These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. Observation We will not fully comprehend the extent of the "return on our investment" until we enter Paradise and stand before our Lord at His bema (judgment) seat. Can abide while we trust and obey. Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. The growing numbers of sermon-sippers and seminar-sitters who flit from one doctrinal dessert to another like so many busy, buzzing hummingbirds are most assuredly deceiving themselves unless they are also choosing to assimilate (heed) the truth ("honey" Ps 119:103-note) which they have tasted (cp Jas 1:22, 23, 24+, Jas 1:25+). 0000003614 00000 n ", Oswald Chambers in his typical "no nonsense" style reminds us that"One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it", We have to be careful not to deceive ourselves. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. He pastored Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and later served as president of Chicagos Moody Bible Institute till his death in 1946. By Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." mo!zZJ:%3EAOnaY`z)p%Vv"-H=m>!MX|ov:Hh7vNmm%pZCY&,Z&!#+SzdOP ]LQ)A3_V@UU@Gz @mC-+BvH4sbC}&3A{ BV_$hyr0>Kiw>B/'/,fWGv>o|%vEQ mU0b-rxOw2)5t^_^~~p- Sow a thought, reap an action. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. Inductive Bible study students should strive to be men and women like Ezra whose pattern was to teach the truth that he had put into practice. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! Well, it is a very fine promise, but if it is read to me thus: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, what a transformed and glorified promise it then becomes! and the Scriptures to yourself. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. Inductive study should cause us to be mentally excited by the truth, yet we may still fail to be morally changed by it and when that happens, you know there is something wrong with your study of the Bible. The intercession of Abraham for Sodom, the prayer of Abraham's servant, the wrestling of Jacob, the pleadings of Moses, the strong crying of David, the spiritual conflicts of Elijah, Jonah and Jeremiah, the public and formal prayers of Solomon and Ezra, and the secret confessions of Danielall are the outpourings of hearts like our own. This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. These might include Bible dictionaries, atlases, concordances and handbooks. Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. Zephaniah The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word growing? Application brings us into this sphere of abundant life in the Spirit. Skip Heitzig writes that "The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a habit of carrying a notebook to record what he learned as he read the Bible or listened to a sermon. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. David Shepherd rightly exhorts us to leave out not "step" in study of God's Word but to be diligent to Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. A lot of people have all sorts of news. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night (this is the parallel of observation and interpretation), so that you may be careful to do (the application) according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success (the blessing of proper application). 1 John Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. The butterfly was beautiful, and it would alight on a flower and then it would flutter to another flower and then to another, and only for a second or two it would sit and it would move on. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. You haven't completed your Bible study until you've allowed the Bible to "study' you and you respond accordingly to it's teaching (which tells us what is true and right and so structures our thinking), reproof ( tells us when we are out of bounds), correction (reveals sin and provides the dynamic whereby you can conform to Gods will) and training in righteous living (Gods means of showing you how to live), all in order that we as men and women of God might be complete or whole and what we were created to be so that we might be thoroughly equipped for good work (2Ti 3:16, 17-note). Inductive Bible Study | Bible Study Resources | The - The Navigators Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. Three vital responses in application are (1) Response of confession: The Word of God is like a sword (it penetrates), like a mirror (it reveals), and like a critic of the heart (it judges and reproves or exposes our attitudes and actions). Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Part of this work is supernatural: As you study the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals truth from the text that applies to your life. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. Well, this is it. The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. Isaiah The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of Gods Word. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS --C H Spurgeon, Choose Book of Bible to Study the good hand of his God was upon him (which should prompt a "Why?" Memorizing God's Word - Why? 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 OIA Bible study method consists of three parts. Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. Let's face it, most of us have a built-in "early-warning system" against spiritual change and the moment truth gets too close and too convicting, an alarm goes off and we begin to defend ourselves. 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! Different Approaches to Interpretation 1. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. The more time and intentionality you put into understanding Gods Word, the more treasures you discover. Judges Create an account or log in to get started. Some seem as if they read the Bible in order to know how not to do, and the more God commands the more they will not obey. There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. So when Mark tells you hes starting at the beginning, its safe to say hes talking about the beginning of Christs ministry. Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? What is awe? Esther It is more needful for you to hear God's words than that God should hear yours, though the one will always lead to the other. Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. It's an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder inspired here by the absolute authority of the Words of God compared to all words of men. hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h YWAM Bible Schools: A Guide to Inductive Bible Study 2023 Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Is Your Interpretation Supernaturalistic, Naturalistic, Existentialistic, Dogmatic? You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. We must mix faith with what we read and hear. Jonah Trust and obey, for theres no other way In other words, am I applying this truth? Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. For example, Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8: "Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion." Note expressions of time The relationship of events in time often sheds light on the true meaning of the text. Observation answers the question: What do I see? The following books are a great place to learn more about this simple methodology: Kay Arthurs inductive method has helped millions of people learn how to study the Bible for themselves. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. 8. It also becomes a source of support for you during difficult times. Permissions Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) As you carry out your inductive Bible study you will find that observation, interpretation, and application often occur simultaneously. Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Then when you read descriptions of the human heart, and the fall, the corruption, and the depravity of our nature, look, and see yourselves as in a looking glass, and say of each man as you hear of his sin, I am such a man as this was, and if I do not fall into precisely the same sin, yet the possibility and peril of it is in my heart, and I should do so, but for Gods restraining grace. Take the very histories home to your heart, and find a point in them, either of encouragement or of warning for yourselves. Remember that the more time spent in observation, the less time you will spend in interpretation, the more accurate the interpretation and the more appropriate the application. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. 1 Thessalonians Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? 12-26). Every promise must be grasped and realized as true : every precept must be registered in the heart, and acted out in the life, in the strength of God. Puritan Thomas Manton comments thatThere is an awe of the Word, not that makes us shy of it, but tender of violating it, or doing anything contrary to it. It isthe act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose. Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? Used by cults. We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. Such a person is like the church who had a new pastor who preached the same sermon every Sunday. meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". Too often we come to Gods Word to study it, to teach it, etcto do everything in the world with it except be changed by it! --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." If you are a leader (and most of us are leaders in some sphere of influence) remember that a good leader is one who Knows the way, Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what its trying to communicate and examine your life in light of Gods Word. Comment: Don't be like the butterfly flitting from one Bible study [preacher, devotional, commentary, etc] to another, but failing to personally apply what you learn. Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. 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. Refrain. If the Bible seems dry and unexciting, check your attitude (Ed: Also do some personal inventory with 1 Pe 2:1+and then you'll be able to move on to 1 Pe 2:2+!). It consists primarily in picturing up the actual state of things brought before us in our reading, whether it be an incident, a prayer, an exhortation, a proverb, a prophecy. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. EP !HOz What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? in my dealings with the world ? PDF 10 BIBLE STUDY OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION - Home Baptist Church and 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Ask God not to let thy Bible be another mans Bible, but thine own Bible, Gods own mouth speaking to thy soul of the things which make for thy peace. What I mean is just this. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. That seems important to delve into deeper. It can provide you with answers you werent able to come up with on your own, and maybe give you some clues on interpretive techniques and tools in the future. P Is there a Promise to believe or condition to meet in order to partake of the promise? Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? Then we have mentally to adjust the picture thus formed with the pictures already in our mindto hang it, so to speak, in its right place, so that it may blend with the convictions of truth already attained. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). startxref Neither are you to be "Bible botanists" (even good inductive students), who laboriously observe the Biblical text and derive accurate interpretation but fail to apply these truths. Privacy Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, Here are 14 important reasons to read it. Bible Study: Traditional Method (Observation, Interpretation Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. William MacDonald explains meditation as follows Christians should meditate on the Word of God (chew the cud) and have a separated walk (the cloven hoof). Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. First, I saw a butterfly. How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Philemon Both reflect what is really there. Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. (1) Substituting interpretation for application as did the Pharisees; (2) substituting superficial obedience for substantial life-change and. Inductive Bible Study. ), In Bible study, application is putting truth you've discovered (through observation and interpretation) to use in your life with the ultimate goal of transformation or life change. Habakkuk endstream endobj 64 0 obj <>>> endobj 65 0 obj >/PageWidthList<0 612.0>>>>>>/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Properties<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 66 0 obj <> endobj 67 0 obj <>stream We build up a reservoir of responses so that whenever the truth gets too convicting, weve got a multiplicity of reasons why it applies to everyone else but us! Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. How do I propose to carry out these changes? As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. The Bible is the best prayer-book in the world, as it has been called the best story-book in the world. ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". Dont twist Scripturemeaning, dont manipulate the text to get it to say something youd like for it to say. Jesus warned that Bible study as the end in itself, can be deceptively dangerous declaring to the Jewish leaders You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. xref Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. Take the time to dive into the application step. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. Precept Ministries International was founded by internationally-known Bible teacher Kay Arthur, along with her husband, Jack, with the vision to establish people in Gods Word. Ezra His Word from day to day, The older we are, the more experienced we become at rationalizing sin. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. Pastor Houghton assiduously applied what he preached. It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. But for transformation. Whenever (every time) we read the Scriptures, the question we should always honestly seek to ask is How does the meaning of this text apply to me? Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. is the result of I shall be telling this with a sigh Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. It is a trustworthy (pistos = faithful; cp Paul's 4 "faithful sayings" - 1Ti 1:15, 4:9, 2Ti 2:11+, Titus 3:8+) statement deserving full acceptanceit is for this (godliness) we labor (kopiao = to the point of exhaustion; present tense = continually) and strive (agonizomai = as when striving in an athletic contest emphasizing concentration, discipline, conviction, effort; present tense = continually)." Some passages will not have a clear application. We all have a story. For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. Nahum 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. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, 15.). The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. (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.". For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. But to make us more like our Savior. So you might write that observation down: Marks beginning of the gospel story does not start at the very beginning., Youll also notice that Mark desires to tell you some good news, and this news is about Jesus. As you work through these steps regularly, you will get better at them and you will be transformed. Micah The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study By Anna Wishart 07/31/2017 Details Bring Meaning God's Word has a lot to communicate. 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. See what precepts are binding upon thyself, and then, as a child of God, be thy feet swift to run in the way of his commandments. In view of this truth, what specific changes should I make in my life? For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents. The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. John MacArthur argues thatStudying Scripture without allowing it to penetrate to the depths of your soul would be like preparing a banquet without eating it. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Mark 2. B. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation When youre studying a book, youre going to end up reading it multiple times. Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. God make us holy; sanctify us, spirit, soul, and body, and then we shall be made finely serviceable both to the Church and to the world. An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. Home The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. If our interpretation is accurate, we at least have the potential to apply the truth appropriately. When applied properly, the inductive method will provide a better overall understanding of a passagewhat it says, what it meant to its original audience, and what it means today. Chapters, verses and subheadings are all very convenient and helpful, but when it comes time for genuine study, its appropriate to remember theyre not inspired elements of Scripture. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring.