The H.E.A.R. Method — A Better Way to Study
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I’ve been a born-again believer in Christ since I was seven years old. A Bible reader—sometimes a lapsed Bible reader—and a faithful church-goer.
From a young age, I felt the call to preach. As a missionary kid serving on the field alongside my dad, it was hard not to feel that tug.
And for a time, I ran from it.
But like the Lord always does, He brings us back around. When I finally started studying in earnest, I realized something: my methods and my applications—while decent—were missing something.
I’d been around Christians and in church literally my entire life. But it wasn’t until the Lord brought us to Lake Worth Baptist Church in Lake Worth, Texas, that I was first introduced to the H.E.A.R. method of Bible study.
That’s when everything changed.
What Is the H.E.A.R. Method?
The H.E.A.R. method is an acronym that stands for:
H — Highlight
E — Explain
A — Apply
R — Respond
It’s simple. Intentional. And it works.
Let’s break it down:
H — Highlight
As you read Scripture, highlight a verse or passage that stands out to you. Don’t overthink it. It might be something encouraging, convicting, confusing, or simply meaningful in that moment.
Write down the reference and maybe even a short note about why it caught your attention. This is where your focus begins to shift from reading to studying—where the Word starts to draw you in.
E — Explain
Now that you’ve highlighted the verse, dig deeper.
Ask yourself questions like:
What is happening in this passage?
Who wrote it, and who were they writing to?
What does this teach me about God, humanity, or sin?
What’s the context before and after?
This is where cross-references, Bible dictionaries, and study notes can help. It’s about discovering what God meant before we jump to what it means for us.
A — Apply
This is the heart of transformation.
Once you understand what the verse means, ask:
How does this truth apply to my life today?
What needs to change in my heart, mind, or actions because of this?
What does obedience look like in response to this verse?
Application is where knowledge becomes wisdom. The Word isn’t meant to stay on the page—it’s meant to take root in your life.
R — Respond
Finally, respond to what God has shown you.
Pray about it. Write a short reflection. Journal what you sense God calling you to do or change.
Response turns reading into relationship. It’s where your conversation with God continues beyond the page—throughout your day, your week, your life.
Why It Changed Everything for Me
This method changed the way I study. It changed how I looked at every passage. Suddenly—even Leviticus—held meaning for me to dig into and dig out.
Every verse or section of Scripture had application. Every text became relatable to our lives today.
This simple structure brought my quiet time to life. It transformed routine reading into active discovery.
And it shows up everywhere in my ministry now—in my teaching, preaching, and weekly podcasts.
Maybe this is old hat to you. Maybe you’ve heard it before or used it once and set it aside.
But I’ll tell you—if you want the Bible to come alive in your hands, you have to pick it up.
And beyond just reading it, you have to study it.
For me, hands down, the H.E.A.R. method works.
The Invitation
If you’ve struggled to stay consistent in Bible study, or if Scripture has felt dry lately—try this.
Start small. One passage a day. Use the H.E.A.R. method as your guide.
Highlight what stands out.
Explain what it means.
Apply it to your life.
Respond to God in prayer.
And watch how your understanding—and your relationship with God—deepens.
Because it’s not about how much you read. It’s about how much it reads you.
Do you use another method for studying Scripture?
I’d love to hear about it—share your approach in the comments!
Prepared in Spirit. Ready in Strength.
