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. (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.". Heb. And what did those things mean? 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). Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? Isaiah The OIA Bible study method consists of three parts. In most respects they might have been written in our own life-time. It is one thing to know these truths, and even to fight for them with the zeal and bitterness of a controversialist, but it is quite another thing to enjoy them as our own heritage and our portion for ever. Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. 0000004523 00000 n Commentaries are fantastic tools. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. 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. This typically involves reading a shorter Bible passage and doing less in-depth investigation of the text. We must mix faith with what we read and hear. Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . But for your study time, its helpful to use them as secondary sources after youve done some preliminary work. Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. You want to be able to trace the authors argument all the way through. To love Him and obey. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. A Silly yet Serious We must adjust ourselves to the Bible Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, Many times a Bible passage is read only with eyes but not with the mind engaged. Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is additionally useful. 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). So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. Refrain, Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, In sum, acting on what God has said assumes that you understand what He has said as illustrated below. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. If you feel the wrath to come now, you may never have to feel it in the next world. But one who looks intently (a picture of the man who meditates -- puritan Richard Baxter said "There must be inward practice by meditation and outward practice in true obedience.") How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. 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. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? Youll also notice right out of the gate that Mark has introduced Jesus with two titles: Messiah and Son of God. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. Samuel addressing King Saul after his serious "miscalculation" (sin) said "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. 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! This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. But to make us more like our Savior. Ecclesiastes ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". SMbN|U#t?%ux[w]z!\8U=Cdl1fNX`)5|@c!"&|q0|1"W Sfi%DaW1VC>Z(#qoR L%#GS`Kj)|%2laZxe"$[1Gf9pnY$,sfP.( +EelPEC_JjN bbBwa7$}%I$UO8 % To profess great love for Gods word or even to pose as a Bible student is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life. We need to be specific here. Make them your own. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Avoid the temptation to try to make the text mean anything just yet. As a result, that man became a Christian. (Keying into the term good news early will help you understand Marks Gospel, as its a critical term that he uses repeatedly.). Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. 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. Refrain. 63 0 obj <> endobj In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` For instance, if you pick up the Book of Galatians at the beginning of chapter 4, youll find yourself in the middle of Pauls argument: What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. Janet Chismar This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? I took the one less traveled by, Application begins with belief To be sure our first goal should be to get into the Bible and then to allow the Bible to get into us. Saturate the study of Scripture with prayer. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. John Blanchard underscores the crucial discipline of applying God's Word sounding the caution that "There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus.". Fourthly, we seek to stir up our soul to notes of praise and thanksgiving, delighting ourselves in God's Word, rejoicing in the prospect it presents, yielding ourselves in joyful submission to its precepts, and at the same time searching ourselves in the light of its cautions, humbling ourselves over our past coldness or doubtsfor most of our failures come from doubting God. Titus (1Ti 4:7, 8-notes), The dictionary defines application as the act of putting to use or putting into operation especially for some practical purpose. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. How about Son of God"? John Galatians Learn more 2. Proverbs And with all who will trust and obey. 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. Rather, an inductive study . 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? 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. For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. Song of Solomon With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. 0000008074 00000 n And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. 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. Dont twist Scripturemeaning, dont manipulate the text to get it to say something youd like for it to say. P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? But if this conforming of their own souls unto the power of the Word be not fixed in the first place in their minds they do not strive lawfully, nor will they be crowned (!). We may hear words like "hermeneutics" (the science of interpretation) or "exegesis" (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) and think interpretation is something best left to experts. Joel Ephesians Also we become more responsible to God. God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. Our Lord taught that those who are, blessed (makarios [word study]) are those who hear the word of God and observe (phulasso [word study]) it. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. 15.). And while pastors and teachers are wonderful, individual Christians should also be able to pick up any passage and read it with basic understanding and application. This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. By Grasp these sweet promises. 1. /+X$!acR\Y[/EC%D @2ADk0uHha3j^ If we continually learn what we ought to do, but do not do it, we become frustrated and callous. If youve uncovered truth youve not known or understood before, what does it mean for your life, priorities, and decisions now that you do understand it? This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). Both of these; Don't be deceived -- Every time we hear the Word of God, we are either a little closer to heaven or a little further away. This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. When you break the discipline of Bible study down to its simplest forms, its just a few steps: Explore: What did God say (to the original readers)? We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. (Ro 12:2-note). Are we spiritual or are we natural? The student has sought God's blessing on the Word, and has endeavored to find out its meaning and teaching; and it remains for him to ask, How does this passage apply to me? Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details. Observation Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. These divisions are incredibly convenient. Obadiah Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? xref They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. Sow a thought, reap an action. Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. 2 John Here are a few questions you can ask: There are a few essential rules to remember when attempting to interpret a passage: Make sure you spend a good chunk of time with this phase. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. Observation Tips What are some tips to help with observation? There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. Accurate interpretation and correct application rest on the accuracy of your observations. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. Some passages will not have a clear application. The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. But His smile quickly drives it away; Study the Bible to be wise. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? Pastor Houghton assiduously applied what he preached. Gather them. Look for the plainest interpretation first. 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. The world will learn better, and will more likely be brought to know Christ when the lives of Christians are better, and when the Bible of the Christian Life shall be more in, accordance with the Bible of Christian doctrine. As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. 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. An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. Leviticus The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. 1 Peter Your goal in observing is to identify what the author was trying to communicate to his readers. 2. Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ Exodus 0 :L Joshua But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? Matthew Henry adds: Every gracious soul stands in awe of the word of God, of the authority of its precepts and the terror of its threatenings; and to those that do so nothing appears, in the power and wrath of man, at all formidable. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. Life Application: What joy is experienced when deliberate Bible study moves from a 'have to' to a 'want to!' Careless Observation You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. Not to make us smarter sinners I have known of some, too, who gloried in final perseverance, but who, if they had finally persevered would certainly have been in hell, for they were on the road there. Apply yourself to the Scriptures One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. The worldlings Bible is the Christian. John kicks off with some critical theological points and then immediately launches into the baptism too. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; Not just for knowledge, but much more-- Could that be a clue about his intended audience? Follow it by personally doing what it bids thee. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. Ezra Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. 0e]y]ZU~P/^a53if5}Jk9$9t]ccc}.kw9H6`T5jN`=94jk:U>}a:P5p/]luu D_Ek!*Vwii][S9}mB=J\ueJJkf3mm8]g#pbmw6[PP? Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. For some of you there is very little in the Word of God except threatening. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. How? Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. What does the term Messiah mean? Application is where the proverbial "rubber meets the road", where our walk either does or does not back up our talk and where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. Showing God in action in and through His people. Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" Start with the obvious. 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 If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. If a servant were to hear but not do, how quickly the judgment would be given. While there is only one valid interpretation of a passage, there can be many applications. Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. He knoweth what we have need of before we ask, but He expects us to ask all the same. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Don't deceive yourself! In observation, you were asking the question, What did I see? In interpretation, you ask, What does it mean? If you have not done a thorough job in the exploration phase, the interpretation phase can be difficult. 8. See related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience, As Vance Havner wisely said "It is not the Word hidden in the head but in the heart that keeps us from sin. Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream my heart stands in awe of Thy words. So even though you might be familiar with the word Messiah, you might want to focus on Mark and his original audience. Is your heart conditioned to listen and obey? 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). It is packed with revelation, lessons, instruction, and theology. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. Observe whats there, and document it. 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. Do not read it merely to say, Yes, it is true; very true; I believe its doctrines to be the revelation of the infallible mind of God himself. But endeavour also in reading a page of the Scriptures, always to see how much it belongs to you. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents. The word of God reveals to us our true selves. Never fear, only trust and obey. Nahum 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. Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? ", 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. Woe! For one thing people mistake the pleasure they have in hearing the Word of God for Christianity and worship. So before moving on to the crucial step of application, pause for a time of reflection. Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. Esther You may start with reading a specific book of the Bible for five to 10 minutes every day and setting aside one day a week for a more intentional time of studying Scripture. What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. 2 Kings Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. Nehemiah The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. Acronym to Aid Application. Zechariah and then Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. This is always the most challengingportion of Bible study, which most people give only cursory attention to (unfortunately).The key to doing Bible study is . August 5, 2009. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? The Bible helps you understand God and His relationship with humanity. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! This method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. 0000001930 00000 n Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! Scripture interprets Scripture. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. Hebrews Refrain, But we never can prove the delights of His love (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). Genesis But meditation is a matter of habit, and we can all be trained into it. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. Its apowerful toolfor those who want to learn how to study Scripture well. Can abide while we trust and obey. If youre not careful, theyll do all the work of observation and interpretation for you. This is not the fruit of slavish fear, but of holy love; it is not afraid of the Word, but delighting in it, as it discovers the mind of God to us; as in the next verse it is written, "I rejoice at Thy word." Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you. In other words, we must act by faith in what God has shown us from His Word or our hearts can become hardened (cf. To know and not to do is not to know at all. Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. 0000005006 00000 n We are either a little more sweetened or a little more hardened. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. Even those who have invested a lifetime into studying it will tell you their commitment has continued to pay off with new insights, understanding and spiritual growth. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. As you work through these steps regularly, you will get better at them and you will be transformed. Goldsmiths keep bottles of acid by which they test everything that is offered them for sale, whether it is gold or merely tinsel, and the Christian should keep Gods word near at hand and treasured in the soul, to test thereby all that he hears. 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. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. never loses his sense of direction. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. Mark -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). 0000000016 00000 n Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. In the third chapter, Matthew tells us about Jesus baptism by John. (Mt 7:13, 14+). After personal application, the best way to make the truth your own, is to teach it and even if you are not gifted to be a formal Bible teacher, there is always someone in your sphere of influence whom you are teaching by your life and your lips. Trust and obey, for theres no other way There is always something new to uncover in the Bible. We try to communicate what weve never experienced in our own lives.".
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