example of bible study: observation, interpretation applicationexample of bible study: observation, interpretation application
What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? Why are we deluded in this way? Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. 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. 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. These might include Bible dictionaries, atlases, concordances and handbooks. The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. Inductive Bible study is one reliable way. -EO{0iB d("o? Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. 0 When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. In Observation and Interpretation we study God's Word, but in Application, God's Word "studies" us! You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. Our life ought to be and if Gods grace be much in it, it will be a new translation of the Bible. 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. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. 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. What a glory He sheds on our way! It isn't enough just to be a Christian, if you aren't an obedient one. He will be inquired of by us. Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. Your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, can give you insights at any point in your study, so that you need to be sensitive to His leading. Nahum Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is additionally useful. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. 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. Now that youve come up with questions, its time to do research. 0e]y]ZU~P/^a53if5}Jk9$9t]ccc}.kw9H6`T5jN`=94jk:U>}a:P5p/]luu D_Ek!*Vwii][S9}mB=J\ueJJkf3mm8]g#pbmw6[PP? If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? The bottom-line question to ask is, How do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions? Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17, cp Jn 15:14, 14:15, Lk 11:28, Jas 1:22+, Jas 1:25+, Rev 1:3+) Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves, What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it? We must take the knowledge we have gained from our reading and interpretation and draw out the practical principles that apply to our personal lives. What did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In the third chapter, Matthew tells us about Jesus baptism by John. They were the local authorities. Refrain. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. 2 Samuel You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. Especially let this be so with the promises. Too often we come to Gods Word to study it, to teach it, etcto do everything in the world with it except be changed by it! The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. 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. This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. Based on what youve learned, what does this passage mean for you? Study the Bible to be wise Never fear, only trust and obey. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. 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. You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. The third thing I noticed was a bee, just a little bee. EP !HOz The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. 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? Go back to your questions from the beginning and ask them again in light of what youve learned, and apply it to our context today. Honest application of the text requires these kinds of questions and the wrestling of ideas when truth causes conflict. Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. (Ps 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148 - see A Primer On Biblical Meditation). Shows the way. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. So you might write that observation down: Marks beginning of the gospel story does not start at the very beginning., Youll also notice that Mark desires to tell you some good news, and this news is about Jesus. 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). August 5, 2009. Give Me Liberty! 1. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. 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. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. 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. 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. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". 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). 1 Chronicles In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." If you do not this, you are reading to your own condemnation. 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. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. If our interpretation is accurate, we at least have the potential to apply the truth appropriately. In this spirit of readiness we seek to turn God's truth into action. The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. Are we truly born of God and spiritually alive or are we deceiving ourselves and spiritually dead, no matter how orthodox our profession of faith might appear? to which the context answers) for (every time you see a "for" at the beginning of a sentence pause and ponder why it's there and remember you can usually substitute the word "because" in place of "for" to help understand the meaning) Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Goes the way, 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 (!). Its worth it. As a result, that man became a Christian. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. 0000060059 00000 n As youre reading along, you can check the commentary to gain insight into cultural, linguistic and interpretive considerations. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. 0000000925 00000 n Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. trailer When Dr. Houghton became pastor of the Baptist Tabernacle in Atlanta, a man in that city hired a private detective to follow Dr. Houghton and report on his conduct. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). This awe is called by a proper name, reverence, or godly fear; when we consider Whose Word it is, namely, the Word of the Lord, Who is our God, and has a right to command what He pleases; to Whose will and word we have already yielded obedience, and devoted ourselves to walk worthy of Him in all well pleasing (Col 1:10-note, Ep 4:1-note, Php 3:17,18-note, 1Th 2:12-note); who can find us out in all our failings, as knowing our very thoughts afar of (Psalms 139:2), and having all our ways before Him, and being one of Whom we read, -- "He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins" (Joshua 24:19), that is to say, if we impenitently continue in them. Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. Even those who have invested a lifetime into studying it will tell you their commitment has continued to pay off with new insights, understanding and spiritual growth. This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) 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. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? Will Graham Devotion: Paralyzed by Uncertainty? Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. 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. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). For some of you there is very little in the Word of God except threatening. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. 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. How to Study the Bible (part 2): Interpretation and Application 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.". Create an account or log in to get started. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. 1 Timothy The following steps follow the inductive method's process of observation, interpretation, and application. Privacy Sow an action, reap a habit. Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. The Bible helps you understand God and His relationship with humanity. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. Leviticus 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. Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. Is Your Interpretation Supernaturalistic, Naturalistic, Existentialistic, Dogmatic? Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Strip the passage of all the jewels you can find on your own, and then come back through with a commentary. 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? They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics 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+!). For example, Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8: "Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion." Note expressions of time The relationship of events in time often sheds light on the true meaning of the text. See related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience, As Vance Havner wisely said "It is not the Word hidden in the head but in the heart that keeps us from sin. What does the term Messiah mean? Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application 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~ Joshua For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. 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? Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" 9. Inductive Bible Study. 2023 BGEA These subheadings can be useful for understanding the different parts of a biblical book, but they can also force you to read a passage in a particular light. Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. 2 Kings
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