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. 0000001036 00000 n You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. To profess great love for Gods word or even to pose as a Bible student is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. 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 View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. Don't deceive yourself! But for transformation. OF INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. 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. Are we spiritual or are we natural? Step 3: ApplicationWhat will I do about what the passage says and means? Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Careless Observation Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. which then results in being and doing. 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. Lesson 12: Observation | Bible.org In view of this truth, what specific changes should I make in my life? The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17, Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle", A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation. 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)." It is God's will that we should read 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! The word of God reveals to us our true selves. 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.. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. (1 Sa 15:22) (cf Ps 51:16,17, Spurgeon note v16, note v 17), We learn Gods Word not to know but to grow by doing for "Obedience is the mother of true knowledge of God." The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. 5 Basic Bible Study Techniques You Should Never Ignore, How to Study a Psalm: Essential Steps for Starting Right, How to Identify a Passages Repeated Words in Seconds, 10 Tips for Getting Started with Inductive Bible Study, Inductive Bible Study Is Not Just for Adults, The Laymans Bible Study Notebook: An Inductive Bible Study, Inductive Bible Study: A Comprehensive Guide to the Practices of Hermeneutics, Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology, The Definitive Guide to Bible Commentaries: Types, Perspectives, and Use. Is Your Interpretation Supernaturalistic, Naturalistic, Existentialistic, Dogmatic? (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. Malachi What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? And what did those things mean? Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. In other words, every time you observe and interpret but fail to apply, you perform an abortion on the Scriptures in terms of their purpose. 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. There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. Part of this work is supernatural: As you study the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals truth from the text that applies to your life. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) tie. The inductive study process involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. never loses his sense of direction. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. 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. Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his lifebut he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. The following books are a great place to learn more about this simple methodology: Kay Arthurs inductive method has helped millions of people learn how to study the Bible for themselves. (The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Jesus explains that relationship (and importance) between knowing God's Word and doing God's Word, declaringIf (If = 3rd class condition = possibility / probability but not a certainty! Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, + 3:7f+, He 4:2+), (3) Response of obedience: Genuine faith will obey. The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. Micah Romans 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. How to Study the Bible | Cru - Cru.org How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word growing? Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1 Thessalonians 0 :L 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). O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` Samuel addressing King Saul after his serious "miscalculation" (sin) said "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? 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. Bible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application. 1 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. Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. But our toil He doth richly repay; Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. But His smile quickly drives it away; Speak of bringing the Bible down into the vernacular! The goal is that we live holy, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action and that in so doing we are made adequate and equipped for every good ("God") work, which represents only those works He initiates and empowers. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. B. Can abide while we trust and obey. m>YQ;^6dA`H^JETi.i I* >B 9KHc,:h0{c-I#d8#<9@F RJa2A*K-8PDSDdM@ $%Cc3s0L %!'VKKB$iUrmg:SP1~)7v`^P%V E406 H8 S4Ti0elV'jxu~ Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. As you carry out your inductive Bible study you will find that observation, interpretation, and application often occur simultaneously. 0000001930 00000 n How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (NIV). THE THREE COMPONENTS By And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; 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. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. 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.". Heb. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? 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. You should desire to know Gods Word better so it can change you. (Col 1:28, 29-See notes Col 1:28; 1:29), The basis for application is 2 Timothy 3:16. There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. eg'1{(yzJ*| Some people say they cannot meditate; they do not know what it means, or they have no time, or they go to sleep when they begin. The Bible is Gods way of making Himself known to us. Commentaries are fantastic tools. August 5, 2009. Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. How does he save or provide a way when people are unable? They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. Jeremiah You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. As a result, that man became a Christian. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. 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. In Observation and Interpretation we study God's Word, but in Application, God's Word "studies" us! His Word from day to day, An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation Youre attempting to get a sense of the whole before you begin to break down the parts. Connect each passage back to the gospel and the broader message of the Bible. 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)? Song of Solomon The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. Nahum We need to be specific here. 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. What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? -- David Shepherd, Be alert for the following deceptive dangers regarding application. But as helpful as these tools are, theyre not always ideal for personal study. He pastored Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and later served as president of Chicagos Moody Bible Institute till his death in 1946. 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 (!). 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.. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, ", 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. Study the Bible to be wise Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. In other words every divine revelation demands a determinative response. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. 1. The Bible is divine in origin. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. He knoweth what we have need of before we ask, but He expects us to ask all the same. Its apowerful toolfor those who want to learn how to study Scripture well. 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. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" About people or human nature? Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Where does your passage show how human beings or their world are broken? One of the best ways to study the Bible is through "inductive" study. The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? This is not the fruit of slavish fear, but of holy love; it is not afraid of the Word, but delighting in it, as it discovers the mind of God to us; as in the next verse it is written, "I rejoice at Thy word." Eventually, if not immediately, these practices will reveal the meaning of the text (interpretation) and how to apply it (life application). Both reflect what is really there. Ezra Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application (1Ti 4:8+, 1Ti 4:9, 10+). ", 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.". And that has made all the difference. This is a motivating truth that you can trust and which you should welcome and willingly acknowledge. Ruth Imagine trying to find a specific place in Scripture during a sermon without them. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. Different Approaches to Interpretation 1. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. HLTkXw: The Pharisees set the standard for this superficial, hypocritical, self deluding approach. Grasp these sweet promises. (Josh 1:8-note). Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. (Mt 7:13, 14+). 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. Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. and then 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. Both of these; By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. See what precepts are binding upon thyself, and then, as a child of God, be thy feet swift to run in the way of his commandments. You may start with reading a specific book of the Bible for five to 10 minutes every day and setting aside one day a week for a more intentional time of studying Scripture. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. Comment: Don't be like the butterfly flitting from one Bible study [preacher, devotional, commentary, etc] to another, but failing to personally apply what you learn. Observation answers the question: What do I see? Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Bible Study Principles Again, our METHOD of reading, searching, and study must involve very precise OBSERVATION, which is absolutely necessary to accurate INTERPRETATION! of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. Pastor Houghton assiduously applied what he preached. Absolutely. 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. Home We ought to obey God rather than men, and to make sure of God's favour, though we throw ourselves under the frowns of all the world, Lk 12:4, 5.