example of bible study: observation, interpretation application
Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. But His smile quickly drives it away; You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. There is always something new to uncover in the Bible. Practice it to be holy. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. How to Study the Bible (part 2): Interpretation and Application R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP Notice how Jesus observes the Old Testament text in verse 42, interprets it in verse 44, and applies it in verse 43 (implying that his listeners should believe the truth and make some changes in their lives). Details of the OIA Method - Knowable Word Saturate the study of Scripture with prayer. (Lk 11:28+, cp Jn 13:17), D. L. Moody quipped that "Our great problem is the problem of trafficking in unlived truth. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, Matthew Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. 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). Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. To profess great love for Gods word or even to pose as a Bible student is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. If youre new to studying, why not start with the Gospel of Mark? 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. PDF 10 BIBLE STUDY OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION - Home Baptist Church Search the Scriptures Chapter Analysis FormatBible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application.1.Observation is discovering what the author is saying looking specifically at Who, What, When, Where, Cause & Effect. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. Romans (Basic Bible Interpretation). He will be inquired of by us. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. 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. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? 0000060059 00000 n in my business life ? 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 % 3:7f+, He 4:2+), (3) Response of obedience: Genuine faith will obey. How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com Especially let this be so with the promises. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. About people or human nature? Gather them. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. Skip Heitzig writes that "The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a habit of carrying a notebook to record what he learned as he read the Bible or listened to a sermon. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. Accurate interpretation and correct application rest on the accuracy of your observations. Now that you have your list of observations, you can wrestle with the questions that arise from them and the things that youve seen. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. ", Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote that "It is a good thing to be a student of the Word, but only in order to be a practiser and experiencer of the Word.". The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. Inductive Bible Study: Observation | Precept Austin Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. 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. Sow a character, reap a destiny! It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? 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. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. 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). There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. 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. Never fear, only trust and obey. Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. 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). Refrain, Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, There are several reasons for this . We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Many times a Bible passage is read only with eyes but not with the mind engaged. The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. 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. Can abide while we trust and obey. Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. We must meditate upon it. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Youre attempting to get a sense of the whole before you begin to break down the parts. 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. This video series demonstrates how to perform inductive Bible study using the Logos Bible app thats free for web, mobile, or desktop. The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. 2 John The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. Used by cults. (1 Sa 15:22, 23) Related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience. Bible reading fits into the devotional category. ", The goal of Inductive Bible study is 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. John Will Graham Devotion: Paralyzed by Uncertainty? Acts (John Calvin), Gods Word can only produce growth in soil "fertilized" by obedience. This might make you wonder whether this is good news for Mark or if Mark thinks this good news applies to everyone. 1 Samuel (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The tireless runner is a picture of what Application should look like in each of our livessobrethren, beloved of God, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world for so great a salvation, filled with His Spirit and controlled by the love of Christ "let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith" (He 12:1-note, He 12:2-note) pressing "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Php 3:14-note) disciplining ourselves "for the purpose of godliness for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (Keying into the term good news early will help you understand Marks Gospel, as its a critical term that he uses repeatedly.). (Galatians 4:1, New International Version). If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. Like Ezra we should make every effort to handle it accurately and live it out assiduously (with perseverance and care)! Now that weve observed and interpreted what the passage has to say, its time to talk about what it means for us. As you carry out your inductive Bible study you will find that observation, interpretation, and application often occur simultaneously. Everyone has distractions and responsibilities vying for their attention, so it helps if you have a set time when you will read your Bible. Thresh them by meditation. m>YQ;^6dA`H^JETi.i I* >B 9KHc,:h0{c-I#d8#<9@F RJa2A*K-8PDSDdM@ $%Cc3s0L %!'VKKB$iUrmg:SP1~)7v`^P%V E406 H8 S4Ti0elV'jxu~ 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. Apply yourself to the Scriptures Give Me Liberty! It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. 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." 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. But you may know that Luke and Matthew begin with Jesus birth story. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. If you read, He that believeth on him is not condemned, if you believe not then you are condemned already, because you have not believed in the Son of God. Once we know what a passage means we are responsible to live it out. But is blessed if we trust and obey. John MacArthur argues thatStudying Scripture without allowing it to penetrate to the depths of your soul would be like preparing a banquet without eating it. When youre studying a book, youre going to end up reading it multiple times. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. But our toil He doth richly repay; Not just for information 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. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. The inductive study process involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. Permissions Not to make us smarter sinners When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. And with all who will trust and obey. 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. Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. 2 Kings 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. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) King Edward VI of England would stand while the Word of God was read in worship service. 1 Kings Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. 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. It isthe act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose. 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. 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. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application He knoweth what we have need of before we ask, but He expects us to ask all the same. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; And what did those things mean? 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. 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? No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. Ruth (John 7:17). The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. Colossians Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. Joshua ), 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.