example of bible study: observation, interpretation application

This is likewise one of the factors by obtaining the soft documents of this Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History . The world will learn better, and will more likely be brought to know Christ when the lives of Christians are better, and when the Bible of the Christian Life shall be more in, accordance with the Bible of Christian doctrine. Commentaries are fantastic tools. There is always something new to uncover in the Bible. Mark Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, mo!zZJ:%3EAOnaY`z)p%Vv"-H=m>!MX|ov:Hh7vNmm%pZCY&,Z&!#+SzdOP ]LQ)A3_V@UU@Gz @mC-+BvH4sbC}&3A{ BV_$hyr0>Kiw>B/'/,fWGv>o|%vEQ mU0b-rxOw2)5t^_^~~p- The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. They had mastered the Old Testament, but they were never mastered by the truth itself. (Ed: And I would add that the Word of Truth ALWAYS has something to say to our heart! (Ps139:23, 24+; cf. at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong place: It begins with interpretation, and it also ends thereObservation plus interpretation without application equals abortion. In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." The real question is do I always want to hear God's voice? 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. ", Application is the most neglected yet the most needed stage in the process. Isaiah Too much Bible study begins and ends in the wrong placewith interpretation. It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. (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." Observation. As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. 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. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! Well, it is a very fine promise, but if it is read to me thus: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, what a transformed and glorified promise it then becomes! And to do this, you need to look at the context (Logos Bible Software can be a great help with this). (John Calvin), Gods Word can only produce growth in soil "fertilized" by obedience. The student has sought God's blessing on the Word, and has endeavored to find out its meaning and teaching; and it remains for him to ask, How does this passage apply to me? You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. Some passages will not have a clear application. Ezekiel two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- If our interpretation is accurate, we at least have the potential to apply the truth appropriately. Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! But His smile quickly drives it away; The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. He pastored Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and later served as president of Chicagos Moody Bible Institute till his death in 1946. Together, these observations help you think about the biblical authors purpose and what they are trying to communicate. It involves three steps: observation of the text, interpretation of the text, and application of the text. Once you decide how much time you want to commit to studying, put it on your calendar. As someone has blunted phrased it "Interpretation without application is abortion.". In the third chapter, Matthew tells us about Jesus baptism by John. Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. How do you do that? In Observation and Interpretation we study God's Word, but in Application, God's Word "studies" us! 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 ). Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. 1:20-21). 2 Timothy The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. Nahum 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. A pericope is a section of the text that forms a complete thought. 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). 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, So when Mark tells you hes starting at the beginning, its safe to say hes talking about the beginning of Christs ministry. Luke You may start with reading a specific book of the Bible for five to 10 minutes every day and setting aside one day a week for a more intentional time of studying Scripture. A Silly yet Serious 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. A key discipline for good study is not to be too quick to fall back on what you think you know. Marking them will help you see the sequence of events and lead to accurate interpretation of Scripture. To which he responded "Yes, she translated the Bible into her life, and was the most powerful translation I've ever seen!" For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents. These are the ideas that were true for the original audience and are equally true for you. Philemon Ask yourself the five Ws and H: Its critical at this stage not to add anything to the text or take anything away. The Word is both a glass to show us the spots of our soul and a laver to wash them away. HLTkXw: Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Do not read the Bible as a book for other people. Jude In many ways, observation is the base of the Bible study pyramid. Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word, MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth by Spurgeon. How about Son of God"? (Skip Heitzig How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It), Puritan Thomas Manton adds that "What we take in by the Word we digest by meditation and let out by prayer.". Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. It's better to live one verse of the Bible than to recite an entire chapter. Not to make us smarter sinners 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. endstream endobj 71 0 obj <>stream 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. We may find something in every passage which comes before us both to pray over and to thank God over. Lifting verses out of their immediate context is a sure way to find yourself in heresy land. The truth of God's Word is always relevant to our life. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. Memorizing God's Word - Why? To not respond to supernatural illumination would be like saying the Biblical teaching on idolatry is great but it doesn't apply to me and then going off to spend the rest of the day seeking anxiously to accumulate wealth in this present but passing (away) world (cp the words of Jesus Mt 6:24+and Paul Col 3:5+). Is your heart conditioned to listen and obey? 0000003614 00000 n While we do His good will, He abides with us still, (Mark 1:1, NIV), The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Jesus; its a historical narrative. While there is only one valid interpretation of a passage, there can be many applications. HWM5q0^5 !EJ8`vC ! (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. This volume incorporates insights from contemporary evangelical hermeneutics into an approachable, step-by-step process moving from observation through interpretation and on to the application of God's Word. Here are 14 important reasons to read it. About Gods redemptive plan? Zechariah If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. Rather, an inductive study . And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. 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. He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? Kay Arthur on Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation & Application,Christy Tennant - Read more about spiritual life growth, Christian living, and faith. But our toil He doth richly repay; 9. Instead of studying by chapter, its smart to look at pericopes. (1Ti 4:8+, 1Ti 4:9, 10+). Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? God make us holy; sanctify us, spirit, soul, and body, and then we shall be made finely serviceable both to the Church and to the world. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? Esther There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus. The inductive study process involves three steps: observation, interpretation and application. What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. It is unified in all its parts and will never contradict itself (Ps. Many of us struggle to wade through the dense lists of commands, genealogies and prophecies in the Old Testament. Psalms 2 Corinthians After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. 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. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Coleridge once said that, if we wish to make old truths fresh, we must turn them into action. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. We study to gain knowledge so we know how to live our lives in light of what weve learned. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. Daniel The OIA Bible study method consists of three parts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. God's Word is the flawless discerner, perfectly analyzing our every motive, intention, and belief. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. The butterfly was beautiful, and it would alight on a flower and then it would flutter to another flower and then to another, and only for a second or two it would sit and it would move on. When God got his attention, Samuel responded appropriately: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Sa 3:10). You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. S Is there Something to thank or praise God for? It might be tempting to stop at the interpretation phase, but youll be selling yourself and Scripture short if you do. In Psalm 119:18, David said, "Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your . But we are never just the same. Its apowerful toolfor those who want to learn how to study Scripture well. Everyone has distractions and responsibilities vying for their attention, so it helps if you have a set time when you will read your Bible. Based on what youve learned, what does this passage mean for you? 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~ The effect of this piercing is to reveal whether there is spirit or not. Study the Bible to be wise Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. How do we apply what we just learned to everyday life? Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. Believe it to be safe 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. 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. Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> Haggai 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). The Bible is divine in origin. John kicks off with some critical theological points and then immediately launches into the baptism too. 12-26). If the Bible seems dry and unexciting, check your attitude (Ed: Also do some personal inventory with 1 Pe 2:1+and then you'll be able to move on to 1 Pe 2:2+!). ::c\}oa\l#N/4!tGj;Mu}8Mmm3M^x_M=>l~m8n6vTk7.9Rm+s7mm1>7%cS,"W`!K[43!qCn66JVo[K^nE^ + What does it take to begin a relationship with God? How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today? trailer 0000000016 00000 n 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). 0000001036 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. If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. How does the truth of this passage apply to my life? Bible study is intentionally digging into a passage of Scripture and using various interpretive techniques to understand what the author is saying. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (NIV). Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. Of the three steps of Bible studyobservation, interpretation, and applicationthe middle one is often the most daunting. 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. acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . (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.) O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` He will be inquired of by us. Remember that the more time spent in observation, the less time you will spend in interpretation, the more accurate the interpretation and the more appropriate the application. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. Refrain. Now that youve come up with questions, its time to do research. You might see the word Messiah and think, I know what that means. But that can undermine your ability to discover new things. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. When the attitude of our heart reflects a readiness to hear and respond, the text of the Bible comes alive. We all need to ask ourselves are we studying the Word that we might be more like Jesus or more like the Pharisees? Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. 1 Chronicles 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. who delude themselves. Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. Observation 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. Or well walk by His side in the way. The ideal combination is to read the word and then heed it expeditiously and implicitly. With Logos Fundamentals, youll find the truth for yourselfno matter what questions arise as you study the Word. Maybe youre reading Matthew 5:13: You are the salt of the earth. 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. tie. Joshua J@GD0Q0rqD@!QTTXF1ID>IgIyy;GABp_8;.7_0?\h*4z/Bzc`S!zJP2[VgVM52,6.*0.199QP1T`}G/I(tSE)BQF*jE()*RMq>&}P* Not just for information But this is exactly what happens when we fail to apply what we have observed and interpreted. Sow an action, reap a habit. Avoid basing important doctrines on obscure passages. 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+). If you do not this, you are reading to your own condemnation. Hebrews The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is additionally useful. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. These divisions are tools that help us read Scripture; theyre not an actual part of it. We must get into the Word of God for ourselves. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17, Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle", A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application Through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology by Richard Alan Fuhr 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. Awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. T Is there a Truth to memorize and meditate upon (Click here)? Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. --Hess, Robert Cook wisely advises that we should "Never leave a passage of Scripture until it has said something to you." What Is Application? Your next question should be, Hows my saltiness? Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology (9781433684142) by Richard Alan Fuhr Jr., Andreas J. Kostenberger 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. 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. Sow a thought, reap an action. Here are a few questions you can ask: There are a few essential rules to remember when attempting to interpret a passage: Make sure you spend a good chunk of time with this phase. John Blanchard underscores the crucial discipline of applying God's Word sounding the caution that "There is more to Christian growth than knowing what the Bible says; nobody is ever nourished by memorizing menus.". The bottom-line question to ask is, How do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions? Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17, cp Jn 15:14, 14:15, Lk 11:28, Jas 1:22+, Jas 1:25+, Rev 1:3+) 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. It is not enough just to study the Bible. In sum, acting on what God has said assumes that you understand what He has said as illustrated below. Leviticus (Josh 1:8-note). Of course, there are a few steps involved during each of these components. 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. Identify chapter themes 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. Deuteronomy Ecclesiastes When Gods Word points out something in us that needs correction, we need to respond. (The blessing of God is integrally related to your response to the revelation of God. Goes the way, 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. 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. As part of this step, take some time to identify where the beauty of the gospel comes into the passage. How do I propose to carry out these changes? There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. 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 Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. For the first question, you might think through your initial reading of Mark. Sow a habit, reap a character. While there are several great methods of studying the Bible, heres a simple method one can follow: Observation, Interpretation, Transformation and Application. Nevertheless our duty is clear. 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. ), 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. and then Lay hold on the Bible until the Bible lays hold on you. (How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It - see page 30). To know and not to do is not to know at all. 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? But to make us more like our Savior. But is blessed if we trust and obey. The good hand of the LORD will be upon us even as it was upon Ezra the scribe! (John 7:17). Privacy Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. Absolutely. If we fail to apply the Scriptures, we cut short the entire process and have not finished what God wants us to do. Is there any significance to the fact that Mark does not need to explain what that title means? Read and practice; but we shall only be able to do this, as God the Holy Spirit shall help us. Not just for knowledge, but much more-- 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 Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). Refrain And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; my heart stands in awe of Thy words. 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? Look for the plainest interpretation first. Home R4`:|ut\#jDAh]Y1]|{ >^*8"I+ +N-rjiSS-Q*c9eF,xyV]%^p]=dG- J&naSP Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. You have remained in right site to start getting this info. -- David Shepherd, Be alert for the following deceptive dangers regarding application. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos). 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? View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. 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.