YWAM Bible Schools: A Guide to Inductive Bible Study 2023 The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? But as helpful as these tools are, theyre not always ideal for personal study. Are the "thoughts and intentions of our heart" spiritual thoughts and intentions or only natural thoughts and intentions? Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? 63 0 obj <> endobj This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. In other words, am I applying this truth? The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. 0000001930 00000 n This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? in my dealings with the world ? Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about 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. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. 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. How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. 2 Thessalonians The mind delights in having the truth presented clearly; the imagination is gratified by its illustration; the feelings are stirred by its application. And what did those things mean? Observe whats there, and document it. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. The adventure of following God's will takes on a whole new complexion when we stop to listen and then act upon what we hear. Is your heart conditioned to listen and obey? OIA Method of Bible Study - Iamnorthside Reading the entire book in one or two sittings is part of the observation process. Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? 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 % Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. The Pharisees set the standard for this superficial, hypocritical, self deluding approach. The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. Step 3: ApplicationWhat will I do about what the passage says and means? 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. The questions that might come out of your observations about Mark might include: Why does Mark not include the Christmas story in the beginning? this Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology can be taken as competently as picked to act. Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. (Lk 11:28+, cp Jn 13:17), D. L. Moody quipped that "Our great problem is the problem of trafficking in unlived truth. It is not enough just to study the Bible. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. Sow an action, reap a habit. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. Who art thou that judgest another man? To his own master he stands or falls. %%EOF The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! Rather, an inductive study . 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. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! How to Study the Bible (part 2): Interpretation and Application Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Let me ask you a serious question -- How often do you study the Word with no intention whatsoever of obeying it? I took the one less traveled by, For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. (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.) Our first duty is to meditate. May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. (John 7:17). 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?) Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. Study the Bible to be wise (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; We tone down unconsciously the vigor of St. Paul's remonstrances, the force of his figures, such as ' Death to sin,' the strictness of the law of retribution, and of judgment according to works ; the demand of absolute self-sacrifice, and of truth at any cost ; the need of meekness, forbearance, self-restraint and sympathy. Application brings us into this sphere of abundant life in the Spirit. Permissions 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. 12-26). For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. 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. Strip the passage of all the jewels you can find on your own, and then come back through with a commentary. 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 (!). (Ps 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148 - see A Primer On Biblical Meditation). And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. As youre reading along, you can check the commentary to gain insight into cultural, linguistic and interpretive considerations. Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. 2. The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. The proper spirit for profitable Bible study is a tender, teachable heart willing to obey the truth and the fruit of this humble approach is an eternally changed life lived to glory of God. You too can try and prove God's wonder-working precious and magnificent promises that provide everything needed for life and godliness -- but only if you seek to apply them to your life. 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. This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Obadiah 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. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. is the result of As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. And yet, so complete is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good Christian lives. And that has made all the difference. 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+). As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. xref This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Home Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. There are many ways we can study the Bible, but one of the most influential and simple approaches to reading and understanding God's Word involves three simple steps: Step 1: ObservationWhat does the passage say? August 5, 2009. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? In other words every divine revelation demands a determinative response. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS What did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. (Galatians 4:1, New International Version). Inductive Bible study is 2 John The botanist would lean over a certain flower and he would look for a long time and then he would write notes in his notebook. HLTkXw: O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` 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. hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. Showing God in action in and through His people. and then 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. 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)." How does the truth of this passage apply to my life? Also we become more responsible to God. Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. Inductive Bible study is one reliable way. Numbers The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. (Persevere!). The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? Ecclesiastes Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Now that weve observed and interpreted what the passage has to say, its time to talk about what it means for us. We must adjust ourselves to the Bible 0000000536 00000 n But to make us more like our Savior. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, 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. Janet Chismar Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. And to do this, you need to look at the context (Logos Bible Software can be a great help with this). Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. As the devotional writer Matthew Henry prayerfully put it"O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! my heart stands in awe of Thy words. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? How to Study Your Bible, Part 2 | Articles | Revive Our Hearts ), 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. To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! (1Ti 4:8+, 1Ti 4:9, 10+). Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. 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. P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD 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. A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. We need to be honest with ourselves at this point. Song of Solomon The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! Practice it to be holy, Or as Skip Heitzig advises "A good perspective to adopt when reading the Bible is that of an obedient servant waiting for instruction from the master. A lot of people have all sorts of news. 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. Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. 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). Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, 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. Make them your own. 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.") to my own life and destiny and relation to God? How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? 2 Chronicles Believe it to be safe Psalms When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) 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. In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. H\j0z 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! 0000004523 00000 n (Ezekiel 33:31), Hearing and not heeding the word is as foolish as cooking an expensive filet mignon and then not sitting down to eat it! 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.". at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. It is not enough just to study the Bible. How do I propose to carry out these changes? There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus. The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. The older we are, the more experienced we become at rationalizing sin. This is a motivating truth that you can trust and which you should welcome and willingly acknowledge. (Ps 119:161). There is always something new to uncover in the Bible. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. 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. Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Imagine trying to find a specific place in Scripture during a sermon without them. --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. His Word from day to day, It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. If youre not careful, theyll do all the work of observation and interpretation for you. trailer 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. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study Not just for knowledge, but much more-- If youre new to studying, why not start with the Gospel of Mark? For some of you there is very little in the Word of God except threatening. Then you could go back and look at how the other Gospels start: Matthew begins by giving us Jesus genealogy and then gives us a little glimpse into His birth. Try challenging yourself to come up with 10 observations about a passage, and once youve hit that number, push yourself to come up with five more. -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. 1 Chronicles Believe it to be safe Sometimes there will be figurative language and confusing imagery, but dont start by looking for hidden meaning. After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. Nahum If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. Learn more 2. Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity eg'1{(yzJ*| 3 John 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. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. Feed on them with joy" A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. 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)? Thirdly, we seek to link the spirit of the passage with our own personal experience of things human and Divine. 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. Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. One of the best things about studying Gods Word is that you can come back to a book youve already studied in the past and discover all-new insights. PDF Simple Biblical Interpretation - Westminster Theological Seminary Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. Genesis 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.