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If the Inductive Method were learning mise en place in a professional kitchen, then the HEAR Method is sitting down to eat. Mise en place is the prep work that chefs and foodie home cooks do when they begin cooking, such as:

  • Chopping veggies.

  • Measuring liquids.

  • Understanding the order of operations for preparing their meal.

You’ve got to eat eventually!

The Inductive Method is perfect for depth; it’s how I prep sermons and teach. The HEAR Method can help us savor what God has provided. Both are helpful and good. One shows you how to prep the meal; the other feeds the soul.

It became so appealing to me because of guys like Jonathan Edwards. Edwards was constantly studying, immersing himself in the Bible. He would read until he landed in something that became a “sweet delight” to him.[1] Meaning, he would keep reading until something hit him, and then he would meditate on it! He wasn’t chasing emotional highs, but the truth would make his heart soar to new heights as the Word took root in him. He didn’t read the Bible to finish his Bible reading plan. He wanted the Bible to change him! And it did!

That’s what, in part, the HEAR Method is all about. You savor each truth, each command, and find a way to live it out. All while praying back to God what you just read. So how do you do it? This is where the HEAR Method can be helpful. HEAR is an acronym. Begin by praying, asking the Father to help you understand His Word (2 Corinthians 2:12-14, Proverbs 2:2-5, John 16:13, Psalm 119:130). And then,

  • Highlight: Read the section or chapter of the Bible you’re working through until a verse becomes “a sweet delight.” Or stands out to you, almost like you can’t move away from those couple of verses. Underline/highlight them in your Bible. Then write the passage down in your journal.

  • Explain: Write down a summary of the passage in your own words. Make sure to include the context (answer those good journalistic questions, like who, what, where, and when). Again, this is a good space to use good, reliable resources like commentaries, a good Study Bible, etc.

  • Apply: Then we can move to applying the Bible. How can I live this out in my life? Does this passage help me trust the Father’s providence? Does this passage tell me to change my values? We’re after practicality here as much as possible. And we’re after one of two things. Either that would enable us to be held accountable if we didn’t follow through in obeying the Word, or encouraged as we follow Jesus in obedience.

  • Respond: Applying the passage isn’t the last step. Thanking our Father for giving us understanding and asking for help to be faithful is that step. We can expect to be different from reading the Word. Thank Him for his grace! And we should thank Him for doing work that only He can do in us!

Here’s an example of what I do with the Proverbs almost daily:

I still utilize commentaries when I work with the HEAR Method. NB: The name of the game here is smaller, savory chunks of Scripture that I can hold onto throughout the day.

The next post will explain how to read with the Big Picture in mind by focusing on the Redemptive-Historical elements of the Bible.