Thompson is Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He has authored two other books including A Study Guide to Machem's New Testament Greek for Beginners.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Francis Asbury Press; Revised edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916035611
• ISBN-13: 978-0916035617
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Laymen's Guide to Inductive Bible Study, May 27, 2000

By 

A. S. Keir (Chino Hills, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bible Study That Works (Paperback)

Dr. David L. Thompson's book was a welcome volume for non-professional students of the Bible when it was first published in 1994. A former student of Dr. Robert Traina, the current dean of the Inductive Bible Study movement, Dr. Thompson's revision of his previous work provides laypersons with a non-technical guide to studying Biblical texts with minimal help from secondary sources (commentaries, books, etc.). Dr. Thompson encourages the Bible student to trust himself to do firsthand studies of the Biblical text in order to discover its truth for himself. The approach is to study whole books rather than studying isolated texts out of context. While Dr. Thompson is to be commended for taking what can be a very technical method and bringing it down to a layman's level, this book will be of minimal help to the student unless he is guided by a skilled instructor. For this reason it is an excellent introductory text for college students.

There are several strengths to be noted in this volume. First, Dr. Thompson points to additional reading in the more technical volume, Dr. Robert Traina's Methodical Bible Study. And he points to many other helpful Bible study sources along the way. Second, Dr. Thompson gives significant attention to the application of Scripture, a glaring weakness in many other volumes on this topic.

Perhaps one addition to the book would have been most helpful and that is a model study of a unit of a Biblical book. This would be especially helpful to those students who do not have someone skilled in inductive methodology to guide them in the process. Finally, I would like to see a greater emphasis on encouraging students to "stick with it" in doing inductive studies. Most who begin the process drop out even when they use a non-technical guide like this. Learning the inductive method involves more than going through specific steps. It involves developing a new mindset that requires a significant amount of time. Unless the student is made aware of this requirement, he is likely to quit and return to Sunday School quarterlies and commentaries to find Biblical knowledge.

5.0 out of 5 stars kinda nostalgic, October 12, 2011

By 

Michael A. Johnson (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bible Study That Works (Paperback)

This book is very like the method learned at the missionary school I attended with the Agape Force, so kept remembering bits of the teaching sessions. Never read a single verse of the Bible if you want to understand it. Instead read the whole paragraph the verse is in, or chapter, or if need be, whole book to get the context. Check the style written in: prose, poetry, parable etc. Ask nosy questions: Who? What? How? When? Where? Why? And So what does that do with me? Find major points first, then minors. What was the author's intent to the original readers? Jesus is the answer. So how does it connect to Him? Local vs. Universal. Personal vs., mechanical. Liberty vs. legalism. Faith (trust in God) vs. works. Holy love vs. everything. Go with what you understand, not with what you don't. How to use study guides and resources. Study all the verses on a subject, not just proof texts.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bible Study That Works - WORKS, December 17, 2003

By 

Alan T. Stokes (Howell, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bible study that works (Paperback)

I had the privilege of taking a seminary Bible class at Asbury Seminary with the author of this excellent book. When I teach the Bible to students preparing for Christian ministry I always require this of all my students and will as long as it remains in print. But it's excellent for lay people--anyone who wants to learn to practice Inductive Bible Study (a method of study that you have to put your heart as well as your head into). It won't take you long to read this short paperback book, but it opens the door to an unending study of the world's greatest book, The Holy Bible.