Rather, an inductive study . Application brings us into this sphere of abundant life in the Spirit. But His smile quickly drives it away; 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. They do not seem very ancient. One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. Shows the way. ", 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. 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. (Ro 12:2-note). Another addition to a lot of Bibles is a subheading before many passages or chapters. Righteousness in simple terms is whatever God says is right on any subject. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application 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. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. John kicks off with some critical theological points and then immediately launches into the baptism too. Philippians YWAM Bible Schools: A Guide to Inductive Bible Study 2023 Home THE THREE COMPONENTS 2 Thessalonians HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) We must meditate upon it. and Look for the plainest interpretation first. Jude Ecclesiastes Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. Ask yourself all of the important questions above, and answer them as honestly as you are able. About Gods redemptive plan? So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. The road prepared and paved by careful observation, proper interpretation and diligent application of the Scripture or the one wrought by a superficial, inaccurate, irreverent approach? Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, 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 (!). Be sure to visit the Precept Ministries International Web site to go deeper into inductive Bible study. and then But for transformation. 0 :L -EO{0iB d("o? Esther Could that be a clue about his intended audience? And what did those things mean? So when Mark tells you hes starting at the beginning, its safe to say hes talking about the beginning of Christs ministry. We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. Needless to say, the group of pastors got the point! 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. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. For example, notice that some form of the word suffering is used three . PDF Precept Bible Study Method 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. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study Instead, we need to be Bible "bees", using inductive study to go deep into the Scriptures obtaining its divine nectar and then allowing God's "nectar" to change us. Now that youve come up with questions, its time to do research. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Grasp these sweet promises. Its helpful to take a funnel approach to the book youre reading. How to Study the Bible | Cru - Cru.org ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". 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. 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! If you read, He that believeth on him is not condemned, if you believe not then you are condemned already, because you have not believed in the Son of God. One who uses the Bible as his guide Inductive Bible Study is an ideal textbook for courses in biblical interpretation, and for anyone who desires to better understand and teach Scripture. Genesis Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word, MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth by Spurgeon. Learn more 2. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Not to make us smarter sinners Its what everything else is built upon. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. 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+). 8. Interpretation, Illumination and Application | Bible.org Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And And that has made all the difference. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. 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. 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. 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. two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. 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. 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. Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. The young prophet Samuel's response to God is a good example. 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. 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. 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. 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. Exodus 1 Thessalonians You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. Or well walk by His side in the way. (He 4:12, 13-see notes He 4:12; 13). We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP Inductive Bible study is one reliable way. Janet Chismar ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. 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? For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. 2 Samuel But the bee would light on a flower and it would sink down deep into the flower and it would extract all the nectar and pollen that it could carry. Ruth The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). 0000001930 00000 n Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! ", Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote that "It is a good thing to be a student of the Word, but only in order to be a practiser and experiencer of the Word.". What kind of flavor and preserving qualities do I bring to my circle of influence? Maybe this question will lead you to pray for God to show you ways to help others and make some resolutions about things that youd like to change. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology by Richard Alan Fuhr This book walks through each of the three steps of the inductive method paying particular attention to historical, literary, and theological elements that come into play at each stage. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong place: It begins with interpretation, and it also ends thereObservation plus interpretation without application equals abortion. No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics 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.") Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. 9. Identify chapter themes 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. By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. is the result of 0000000016 00000 n Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. 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. Use this guide to help you lead your small group to encounter Jesus through the three main parts of an inductive Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, Application. Used by cults. He will be inquired of by us. 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. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable (useful, advantageous, helpful,) for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (see notes 2 Timothy 3:16-17). 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. 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. In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . This method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. tie. (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Permissions Daniel 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. 2 Timothy Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And 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. This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. Reading the entire book in one or two sittings is part of the observation process. which then results in being and doing. 1 John 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. 7 Principles for Teaching Kids to Interpret the Bible How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic 6. 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. 2 Corinthians (Jas 4:17+, cp Lk 12:47, 48+, Jn 9:41). Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? 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. 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. 3 John It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details. 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- Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? 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. Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. The goal of Bible study is not simply to determine what it says and what it means, but in the final analysis to apply it to one's life. There are several reasons for this . The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do! 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 Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. It is still as true today as when Martin Luther first said it that The world does not need a definition of religion as much as it needs a demonstration.. <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical Interpretation | Bible.org Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. Showing God in action in and through His people. Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. 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! It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. Your grandmother translated the Bible?" But to make us more like our Savior. 2023 BGEA When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. It is full of instances of prayer; it supplies us with those thoughts about God which stimulate our faith to approach Him expectantly, earnestly, confidently. Leviticus Inductive Bible Study - Observation Inductive Bible Study - Interpretation Inductive Bible Study - Application Simple Study on the Power of God's Word Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17 Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle" Job's "Secret" of perseverance?