Believe that the text means what it says. Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. But our toil He doth richly repay; Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. The inductive study process involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. The student has sought God's blessing on the Word, and has endeavored to find out its meaning and teaching; and it remains for him to ask, How does this passage apply to me? See what precepts are binding upon thyself, and then, as a child of God, be thy feet swift to run in the way of his commandments. After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. Therefore, it is vital that you develop observation skills which might, at first, seem difficult, laborious, and time-consuming. 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. eg'1{(yzJ*| No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." 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. The Bible is divine in origin. Comment: Don't be like the butterfly flitting from one Bible study [preacher, devotional, commentary, etc] to another, but failing to personally apply what you learn. A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. (Read the entire sermon - How to Read the Bible), "Our Masters field is full and rich. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; This guide provokes you to read the Bible honestlyto let it surprise, challenge, and correct you as you apply the many steps of interpretation. The precious promises lie in front of you. The older we are, the more experienced we become at rationalizing sin. 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 may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? 0000008074 00000 n
Feed on them with joy" As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. An Example of Interpretation Revelation 13:1-10. 2 Kings The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. Start with the obvious. Your grandmother translated the Bible?" Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. Song of Solomon 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. What can He have to do with such as we are He is faithful, but will He be so to us? Erroneous interpretation can lead to aberrant application. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Rather, an inductive study . Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. Micah 0000001930 00000 n
Observation answers the question: What do I see? He never reads the book, but he reads the disciple of Christ, and he judges the Christian religion, by the lives of its professors. 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. 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 . 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. 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. 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. 2 Samuel After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. And with all who will trust and obey. We need to be specific here. Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. Proverbs Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. Haggai 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. When you become a Christian, you enter into an exciting, lifelong relationship with the Bible. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. 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. You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. -- David Shepherd, Be alert for the following deceptive dangers regarding application. Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. Titus For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. While there is only one valid interpretation of a passage, there can be many applications. : an American History (Eric Foner) Civilization and its Discontents (Sigmund Freud) The Methodology of the Social Sciences (Max Weber) Interpersonal Communication (Kory Floyd) Chemistry: The Central Science (Theodore E. Brown; H. Eugene H LeMay; Bruce E. Bursten; Catherine Murphy; Patrick Woodward) SMbN|U#t?%ux[w]z!\8U=Cdl1fNX`)5|@c!"&|q0|1"W Sfi%DaW1VC>Z(#qoR
L%#GS`Kj)|%2laZxe"$[1Gf9pnY$,sfP.( +EelPEC_JjN bbBwa7$}%I$UO8 % Learn about Cru's global leadership team. Can abide while we trust and obey. ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. Permissions Pastor Houghton assiduously applied what he preached. 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). It also becomes a source of support for you during difficult times. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Don't be like Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, who gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, and in exchange received a lifetime railroad pass. This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. One of the best things about studying Gods Word is that you can come back to a book youve already studied in the past and discover all-new insights. But His smile quickly drives it away; It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. After studying the importance of salt to first-century Judean people, you would have a clear picture of its significance to Jesus original audience. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 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. 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. If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). HLTkXw: Ask God that his threats may drive you out of your sins, and drive you to seek pardon in Christ. Where does your passage show how human beings or their world are broken? Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. Make them your own. If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." It is not enough just to study the Bible. This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. James emphasizes the importance of follow through in inductive study exhorting us to "prove (ourselves) doers of the word, and not merely hearers (the Greek word was used of one who audited a class rather than taking it for credit -- are you just auditing the Bible or are you fully enrolled?) As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. Sow a character, reap a destiny! This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. who delude themselves. Some passages will not have a clear application.