Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. 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? 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. 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. 2 Peter Learning to read andstudy Scriptureis an important part of the Christian life. 2 John This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. 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)." 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. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- Sow an action, reap a habit. I took the one less traveled by, If you want to discover what these authors have to tell you, youll have to do some work. Numbers God make us holy; sanctify us, spirit, soul, and body, and then we shall be made finely serviceable both to the Church and to the world. Sow a character, reap a destiny! 1:20-21). Luke 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. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. When it comes to reading the Bible, these boundaries can hinder your ability to observe what biblical authors are saying. Observation But we are never just the same. 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. (Ep 1:3-note). Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. 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. Thresh them by meditation. These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. Because ethnicity is part of the good of creation, we seek to honor and celebrate the ethnic identity of those with whom we serve as well as those we seek to reach. 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 . The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. 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 . and What I mean is just this. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? (John Calvin), Gods Word can only produce growth in soil "fertilized" by obedience. William MacDonald explains meditation as follows Christians should meditate on the Word of God (chew the cud) and have a separated walk (the cloven hoof). He would take notes and later study them with great care. So before moving on to the crucial step of application, pause for a time of reflection. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. Jonah In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . Believe it to be safe Observation answers the question: What do I see? This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night (this is the parallel of observation and interpretation), so that you may be careful to do (the application) according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success (the blessing of proper application). 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 J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` Bible Study Principles Again, our METHOD of reading, searching, and study must involve very precise OBSERVATION, which is absolutely necessary to accurate INTERPRETATION! Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? Janet Chismar 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. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. Let's face it, most of us have a built-in "early-warning system" against spiritual change and the moment truth gets too close and too convicting, an alarm goes off and we begin to defend ourselves. trailer Where similar words are used, explore the context of each of those instances. 9. %%EOF Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + Pretend youre an investigator and youre just gathering the facts. And with all who will trust and obey. Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like eating without chewing. August 5, 2009. 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. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (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.) 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. Our first duty is to meditate. Somewhere ages and ages hence: In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) 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.") Mark says hes starting at the beginning. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? 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. Application is where the proverbial "rubber meets the road", where our walk either does or does not back up our talk and where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. The mind delights in having the truth presented clearly; the imagination is gratified by its illustration; the feelings are stirred by its application. How does he save or provide a way when people are unable? As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. Romans Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. 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. Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. Skip Heitzig writes that "The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a habit of carrying a notebook to record what he learned as he read the Bible or listened to a sermon. Isaiah THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD When God got his attention, Samuel responded appropriately: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Sa 3:10). 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. Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? Never fear, only trust and obey. HWM5q0^5 !EJ8`vC ! This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. 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- 0000000016 00000 n Ask yourself all of the important questions above, and answer them as honestly as you are able. If we fail to apply the Scriptures, we cut short the entire process and have not finished what God wants us to do. Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. Sow a thought, reap an action. endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. (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! As the devotional writer Matthew Henry prayerfully put it"O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! Daniel 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." Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. 2 Samuel For instance, the New International Version a popular modern translation of the Bible breaks sections in Philippians 1 down like this: Pauls Chains Advance the Gospel (vv. When words or passages make an impression on you, stop and meditate on what God has shown you or as the great preacher C H Spurgeon advised Read the Bible carefully, When people started complaining, he told the congregation, "I'll preach a new sermon when you act on this one. Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). Feed on them with joy" Like Ezra we should make every effort to handle it accurately and live it out assiduously (with perseverance and care)! This typically involves reading a shorter Bible passage and doing less in-depth investigation of the text. Psalms P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? 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. Honest application of the text requires these kinds of questions and the wrestling of ideas when truth causes conflict. Nevertheless our duty is clear. However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. Here are a few questions you can ask: There are a few essential rules to remember when attempting to interpret a passage: Make sure you spend a good chunk of time with this phase. The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. Youll also notice right out of the gate that Mark has introduced Jesus with two titles: Messiah and Son of God. Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. Mark Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. 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? Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). We all have a story. 0000060059 00000 n Here are a few questions to facilitate application of the truth you have observed How does this truth apply to my life in four spheres in my(a) personal life (b) my family (c) work (d) church (e) neighborhood? It also becomes a source of support for you during difficult times. --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. (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." We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. 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. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. 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. We must adjust ourselves to the Bible Observe whats there, and document it. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. Contact Us. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. Titus 0 Zephaniah Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. Don't be like the man who boasted "I go through the entire Bible once every year".Application instead confronts us face to face with the question "How many times has the Bible gone through you?" 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. 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)? 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? In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. Joshua All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. 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. 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. Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. Search the Scriptures Chapter Analysis FormatBible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application.1.Observation is discovering what the author is saying looking specifically at Who, What, When, Where, Cause & Effect. Commentaries can be incredibly useful and powerful tools, but be wise about how you incorporate them into your study. In other words every divine revelation demands a determinative response. (Ps 119:161). Start with the obvious. Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . 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, 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. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. Are we spiritual or are we natural? Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! We may hear words like "hermeneutics" (the science of interpretation) or "exegesis" (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) and think interpretation is something best left to experts. 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.". And yet, so complete is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good Christian lives. 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+!). May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". 0000001930 00000 n Your grandmother translated the Bible?" Until all on the altar we lay; 2 Timothy This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? 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+). Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. 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). 6. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Gather them. These divisions are incredibly convenient. Once you decide how much time you want to commit to studying, put it on your calendar. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. Make them your own. (Persevere!). Accurate interpretation and correct application rest on the accuracy of your observations. Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. Look for the plainest interpretation first. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Apply yourself to the Scriptures We try to communicate what weve never experienced in our own lives.". 0000000925 00000 n Inductive Bible Study. Dont twist Scripturemeaning, dont manipulate the text to get it to say something youd like for it to say. A Silly yet Serious God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! Part of this work is supernatural: As you study the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals truth from the text that applies to your life. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." 0000002043 00000 n Now, think about what the passage tells us that is always true not just in its original setting, but in any time and place. Acronym to Aid Application. That seems important to delve into deeper. We must align ourselves with the Bible, never the Bible with ourselves. 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. The godly preacher F. B. Meyer wrote that Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. The heart that stands in awe of God's word is armed against the temptations that arise from persecution (A good application). Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. I shall be telling this with a sigh 8. Not to make us smarter sinners Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. As a result, that man became a Christian. Local: 704-401-2432 Could that be a clue about his intended audience? Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. Ezekiel 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 goal of Inductive Bible study is Nahum Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. So even though you might be familiar with the word Messiah, you might want to focus on Mark and his original audience. and the Scriptures to yourself. In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. 2. 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. ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. ", 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.". Observation involves reading the text to make simple statements that are true . ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". The adventure of following God's will takes on a whole new complexion when we stop to listen and then act upon what we hear. 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. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.".