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Jude Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. 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. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." It is not enough just to study the Bible. You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. Permissions Dont twist Scripturemeaning, dont manipulate the text to get it to say something youd like for it to say. Youre attempting to get a sense of the whole before you begin to break down the parts. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? Ezekiel Grasp these sweet promises. What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? 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. The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Is your heart conditioned to listen and obey? The following steps follow the inductive method's process of observation, interpretation, and application. 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? and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". They do not seem very ancient. Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. The Bible helps you understand God and His relationship with humanity. When Gods Word points out something in us that needs correction, we need to respond. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic Are we spiritual or are we natural? Why OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) is the Best Bible And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; 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. The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. Jonah About Gods redemptive plan? 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. 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. We all have a story. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. 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. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. This might make you wonder whether this is good news for Mark or if Mark thinks this good news applies to everyone. 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. 1 Samuel King Edward VI of England would stand while the Word of God was read in worship service. the good hand of his God was upon him (which should prompt a "Why?" Sow a character, reap a destiny! You might see the word Messiah and think, I know what that means. But that can undermine your ability to discover new things. Maybe youre reading Matthew 5:13: You are the salt of the earth. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. (Ro 10:17+). All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . 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. Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. First, I saw a butterfly. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS 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. Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. 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. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. You may start with reading a specific book of the Bible for five to 10 minutes every day and setting aside one day a week for a more intentional time of studying Scripture. In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. For example, Philippians 4:13, in context, isn't about being the greatest and most famous basketball player, but about being content and having joy in any and every circumstance ( Phil 4:10-13 ). Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. 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. By (Galatians 4:1, New International Version). 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. The Pharisees set the standard for this superficial, hypocritical, self deluding approach. 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)." Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. ), 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. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical Interpretation | Bible.org 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. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. 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. 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. But this is exactly what happens when we fail to apply what we have observed and interpreted. Which road will you travel? (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). Obadiah tie. It is packed with revelation, lessons, instruction, and theology. Its what everything else is built upon. + Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. The intercession of Abraham for Sodom, the prayer of Abraham's servant, the wrestling of Jacob, the pleadings of Moses, the strong crying of David, the spiritual conflicts of Elijah, Jonah and Jeremiah, the public and formal prayers of Solomon and Ezra, and the secret confessions of Danielall are the outpourings of hearts like our own. 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. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, Precept Ministries International was founded by internationally-known Bible teacher Kay Arthur, along with her husband, Jack, with the vision to establish people in Gods Word. hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h In short, as John MacArthur says "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. Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do! Showing God in action in and through His people. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. Be sure to visit the Precept Ministries International Web site to go deeper into inductive Bible study. ", As William Temple said "Every revelation of God is a demand and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience. Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. OIA Method of Bible Study - Iamnorthside 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. 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. HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. When it comes to reading the Bible, these boundaries can hinder your ability to observe what biblical authors are saying. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. Philippians It can provide you with answers you werent able to come up with on your own, and maybe give you some clues on interpretive techniques and tools in the future. 1. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application You want to be able to trace the authors argument all the way through. 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. 3:7f+, He 4:2+), (3) Response of obedience: Genuine faith will obey. Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? 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. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? 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. Imagine trying to find a specific place in Scripture during a sermon without them. He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. We must never forget that the ultimate goal of Bible study, whether inductive or otherwise, is to know God and His Son so that we might have life in Him. Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? Philemon Inductive Bible Study is an ideal textbook for courses in biblical interpretation, and for anyone who desires to better understand and teach Scripture. Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. Where does your passage show how human beings or their world are broken? Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you. 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." Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. 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! Sow a thought, reap an action. 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. (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.". (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. Jesus warned that Bible study as the end in itself, can be deceptively dangerous declaring to the Jewish leaders You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. H. P. Barker has a graphic illustration emphasizing the importance of both knowing and doing the Bibles truths As I looked out into the garden one day, I saw three things. What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? If a servant were to hear but not do, how quickly the judgment would be given. 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. But His smile quickly drives it away; This is where secondary resources become really helpful. Of course, there are a few steps involved during each of these components. ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Never fear, only trust and obey. endstream endobj 68 0 obj <> endobj 69 0 obj <> endobj 70 0 obj <>stream 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. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. In this spirit of readiness we seek to turn God's truth into action. Used by cults. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! Genesis The Word is both a glass to show us the spots of our soul and a laver to wash them away. 5 Basic Bible Study Techniques You Should Never Ignore, How to Study a Psalm: Essential Steps for Starting Right, How to Identify a Passages Repeated Words in Seconds, 10 Tips for Getting Started with Inductive Bible Study, Inductive Bible Study Is Not Just for Adults, The Laymans Bible Study Notebook: An Inductive Bible Study, Inductive Bible Study: A Comprehensive Guide to the Practices of Hermeneutics, Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology, The Definitive Guide to Bible Commentaries: Types, Perspectives, and Use. 0000008074 00000 n ), 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. The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. 2 Kings 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 . Observation answers the question: What do I see? never loses his sense of direction. This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. It is not enough just to study the Bible. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Its good to set aside time for both devotional reading and studying. James HLTkXw: J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. How to Study the Bible - 3 Simple Steps - Bible Study Tools Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? 63 0 obj <> endobj Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Inductive Bible Study: Application | Precept Austin Both reflect what is really there. (1 Sa 15:22, 23) Related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. It consists primarily in picturing up the actual state of things brought before us in our reading, whether it be an incident, a prayer, an exhortation, a proverb, a prophecy. Bible study - Assignment - Bible Study observation, interpretation PDF 10 BIBLE STUDY OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION - Home Baptist Church Its worth it. Home Also we become more responsible to God. The first verse of Mark youve been studying does not have immediate actionable teachings, but you still need to be open to the Holy Spirit moving as you study. Romans is the result of The world will learn better, and will more likely be brought to know Christ when the lives of Christians are better, and when the Bible of the Christian Life shall be more in, accordance with the Bible of Christian doctrine. ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) 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? So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. It is thework of applying something (I like that -- it make take a little "holy sweat" to apply what we have learned, but it is worth the effort exerted! In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses.