0000000016 00000 n 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." (How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It - see page 30). Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. And how does it show God redeeming that brokenness? %PDF-1.4 % Study the Bible to be wise We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 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. xref Obadiah The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. But His smile quickly drives it away; 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 Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! 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. Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. And what did those things mean? Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. 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). Read Online Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. 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. ", 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.". What was the result in his life and by way of application what will be the result in our life if we emulate his example? Give Me Liberty! To love Him and obey. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. Bible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application. 1 He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. THE ERROR IN THE "FORK" IN THE ROAD J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". Stout old Martin Luther used to say, All vital religion is in the personal and possessive pronouns. Is it not so? 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. 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. But you may know that Luke and Matthew begin with Jesus birth story. Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. Honest application of the text requires these kinds of questions and the wrestling of ideas when truth causes conflict. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. Practically speaking, when we study "the word of God" we sense ourselves pierced. 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. Both reflect what is really there. And that has made all the difference. 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. The Bible is divine in origin. 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). Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. 0000001930 00000 n 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. 0000002043 00000 n For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. What is awe? Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Inductive Bible Study: Observation | Precept Austin Esther The records of human need and Divine generosity are not far-fetched ; they answer to our own case. Below I have written a simplified step-by-step guide . Inaccurate Interpretation, Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes in his last stanza. --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." In short, as John MacArthur says "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. Some people say they cannot meditate; they do not know what it means, or they have no time, or they go to sleep when they begin. For instance, as you explore the terms Messiah and Son of God, you might be moved to respond in prayer and worship. Its worth it. Though he draw them they will not come to him, and when he calls them they will give him no answer. 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. But for your study time, its helpful to use them as secondary sources after youve done some preliminary work. How do you do that? His Word from day to day, But we are never just the same. Song of Solomon Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? Make them your own. 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). 2. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, (Persevere!). Precept Ministries International was founded by internationally-known Bible teacher Kay Arthur, along with her husband, Jack, with the vision to establish people in Gods Word. 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. T Is there a Truth to memorize and meditate upon (Click here)? 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. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." For example, notice that some form of the word suffering is used three . We tone down unconsciously the vigor of St. Paul's remonstrances, the force of his figures, such as ' Death to sin,' the strictness of the law of retribution, and of judgment according to works ; the demand of absolute self-sacrifice, and of truth at any cost ; the need of meekness, forbearance, self-restraint and sympathy. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. We will not fully comprehend the extent of the "return on our investment" until we enter Paradise and stand before our Lord at His bema (judgment) seat. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. (1) Substituting interpretation for application as did the Pharisees; (2) substituting superficial obedience for substantial life-change and. Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . 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, You can find the Inductive Bible Study Workflow (with five other Workflows and many other Bible Study tools) inLogos Starter. Acronym to Aid Application. 0000000925 00000 n 1. 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. Life Application: What joy is experienced when deliberate Bible study moves from a 'have to' to a 'want to!' Erroneous interpretation can lead to aberrant application. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) Zechariah (Josh 1:8-note). Thresh them by meditation. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. The Apostle Paul's great passion was transformed, Christ like lives as he explained to the saints at Colossae writing we proclaim Him (Christ in believers the hope of glory), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. J@GD0Q0rqD@!QTTXF1ID>IgIyy;GABp_8;.7_0?\h*4z/Bzc`S!zJP2[VgVM52,6.*0.199QP1T`}G/I(tSE)BQF*jE()*RMq>&}P* For more on studying the Bible on your own or with others check out our Bible Studies resources. The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. What did that word mean to them, and what kinds of feelings and hopes did it invoke? Theres an inherent danger in inductive Bible study -- it can degenerate into a process thats intellectually fascinating but spiritually frustrating. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. 0 Whenever (every time) we read the Scriptures, the question we should always honestly seek to ask is How does the meaning of this text apply to me? We are inclined to qualify and modify the precepts of Christ and His claim on the Christian disciple. The Bible is the best prayer-book in the world, as it has been called the best story-book in the world. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. 8. Interpretation, Illumination and Application | Bible.org (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. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. John kicks off with some critical theological points and then immediately launches into the baptism too. 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~ Sources like these can give you vital information to help answer your questions. The whole Bible tells the story of how God, in his grace and mercy, comes to the rescue of rebellious people living in a broken world. is the result of Home startxref The well known Puritan writer John Owen had some pithy comments on the need to study the Scriptures with the ultimate intent to apply them to one's life. We need to be honest with ourselves at this point. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. Its apowerful toolfor those who want to learn how to study Scripture well. 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.. And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Some use the term to describe a discussion group, which may discuss the Bible or some other uplifting book. Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity Fourthly and this is very hard work Read And Practise. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. 1 Peter What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? (Self deception is the worst form of deception and occurs when we come to believe there is virtue in hearing the truth of God but failing to apply it.) <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus. It is God's will that we should read Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. Leave not off reading the Bible till you find your hearts warmed. To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? 0000005006 00000 n Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible.
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