Inductive Study: Maximizing Music for Worship

When planning songs for worship services, we ideally make sure that each selection matches and supports the topic being taught that day. Generally, this works well...

...but what if it could be better?

Enter: inductive study.

What Is Inductive Study?

I recently attended a conference that featured a speaker who re-sparked my intellectual curiosity for an approach to Bible study I hadn't directly applied in a long time; it's called inductive study. 

This speaker was teaching on how the Word of God restores us back to the state of God's original intent for us, creating a workmanship that is whole, good, and glorifying to Him. In his address, he explained the basic tenets of inductive Bible study:

• What is the principle?

• Is there a promise?

• Is there a sin I should avoid?

Now, I had heard of this framework before, and as someone who is process-oriented, I was intrigued to re-implement this in my own study. It's carried over to my preparation for leading music in worship, and it extends to everything from selecting songs to preparing exhortations and more. 

Let's use a hypothetical example: You're preparing music to accompany a sermon centered around Job 38. In this chapter, the Lord speaks to Job after Job and his companions have finished their respective dialogues, complaints, and appeals surrounding Job's suffering. The Lord doesn't mince His words with them, asserting His sovereignty, omniscience, and wisdom and flipping questions over to them: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?...Surely, you know!" (Spoiler: Job and friends didn't know!) So let's apply the bullet points of inductive study to this passage:

• What is the principle?

The larger context of this chapter within the book of Job is there's this contention surrounding Job, God, and the calamities the have befallen Job. In essence, there's a dispute, where Job appeals to God to show him where his sin lies and why these troubles have been placed on him. God arrives like a storm, asserting that He will solve this dispute in His way, in His time. To put it simply: God is the supreme and final authority, as He formed the world and knows every single detail of its existence and is in complete control of its fate—including the suffering and prospering of those who dwell in it. 

• Is there a promise?

The promise of this passage isn't immediately revealed; we have to read further in the book to more clearly understand this. God isn't only solving this matter to assert authority in and of itself; He's resolving the entire matter for His glory and Job's good.

• Is there a sin I should avoid?

Again, we must read around this chapter to fully understand what sin is taking place. Prior to chapter 38, Job's companions had (rightly) mourned with him in his one of the lowest states of his life. But they proceeded to speak things that pointed to some so-called hidden sin of Job had yet to repent—it points to a kind of retributive justice. Their argument leads to this conclusion: Job is suffering because of his sin, and the three of them must be righteous—after all, they had not suffered troubles. God rebukes Job's companions in chapter 42, saying that their inaccurate statements greatly anger Him, and they would be required to give a sacrifice to atone for this sin. Here, we see that their sin was to presume to know the heart of God by man's own measure, not by the revealed Word of God.

In the end, we see that suffering is under the sovereignty of God, and He uses it as a test to discipline His beloved, furthering His glory and securing a greater good for those He calls His own. Jesus Himself speaks of something similar in John 9, answering His disciples' question about a man blind from birth: "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him."

How Do We Choose Songs for Something Like This?

Now that this study is complete, we can now discern the broader themes from the passage:

• God's sovereignty

• God's glory and promise of love through discipline

• Reminders to seek God through His Word and practice humility

You can go a variety of directions with this; here's a sample list that would work from a variety of styles and places in time:

• "Forever Reign" by Reuben Morgan and Jason Ingram

• "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" by Stuart Townend

• "Amazing Grace" by John Newton

• "Create in Me a Clean Heart" by Keith Green

• "Lord I Need You" by Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, et al. 

Now, in the interest of creating a dynamic flow for your service, you may want to open with upbeat songs of general adoration, or similar calls to worship. But this framework of inductive study will help you really dig into the marrow of Scripture and arm you with insight to precisely aim for the best songs to lead your congregation. 

Be blessed 👊✌️