You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. A lot of people have all sorts of news. Righteousness in simple terms is whatever God says is right on any subject. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? 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. Read the Bible as a man reads his relations will, to find what legacy there is in it for himself. Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! 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- When you become a Christian, you enter into an exciting, lifelong relationship with the Bible. Hosea and how much we really believe what we have observed. Avoid the temptation to try to make the text mean anything just yet. Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his lifebut he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" 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 what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). 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! 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. Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. Cults use the Bible to try to prove views they already have. 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. The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. (Josh 1:8-note). Logos can be an incredible resource as you seek to make this a part of your daily routine. Refrain Yogi Berra's advice is appropriate at this juncture -- When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it. No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. Could that be a clue about his intended audience? Scripture reading and Bible study always represents (so to speak) a "God sighting" ("God speaking") and as such always applies to us as His creatures. Showing God in action in and through His people. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! 1 Peter 0000000925 00000 n If a servant were to hear but not do, how quickly the judgment would be given. Turn Scripture into Prayer. When in a spirit of quiet thought we have thus resolved and revolved God's Word, we are prepared to pray over it. 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. These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what it's trying to communicate and examine your life in light of God's Word. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. One who uses the Bible as his guide 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. In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. Jude The worldlings Bible is the Christian. Inductive Bible Study is an ideal textbook for courses in biblical interpretation, and for anyone who desires to better understand and teach Scripture. There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. Micah You too can try and prove God's wonder-working precious and magnificent promises that provide everything needed for life and godliness -- but only if you seek to apply them to your life. R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP Many of us struggle to wade through the dense lists of commands, genealogies and prophecies in the Old Testament. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. The ideal combination is to read the word and then heed it expeditiously and implicitly. Amos Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. 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.. The person who knows the truth but doesn't act on it is not simply making a mistake or showing poor judgment but he is in sin. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. And if at any time, when we study the Word, we have not this design expressly in our minds, yet if upon the discovery of any truth we endeavor not to have the likeness of it in our own hearts, we lose our principal advantage by it (John Owen). Create an account or log in to get started. A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. Not just for information So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. The Bible is Gods way of making Himself known to us. 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. Its an exciting, action-packed book, but its short enough to read front to back in about an hour. Luke ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? 2. Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation 1 Chronicles But as helpful as these tools are, theyre not always ideal for personal study. Or well walk by His side in the way. 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. The first step in studying a passage is to observe what it actually says. We must meditate upon it. It isn't enough just to be a Christian, if you aren't an obedient one. We must meditate upon it. By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. 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 ). 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. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. Jeremiah Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. And so we should react with overwhelming wonder, admiration, respect, or dread, this latter emotion relevant especially to those who read but fail to heed God's Word (application). (Read the entire sermon - How to Read the Bible), "Our Masters field is full and rich. 0 :L Take care, nonetheless, to seek for the application of precepts. 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. Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. who delude themselves. 63 12 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. Comment: Sins of omission (failing to do what God wants us to do) are sins just as surely as sins of commission (doing what God has told us not to do). What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? It will make "all the difference" in this life and the next for as Paul wrote godliness (eusebeia) (produced by discipline and diligent application of God's Word) is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Never fear, only trust and obey. 1 Timothy James Are for them who will trust and obey. 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.". You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. The inductive study process involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. What does the term Messiah mean? Pretend youre an investigator and youre just gathering the facts. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. When words or passages make an impression on you, stop and meditate on what God has shown you or as the great preacher C H Spurgeon advised Read the Bible carefully, Trust and obey, for theres no other way in my business life ? Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. 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). (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? Ezra Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? Deuteronomy <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17, Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle", A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation. When it comes to reading the Bible, these boundaries can hinder your ability to observe what biblical authors are saying. Yes, the Scripture (through your Teacher the Spirit) will bestow spiritual blessings, not by knowing but by doing! And that has made all the difference. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study Sow an action, reap a habit. We need to be specific here. Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. 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. What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). In fact, Logos even has an Inductive Bible Study Workflow built right in to guide you through these steps. 1 Samuel If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. 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? The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. If youre new to studying, why not start with the Gospel of Mark? 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+!). Learning to read andstudy Scriptureis an important part of the Christian life. Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. 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. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. Solicitation Disclosure Statement 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. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. But this is exactly what happens when we fail to apply what we have observed and interpreted. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. Ecclesiastes Both reflect what is really there. They do not seem very ancient. Samuel addressing King Saul after his serious "miscalculation" (sin) said "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? The following steps follow the inductive method's process of observation, interpretation, and application.