The deductive method of studying the Bible means picking a certain subject as your starting point, then going through the Bible and finding Scriptures that address it. In short, it is a topical approach to studying the Scriptures.

Most preachers and Bible teachers prepare their materials using the deductive method of study. For example, if a preacher or teacher wanted to give a sermon or teach on the subject of sin, he';d look throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament to find passages or verses that best fit the point he wanted to make.

One of the advantages of the deductive approach to Bible study is that it gives the reader a good Biblical overview of a particular topic as well as more personal applications. That';s because it takes the different things that are said in the Bible on a particular word or topic — all of which you';ll find are in amazing harmony — and gives you the bigger picture look at what God has to say about those topics.