He would take notes and later study them with great care. 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! Isaiah As you carry out your inductive Bible study you will find that observation, interpretation, and application often occur simultaneously. 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. Never fear, only trust and obey. never loses his sense of direction. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. 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. If we study to know but never do, we like Chief Crowfoot will never fully tap into the blessing of, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. 1 Samuel 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. Nehemiah Woe! This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. Refrain, Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. 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. This guide provokes you to read the Bible honestlyto let it surprise, challenge, and correct you as you apply the many steps of interpretation. Eventually, if not immediately, these practices will reveal the meaning of the text (interpretation) and how to apply it (life application). When Gods Word points out something in us that needs correction, we need to respond. 0 :L Acts truly, such a, promise is as a cluster of Eshcol, but it is in Eshcols valley and I cannot reach it there; but the promise applied is the cluster brought to me just where I am, and I can receive it, and delight myself in its luscious sweetness. ), Christian author Jerry Bridges writes that "As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgment upon our character and conduct. God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. The butterfly was beautiful, and it would alight on a flower and then it would flutter to another flower and then to another, and only for a second or two it would sit and it would move on. The following steps follow the inductive method's process of observation, interpretation, and application. It is packed with revelation, lessons, instruction, and theology. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. 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. The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. 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! He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. This means youre going to start by reading the whole thing hopefully in one sitting before you begin to deal with smaller portions of it in greater depth. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. 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. Especially let this be so with the promises. The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. 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. The questions that might come out of your observations about Mark might include: Why does Mark not include the Christmas story in the beginning? 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. Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. Deuteronomy After studying the importance of salt to first-century Judean people, you would have a clear picture of its significance to Jesus original audience. What does the term Messiah mean? 63 12 And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? Colossians Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. 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. God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. 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. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. He knoweth what we have need of before we ask, but He expects us to ask all the same. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. 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. John Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. 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. 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. Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? His Word from day to day, Yogi Berra's advice is appropriate at this juncture -- When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it. For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. 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. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. HLTkXw: 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. 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. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. 2. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. (Persevere!). A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. 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. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. 2 Peter Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (NIV). Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." But we are never just the same. 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). About people or human nature? Another addition to a lot of Bibles is a subheading before many passages or chapters. Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. But the bee would light on a flower and it would sink down deep into the flower and it would extract all the nectar and pollen that it could carry. But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. Create an account or log in to get started. A lot of people have all sorts of news. Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. 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. 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. You should desire to know Gods Word better so it can change you. There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. We all have a story. The third rule for our guide should be Read And Apply. Joel As youre reading along, you can check the commentary to gain insight into cultural, linguistic and interpretive considerations. What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? Fourthly, we seek to stir up our soul to notes of praise and thanksgiving, delighting ourselves in God's Word, rejoicing in the prospect it presents, yielding ourselves in joyful submission to its precepts, and at the same time searching ourselves in the light of its cautions, humbling ourselves over our past coldness or doubtsfor most of our failures come from doubting God. (Ps 119:161). Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. 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. Thresh them by meditation. Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. We need to be specific here. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. They were the local authorities. 2023 BGEA (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! Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. Are we spiritual or are we natural? He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? A key discipline for good study is not to be too quick to fall back on what you think you know. We must get into the Word of God for ourselves. meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. Refrain. 0000008074 00000 n Scripture interprets Scripture. 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. (Read the entire sermon - How to Read the Bible), "Our Masters field is full and rich. Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. That's a frightening statement! 1:20-21). For instance, if you pick up the Book of Galatians at the beginning of chapter 4, youll find yourself in the middle of Pauls argument: What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. Pray God to help you to feel the solemnity even of the threatening, for if you feel deeply the threatening now, you may be delivered from the tragic fulfilment of it by-and-by. 8. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! tie. Some passages will not have a clear application. Used by cults. The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. (Basic Bible Interpretation). After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Solicitation Disclosure Statement O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. Resource links How to Perform A Greek Word Study on the Web, Multiple resources on Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics). Everyone has distractions and responsibilities vying for their attention, so it helps if you have a set time when you will read your Bible. Acronym to Aid Application. Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. 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. 2 Timothy Reading the entire book in one or two sittings is part of the observation process. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. S Is there Something to thank or praise God for? However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. 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. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. The Bible is divine in origin. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. Not to make us smarter sinners Youre attempting to get a sense of the whole before you begin to break down the parts. Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. Until all on the altar we lay; Learn more 2. Inductive study should cause us to be mentally excited by the truth, yet we may still fail to be morally changed by it and when that happens, you know there is something wrong with your study of the Bible. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) (1Ti 4:7, 8-notes), The dictionary defines application as the act of putting to use or putting into operation especially for some practical purpose. Observation answers the question: What do I see? The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. 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. Avoid basing important doctrines on obscure passages. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. and This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. Song of Solomon 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? Study the Bible to be wise 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. Ephesians In other words, am I applying this truth? It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, Inductive Bible Study Method: How to Guide Pretend youre an investigator and youre just gathering the facts. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Hosea two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- Luke Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?" ( Ps 24:1-3 ). 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? Memorizing God's Word - Why? Observation And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Believe it to be safe Goldsmiths keep bottles of acid by which they test everything that is offered them for sale, whether it is gold or merely tinsel, and the Christian should keep Gods word near at hand and treasured in the soul, to test thereby all that he hears. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? Use this guide to help you lead your small group to encounter Jesus through the three main parts of an inductive Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, Application. Apply yourself to the Scriptures What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. As you make it your practice to study God's Word, you will experience the joy of having Him directly unveil His truth and reveal His purpose in your life. Jonah Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. 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). Where similar words are used, explore the context of each of those instances. Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. This typically involves reading a shorter Bible passage and doing less in-depth investigation of the text. We must adjust ourselves to the Bible We must meditate upon it. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? Janet Chismar Their righteousness was external, based on facts and devoid of personal response. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. If you do not this, you are reading to your own condemnation. Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? 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, If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study By Anna Wishart 07/31/2017 Details Bring Meaning God's Word has a lot to communicate. 2 Chronicles If you want to discover what these authors have to tell you, youll have to do some work. 0 This is a dishonest way to interpret the text.
10 Essential Literacy Practices Christine Topfer,
Ataco El Salvador Real Estate,
Articles E
