example of bible study: observation, interpretation application

What did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? 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, And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. Cults use the Bible to try to prove views they already have. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. 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. Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. Never fear, only trust and obey. 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. Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. 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. Isaiah For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. When applied properly, the inductive method will provide a better overall understanding of a passagewhat it says, what it meant to its original audience, and what it means today. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. Writing it down helps to remind you of God's consistent revelation and reinforces the truth He conveys to your heart. How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). The first verse of Mark youve been studying does not have immediate actionable teachings, but you still need to be open to the Holy Spirit moving as you study. -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. Numbers 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?) Job However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. Be sure to visit the Precept Ministries International Web site to go deeper into inductive Bible study. He would take notes and later study them with great care. 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. But then we must allow that Word to get into us, to make a permanent difference in our character and conduct. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. 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+!). To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. J@GD0Q0rqD@!QTTXF1ID>IgIyy;GABp_8;.7_0?\h*4z/Bzc`S!zJP2[VgVM52,6.*0.199QP1T`}G/I(tSE)BQF*jE()*RMq>&}P* When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. But is blessed if we trust and obey. Jesus warned that Bible study as the end in itself, can be deceptively dangerous declaring to the Jewish leaders You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. Its worth it. (Lk 11:28+, cp Jn 13:17), D. L. Moody quipped that "Our great problem is the problem of trafficking in unlived truth. Lesson 12: Observation | Bible.org 7 Principles for Teaching Kids to Interpret the Bible Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 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. Joel You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. You want to focus on things like: Practice observation on the first verse of the Gospel of Mark. How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + When you break the discipline of Bible study down to its simplest forms, its just a few steps: Explore: What did God say (to the original readers)? And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. It is packed with revelation, lessons, instruction, and theology. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. the good hand of his God was upon him (which should prompt a "Why?" Bible Study: Traditional Method (Observation, Interpretation As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. (Ps 119:161). Observe whats there, and document it. (Persevere!). How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word growing? 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. 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. Inductive Bible Study: A Step-by-Step Guide - Bible Study Tips I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! Well, it is a very fine promise, but if it is read to me thus: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, what a transformed and glorified promise it then becomes! ", 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.". In the third chapter, Matthew tells us about Jesus baptism by John. Ezra Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, 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. They were the local authorities. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Therefore, it is vital that you develop observation skills which might, at first, seem difficult, laborious, and time-consuming. Sow a thought, reap an action. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Ephesians and the Scriptures to yourself. What does this passage teach that is still as true today as it was when it was written? Refrain, But we never can prove the delights of His love May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. We build up a reservoir of responses so that whenever the truth gets too convicting, weve got a multiplicity of reasons why it applies to everyone else but us! 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- Step 3: ApplicationWhat will I do about what the passage says and means? Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. Used by cults. Each book is usually read 4 - 5 times, and with each step you are given a new tool for uncovering revelation within the pages. The following books are a great place to learn more about this simple methodology: Kay Arthurs inductive method has helped millions of people learn how to study the Bible for themselves. Start with the obvious. Bible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application. 1 Are the "thoughts and intentions of our heart" spiritual thoughts and intentions or only natural thoughts and intentions? Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Heb. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. The goal of Bible study is not simply to determine what it says and what it means, but in the final analysis to apply it to one's life. Luke The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. Colossians Why are we deluded in this way? (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. And yet, so complete is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good Christian lives. Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like eating without chewing. Its good to set aside time for both devotional reading and studying. 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. 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). When you take a book like Romans one piece at a time, you can miss the forest for the trees. To be sure our first goal should be to get into the Bible and then to allow the Bible to get into us. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. To not respond to supernatural illumination would be like saying the Biblical teaching on idolatry is great but it doesn't apply to me and then going off to spend the rest of the day seeking anxiously to accumulate wealth in this present but passing (away) world (cp the words of Jesus Mt 6:24+and Paul Col 3:5+). We all need to ask ourselves are we studying the Word that we might be more like Jesus or more like the Pharisees? Hosea HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) 74 0 obj <>stream The more honest question is"Am I ready and willing believe this truth and to apply it in my life? What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? Use this guide to help you lead your small group to encounter Jesus through the three main parts of an inductive Bible study: Observation, Interpretation, Application. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. 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. Exodus Our Goal in Interpreting . Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! startxref Solicitation Disclosure Statement It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. What Is Application? Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. 2023 BGEA Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R 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? 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. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? Commentaries can be incredibly useful and powerful tools, but be wise about how you incorporate them into your study. Inductive Bible Study: Observation | Precept Austin xref This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. (Keying into the term good news early will help you understand Marks Gospel, as its a critical term that he uses repeatedly.). It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. 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. (Mt 7:13, 14+). 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.") 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? Yes, the Scripture (through your Teacher the Spirit) will bestow spiritual blessings, not by knowing but by doing! 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. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? What is the clearest meaning of this text? eg'1{(yzJ*| If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. Speak of bringing the Bible down into the vernacular! 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?" Dont twist Scripturemeaning, dont manipulate the text to get it to say something youd like for it to say. Everyone has distractions and responsibilities vying for their attention, so it helps if you have a set time when you will read your Bible. 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. This is where secondary resources become really helpful. 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). Where does your passage show how human beings or their world are broken? Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. 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. (The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Jesus explains that relationship (and importance) between knowing God's Word and doing God's Word, declaringIf (If = 3rd class condition = possibility / probability but not a certainty! ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. Micah But we are never just the same. Are for them who will trust and obey. These divisions are incredibly convenient. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. Can abide while we trust and obey. The proper spirit for profitable Bible study is a tender, teachable heart willing to obey the truth and the fruit of this humble approach is an eternally changed life lived to glory of God. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Application brings us into this sphere of abundant life in the Spirit. Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?" ( Ps 24:1-3 ). 119:160). Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? I took the one less traveled by, Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. Thus, we are called and encouraged to new labour in prayer, whilst we have a new example in Him Who prayed, and wept, and bled. It is more focused on the immediate application of the passage to your life. If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. 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 . God make us holy; sanctify us, spirit, soul, and body, and then we shall be made finely serviceable both to the Church and to the world. 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. Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. How to Study the Bible (part 2): Interpretation and Application Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? These are the ideas that were true for the original audience and are equally true for you. Make them your own. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. The Bible is a unique collection of sixty-six books written by men under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1 Timothy tie. Where similar words are used, explore the context of each of those instances. Daniel As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". Once we know what a passage means we are responsible to live it out. Romans Learn the basics of what Christians believe. acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . This guide provokes you to read the Bible honestlyto let it surprise, challenge, and correct you as you apply the many steps of interpretation. He alone is in a posture to learn from God, who sincerely gives up (surrenders, yields) his mind, conscience, and affections to the power and rule of what is revealed unto him. 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. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study 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.

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