H.E.A.R. Bible Study Method

Why H.E.A.R.?

Why use the H.E.A.R. Bible study method?

We know that God wants to hear our voice, our prayers.  But did you know that God also wants to speak to us?

Jesus promises in John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice.”  This tells me that He must be speaking.  To me!  For I am His sheep.   

And…that I will hear Him!

The thoughts that God brings to our mind as we read a passage—as long as they are in line with His Word—are God speaking to us!  How amazing is that? 

That the God of all heaven and earth would speak to us, would cause His Word to be meaningful to our individual needs—of each individual day!  Amazing!

Journaling is a Bible study method whereby we record those thoughts God speaks to our hearts as we read and study His Word.  I’ve learned that if I don’t write down what the Lord shows me, it’s quickly gone.  Journaling helps me remember what God teaches me each day.

I have also found that journaling makes my quiet time become even more meaningful.  For as I journal, the Lord brings still more thoughts to mind.  As I seek to retain what He has already spoken to my heart, the Lord speaks even more!

The Bible tells us in Psalm 103:20 that we hear God through “the voice of His Word.”  And that’s what I want.

I want to hear Him!

Every day.

To help me remember the goal of my quiet time…to meet with God, to fellowship with and communicate with Him...the Lord gave me this acronym—H.E.A.R.©

I’ve heard that Bible study can be defined as reading with a pencil in your hand. Recording my thoughts as I read God’s Word causes me to slow down…meditate upon the Word…and listen for my Shepherd’s voice.

H.E.A.R. Bible study method is a very effective, very easy, way to study the Bible while journaling your thoughts and recording how God is speaking to you during your reading.

How to Use the H.E.A.R. Bible Study Method©

  • Begin with prayer.
  • Read the day’s passage, recording your thoughts.
  • Fill in the H.E.A.R. form in your LDN Journal. (If you don’t buy the paperback journal or the printable download journal, you could either make your own H.E.A.R. form on the pages of any notebook you already have…or click the image below to print and use that form.)
  • End with prayer.

The H.E.A.R. form is simple to fill in.

H.—His Word

Record here the verse(s) that spoke to you today.

E.—Examine It

What did you observe about the verse(s)? Record here 2 or 3 facts you discovered as you looked more closely at the verse(s). These facts may answer some of the 5 “W’s” & an “H” questions. See Bible Study Guide. And Resources for more study helps. Did you learn something about God?

Click the image to download & print.

A.—Apply It

How can you apply what you learned from today’s verse(s) to your life?  Is there a command to obey?  A sin to confess?  Or a promise you can claim?  Record here your plan to live out this verse.  Record here the thoughts God brought to your mind as you read the passage.

R.—Respond in Prayer

Write here your response to God, your prayer in response to His speaking to you from His Word today.

Father, thank You for…

Father, please help me…

Once I fill in my H.E.A.R. form, I spend time in prayer with the God Who speaks to me.  I thank Him for any promise included in the verse(s).  And ask for His help to obey any commands given there as well.  This is where I praise Him for Who He is and for being willing to speak to me!  I praise Him for what He has done in giving me His Word, and especially this particular passage.  

Then I spend time with God praying this passage of scripture. Prayer based upon the Word is effectual fervent prayer!  

This is a sweet time of fellowship with my Saviour!

REMEMBER— the whole point of spending time in the Word and prayer is to draw nigh to God, to listen for and hear our Shepherd’s voice.

So, don’t get so bogged down in your study that you miss listening for and hearing Him.

Just do what you can in this season of life.  And don’t make it complicated!

And whatever you do to read and study…Seek to hear His voice each day!

May God bless you greatly as you endeavor to spend the time necessary to really connect with Him, to meet with your God and Saviour each day.  I pray that this H.E.A.R. Bible study method will be as helpful to you as it has been to me as you seek to listen for and hear God’s voice. 

Remember, Jesus says—

My sheep hear my voice. John 10:27

Your Shepherd surely speaks to you, His beloved sheep…so get ready to listen! 

Drawing nigh to Him,

Teresa