Starting to study Scripture can feel like a daunting task. However, whether you're on your own or with a group, you can incorporate the tools of inductive bible study even without a study to guide you. Start by marking God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and listing what you learn. Then, mark other key words and phrases that you notice, listing what you learn and interrogating the text using the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. Ruth, Jonah, and Philippians are good places to begin.

When studying the word with other people, consider taking an inductive approach to your discussion. For example, discuss a passage using a key word. Read the text as a group, mark a key word together, and then discuss what you learn from each marking. You can also discuss a passage verse by verse, asking the 5Ws and H questions (who, what, when, where, why, how) as you read. As questions arise in discussion, direct the group back to Scripture by asking, "what does the text say?" If the passage doesn't answer the question, leave it for another study instead of assuming an answer that is not evident in the text.