Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Habakkuk P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? 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. Lifting verses out of their immediate context is a sure way to find yourself in heresy land. 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. The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics The more time and intentionality you put into understanding Gods Word, the more treasures you discover. 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. Feed on them with joy" They were the local authorities. What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ Home Below I have written a simplified step-by-step guide . EP !HOz (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 will not fully comprehend the extent of the "return on our investment" until we enter Paradise and stand before our Lord at His bema (judgment) seat. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" which then results in being and doing. Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. Jude There are three basic approaches to Bible interpretation: A. Sow an action, reap a habit. If youve uncovered truth youve not known or understood before, what does it mean for your life, priorities, and decisions now that you do understand it? Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable (useful, advantageous, helpful,) for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (see notes 2 Timothy 3:16-17). 0000005006 00000 n Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Mark One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Observation Tips What are some tips to help with observation? Yogi Berra's advice is appropriate at this juncture -- When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it. Learn more 2. Everyone has distractions and responsibilities vying for their attention, so it helps if you have a set time when you will read your Bible. 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. 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. Therefore, it is vital that you develop observation skills which might, at first, seem difficult, laborious, and time-consuming. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. (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.". Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. 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. THE THREE COMPONENTS 7 Principles for Teaching Kids to Interpret the Bible Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? Absolutely. ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And As mentioned earlier, its easy to become dependent on them. Instead, we need to be Bible "bees", using inductive study to go deep into the Scriptures obtaining its divine nectar and then allowing God's "nectar" to change us. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? 1 Jn 1:7, 8, 9; Pr 28:13), (2) Response of faith: One of our reasons for meditating on the Word is to develop and build our faith. Joel And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! A Silly yet Serious Of course, there are a few steps involved during each of these components. 1 Thessalonians Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. For Inductive Bible study, we don't begin with a topic and then try to find specific verses that make a teaching point. 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? Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. Malachi And with all who will trust and obey. How do you do that? (Ps 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148 - see A Primer On Biblical Meditation). This is always a powerful application of Scripture. 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 . If a servant were to hear but not do, how quickly the judgment would be given. endstream endobj 68 0 obj <> endobj 69 0 obj <> endobj 70 0 obj <>stream The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. The writer of Psalm 119+ (virtually every verse of which deals with some aspect of God's holy Word) speaks to the importance of one's attitude that should undergird and stimulate right and ready application of truth gleaned Princes persecute me without cause, but (what's being contrasted?) 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 (!). Matthew Henry adds: Every gracious soul stands in awe of the word of God, of the authority of its precepts and the terror of its threatenings; and to those that do so nothing appears, in the power and wrath of man, at all formidable. 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. In other words, am I applying this truth? Not to make us smarter sinners 63 0 obj <> endobj Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. We don't really know the Bible unless we obey the Bible, God had a scathing rebuke for His people Israel through His prophet Ezekiel "They (the people of Israel) come to you (the prophet Ezekiel) as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth and their heart goes after their gain." Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. Sow a character, reap a destiny! 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. Jeremiah The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. 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. 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. ), 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. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. Then when you read descriptions of the human heart, and the fall, the corruption, and the depravity of our nature, look, and see yourselves as in a looking glass, and say of each man as you hear of his sin, I am such a man as this was, and if I do not fall into precisely the same sin, yet the possibility and peril of it is in my heart, and I should do so, but for Gods restraining grace. Take the very histories home to your heart, and find a point in them, either of encouragement or of warning for yourselves. Eventually, if not immediately, these practices will reveal the meaning of the text (interpretation) and how to apply it (life application). Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. 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." Yes, the Scripture (through your Teacher the Spirit) will bestow spiritual blessings, not by knowing but by doing! We must adjust ourselves to the Bible He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. 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.") Their righteousness was external, based on facts and devoid of personal response. Inductive Bible Study: Application | Precept Austin and the Scriptures to yourself. 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. The Bible is the best prayer-book in the world, as it has been called the best story-book in the world. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). Of the three steps of Bible studyobservation, interpretation, and applicationthe middle one is often the most daunting. Ask God that his threats may drive you out of your sins, and drive you to seek pardon in Christ. Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. The questions that might come out of your observations about Mark might include: Why does Mark not include the Christmas story in the beginning? 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. For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. And to do this, you need to look at the context (Logos Bible Software can be a great help with this). That seems important to delve into deeper. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. 119:160). Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. 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. In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. Until all on the altar we lay; Mark it down -- You can measure the eternal effectiveness of your inductive Bible study by the temporal effect it has on your behavior and attitudes. Why OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) is the Best Bible Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. Puritan Thomas Manton comments thatThere is an awe of the Word, not that makes us shy of it, but tender of violating it, or doing anything contrary to it. Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. This method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. 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- Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. The Word is both a glass to show us the spots of our soul and a laver to wash them away. Believe that the text means what it says. 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. Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. 2 Chronicles Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. The reader through OBSERVATION discovers what a passage says which enables the reader to make an accurate INTERPRETATION, the discovery of what a passage means. Some passages will not have a clear application. 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. Song of Solomon Ruth PDF 10 BIBLE STUDY OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION - Home Baptist Church You have remained in right site to start getting this info. 2. The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. Do not read the Bible as a book for other people. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. never the Bible to ourselves. It is still as true today as when Martin Luther first said it that The world does not need a definition of religion as much as it needs a demonstration.. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. If not why not? Men may have in their study of the Scriptures other ends also, as the profit and edification of others. Girdlestone in his 1887 classic "How to Study the English Bible" has a chapter on application that speaks to "THE PRACTICAL AND DEVOTIONAL USE OF THE BIBLE" - We have now come to the last and most important stage of our subject. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. You haven't completed your Bible study until you've allowed the Bible to "study' you and you respond accordingly to it's teaching (which tells us what is true and right and so structures our thinking), reproof ( tells us when we are out of bounds), correction (reveals sin and provides the dynamic whereby you can conform to Gods will) and training in righteous living (Gods means of showing you how to live), all in order that we as men and women of God might be complete or whole and what we were created to be so that we might be thoroughly equipped for good work (2Ti 3:16, 17-note). Take the time to dive into the application step. But our toil He doth richly repay; %PDF-1.4 % It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. Based on what youve learned, what does this passage mean for you? James This typically involves reading a shorter Bible passage and doing less in-depth investigation of the text. Owen wrote that To seek after mere notions of Truth, without an endeavor after an experience of its power in our hearts, is not the way to increase our understanding in spiritual things. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. 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. 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. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. 1. 0000000016 00000 n And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; If we fail to apply the Scriptures, we cut short the entire process and have not finished what God wants us to do. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. 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? How to Study the Bible | Cru - Cru.org 15.). Hosea 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). the good hand of his God was upon him (which should prompt a "Why?" Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. 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. 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). Solicitation Disclosure Statement One of the best ways to study the Bible is through "inductive" study. Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. )R z9=_)\_`w0s3^xT{bhi ?%\hMKINZ>0!L ik0%kjDb V >{f NGaE"VU{Z}M-9Eik$oflK pA!~~?\sDNSUke The heart that stands in awe of God's word is armed against the temptations that arise from persecution (A good application). 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.