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. A lot of people have all sorts of news. Judges This guide is written for people of all levels who are looking for a deeper and richer study of Scripture. If not why not? 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. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. 1 Peter 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)." Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. To be sure our first goal should be to get into the Bible and then to allow the Bible to get into us. 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. 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. Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? Scripture interprets Scripture. -- F. B. Meyer, Read it to get the facts, study it to get the meaning, meditate on it to get the benefit. All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. 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. ", The goal of Inductive Bible study is When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. It is impossible to study the Scriptures diligently without running head-on into the need for application, "for the word of God is living and active (energetic, effective) and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge (sifting and analyzing) the thoughts and intentions of the heart and there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open (the bending back of the neck thoroughly exposing it to the eye of the skillful surgeon or the criminal on trial with a sharp dagger bound to his neck with the point just below the chin, so that he could not bow his head but had to face the court) and laid bare to the eyes of Him with Whom we must give account." And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?" ( Ps 24:1-3 ). 0000008074 00000 n Neither are you to be "Bible botanists" (even good inductive students), who laboriously observe the Biblical text and derive accurate interpretation but fail to apply these truths. 0000002043 00000 n Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. He would take notes and later study them with great care. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ Believe it to be safe If you are made to tremble under Gods Word, you may never be made to tremble under Gods hand. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. Luke What a terrible delusion to be content with, to delight in hearing the word, and yet not do it. 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. As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. Absolutely. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Thresh them by meditation. HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) And how does it show God redeeming that brokenness? A person may study some branch of sciencesay electricityfor the enjoyment the knowledge gives him, without the least intention of applying it practically. (Josh 1:8-note). One who uses the Bible as his guide 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. Feed on them with joy" We need you. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. What kind of flavor and preserving qualities do I bring to my circle of influence? Maybe this question will lead you to pray for God to show you ways to help others and make some resolutions about things that youd like to change. Based on what youve learned, what does this passage mean for you? Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. 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 best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. Somewhere ages and ages hence: I took the one less traveled by, Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, 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. Sometimes there will be figurative language and confusing imagery, but dont start by looking for hidden meaning. 9. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. Malachi Sow an action, reap a habit. 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. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Not just for information What Do We Lose When We Forget the Importance of Prayer? Keeping some form of journal will allow you to go back and review what God has been teaching you. Every precept in Scripture may be turned into prayer, and every promise into praise. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger 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 can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. In other words, we must act by faith in what God has shown us from His Word or our hearts can become hardened (cf. 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). Daniel Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? 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. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. If you are a leader (and most of us are leaders in some sphere of influence) remember that a good leader is one who Knows the way, Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. 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. Hebrews What is the key to applying the Bible to my life? Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. If you want to discover what these authors have to tell you, youll have to do some work. But meditation is a matter of habit, and we can all be trained into it. What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. 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. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. Look at Matthew 21:42-44 as an example. Of the three steps of Bible studyobservation, interpretation, and applicationthe middle one is often the most daunting. 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). You might see the word Messiah and think, I know what that means. But that can undermine your ability to discover new things. One of the best ways to study the Bible is through "inductive" study. 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. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. Bible Study Principles Again, our METHOD of reading, searching, and study must involve very precise OBSERVATION, which is absolutely necessary to accurate INTERPRETATION! For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. Practice it to be holy, Or as Skip Heitzig advises "A good perspective to adopt when reading the Bible is that of an obedient servant waiting for instruction from the master. The word of God reveals to us our true selves. 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. 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). In this spirit of readiness we seek to turn God's truth into action. The worldlings Bible is the Christian. That seems important to delve into deeper. The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? Your grandmother translated the Bible?" Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. Needless to say, the group of pastors got the point! Rather, an inductive study . (John 7:17). trailer If we study to know but never do, we like Chief Crowfoot will never fully tap into the blessing of, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 63 0 obj <> endobj Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. But then we must allow that Word to get into us, to make a permanent difference in our character and conduct. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." 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). After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. 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. You might discover that salt was not only used to flavor food, but it helped keep it from spoiling. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. Hosea Will Graham Devotion: Paralyzed by Uncertainty? 0 :L Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. Resource links How to Perform A Greek Word Study on the Web, Multiple resources on Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics). 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. (Basic Bible Interpretation). Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. 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. 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+). This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Used by cults. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. Follow it by personally doing what it bids thee. There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. T Is there a Truth to memorize and meditate upon (Click here)? 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. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. As youre reading along, you can check the commentary to gain insight into cultural, linguistic and interpretive considerations. Their righteousness was external, based on facts and devoid of personal response. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. Job Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. It is more needful for you to hear God's words than that God should hear yours, though the one will always lead to the other. Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? in my business life ? But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? These divisions are incredibly convenient. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. Which road will you travel? Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. 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. How about Son of God"? In truth thou canst not read the Scriptures too much; Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. (John Calvin), Gods Word can only produce growth in soil "fertilized" by obedience. Thirdly, we seek to link the spirit of the passage with our own personal experience of things human and Divine. Psalms He had put into practice (applied) passages from God's Word, proving that they work which of course they always do! Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. When thou passest through the river I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee! Oh! 1 Corinthians Colossians Too often, people jump into the Bible and start connecting before theyve done the challenging work of examining all there is to see. Not only do the books come from unfamiliar cultures, but theyre also thousands of years old. Sow a habit, reap a character. 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. 1. ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Observation. Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS 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. 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. So when Mark tells you hes starting at the beginning, its safe to say hes talking about the beginning of Christs ministry. We must meditate upon it. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) Of course, there are a few steps involved during each of these components. Inductive Bible study is For example, notice that some form of the word suffering is used three . Ephesians When you become a Christian, you enter into an exciting, lifelong relationship with the Bible. Edward Louie (2011) The phrase "Bible study" can mean different things to different people. 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). capital dance playlist now, mears group asylum contact number,

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