example of bible study: observation, interpretation application

Numbers And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Speak of bringing the Bible down into the vernacular! Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. 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. It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. Or well walk by His side in the way. Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? Sometimes there will be figurative language and confusing imagery, but dont start by looking for hidden meaning. So before moving on to the crucial step of application, pause for a time of reflection. We must adjust ourselves to the Bible He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? Now, think about what the passage tells us that is always true not just in its original setting, but in any time and place. 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. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. 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. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, Armed with that knowledge, youre ready to start thinking about how to apply what youve read. Yes, the Scripture (through your Teacher the Spirit) will bestow spiritual blessings, not by knowing but by doing! These divisions are tools that help us read Scripture; theyre not an actual part of it. 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? (1 Sa 15:22) (cf Ps 51:16,17, Spurgeon note v16, note v 17), We learn Gods Word not to know but to grow by doing for "Obedience is the mother of true knowledge of God." Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. startxref Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (NIV). in my teaching, visiting or mission work? The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. Practice it to be holy. We all have a story. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. As you work through these steps regularly, you will get better at them and you will be transformed. Step 3: ApplicationWhat will I do about what the passage says and means? Daniel Are the "thoughts and intentions of our heart" spiritual thoughts and intentions or only natural thoughts and intentions? Howard Hendricks' 4 Bible Study Steps - Bible Study - Crosswalk.com Observation answers the question: What do I see? 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). Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. In fact, it has become the benchmark of Bible study for many people. Some passages will not have a clear application. These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. Habakkuk What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. Believe it to be safe 3:7f+, He 4:2+), (3) Response of obedience: Genuine faith will obey. The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. 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." Study the Bible to be wise. Because ethnicity is part of the good of creation, we seek to honor and celebrate the ethnic identity of those with whom we serve as well as those we seek to reach. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. 1 Peter We all need to ask ourselves are we studying the Word that we might be more like Jesus or more like the Pharisees? However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. 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 ). Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Resources Bible Study Inductive Bible Study. When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . In Gods mind, knowledge without obedience is sin. Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. To know and not to do is not to know at all. 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. which then results in being and doing. Zephaniah A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. We may hear words like "hermeneutics" (the science of interpretation) or "exegesis" (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) and think interpretation is something best left to experts. 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 . Look for the plainest interpretation first. The Pharisees set the standard for this superficial, hypocritical, self deluding approach. You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. If you feel the wrath to come now, you may never have to feel it in the next world. 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. Jeremiah The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. endstream endobj 64 0 obj <>>> endobj 65 0 obj >/PageWidthList<0 612.0>>>>>>/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Properties<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 66 0 obj <> endobj 67 0 obj <>stream Job John Calvin commenting on proper application wrote thatWe must observe that the knowledge of God which we are invited to cultivate is not that which, resting satisfied with empty speculation, only flutters in the brain; but a knowledge which will prove substantial and fruitful whenever it is duly perceived and rooted in the heart.. We dont study the Bible just to gain knowledge. Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. Observe whats there, and document it. Inductive Bible Study: Observation | Precept Austin Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. 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?" Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD It isthe act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose. 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 (!). If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. Not to make us smarter sinners The worldlings Bible is the Christian. Inductive Bible Study. By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. HLTkXw: Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you. These divisions are incredibly convenient. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. This might make you wonder whether this is good news for Mark or if Mark thinks this good news applies to everyone. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of Gods Word (cp Ep 5:26-note). The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study Mark 8. Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. 2 John Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. Matthew 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. Take care, nonetheless, to seek for the application of precepts. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. Grasp these sweet promises. In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." And while pastors and teachers are wonderful, individual Christians should also be able to pick up any passage and read it with basic understanding and application. 2 Samuel Saturate the study of Scripture with prayer. How? While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. In Observation and Interpretation we study God's Word, but in Application, God's Word "studies" us! A Silly yet Serious If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. Isaiah Once you decide how much time you want to commit to studying, put it on your calendar. So even though you might be familiar with the word Messiah, you might want to focus on Mark and his original audience. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. (1) Substituting interpretation for application as did the Pharisees; (2) substituting superficial obedience for substantial life-change and. The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) 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. What is the clearest meaning of this text? 0000004118 00000 n He pastored Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and later served as president of Chicagos Moody Bible Institute till his death in 1946. Ezra How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). 0000008074 00000 n Lamentations this Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology can be taken as competently as picked to act. 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? Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger tie. 7 Principles for Teaching Kids to Interpret the Bible --C H Spurgeon, Choose Book of Bible to Study We need you. 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. It is a trustworthy (pistos = faithful; cp Paul's 4 "faithful sayings" - 1Ti 1:15, 4:9, 2Ti 2:11+, Titus 3:8+) statement deserving full acceptanceit is for this (godliness) we labor (kopiao = to the point of exhaustion; present tense = continually) and strive (agonizomai = as when striving in an athletic contest emphasizing concentration, discipline, conviction, effort; present tense = continually)." 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+). Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. This is a motivating truth that you can trust and which you should welcome and willingly acknowledge. Ezekiel Sow a thought, reap an action. eg'1{(yzJ*| Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. Write it all down (you can take notes directly in Logos), and once you feel like you have a good idea of whats happening in the text, its time to move on to the next step: interpretation. For some of you there is very little in the Word of God except threatening. P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. Don't deceive yourself! We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?" ( Ps 24:1-3 ). r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ The mind delights in having the truth presented clearly; the imagination is gratified by its illustration; the feelings are stirred by its application. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. PDF Simple Biblical Interpretation - Westminster Theological Seminary For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. 0000000536 00000 n For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. Acronym to Aid Application. Erroneous interpretation can lead to aberrant application. Judges Learn how you can know God personally. In truth thou canst not read the Scriptures too much; This method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity And with all who will trust and obey. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). If our interpretation is accurate, we at least have the potential to apply the truth appropriately. Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. When God got his attention, Samuel responded appropriately: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Sa 3:10). Through the inductive method you follow a process of studying the Bible one book at a time. In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . Used by cults. 1 Timothy But for transformation. Ecclesiastes The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study By Anna Wishart 07/31/2017 Details Bring Meaning God's Word has a lot to communicate. 74 0 obj <>stream Pastor Houghton assiduously applied what he preached. The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! 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. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. 2. If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. These are the ideas that were true for the original audience and are equally true for you. Some sections make much more sense if you read them within the context of the surrounding chapters, like Matthew 23-25 or 1 Corinthians 12-14. Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. It is not enough just to study the Bible. Are you ready and willing for Gods Word to cut deeply into your own life (reproof), to lay bare the hidden places of your heart, and to do its work of convicting, convincing, and converting your mind in any and every area? We must meditate upon it. When Dr. Houghton became pastor of the Baptist Tabernacle in Atlanta, a man in that city hired a private detective to follow Dr. Houghton and report on his conduct. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? What is awe? Inductive Bible study is Below I have written a simplified step-by-step guide . In Bible study, application is putting truth you've discovered (through observation and interpretation) to use in your life with the ultimate goal of transformation or life change. By We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. Sow a character, reap a destiny! 0000004523 00000 n B. Inductive Bible Study: A Step-by-Step Guide - Bible Study Tips Not just for knowledge, but much more-- When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. Start with the obvious. 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. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. 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. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God. 2 Thessalonians Sow a habit, reap a character. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. (1 Sa 15:22, 23) Related resource: Relationship of faith and obedience. Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. Your goal in observing is to identify what the author was trying to communicate to his readers. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. Absolutely. and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us.". The world desperately needs to see the Word's miracle-working power at work in our own lives as living proof! Philemon If there is a warning to be followed, we heed 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. 0000000925 00000 n Create an account or log in to get started. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. Luke But our toil He doth richly repay; This is always a powerful application of Scripture. Like Ezra we should make every effort to handle it accurately and live it out assiduously (with perseverance and care)! (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. Observation Tips What are some tips to help with observation? 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. For instance, the New International Version a popular modern translation of the Bible breaks sections in Philippians 1 down like this: Pauls Chains Advance the Gospel (vv. ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. We are either a little more sweetened or a little more hardened. 9. 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. 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). This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. Permissions Imagine trying to find a specific place in Scripture during a sermon without them. About Gods redemptive plan? 1:20-21). 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. Once we know what a passage means we are responsible to live it out. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? (Persevere!). If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". 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. Are for them who will trust and obey. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? 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. EP !HOz King Edward VI of England would stand while the Word of God was read in worship service. Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. H\j0z 1 Corinthians You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. His Word from day to day, Hebrews This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong place: It begins with interpretation, and it also ends thereObservation plus interpretation without application equals abortion. Haggai 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. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson). 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. 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. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. As a result, that man became a Christian. For example, Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8: "Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion." Note expressions of time The relationship of events in time often sheds light on the true meaning of the text. We don't really know the Bible unless we obey the Bible, God had a scathing rebuke for His people Israel through His prophet Ezekiel "They (the people of Israel) come to you (the prophet Ezekiel) as people come and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth and their heart goes after their gain."