Head knowledge without heart change is not enough and in some ways is even worse than no knowledge. Eventually, if not immediately, these practices will reveal the meaning of the text (interpretation) and how to apply it (life application). God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. EP !HOz Do you need to devote yourself to unselfish religious deeds? How do we apply what we just learned to everyday life? We must align ourselves with the Bible, never the Bible with ourselves. How foolish to look in the mirror of God's word, see spiritual "dirt" and yet fail to respond). 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. Your job at this stage is to discover what the author is trying to communicate. You cannot expect to approach the Bible with the same level of investment that youd give your favorite novel. %PDF-1.4 % 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? So you might write that observation down: Marks beginning of the gospel story does not start at the very beginning., Youll also notice that Mark desires to tell you some good news, and this news is about Jesus. He is a prayer-hearing God, but will He hear our prayers? Acronym to Aid Application. Our Lord taught that those who are, blessed (makarios [word study]) are those who hear the word of God and observe (phulasso [word study]) it. Its what everything else is built upon. Righteousness in simple terms is whatever God says is right on any subject. Using a trusted commentary can help in a few ways: It can help show you the details you missed in the observation phase. Some of them can only be answered by examining the text again or even by looking at other parts of the Bible. 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. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. Amos The precious promises lie in front of you. Just make sure it's the one based on careful observation and accurate interpretation! This is a dishonest way to interpret the text. In view of this truth, what specific changes should I make in my life? About Gods redemptive plan? 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. Often, its helpful to put chapter and verse breakdowns out of your mind as you dive into Scripture. Its about observing exactly what the text is saying. ", The goal of Inductive Bible study is (Basic Bible Interpretation). A Silly yet Serious Were so used to being exposed to chapters and verses that we lose sight of an authors intention for the whole book. Practice it to be holy. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, Will Graham Devotion: How Do You Know Whats True? When God got his attention, Samuel responded appropriately: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Sa 3:10). Philippians We must adjust ourselves to the Bible Not just for information To which his colleagues exclaimed "What! A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? 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. Titus Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. ), 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. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. It is more needful for you to hear God's words than that God should hear yours, though the one will always lead to the other. This is a motivating truth that you can trust and which you should welcome and willingly acknowledge. Again, we feel God's promises to be too high for us, we know He is perfect, and we are vile. Some sections make much more sense if you read them within the context of the surrounding chapters, like Matthew 23-25 or 1 Corinthians 12-14. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. my heart stands in awe of Thy words. It is more needful for you to hear God's words than that God should hear yours, though the one will always lead to the other. Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). 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). 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 % If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. Inductive Bible Study. And what thou readest, thou canst not read too well; It is not enough just to study the Bible. It is one thing to know these truths, and even to fight for them with the zeal and bitterness of a controversialist, but it is quite another thing to enjoy them as our own heritage and our portion for ever. which then results in being and doing. It would touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derived absolutely no benefit from it. Inaccurate Interpretation, Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes in his last stanza. 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? 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 how does it show God redeeming that brokenness? 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+!). Nahum They were the local authorities. The religionists of Jesus' day had all of the data. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. 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). 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." Believe that the text means what it says. In many ways, observation is the base of the Bible study pyramid. 0 in my teaching, visiting or mission work? Look for the plainest interpretation first. And with all who will trust and obey. As you carry out your inductive Bible study you will find that observation, interpretation, and application often occur simultaneously. When we obey the Word we are demonstrating the reality of our love for the Lord (our obedience is motivated by love not legalism!) Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. He will be inquired of by us. Our life ought to be and if Gods grace be much in it, it will be a new translation of the Bible. In His Words: What Billy Graham Once Said About Eternity. We must get into the Word of God for ourselves. Showing God in action in and through His people. Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. H\j0z Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. Accurate interpretation and correct application rest on the accuracy of your observations. 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+). In most respects they might have been written in our own life-time. 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. Don't be like Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot nation in southern Alberta, who gave the Canadian Pacific Railway permission to lay track from Medicine Hat to Calgary, and in exchange received a lifetime railroad pass. How do you do that? Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Otherwise, its easy to become dependent on them. <<6970513041DCB34C825DECB3781DD654>]/Prev 490707>> There are great apps out there, like YouVersion, that allow you to set reminders for yourself to get into Gods Word. Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? in my dealings with the world ?
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