Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. First, I saw a butterfly. Our Goal in Interpreting . 1. We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. How do I propose to carry out these changes? Local: 704-401-2432 You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. But meditation is a matter of habit, and we can all be trained into it. 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? Sow a thought, reap an action. This awe is called by a proper name, reverence, or godly fear; when we consider Whose Word it is, namely, the Word of the Lord, Who is our God, and has a right to command what He pleases; to Whose will and word we have already yielded obedience, and devoted ourselves to walk worthy of Him in all well pleasing (Col 1:10-note, Ep 4:1-note, Php 3:17,18-note, 1Th 2:12-note); who can find us out in all our failings, as knowing our very thoughts afar of (Psalms 139:2), and having all our ways before Him, and being one of Whom we read, -- "He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins" (Joshua 24:19), that is to say, if we impenitently continue in them. Greater knowledge should always bring about greater obedience, enabled by grace not law, empowered by the indwelling Spirit as we learn to discard self effort and depend on the Spirit. The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Sometimes there will be figurative language and confusing imagery, but dont start by looking for hidden meaning. ), 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. Observation It is thework of applying something (I like that -- it make take a little "holy sweat" to apply what we have learned, but it is worth the effort exerted! The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. Identify chapter themes This speak of a personal choice that must be made) any man is willing (thelo = desires, wishes, delights [cp Ps 1:2-note], takes pleasure, is inclined to; the present tense - speaks of one's general direction of their life) to do (present tense - again speaks of one's general habit of practice = toward obedience not toward disobedience) His will, he shall know (ginosko = speaks not just of "head" knowing but of an experiential knowledge, a more intimate knowledge) of the teaching (didache - word study), whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself. (Read the entire sermon - How to Read the Bible), "Our Masters field is full and rich. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. He now teaches two courses: "Bible Study" and "Advanced Bible Study." "All of my courses are built on the basic pattern of observation, interpretation, application and correlation (or . Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. 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. To be sure our first goal should be to get into the Bible and then to allow the Bible to get into us. But for transformation. Micah Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. Believe it to be safe Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. Observation. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. Learning to read andstudy Scriptureis an important part of the Christian life. Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. 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. acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. And so prayer is not a substitute for action, but the deliberate contact of the soul with God, whence we draw an enabling force whereby we go forth conquering and to conquer. The bottom-line question to ask is, How do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions? Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17, cp Jn 15:14, 14:15, Lk 11:28, Jas 1:22+, Jas 1:25+, Rev 1:3+) Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves, What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it? We must take the knowledge we have gained from our reading and interpretation and draw out the practical principles that apply to our personal lives. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. Feed on them with joy" Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." 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. and Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Hosea Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. The more time and intentionality you put into understanding Gods Word, the more treasures you discover. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? Nevertheless our duty is clear. They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. ", James warned that "to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin." 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. (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.) These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. 2 Chronicles To know and not to do is not to know at all. To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. Your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, can give you insights at any point in your study, so that you need to be sensitive to His leading. So when Mark tells you hes starting at the beginning, its safe to say hes talking about the beginning of Christs ministry. Learn more 2. 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? That seems important to delve into deeper. To not respond to supernatural illumination would be like saying the Biblical teaching on idolatry is great but it doesn't apply to me and then going off to spend the rest of the day seeking anxiously to accumulate wealth in this present but passing (away) world (cp the words of Jesus Mt 6:24+and Paul Col 3:5+). 2. Nahum Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. In His Words: What Billy Graham Once Said About Eternity. EP !HOz Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + This is likewise one of the factors by obtaining the soft documents of this Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History . Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. John Calvin commenting on proper application wrote thatWe must observe that the knowledge of God which we are invited to cultivate is not that which, resting satisfied with empty speculation, only flutters in the brain; but a knowledge which will prove substantial and fruitful whenever it is duly perceived and rooted in the heart.. Lamentations Notice how Jesus observes the Old Testament text in verse 42, interprets it in verse 44, and applies it in verse 43 (implying that his listeners should believe the truth and make some changes in their lives). 0 :L 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. Logos can be an incredible resource as you seek to make this a part of your daily routine. The following steps follow the inductive method's process of observation, interpretation, and application. 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? Cults use the Bible to try to prove views they already have. Colossians The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. So before moving on to the crucial step of application, pause for a time of reflection. Some passages will not have a clear application. Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. (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.". 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. to which the context answers) for (every time you see a "for" at the beginning of a sentence pause and ponder why it's there and remember you can usually substitute the word "because" in place of "for" to help understand the meaning) Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. 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. Study the Bible to be wise 0000004523 00000 n Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. B. 2 Timothy -EO{0iB d("o? Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. We all have a story. Believe it to be safe (Ps 119:161). Sow an action, reap a habit. Could that be a clue about his intended audience? Many times a Bible passage is read only with eyes but not with the mind engaged. 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. 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. But you may know that Luke and Matthew begin with Jesus birth story. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? (Persevere!). (Galatians 4:1, New International Version). Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is additionally useful. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation 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. There are several reasons for this . Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Write it all down (you can take notes directly in Logos), and once you feel like you have a good idea of whats happening in the text, its time to move on to the next step: interpretation. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. ", The goal of Inductive Bible study is + Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. 0000002043 00000 n Thirdly, we seek to link the spirit of the passage with our own personal experience of things human and Divine. It is impossible to study the Scriptures diligently without running head-on into the need for application, "for the word of God is living and active (energetic, effective) and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge (sifting and analyzing) the thoughts and intentions of the heart and there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open (the bending back of the neck thoroughly exposing it to the eye of the skillful surgeon or the criminal on trial with a sharp dagger bound to his neck with the point just below the chin, so that he could not bow his head but had to face the court) and laid bare to the eyes of Him with Whom we must give account." The tireless runner is a picture of what Application should look like in each of our livessobrethren, beloved of God, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world for so great a salvation, filled with His Spirit and controlled by the love of Christ "let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith" (He 12:1-note, He 12:2-note) pressing "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Php 3:14-note) disciplining ourselves "for the purpose of godliness for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Follow it by personally doing what it bids thee. August 5, 2009. He knoweth what we have need of before we ask, but He expects us to ask all the same. Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. 1 Thessalonians Song of Solomon HWM5q0^5 !EJ8`vC ! Now that weve observed and interpreted what the passage has to say, its time to talk about what it means for us. We need to be honest with ourselves at this point. These subheadings can be useful for understanding the different parts of a biblical book, but they can also force you to read a passage in a particular light. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. Used by cults. 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. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Where similar words are used, explore the context of each of those instances. Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. 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. For Inductive Bible study, we don't begin with a topic and then try to find specific verses that make a teaching point. For some of you there is very little in the Word of God except threatening. The Bible is the best prayer-book in the world, as it has been called the best story-book in the world. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. In most respects they might have been written in our own life-time. Who art thou that judgest another man? To his own master he stands or falls. What is awe? This is always a powerful application of Scripture. And that has made all the difference. (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. Pretend youre an investigator and youre just gathering the facts. 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. We must adjust ourselves to the Bible The heart that stands in awe of God's word is armed against the temptations that arise from persecution (A good application). Bible reading fits into the devotional category. 74 0 obj <>stream And how does it show God redeeming that brokenness? Inductive Bible study is one reliable way. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. It is not enough just to study the Bible. The New Testament gives us further teaching about the way of approach, and makes new demands on our spiritual life, whilst offering us a new standard to live up to. Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. But for your study time, its helpful to use them as secondary sources after youve done some preliminary work. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. 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. For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. About people or human nature? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. The main tool for each step is the Bible itself, meaning that when there is a question in my mind as to a passage's meaning, I first look to other scripture to provide the answer. In other words every divine revelation demands a determinative response. Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? Joshua To love Him and obey. : an American History (Eric Foner) Civilization and its Discontents (Sigmund Freud) The Methodology of the Social Sciences (Max Weber) Interpersonal Communication (Kory Floyd) Chemistry: The Central Science (Theodore E. Brown; H. Eugene H LeMay; Bruce E. Bursten; Catherine Murphy; Patrick Woodward) Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. You want to be able to trace the authors argument all the way through. to my own life and destiny and relation to God? In truth thou canst not read the Scriptures too much; To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. A lot of people have all sorts of news. 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. The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. Home Then you might turn your attention to verses 18 in the first chapter. We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. The gospel is a very solemn thing to every man, because if it be not a savour of life unto life, since it must always be a savour of some sort, it therefore becomes a savour of death unto death. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". 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. Jude How about Son of God"? Careless Observation God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? 63 12 The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? We must mix faith with what we read and hear. Maybe youre reading Matthew 5:13: You are the salt of the earth. This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. startxref Can abide while we trust and obey. 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. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). Interpretation is not necessarily a separate step from observation, for often, as you carefully observe the text, you begin to see what it means at that very moment. A key discipline for good study is not to be too quick to fall back on what you think you know. 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? (He 4:12, 13-see notes He 4:12; 13). The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. 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. 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, For one thing people mistake the pleasure they have in hearing the Word of God for Christianity and worship. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. 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. Are for them who will trust and obey. Saturate the study of Scripture with prayer. This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, A Silly yet Serious Practice it to be holy. 0000000536 00000 n Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. ", 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 did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. 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. If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. the good hand of his God was upon him (which should prompt a "Why?" 1 Jn 1:7, 8, 9; Pr 28:13), (2) Response of faith: One of our reasons for meditating on the Word is to develop and build our faith. Are you ready and willing for Gods Word to cut deeply into your own life (reproof), to lay bare the hidden places of your heart, and to do its work of convicting, convincing, and converting your mind in any and every area? Numbers 0000003614 00000 n Scripture interprets Scripture. Needless to say, the group of pastors got the point! Not to make us smarter sinners Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. Deuteronomy Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. The Apostle Paul's great passion was transformed, Christ like lives as he explained to the saints at Colossae writing we proclaim Him (Christ in believers the hope of glory), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. Here are 14 important reasons to read it. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. 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. Its good to set aside time for both devotional reading and studying. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. HLTkXw: They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself.