How The BSB Method Started

Founder Jordan Fowler was teaching adults and students how to engage the Bible for spiritual formation. During this process, an integral resource was Howard Hendrick's Living By the Book. 

A key challenge in Hendrick's work is to deeply observe the text. As a means to force himself to slow down, Jordan began using a method of breaking apart the text into phrases and looking at their relationship to one another in 1993. He soon began teaching this method to others.

Individuals and small groups can use this method as the basis for growth and discussion.

The BSB Method and resources are completely free, and always will be. Anyone may adopt and teach this method, we simply ask that you do not present it as your own so that it remains open to the church at large.

Nothing New Under the Sun

Some variant of this method has probably been presented somewhere, at some time, in church history.

If so, let us know as we would love to know where to do more research and pass along acknowledgement. (Granted, they probably did not use a word processor or Google docs, but the breakout can be handwritten.)

John Piper advocates a method called arcing. We like his method. While BSB has some similarities, there are some key differences–namely, the Bible Study Breakout's simplicity and inclusion of meditation  + application as an integrated part of the process (though we are sure Piper includes these in his devotional practices).

We will faithfully list any further acknowledgements here.

About the Founder

Jordan P. Fowler holds a Master's of Divinity with languages with a focus in New Testament Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a worship pastor and teaching pastor. Jordan and his wife Amy, an elementary school counselor, have also authored The Marriage Meeting Guide . He currently resides in Fort Worth, TX.