Inductive Bible Study
God’s eternal, inerrant Word
is your guidebook for all of life. Inductive study, a method that brings you
directly to the Word of God apart from someone else’s understanding or
interpretation of the text involves three skills: observation, interpretation
and application.
Observation – discover what it says
1.
Begin with Prayer. Prayer is often the missing element in Bible
study. Apart from the work of the work of the Holy Spirit, that’s all it will
be – a method.
2.
Ask the “5 W’s and an H” – As you study any passage of Scripture, train yourself
to constantly ask: Who? What? When? Where?
Why? How? These questions are the building blocks of precise observation, which is essential for
accurate interpretation.
3.
Mark key words and phrases. A key word is one that is essential to the text. Key words
and phrases are repeated in order to convey the author’s point or purpose for
writing. For example, notice that some form of the word suffering is used three
times in 1 Peter 5.
4.
Make Lists.
Making lists can be one of the most enlightening things you can do as you study.
Lists reveal truths and highlights important concepts. 1 Peter 5:2-3; for
example, contains a simple list regarding the role of the elder. It is also
helpful to make a list of what you learn about each key word or person you mark.
5.
Watch for
contrasts and comparisons. Contrasts and
comparisons use highly descriptive language to make it easier to remember what
you’ve learned. For example, Peter compares the devil to a roaring lion in
verse 8. Peter also contrasts God’s attitude toward the proud and the humble.
6.
Note expressions of time. The relationship of events in time often sheds light on
the true meaning of the text. Marking or highlighting them will help you see
the sequence or timing of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture.
7.
Geographic Locations.
Often, it’s helpful to mark or highlight geographical locations, which tell you
where an event takes place.
8.
Mark terms of conclusion. Words such as “therefore,” “thus,” and “for this reason”
indicate that a conclusion or summary is being made. You may want to underline
them in the text.
9.
Identify chapter themes. The theme of a chapter will center on the main person,
event, teaching, or subject of that section of Scripture. Themes are often
revealed by reviewing the key words and lists you developed. Try to express the
theme as briefly as possible, using words found in the text.
Interpretation – discover what it means
While observation leads to an accurate understanding of what the Word of
God says, interpretation goes a step further and helps you understand what it
means.
1.
Remember that context rules. If you lay the solid foundation of observation, you will
be prepared to consider each verse in the light of the surrounding verses, the
book in which it is found, and the entire Word of God. As you study, ask
yourself: is my interpretation of this passage of Scripture consistent with the
theme, purpose, and structure of the book in which it is found? Is it
consistent with other Scripture about the same subject? Am I considering the
historic and cultural context? Never take Scripture out context to make it say
what you want it to say. Discover what the author is saying; don’t add to his
meaning.
2.
Always see the full counsel of the Word of God. When you know God’s Word thoroughly, you will be able to
discern whether a teaching is biblical or not. Saturate yourself in the Word of
God; it is your safeguard against wrong doctrine.
3.
Remember that Scripture will never contradict Scripture. Remember, all Scripture is inspired by God. Therefore,
Scripture will never contradict itself. Sometimes, however, you may find it
difficult to reconcile two seemingly contradictory truths taught in Scripture,
such as sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Don’t take a teaching
to an extreme that God doesn’t. Simply humble your heart in faith and believe
what God says, even if you can’t fully understand or reconcile it at the moment.
4.
Don’t base your convictions on an obscure passage of
Scripture. An obscure passage is one in
which the meaning is unclear or not easily understood. Because these passages
are difficult to understand even when proper principles of interpretation are
used, they should not be used as a basis for establishing doctrine.
5.
Interpret Scripture literally. God spoke to us that we might know the truth. Therefore,
take the Word of God at face value – in its natural, normal sense. Look first
for the clear teaching of Scripture, not a hidden meaning. Understand and
recognize figures of speech and interpret them accordingly.
Consider
what is being said in the light of its literary style. For example, you will
find more similes and metaphors in poetical and prophetic literature than in
historical or biographical books. Interpret portions of Scripture according to
their literary style.
Some
examples of literary styles in the Bible are: Historical – Acts, Exodus;
Prophetic – Revelation, Isaiah; Biographical – Luke; Didactic (teaching) –
Romans; Poetic – Psalms; Epistle (letter) – 2 Timothy; Proverbial – Proverbs.
6.
Look for the single meaning of the passage. Always try to understand what the author had in mind
when you interpret a portion of the Bible. Don’t twist verses to support a
meaning that is not clearly taught. Unless the author of a particular book
indicates that there is another meaning to what he says, let the passage speak
for itself.
Application – discover how it works
The first step in
application is to find out what the Word of God says on any particular subject
through accurate observation and correct interpretation of the text. Once you
understand what the Word of God teaches, you are then obligate before God to
accept that truth and to live by it.
Scripture will always teach
what is right, show us where we are wrong, how to correct, and train us in
right living; so that we are complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy
3:16-17.
Be blessed and be a blessing!!!
Adapted from Kay Arthur's "How to Study the Bible"
Adapted from Kay Arthur's "How to Study the Bible"
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