August 5, 2009. This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. Solicitation Disclosure Statement OF INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". Notice how Jesus observes the Old Testament text in verse 42, interprets it in verse 44, and applies it in verse 43 (implying that his listeners should believe the truth and make some changes in their lives). These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what it's trying to communicate and examine your life in light of God's Word. ", As William Temple said "Every revelation of God is a demand and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience. (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. truly, such a, promise is as a cluster of Eshcol, but it is in Eshcols valley and I cannot reach it there; but the promise applied is the cluster brought to me just where I am, and I can receive it, and delight myself in its luscious sweetness. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. This means youre going to start by reading the whole thing hopefully in one sitting before you begin to deal with smaller portions of it in greater depth. 8. Interpretation, Illumination and Application | Bible.org What was the result in his life and by way of application what will be the result in our life if we emulate his example? If you do not this, you are reading to your own condemnation. Take care, nonetheless, to seek for the application of precepts. The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? He will be inquired of by us. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; About people or human nature? And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. 3. Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. You may study it your whole life, and you will never be able to absorb all that it has to teach. This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. 1. Judges It is thework of applying something (I like that -- it make take a little "holy sweat" to apply what we have learned, but it is worth the effort exerted! The inductive method is an investigative way of studying Scripture that can be used by both new and seasoned students alike. yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R James Identify chapter themes If you feel the wrath to come now, you may never have to feel it in the next world. 6. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Don't be like Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, who gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, and in exchange received a lifetime railroad pass. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. (Ro 10:17+). The ideal combination is to read the word and then heed it expeditiously and implicitly. What does the term Messiah mean? 1ICR, ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. It will make "all the difference" in this life and the next for as Paul wrote godliness (eusebeia) (produced by discipline and diligent application of God's Word) is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. So before we can apply the truth as God intended, we need to be certain that our interpretation is accurate, which in turn hinges on careful observation. 0000060059 00000 n Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. But His smile quickly drives it away; (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! Both of these; These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. 8. Such a person is like the church who had a new pastor who preached the same sermon every Sunday. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. Well, this is it. The Bible helps you understand God and His relationship with humanity. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Not just for information Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. How do we apply what we just learned to everyday life? And so we should react with overwhelming wonder, admiration, respect, or dread, this latter emotion relevant especially to those who read but fail to heed God's Word (application). Another addition to a lot of Bibles is a subheading before many passages or chapters. Goes the way, ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. who delude themselves. He alone is in a posture to learn from God, who sincerely gives up (surrenders, yields) his mind, conscience, and affections to the power and rule of what is revealed unto him. The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application ", The goal of Inductive Bible study is Refrain, Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, The whole Bible tells the story of how God, in his grace and mercy, comes to the rescue of rebellious people living in a broken world. 1 Corinthians When God got his attention, Samuel responded appropriately: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Sa 3:10). Are we truly born of God and spiritually alive or are we deceiving ourselves and spiritually dead, no matter how orthodox our profession of faith might appear? It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details. Never fear, only trust and obey. Some sections make much more sense if you read them within the context of the surrounding chapters, like Matthew 23-25 or 1 Corinthians 12-14. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. They were the local authorities. + We must mix faith with what we read and hear. 1 Chronicles S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. 0000003614 00000 n Shows the way. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Luke Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger Why are we deluded in this way? This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an approachable, step-by-step process moving from observation through interpretation and on to the application of God's Word. The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. These might include Bible dictionaries, atlases, concordances and handbooks. By (Col 1:28, 29-See notes Col 1:28; 1:29), The basis for application is 2 Timothy 3:16. Refrain. (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. Owen wrote that To seek after mere notions of Truth, without an endeavor after an experience of its power in our hearts, is not the way to increase our understanding in spiritual things. in my business life ? Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. Our Goal in Interpreting . Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). Ruth Isaiah We must never forget that the ultimate goal of Bible study, whether inductive or otherwise, is to know God and His Son so that we might have life in Him. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. The main tool for each step is the Bible itself, meaning that when there is a question in my mind as to a passage's meaning, I first look to other scripture to provide the answer. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. To love Him and obey. Jonah This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. tie. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. Hebrews What did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? But meditation is a matter of habit, and we can all be trained into it. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? 2 Thessalonians You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. 1 Kings Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic Step 3: ApplicationWhat will I do about what the passage says and means? So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. We must get into the Word of God for ourselves. Obadiah James emphasizes the importance of follow through in inductive study exhorting us to "prove (ourselves) doers of the word, and not merely hearers (the Greek word was used of one who audited a class rather than taking it for credit -- are you just auditing the Bible or are you fully enrolled?) Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Search the Scriptures Chapter Analysis FormatBible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application.1.Observation is discovering what the author is saying looking specifically at Who, What, When, Where, Cause & Effect. (Skip Heitzig How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It), Puritan Thomas Manton adds that "What we take in by the Word we digest by meditation and let out by prayer.". --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." never the Bible to ourselves. HLTkXw: If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? (Self deception is the worst form of deception and occurs when we come to believe there is virtue in hearing the truth of God but failing to apply it.) It is more focused on the immediate application of the passage to your life. And that has made all the difference. Inductive Bible Study. Thus, we are called and encouraged to new labour in prayer, whilst we have a new example in Him Who prayed, and wept, and bled. As you make it your practice to study God's Word, you will experience the joy of having Him directly unveil His truth and reveal His purpose in your life. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. 12-26). The precious promises lie in front of you. Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? Careless Observation That seems important to delve into deeper. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. If we continually learn what we ought to do, but do not do it, we become frustrated and callous. For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. I shall be telling this with a sigh When words or passages make an impression on you, stop and meditate on what God has shown you or as the great preacher C H Spurgeon advised Read the Bible carefully, The first verse of Mark youve been studying does not have immediate actionable teachings, but you still need to be open to the Holy Spirit moving as you study. Ask yourself all of the important questions above, and answer them as honestly as you are able. Scripture reading and Bible study always represents (so to speak) a "God sighting" ("God speaking") and as such always applies to us as His creatures. Daniel But for transformation. God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Go back to your questions from the beginning and ask them again in light of what youve learned, and apply it to our context today. We don't really know the Bible unless we obey the Bible, God had a scathing rebuke for His people Israel through His prophet Ezekiel "They (the people of Israel) come to you (the prophet Ezekiel) as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth and their heart goes after their gain." A (supernaturally charged and) changed life is the clearest testimony of genuine understanding of the Bible. But you may know that Luke and Matthew begin with Jesus birth story. Observation You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. How to Study Your Bible, Part 2 | Articles | Revive Our Hearts Refrain A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God. PDF Precept Bible Study Method Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ This might make you wonder whether this is good news for Mark or if Mark thinks this good news applies to everyone. Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. Of the three steps of Bible studyobservation, interpretation, and applicationthe middle one is often the most daunting. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; First, I saw a butterfly. Give Me Liberty! After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. Honest application of the text requires these kinds of questions and the wrestling of ideas when truth causes conflict.