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. Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? Refrain, Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. But we are never just the same. 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! Give Me Liberty! The godly preacher F. B. Meyer wrote that Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. Zephaniah Leviticus Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. of precise observation, which is essential for accurate interpretation. 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 % 1 Peter Eventually, if not immediately, these practices will reveal the meaning of the text (interpretation) and how to apply it (life application). 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. The Bible is Gods way of making Himself known to us. 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. 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. (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. + Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! Apply yourself to the Scriptures Connect: What is God saying (that is always true or that is true to all readers in all settings)? Some are always looking out for other peoples duty, and are great judges and critics for what others ought to do. Are for them who will trust and obey. Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? (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. Ezra How? Absolutely. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. James Needless to say, the group of pastors got the point! (Ps 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148 - see A Primer On Biblical Meditation). (Basic Bible Interpretation). Mark says hes starting at the beginning. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. 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. Its apowerful toolfor those who want to learn how to study Scripture well. Look for the plainest interpretation first. By using the tools included inInductive Bible Study, youll approach Bible study with more depth and understanding. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. 12-26). Bible study is intentionally digging into a passage of Scripture and using various interpretive techniques to understand what the author is saying. 2 Kings One who uses the Bible as his guide But for transformation. How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word growing? Ask God that his threats may drive you out of your sins, and drive you to seek pardon in Christ. Zechariah and then Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. Study the Bible to be wise The real authority of their view is always some single leader who has his or her ideas in writing. Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. For example, Psalm 24 says, "The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. Try challenging yourself to come up with 10 observations about a passage, and once youve hit that number, push yourself to come up with five more. Philippians It isn't enough just to be a Christian, if you aren't an obedient one. Numbers Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." Have I overlooked anything or made any assumptions? How to Study the Bible - 3 Simple Steps - Bible Study Tools 2 Thessalonians But then we must allow that Word to get into us, to make a permanent difference in our character and conduct. What is the clearest meaning of this text? The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. 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~ Interpretation should build on observation and then lead into interpretation. Heb. 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. Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Not to make us smarter sinners Allow the Bible to help you understand other passages of the Bible. We need to be honest with ourselves at this point. Bible Study: Traditional Method (Observation, Interpretation The Pharisees set the standard for this superficial, hypocritical, self deluding approach. 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." This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. Contact Us. The Gospel opens by saying: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Sow an action, reap a habit. Don't be deceived thinking that going to Precept inductive Bible study will make you more spiritual. Who art thou that judgest another man? To his own master he stands or falls. Its worth it. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. How does the truth of this passage apply to my life? All four of the Gospels begin differently, but they all come together at the baptism. One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. He will be inquired of by us. Goes the way, 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. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an. The Inductive Method of Bible Study: Know The Basics We need to be specific here. H. P. Barker has a graphic illustration emphasizing the importance of both knowing and doing the Bibles truths As I looked out into the garden one day, I saw three things. (Mt 7:13, 14+). That seems important to delve into deeper. When it comes to reading the Bible, these boundaries can hinder your ability to observe what biblical authors are saying. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. H\j0z Avoid basing important doctrines on obscure passages. Lesson 6: Principles of Biblical Interpretation | Bible.org Do not read the Bible as a book for other people. Application of God's Word will not always be "pain free", but it will always be profitable. -EO{0iB d("o? In observation, you were asking the question, What did I see? In interpretation, you ask, What does it mean? If you have not done a thorough job in the exploration phase, the interpretation phase can be difficult. Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. 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 ). Learn how you can know God personally. Observation. B. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. For example, in a court of law, jurors are asked to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented to them. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. Joel Well, this is it. 0000002043 00000 n When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; What Is Application? Such a person is like the church who had a new pastor who preached the same sermon every Sunday. 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). The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. First, I saw a butterfly. Edward Louie (2011) The phrase "Bible study" can mean different things to different people. 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. How to Study the Bible | Cru - Cru.org endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream Colossians These three parts are observation, interpretation, and application. 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. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of Gods Word. Pray God to help you to feel the solemnity even of the threatening, for if you feel deeply the threatening now, you may be delivered from the tragic fulfilment of it by-and-by. Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. As youre reading along, you can check the commentary to gain insight into cultural, linguistic and interpretive considerations. As the devotional writer Matthew Henry prayerfully put it"O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! Learning to read andstudy Scriptureis an important part of the Christian life. We all need to ask ourselves are we studying the Word that we might be more like Jesus or more like the Pharisees? Memorizing God's Word - Why? Both of these; 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?" What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? 8. Interpretation, Illumination and Application | Bible.org This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. 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. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? Inductive Bible Study - Observation Inductive Bible Study - Interpretation Inductive Bible Study - Application Simple Study on the Power of God's Word Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17 Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle" Job's "Secret" of perseverance? Someone has rightly observed that it is possible to be full of Scripture and full of carnality. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. 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. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. How to Study the Bible Using Observation - Billy Graham Evangelistic Youve observed the details in the text and drawn interpretive conclusions about what the author was saying to his original readers. 63 0 obj <> endobj 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." Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Let's face it, most of us have a built-in "early-warning system" against spiritual change and the moment truth gets too close and too convicting, an alarm goes off and we begin to defend ourselves. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. Girdlestone in his 1887 classic "How to Study the English Bible" has a chapter on application that speaks to "THE PRACTICAL AND DEVOTIONAL USE OF THE BIBLE" - We have now come to the last and most important stage of our subject. J@GD0Q0rqD@!QTTXF1ID>IgIyy;GABp_8;.7_0?\h*4z/Bzc`S!zJP2[VgVM52,6.*0.199QP1T`}G/I(tSE)BQF*jE()*RMq>&}P* trailer Many of them include commentary at the bottom of the page or in the margins. 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. Did they know where the Messiah was to be born? 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. Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord? 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. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Observe whats there, and document it. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. OF INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY. Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. But you may know that Luke and Matthew begin with Jesus birth story. Obadiah Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? Dr. Howard Hendricks remarks that Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. We all have a story. HLTkXw: Your grandmother translated the Bible?" 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. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. Both reflect what is really there. Owen wrote that To seek after mere notions of Truth, without an endeavor after an experience of its power in our hearts, is not the way to increase our understanding in spiritual things. About Gods redemptive plan? 0000008074 00000 n Commentaries can be incredibly useful and powerful tools, but be wise about how you incorporate them into your study. (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? But to make us more like our Savior. Romans It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. The word of God reveals to us our true selves. Trust and obey, for theres no other way Our favorite strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repent. You haven't completed your Bible study until you've allowed the Bible to "study' you and you respond accordingly to it's teaching (which tells us what is true and right and so structures our thinking), reproof ( tells us when we are out of bounds), correction (reveals sin and provides the dynamic whereby you can conform to Gods will) and training in righteous living (Gods means of showing you how to live), all in order that we as men and women of God might be complete or whole and what we were created to be so that we might be thoroughly equipped for good work (2Ti 3:16, 17-note). 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). Inaccurate Interpretation, Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes in his last stanza. Gather them. Ecclesiastes How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? (He 4:12, 13-see notes He 4:12; 13). 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). 1 Timothy There are many ways we can study the Bible, but one of the most influential and simple approaches to reading and understanding God's Word involves three simple steps: Step 1: ObservationWhat does the passage say? The goal is to familiarize yourself with the work as a whole. Considering these things we receive the word with that trembling of heart which God so much respects. Its good to set aside time for both devotional reading and studying. And yet, so complete is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good Christian lives. When we have read the Bible, many passages may become "overfamiliar." We think that we know what they say and cease . While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. Logos can be an incredible resource as you seek to make this a part of your daily routine. And what thou teachest well, thou canst not too well live. And what did those things mean? Which road will you travel? Janet Chismar R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. We must meditate upon it. Bible study - Assignment - Bible Study observation, interpretation Privacy No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. 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? And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; How to Study the Bible (part 2): Interpretation and Application Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. Bible studies include workbooks that help connect you to the ideas of Bible texts. 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. 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. Also we become more responsible to God. Not just for information Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? 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? Haggai 0000000925 00000 n Local: 704-401-2432 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life.
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