Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. Scripture interprets Scripture. A Silly yet Serious In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. In other words, am I applying this truth? Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. So before we can apply the truth as God intended, we need to be certain that our interpretation is accurate, which in turn hinges on careful observation. Amos Memorizing God's Word - Why? 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Genesis No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. They were the local authorities. But our toil He doth richly repay; Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. Study the Bible to be wise In view of this truth, what specific changes should I make in my life? For Inductive Bible study, we don't begin with a topic and then try to find specific verses that make a teaching point. 2 Chronicles Lesson 12: Observation | Bible.org The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? We don't really know the Bible unless we obey the Bible, God had a scathing rebuke for His people Israel through His prophet Ezekiel "They (the people of Israel) come to you (the prophet Ezekiel) as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth and their heart goes after their gain." Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life. Hebrews Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. Let me ask you a serious question -- How often do you study the Word with no intention whatsoever of obeying it? The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. Many of us struggle to wade through the dense lists of commands, genealogies and prophecies in the Old Testament. In short, as John MacArthur says "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. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. HLTkXw: Judges Shows the way. Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Inductive Bible study is 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. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. 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. -EO{0iB d("o? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?" ( Ps 24:1-3 ). Inductive Bible Study: Observation | Precept Austin Comment: Sins of omission (failing to do what God wants us to do) are sins just as surely as sins of commission (doing what God has told us not to do). 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. Details of the OIA Method - Knowable Word Logos can be an incredible resource as you seek to make this a part of your daily routine. 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. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. It is packed with revelation, lessons, instruction, and theology. Refrain. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! Well, it is a very fine promise, but if it is read to me thus: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, what a transformed and glorified promise it then becomes! This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . 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. Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. and then He will be inquired of by us. 15.). What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? eg'1{(yzJ*| Create an account or log in to get started. To which he responded "Yes, she translated the Bible into her life, and was the most powerful translation I've ever seen!" 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. You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. If the Bible seems dry and unexciting, check your attitude (Ed: Also do some personal inventory with 1 Pe 2:1+and then you'll be able to move on to 1 Pe 2:2+!). 1 Timothy 0000002043 00000 n Is there any significance to the fact that Mark does not need to explain what that title means? It is not enough just to study the Bible. J@GD0Q0rqD@!QTTXF1ID>IgIyy;GABp_8;.7_0?\h*4z/Bzc`S!zJP2[VgVM52,6.*0.199QP1T`}G/I(tSE)BQF*jE()*RMq>&}P* Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. 0 :L Observation These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. After studying the importance of salt to first-century Judean people, you would have a clear picture of its significance to Jesus original audience. Ask God that his threats may drive you out of your sins, and drive you to seek pardon in Christ. 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." It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. 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. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Jonah Our first duty is to meditate. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. 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). Also we become more responsible to God. (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. We need to be specific here. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of Gods Word (cp Ep 5:26-note). Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. 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. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. If you want to discover what these authors have to tell you, youll have to do some work. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". (Persevere!). (Jas 4:17+, cp Lk 12:47, 48+, Jn 9:41). Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? (How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It - see page 30). 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. Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical Interpretation | Bible.org Learn how you can know God personally. Observation. If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. The more time and intentionality you put into understanding Gods Word, the more treasures you discover. Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! Song of Solomon Inaccurate Interpretation, Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes in his last stanza. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. This guide provokes you to read the Bible honestlyto let it surprise, challenge, and correct you as you apply the many steps of interpretation. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. The reader through OBSERVATION discovers what a passage says which enables the reader to make an accurate INTERPRETATION, the discovery of what a passage means. Bible Study: Traditional Method (Observation, Interpretation --C H Spurgeon, Choose Book of Bible to Study 1. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. Lifting verses out of their immediate context is a sure way to find yourself in heresy land. In other words, we must act by faith in what God has shown us from His Word or our hearts can become hardened (cf. (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. 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. Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is additionally useful. 0000003614 00000 n But for your study time, its helpful to use them as secondary sources after youve done some preliminary work. Esther Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. 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. 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. Now, think about what the passage tells us that is always true not just in its original setting, but in any time and place. For one thing people mistake the pleasure they have in hearing the Word of God for Christianity and worship. Ruth 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. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. The godly preacher F. B. Meyer wrote that Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. But this is exactly what happens when we fail to apply what we have observed and interpreted. Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! to my own life and destiny and relation to God? How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. Which road will you travel? Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" 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. He would take notes and later study them with great care. And that has made all the difference. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. (Ro 10:17+). Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. For example, Philippians 4:13, in context, isn't about being the greatest and most famous basketball player, but about being content and having joy in any and every circumstance ( Phil 4:10-13 ). As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. Whenever (every time) we read the Scriptures, the question we should always honestly seek to ask is How does the meaning of this text apply to me? The worldlings Bible is the Christian. Righteousness in simple terms is whatever God says is right on any subject. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. David Shepherd rightly exhorts us to leave out not "step" in study of God's Word but to be diligent to Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. 2 Corinthians 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? 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. Believe it to be safe + For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Another addition to a lot of Bibles is a subheading before many passages or chapters. Woe! Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. Therefore, it is vital that you develop observation skills which might, at first, seem difficult, laborious, and time-consuming. 7 Principles for Teaching Kids to Interpret the Bible Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. (Ep 1:3-note). I took the one less traveled by, The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. 2023 BGEA Start with the obvious. Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. Maybe youre reading Matthew 5:13: You are the salt of the earth. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. 1 Kings If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. There are three basic approaches to Bible interpretation: A. Mark The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! Refrain, But we never can prove the delights of His love and 63 0 obj <> endobj Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. To know and not to do is not to know at all. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. 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. 9. 0000004118 00000 n Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". So before moving on to the crucial step of application, pause for a time of reflection. We must meditate upon it. When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. Give Me Liberty! We are either a little more sweetened or a little more hardened. We must meditate upon it. Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. You might see the word Messiah and think, I know what that means. But that can undermine your ability to discover new things. 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 kicks off with some critical theological points and then immediately launches into the baptism too. This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. The word of God reveals to us our true selves. Local: 704-401-2432 Edward Louie (2011) The phrase "Bible study" can mean different things to different people. and the Scriptures to yourself. 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. In many ways, observation is the base of the Bible study pyramid. Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . In sum, acting on what God has said assumes that you understand what He has said as illustrated below. 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. Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? (1) Substituting interpretation for application as did the Pharisees; (2) substituting superficial obedience for substantial life-change and. The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. Not just for information 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 . 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..