Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. Let me ask you a serious question -- How often do you study the Word with no intention whatsoever of obeying it? The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? (1Ti 4:7, 8-notes), The dictionary defines application as the act of putting to use or putting into operation especially for some practical purpose. 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. Somewhere ages and ages hence: I have known of some, too, who gloried in final perseverance, but who, if they had finally persevered would certainly have been in hell, for they were on the road there. Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. The gospel is a very solemn thing to every man, because if it be not a savour of life unto life, since it must always be a savour of some sort, it therefore becomes a savour of death unto death. But the bee would light on a flower and it would sink down deep into the flower and it would extract all the nectar and pollen that it could carry. This is not the fruit of slavish fear, but of holy love; it is not afraid of the Word, but delighting in it, as it discovers the mind of God to us; as in the next verse it is written, "I rejoice at Thy word." What a glory He sheds on our way! When Gods Word points out something in us that needs correction, we need to respond. This method makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. Is there any significance to the fact that Mark does not need to explain what that title means? Ezra It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. 2 Thessalonians 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 . But this is exactly what happens when we fail to apply what we have observed and interpreted. 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 (!). There is always something new to uncover in the Bible. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. But meditation is a matter of habit, and we can all be trained into it. Gather them. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. Song of Solomon 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. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? 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. Matthew But our toil He doth richly repay; All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. Observation answers the question: What do I see? A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! Both of these; 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. Click To Tweet Inductive Bible Study Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. 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). What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? 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. He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do! 2 Kings But for transformation. Who art thou that judgest another man? To his own master he stands or falls. What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Zechariah It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. 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. Its worth it. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. You should desire to know Gods Word better so it can change you. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. Goes the way, About Gods redemptive plan? What are its elements ? Acronym to Aid Application. 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. Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. Inductive Bible Study. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. Practice it to be holy. In His Words: What Billy Graham Once Said About Eternity. EP !HOz my heart stands in awe of Thy words. Take care, nonetheless, to seek for the application of precepts. Leave not off reading the Bible till you find your hearts warmed. We all have a story. Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. If you do not this, you are reading to your own condemnation. Inductive study should cause us to be mentally excited by the truth, yet we may still fail to be morally changed by it and when that happens, you know there is something wrong with your study of the Bible. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. August 5, 2009. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. (1Ti 4:8+, 1Ti 4:9, 10+). Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. The bottom-line question to ask is, How do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions? Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17, cp Jn 15:14, 14:15, Lk 11:28, Jas 1:22+, Jas 1:25+, Rev 1:3+) 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. Puritan Thomas Manton comments thatThere is an awe of the Word, not that makes us shy of it, but tender of violating it, or doing anything contrary to it. For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. ", Oswald Chambers in his typical "no nonsense" style reminds us that"One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it", We have to be careful not to deceive ourselves. hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h The Bible is Gods way of making Himself known to us. If you want to study Scripture, youll need to carve out intentional time for it. The mind delights in having the truth presented clearly; the imagination is gratified by its illustration; the feelings are stirred by its application. Galatians Now that youve come up with questions, its time to do research. Used by cults. In many ways, observation is the base of the Bible study pyramid. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. The growing numbers of sermon-sippers and seminar-sitters who flit from one doctrinal dessert to another like so many busy, buzzing hummingbirds are most assuredly deceiving themselves unless they are also choosing to assimilate (heed) the truth ("honey" Ps 119:103-note) which they have tasted (cp Jas 1:22, 23, 24+, Jas 1:25+). We try to communicate what weve never experienced in our own lives.". This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Sow a character, reap a destiny! If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. We need you. Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. Judges What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? It also becomes a source of support for you during difficult times. How does the truth of this passage apply to my life? 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.
Barbara Read Cause Of Death,
Illinois Central College Board Of Directors,
Articles E