You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. Some seem as if they read the Bible in order to know how not to do, and the more God commands the more they will not obey. The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. First, I saw a butterfly. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. Both reflect what is really there. Esther Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? In observation, you were asking the question, What did I see? In interpretation, you ask, What does it mean? If you have not done a thorough job in the exploration phase, the interpretation phase can be difficult. P Is there a Promise to believe or condition to meet in order to partake of the promise? Such a person is like the church who had a new pastor who preached the same sermon every Sunday. 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? When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? There are several reasons for this . 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? Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. Study the Bible to be wise. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! Let me ask you a serious question -- How often do you study the Word with no intention whatsoever of obeying it? Overview of Inductive Study with Observation Worksheet and example of how to mark a page, Click for Introduction to Inductive Bible Study using PowerPoint (2002), The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word, How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It - see page 30, Skip Heitzig How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It, Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics, Chicago Statement on Biblical Application. 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. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. 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. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. to my own life and destiny and relation to God? T Is there a Truth to memorize and meditate upon (Click here)? Then you might turn your attention to verses 18 in the first chapter. And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. 1 Kings Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. Matthew Henry adds: Every gracious soul stands in awe of the word of God, of the authority of its precepts and the terror of its threatenings; and to those that do so nothing appears, in the power and wrath of man, at all formidable. The ideal combination is to read the word and then heed it expeditiously and implicitly. 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. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. 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. Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. 1 Corinthians HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> This is always the most challengingportion of Bible study, which most people give only cursory attention to (unfortunately).The key to doing Bible study is . 0000004118 00000 n How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. What is the clearest meaning of this text? Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Do not read it merely to say, Yes, it is true; very true; I believe its doctrines to be the revelation of the infallible mind of God himself. But endeavour also in reading a page of the Scriptures, always to see how much it belongs to you. Refrain Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. Different Approaches to Interpretation 1. of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. 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). There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. 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. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. The questions that might come out of your observations about Mark might include: Why does Mark not include the Christmas story in the beginning? The danger of Observation and Interpretation without application is that we become hypocrites like the Pharisees, filled to the brim with intellectual knowledge, but failing miserably to allow the truth to transform our hearts! But to make us more like our Savior. If you're looking for the best Christian jobs and careers, check out Cru's ministry job openings for full- and part-time missionaries and professionals. The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. 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+!). 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. Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. The young prophet Samuel's response to God is a good example. Numbers When Gods Word points out something in us that needs correction, we need to respond. What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? Our Goal in Interpreting . Once you decide how much time you want to commit to studying, put it on your calendar. Youll also notice right out of the gate that Mark has introduced Jesus with two titles: Messiah and Son of God. In the third chapter, Matthew tells us about Jesus baptism by John. 2023 BGEA Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. 0 :L 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 inductive method is an investigative way of studying Scripture that can be used by both new and seasoned students alike. -EO{0iB d("o? 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~ Reading the entire book in one or two sittings is part of the observation process. All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. Observation Tips What are some tips to help with observation? Leave not off reading the Bible till you find your hearts warmed. Goes the way, 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. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. Until all on the altar we lay; Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? 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. The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Matthew A Silly yet Serious Resource links How to Perform A Greek Word Study on the Web, Multiple resources on Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics). Nevertheless our duty is clear. R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP 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+). Where similar words are used, explore the context of each of those instances. Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. If our interpretation is accurate, we at least have the potential to apply the truth appropriately. J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". 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.



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