Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. Don't be like the man who boasted "I go through the entire Bible once every year".Application instead confronts us face to face with the question "How many times has the Bible gone through you?" 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?) Heb. 1 Kings If we fail to apply the Scriptures, we cut short the entire process and have not finished what God wants us to do. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + 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. It is full of instances of prayer; it supplies us with those thoughts about God which stimulate our faith to approach Him expectantly, earnestly, confidently. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! But for your study time, its helpful to use them as secondary sources after youve done some preliminary work. What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? 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. Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand 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. )R z9=_)\_`w0s3^xT{bhi ?%\hMKINZ>0!L ik0%kjDb
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pA!~~?\sDNSUke Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. It isn't enough just to be a Christian, if you aren't an obedient one. Believe it to be safe Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Right here, we have countless book Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology and collections to . You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. (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.". Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. Genesis 0000004118 00000 n
Your grandmother translated the Bible?" Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. He pastored Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and later served as president of Chicagos Moody Bible Institute till his death in 1946. 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. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? So before we can apply the truth as God intended, we need to be certain that our interpretation is accurate, which in turn hinges on careful observation. 1 Peter yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R If you want to study Scripture, youll need to carve out intentional time for it. H\j0z acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . (1) Substituting interpretation for application as did the Pharisees; (2) substituting superficial obedience for substantial life-change and. You should desire to know Gods Word better so it can change you. Cults use the Bible to try to prove views they already have. 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. 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. Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. King Edward VI of England would stand while the Word of God was read in worship service. 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. Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? Mark Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you. Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>>
So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. The Bible is the best prayer-book in the world, as it has been called the best story-book in the world. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. Can abide while we trust and obey. Learn how you can know God personally. 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. Galatians A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. 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. The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. The botanist would lean over a certain flower and he would look for a long time and then he would write notes in his notebook. Its good to set aside time for both devotional reading and studying. Nahum While there is only one valid interpretation of a passage, there can be many applications. 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. What Is Application? In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. 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. This is a motivating truth that you can trust and which you should welcome and willingly acknowledge. and how much we really believe what we have observed. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details. 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. Contact Us. R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+
+N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. 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. Joel 74 0 obj
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hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h The purpose of exploring and connecting is to apply what the Bible teaches to your life. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. 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. Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. Bible study is intentionally digging into a passage of Scripture and using various interpretive techniques to understand what the author is saying. Observe whats there, and document it. Such a person is like the church who had a new pastor who preached the same sermon every Sunday. Create an account or log in to get started. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. 2 Thessalonians The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. These divisions are incredibly convenient. It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. Philippians Ask yourself all of the important questions above, and answer them as honestly as you are able. Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. 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. Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. One who uses the Bible as his guide The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. 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 (!). Once you do that, you can start shining a light on smaller sections of Scripture. The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; Both reflect what is really there. 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. We are either a little more sweetened or a little more hardened. Men may have in their study of the Scriptures other ends also, as the profit and edification of others. For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. 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. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Learn more 2. Avoid basing important doctrines on obscure passages. This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word growing? Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. This is always the most challengingportion of Bible study, which most people give only cursory attention to (unfortunately).The key to doing Bible study is . Righteousness in simple terms is whatever God says is right on any subject. and If we continually learn what we ought to do, but do not do it, we become frustrated and callous. In other words every divine revelation demands a determinative response. For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents. You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? 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. No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, 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. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. They do not seem very ancient. 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? Psalms As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). (Self deception is the worst form of deception and occurs when we come to believe there is virtue in hearing the truth of God but failing to apply 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.") How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? 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. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. Micah You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? Are the "thoughts and intentions of our heart" spiritual thoughts and intentions or only natural thoughts and intentions? is the result of The main tool for each step is the Bible itself, meaning that when there is a question in my mind as to a passage's meaning, I first look to other scripture to provide the answer. Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do! The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life. After studying the importance of salt to first-century Judean people, you would have a clear picture of its significance to Jesus original audience. Do not read the Bible as a book for other people. The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. The well known Puritan writer John Owen had some pithy comments on the need to study the Scriptures with the ultimate intent to apply them to one's life. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. ", As William Temple said "Every revelation of God is a demand and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience. 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. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked.