This is how to use the HEAR method to study the Bible and how to develop good questions for leading a Bible Study - adapted from Gus Hernandez Jr. Notes can be found here; https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0EOVdFxB_cGanBGYXFSSUNxVEU/edit?usp=sharing

1. By Gus Hernandez, Jr.

2. OBSERVATION
In the Observation stage, read and reread your
passage simply to familiarize yourself with the text.
As you read, observe as many details as possible
by asking the six investigative questions to the text
(who, what, when, where, why, and how).

3. OBSERVATION
Who is the author, and who are
the recipients?
Who are the main characters
involved in the text?
What is happening in the text?
What is the author intending to
communicate?
What are key words in the text?
What is the context of this verse?
What important comparisons or
contrasts do you see?
What is the genre (type of
literature) of this passage?
When do the events take place?
Where do these events take
place?
Why do the events take place?
Why was this text written?
How do these events occur?

4. INTERPRETATION
What do the key terms mean?
How do the verses or phrases relate to each other?
How does this passage fit into the larger story of the book it is
in?
How does this passage relate to the story of the Bible as a
whole?
How does the genre affect my interpretation of this passage?
How does this passage point to or speak of Jesus Christ?
What are the differences between the biblical audience and
myself?

5. DEVELOPING THE
THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE
The principle...
Should be reflected in the text
Should be timeless (not tied to a specific situation)
Should not be culturally bound
Should correspond to the teaching of the rest of
Scripture
Should be relevant to both Biblical and
contemporary audience
*From Grasping God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hayes

6. APPLICATION
Studying the Bible is more than just arriving at the
proper mental comprehension of a passage.
Knowledge without application is useless
information (cf. James 1:22-24).

7. APPLICATION
Is there an application already in the text? Is there a
command or exhortation for how we should live?
What does this biblical principle mean today?
What would the application of this verse look like in my life?
What difference does this make in my life?
How can this biblical principle help me in my walk with
God?

8. APPLICATION
Application cannot take place apart from the Holy
Spirit.
When you ask God to speak to you, you are asking
the Holy Spirit to guide you into accepting and
living out the truths found in Scriptures.
Application is the heart of the interpretation
process.

9. HEAR METHOD
H i g h l i g h t
E x p l a i n
A p p l y
R e s p o n d

10. INDUCTIVE METHOD
H i g h l i g h t
E x p l a i n
A p p l y
R e s p o n d
Obs e r v a t ion
Int e rpr e t a t ion
Appl i c a t ion

11. EXAMPLE
Read Philippians 4:10-13

12. EXAMPLE
Read: Philippians 4:10-13 Title: Secret of Contentment
H (Highlight) – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians
4:13
E (Explain) – The Apostle Paul is telling the church at Philippi that he has discovered
the secret of contentment. No matter what situation was brought into Paul’s life, he
realized that Christ was all he needed, and Christ was the one who strengthened him to
persevere through difficult times.
A (Apply) – In my life, I will come across many ups and downs. My contentment is not
found in circumstances; my contentment is grounded in my relationship with Jesus
Christ. Only Jesus gives me the strength I need to be content in all seasons of life.
R (Respond) – Lord Jesus, help me as I strive to draw my contentment from You.
Through Your strength, I can make it through all the various situations in life.

14. HOW TO LEAD A BIBLE
STUDY
3Steps to leading a Bible Study
Prep – H.E.A.R. – Research (Commentaries, etc.)
Bottom Line – Focus on ONE thing
Questions

15. HOW TO ASK GOOD
QUESTIONS
Good questions should:
Create self-discovery
Emphasize the bottom line
Develop a desire to apply the bottom line

16. 3 KINDS OF QUESTION
1. The discovery question (what?)
• An open-ended, well-worded question introduction a new
topic and seeking to gather facts
• Example: From this passage, what does Jesus teach us about
love?

17. 3 KINDS OF QUESTION
1. The understanding question (why?)
• A more narrow, well-worded, follow-up question, seeking to
find the relevance and relationship with those facts.
• Example: Why would Jesus say there is more reward in loving
our enemies than our friends?

18. 3 KINDS OF QUESTION
1. The application question (how?)
• A direct, well-worded, final question challenging the
participants to make those relevant facts a reality in their lives.
• Example: Think of one hard to love person in your life right
now. How can you specifically show love to this person this
week?
• SPAM – Specific, Personal, Attainable, and Measurable
• Bring more questions than you think you’ll need (refuel)