example of bible study: observation, interpretation application

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. HLTkXw: SMbN|U#t?%ux[w]z!\8U=Cdl1fNX`)5|@c!"&|q0|1"W Sfi%DaW1VC>Z(#qoR L%#GS`Kj)|%2laZxe"$[1Gf9pnY$,sfP.( +EelPEC_JjN bbBwa7$}%I$UO8 % Reading the entire book in one or two sittings is part of the observation process. And so prayer is not a substitute for action, but the deliberate contact of the soul with God, whence we draw an enabling force whereby we go forth conquering and to conquer. 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? How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. S Is there a Sin to avoid, forsake or confess? 2 Chronicles In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . Are we spiritual or are we natural? Acts Heb. There are a lot of excellent study Bibles available. Jonah Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. As mentioned earlier, its easy to become dependent on them. Take the time to dive into the application step. <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> Interpretation is not necessarily a separate step from observation, for often, as you carefully observe the text, you begin to see what it means at that very moment. What a terrible delusion to be content with, to delight in hearing the word, and yet not do it. Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). (Ro 12:2-note). 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 1 Peter It can provide details and facts that you do not yet have the capacity or training to pick up on your own. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. Once we know what a passage means we are responsible to live it out. 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, 2. How does the truth of this passage apply to my life? Make them your own. 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. And to do this, you need to look at the context (Logos Bible Software can be a great help with this). The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics This fundamental step must be taken if one desires to accurately interpret and properly apply God's Word. (John 7:17). Your goal in observing is to identify what the author was trying to communicate to his readers. When you become a Christian, you enter into an exciting, lifelong relationship with the Bible. Are we truly born of God and spiritually alive or are we deceiving ourselves and spiritually dead, no matter how orthodox our profession of faith might appear? After personal application, the best way to make the truth your own, is to teach it and even if you are not gifted to be a formal Bible teacher, there is always someone in your sphere of influence whom you are teaching by your life and your lips. 0 :L 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? Ruth 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 . Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. And what thou understandest well, thou canst not too well teach; Leviticus 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. How much influence is the Bible supposed to have on society? How? If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. A Silly yet Serious Saturate the study of Scripture with prayer. Its worth it. He had the "truth" but never acted upon it. 2 Kings 0 How to Study the Bible - 3 Simple Steps - Bible Study Tools 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. John As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! 3:7f+, He 4:2+), (3) Response of obedience: Genuine faith will obey. Jude 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). Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical Interpretation | Bible.org Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. Can abide while we trust and obey. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. I have known some rejoice greatly in the doctrine of election who never were elected, and some who were very pleased with the doctrine of justification by faith, but who had no faith by which to be justified. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret this one? Goldsmiths keep bottles of acid by which they test everything that is offered them for sale, whether it is gold or merely tinsel, and the Christian should keep Gods word near at hand and treasured in the soul, to test thereby all that he hears. Daniel To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Also we become more responsible to God. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Sow a thought, reap an action. Romans Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of Gods Word. trailer Haggai Refrain, Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, yUew.7.J~rr9xn-j3Pv_Kp>.ow?oo^>]xgOqI| JSM.OQF=r%0'c[',(d2`\gNHbqsO&&#v>b[Wg7xr|*M R 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. The Bible helps you understand God and His relationship with humanity. Galatians Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. One who uses the Bible as his guide A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. As the devotional writer Matthew Henry prayerfully put it"O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! 1 Chronicles The questions that might come out of your observations about Mark might include: Why does Mark not include the Christmas story in the beginning? 1 Samuel 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, Too often we come to Gods Word to study it, to teach it, etcto do everything in the world with it except be changed by it! Rather, an inductive study . and then Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." 1 Timothy Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. 1. After a few weeks, the detective was able to report to the man that Dr. Houghtons life matched his preaching. Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. Let it not only inform you but inflame you. Try (Ed: in the sense of to test or examine) what you hear; try what you profess; try what you read. It isn't enough just to be a Christian, if you aren't an obedient one. These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. B. Then I watched a little longer out my window and there came a botanist. The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. Many times a Bible passage is read only with eyes but not with the mind engaged. 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. The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. 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." Zephaniah This becomes extremely important when youre studying a book with a single prolonged argument, like the Book of Romans. You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. 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. Youll also notice right out of the gate that Mark has introduced Jesus with two titles: Messiah and Son of God. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. Is there any significance to the fact that Mark does not need to explain what that title means? William MacDonald explains meditation as follows Christians should meditate on the Word of God (chew the cud) and have a separated walk (the cloven hoof). 6. Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. Refrain Used by cults. 0000001036 00000 n Inductive Bible Study: A Step-by-Step Guide - Bible Study Tips This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . truly, such a, promise is as a cluster of Eshcol, but it is in Eshcols valley and I cannot reach it there; but the promise applied is the cluster brought to me just where I am, and I can receive it, and delight myself in its luscious sweetness. 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. Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. As a result, that man became a Christian. The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. How to Study Your Bible, Part 2 | Articles | Revive Our Hearts Start with the obvious. Isaiah Home 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. to which the context answers) for (every time you see a "for" at the beginning of a sentence pause and ponder why it's there and remember you can usually substitute the word "because" in place of "for" to help understand the meaning) Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. In Observation and Interpretation we study God's Word, but in Application, God's Word "studies" us! And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. Ecclesiastes It will make "all the difference" in this life and the next for as Paul wrote godliness (eusebeia) (produced by discipline and diligent application of God's Word) is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. Ask God that his threats may drive you out of your sins, and drive you to seek pardon in Christ. Showing God in action in and through His people. This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. If a Christian is careless in Bible reading, he will care less about Christian living. But to make us more like our Savior. Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? Identify chapter themes So if youre studying Mark, start by reading the entire book. Why OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) is the Best Bible 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. To go on gaining an intellectual knowledge of the Bible without obeying it can be a trap instead of a blessing. 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. (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." The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. ), 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. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. Once you think youve done all you can here, its time to move on to the final phase: application. Bible study - Assignment - Bible Study observation, interpretation We must adjust ourselves to the Bible During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. Lesson 12: Observation | Bible.org All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. Some passages will not have a clear application. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. Its the shortest of the Gospels, and you might have noticed that Mark seems focused on the action and hitting all the significant points. Leading Inductive Bible Study | InterVarsity There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! Part of this work is supernatural: As you study the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals truth from the text that applies to your life. (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. 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. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Commentaries are fantastic tools. You may study it your whole life, and you will never be able to absorb all that it has to teach. When youre first getting started with studying the Bible, its important to set some realistic goals for yourself. (He 4:12, 13-see notes He 4:12; 13). HhT=k&^-l (6WBbN~WPe4`!Mr`+^p!MO,LP/_n]aFBcp) 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! (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. What is the clearest meaning of this text? Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. r2T4000F1h+JTqkR=9K'ZOH1{csjr3U 0aq^rD[ZZZFTRq:(3k @ 2c> )KI1.Ff~2cxq;c 0c`x@ ]^ There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS Bible study consists of Observation, Interpretation and Application. 1 When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. This might make you wonder whether this is good news for Mark or if Mark thinks this good news applies to everyone. This typically involves reading a shorter Bible passage and doing less in-depth investigation of the text. These divisions are tools that help us read Scripture; theyre not an actual part of it. All action presupposes prayer, and all prayer ought to lead on to action. Create an account or log in to get started. Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. Observation. 1. Key words and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author's point or purpose for writing. Or well walk by His side in the way. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual needs. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. hb```vV^af`B@#g|3h Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from knowing more about the Bible. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. We all have a story. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. But when the report came of His birth, did they go to check it out? (Keying into the term good news early will help you understand Marks Gospel, as its a critical term that he uses repeatedly.). 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. 0000000925 00000 n The danger of Observation and Interpretation without application is that we become hypocrites like the Pharisees, filled to the brim with intellectual knowledge, but failing miserably to allow the truth to transform our hearts! 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?" 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). 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.