Exodus These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what its trying to communicate and examine your life in light of Gods Word. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; Logos can be an incredible resource as you seek to make this a part of your daily routine. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. and then Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. Take the time to dive into the application step. 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. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. They do not seem very ancient. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. 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. Speak of bringing the Bible down into the vernacular! Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. 0000005006 00000 n This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? Different Approaches to Interpretation 1. 74 0 obj <>stream We must meditate upon it. 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. 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~ 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+!). Memorizing God's Word - Why? 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? Jude Ruth Accurate interpretation and correct application rest on the accuracy of your observations. 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? Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. 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. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. ", As William Temple said "Every revelation of God is a demand and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. 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. What are its elements ? %%EOF 2 Thessalonians 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. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. Nehemiah 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. To know and not to do is not to know at all. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. What was the result in his life and by way of application what will be the result in our life if we emulate his example? Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. HLTkXw: God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. Mark ( Ro 12:2 - note) Application answers the question, Connect each passage back to the gospel and the broader message of the Bible. Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. Showing God in action in and through His people. Greater knowledge should always bring about greater obedience, enabled by grace not law, empowered by the indwelling Spirit as we learn to discard self effort and depend on the Spirit. (1 Sa 15:22, 23) Related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience. Some sections make much more sense if you read them within the context of the surrounding chapters, like Matthew 23-25 or 1 Corinthians 12-14. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. A Silly yet Serious The inductive method is an investigative way of studying Scripture that can be used by both new and seasoned students alike. Observation If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. 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? If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? Believe it to be safe For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (NIV). It is more focused on the immediate application of the passage to your life. (Jas 4:17+, cp Lk 12:47, 48+, Jn 9:41). -- David Shepherd, Be alert for the following deceptive dangers regarding application. We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. Erroneous interpretation can lead to aberrant application. Are for them who will trust and obey. Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? 1 John Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. 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). There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. 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. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. Both of these; You too can try and prove God's wonder-working precious and magnificent promises that provide everything needed for life and godliness -- but only if you seek to apply them to your life. The older we are, the more experienced we become at rationalizing sin. We are either a little more sweetened or a little more hardened. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. Never fear, only trust and obey. When it comes to reading the Bible, these boundaries can hinder your ability to observe what biblical authors are saying. Solicitation Disclosure Statement There are three basic approaches to Bible interpretation: A. Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. 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+). 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. We need to be honest with ourselves at this point. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. 3 John 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. Here are 14 important reasons to read it. MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word, MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth by Spurgeon. So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. 1 Samuel 1:20-21). Below I have written a simplified step-by-step guide . Judges (Skip Heitzig How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It), Puritan Thomas Manton adds that "What we take in by the Word we digest by meditation and let out by prayer.". (Ps 119:161). 1 Peter Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? Each book is usually read 4 - 5 times, and with each step you are given a new tool for uncovering revelation within the pages. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? HWM5q0^5 !EJ8`vC ! Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Some passages will not have a clear application. And with all who will trust and obey. We need to be specific here. Or well walk by His side in the way. The young prophet Samuel's response to God is a good example. Look for the plainest interpretation first. The more time and intentionality you put into understanding Gods Word, the more treasures you discover. 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? 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. But as helpful as these tools are, theyre not always ideal for personal study. How? Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life. 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. Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. Shows the way. (Lk 11:28+, cp Jn 13:17), D. L. Moody quipped that "Our great problem is the problem of trafficking in unlived truth. Let me ask you a serious question -- How often do you study the Word with no intention whatsoever of obeying it? Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. 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. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Try challenging yourself to come up with 10 observations about a passage, and once youve hit that number, push yourself to come up with five more.
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