A brief excerpt:
The Swedish Method
As far as I can tell, the name ‘Swedish Method’ was first attributed to this simple Bible reading approach by Ada Lum, an IFES staff worker and Bible reading enthusiast of many decades. She named it in honour of the Swedish student group where she first saw it used.
Starting a Bible reading group using this method requires a minimum of resources and preparation, and can be highly rewarding as it leads readers to confront the Scriptures directly.
Begin by praying, asking God to speak through his word. Then read a short Bible passage aloud (10-15 verses is ideal). Instruct each person to go back over the passage on their own while being on the lookout for three things:
 A light bulb: This should be something that ‘shines’ from the passage—whatever impacts most, or draws attention. |
 A question mark: Anything that is difficult to understand in the text, or a question the reader would like to ask the writer of the passage or the Lord. |
 An arrow: A personal application for the reader’s life. |
Limitations
However, the Swedish Method is not a fully developed inductive reading of the text. Instead, it provides immediate benefits, with people concurrently learning some of the basic skills of inductive study. Leaders are sometimes concerned that novice Bible students may miss the point of the passage, or its central message or application—which, after all, is not always an easy thing to spot, even for skilled Bible teachers. But my experience has been that practice makes perfect: after only a couple of weeks, people’s observations tend to improve dramatically as they become accustomed to the practice of letting the Bible speak for itself, rather than colouring it with their preconceptions or outside authorities.
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