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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. If you choose to consult a commentary during your study, try to do it toward the end. Woe! This awe is called by a proper name, reverence, or godly fear; when we consider Whose Word it is, namely, the Word of the Lord, Who is our God, and has a right to command what He pleases; to Whose will and word we have already yielded obedience, and devoted ourselves to walk worthy of Him in all well pleasing (Col 1:10-note, Ep 4:1-note, Php 3:17,18-note, 1Th 2:12-note); who can find us out in all our failings, as knowing our very thoughts afar of (Psalms 139:2), and having all our ways before Him, and being one of Whom we read, -- "He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins" (Joshua 24:19), that is to say, if we impenitently continue in them. Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. But then we must allow that Word to get into us, to make a permanent difference in our character and conduct. Will Graham Devotion: A Sacrifice That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing. If you want to study Scripture, youll need to carve out intentional time for it. This seems to be the process called inwardly digesting God's truth. 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). Goes the way, The observation phase was all about observing what the text says, but the interpretation phase is the next step. /+X$!acR\Y[/EC%D @2ADk0uHha3j^ Jesus emphasized this important truth again in John 17 declaring. 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. Luke gives us the most information about Jesus birth and even provides us with a glimpse of Jesus as a child (Luke 2:4150). I shall be telling this with a sigh Your goal in observing is to identify what the author was trying to communicate to his readers. That's a frightening statement! Why did Mark feel this title was necessary on top of calling Jesus the Messiah? One practical approach to Bible study is a four-part process of observation, interpretation, connection, and application. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." Often, the headings in modern Bible translations identify pericopes. 2 Timothy A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. To an active mind knowledge gives pleasure. You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. Inaccurate Interpretation, Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes in his last stanza. 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? Here are a few questions to facilitate application of the truth you have observed How does this truth apply to my life in four spheres in my(a) personal life (b) my family (c) work (d) church (e) neighborhood? 3. Like Ezra we should make every effort to handle it accurately and live it out assiduously (with perseverance and care)! If we study to know but never do, we like Chief Crowfoot will never fully tap into the blessing of, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. xref The story is told of several pastors who were arguing over which Bible translation was the best. To profess great love for Gods word or even to pose as a Bible student is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. And that has made all the difference. This means youre going to start by reading the whole thing hopefully in one sitting before you begin to deal with smaller portions of it in greater depth. Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. Absolutely. The old saying regarding application is true that the same Word that afflicts the comfortable, also provides comfort for the afflicted! 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. There should never be a time when we go to the Scriptures without allowing them to change our lives for the better. So how do we apply any of it, let alone enjoy it. ((this mirror = Gods Word = unique for it shows our inner nature as a regular mirror shows our exterior. To pick up the thread of Pauls argument, you need to go back and catch up. EP !HOz After making these connections, you should be able to identify some of the big truths that the passage offers every reader throughout time. 119:160). It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details. 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). Zechariah Be careful not to simply amass the kind of knowledge that puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). The person who knows the truth but doesn't act on it is not simply making a mistake or showing poor judgment but he is in sin. In most respects they might have been written in our own life-time. These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what its trying to communicate and examine your life in light of Gods Word. 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! Okay, so what is inductive Bible study, exactly? Honest application of the text requires these kinds of questions and the wrestling of ideas when truth causes conflict. and how much we really believe what we have observed. In the margin of many pages in D. L. Moody's Bible, he wrote the letters T and P, meaning "Tried and Proved." Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. (3) substituting rationalization for repentance. Maybe youre reading Matthew 5:13: You are the salt of the earth. Of the three steps of Bible studyobservation, interpretation, and applicationthe middle one is often the most daunting. Application takes place as you are confronted with the truth and you respond to that truth in obedience (in faith). Will Graham Devotion: Paralyzed by Uncertainty? 2 Corinthians ", As William Temple said "Every revelation of God is a demand and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience. You should desire to know Gods Word better so it can change you. Unlike other forms of study, the ultimate goal of Bible study is not information its transformation. Observation Your grandmother translated the Bible?" The difference between studying and applying the Scriptures is somewhat like the difference between drifting in a boat and rowing toward a destination. Bible reading fits into the devotional category. Skip Heitzig writes that "The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a habit of carrying a notebook to record what he learned as he read the Bible or listened to a sermon. This can train you to be more of an explorer in the future. This seems to be the kickoff point of Jesus ministry. Ask the Lord to show you your interest, in every truth, and; do not be satisfied until you have an assured personal interest therein. A Is there an Attitude to change or guard against or an Action I need to take? Before the Word of God can bring change to our world, it must first change our life. What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. 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. Showing God in action in and through His people. May we all seek to so diligently apply what we observe and interpret that we see "the world turned upside down.". 3 John It is still as true today as when Martin Luther first said it that The world does not need a definition of religion as much as it needs a demonstration.. 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. Feed on them with joy" 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. Words repeated multiple times in a passage, Words that indicate a change in topic or time, Words that contrast one thing against another. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions. How? 0000008074 00000 n Jeremiah Your goal in observation is to notice as much as possible. acquire the Inductive Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology join that we . Anyone can use the inductive Bible study method by following three simple steps: This phase isnt about interpretation. 15.). To which he responded "Yes, she translated the Bible into her life, and was the most powerful translation I've ever seen!" Galatians 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, Just like Matthew, Luke gets to the baptism in the third chapter. Bible Study Observation Interpretation And Application Through The Lenses Of History Literature And Theology is universally compatible following any devices to read. Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. If not why not? Here, you want to go back over the passage and your observations and ask as many questions as you can. in my business life ? Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. Proverbs 2 Chronicles Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. Identify chapter themes 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. Sow a character, reap a destiny! and then 0000001930 00000 n Philemon As for the doctrines, recollect that a doctrine killeth except as it is personally grasped and as you feel your interest in it. ), Christian author Jerry Bridges writes that "As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgment upon our character and conduct. And yet, so complete is the delusion, that Christians never realize they are not living good Christian lives. THE THREE COMPONENTS Now you know the three simple steps to running your own inductive Bible study. This step is asking these questions: What are the biggest ideas and the important details? 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, Thus, we are called and encouraged to new labour in prayer, whilst we have a new example in Him Who prayed, and wept, and bled. Well, this is it. Learn how you can know God personally. The Bible is Gods way of making Himself known to us. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." If this were the only passage of the Bible you had access to, what would you learn from it about Gods character and actions? A key discipline for good study is not to be too quick to fall back on what you think you know. Men may have in their study of the Scriptures other ends also, as the profit and edification of others. 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! It is the supernatural, progressive revelation of who God is and man's relationship to God. And when we do, like the bee, we will find that we never go away from God's Word empty. Is it because of ignorance, rebellion or indifference? Both reflect what is really there. In the 13th century, Stephen Langton added chapters to Scripture, and in the late 16th century, Robert Stephanus added verses. 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. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. He was there for hours writing notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked his magnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. And how prevalent the sight of multitudes of Christians listening to the Word of God most regularly and earnestly, and yet not doing it! Some people say they cannot meditate; they do not know what it means, or they have no time, or they go to sleep when they begin. 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. 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. Obadiah endstream endobj 68 0 obj <> endobj 69 0 obj <> endobj 70 0 obj <>stream Application is where the proverbial "rubber meets the road", where our walk either does or does not back up our talk and where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. Be sure to visit the Precept Ministries International Web site to go deeper into inductive Bible study. Especially let this be so with the promises. 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. 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. 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. Or well walk by His side in the way. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Apply yourself to the Scriptures The botanist would lean over a certain flower and he would look for a long time and then he would write notes in his notebook. Application begins with belief So people go to church, and enjoy the preaching, and yet do not do what God asks. The better you know the Bibles teachings, the more grounded your faith becomes. Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. (John 17:3), Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Comment: Don't be like the butterfly flitting from one Bible study [preacher, devotional, commentary, etc] to another, but failing to personally apply what you learn. It is not enough just to study the Bible. who delude themselves. The questions you raise in the interpretation phase might even push you back into the observation phase. Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. Bibles today divide up the individual books within them with chapters and verses, but Bibles havent always done this. Resource links How to Perform A Greek Word Study on the Web, Multiple resources on Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics). 74 0 obj <>stream Careless Observation (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. Once you have explored the passage, its time to make some connections. This is not the fruit of slavish fear, but of holy love; it is not afraid of the Word, but delighting in it, as it discovers the mind of God to us; as in the next verse it is written, "I rejoice at Thy word." 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 % 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 . Although the Bible tells one cohesive story, it does so through the work of many authors who wrote during times hundreds of years apart. Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. Observation involves reading the text to make simple statements that are true . Observation We may hear words like "hermeneutics" (the science of interpretation) or "exegesis" (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) and think interpretation is something best left to experts. Thats the kind of serious-minded response to truth application calls for. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (How to study the English Bible), SPACE PETS We must get into the Word of God for ourselves. Yogi Berra's advice is appropriate at this juncture -- When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it. 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. Haggai 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? Scripture reading and Bible study always represents (so to speak) a "God sighting" ("God speaking") and as such always applies to us as His creatures. Why Are There Lament Psalms at the End of the Psalter? 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). Start with the obvious. We need to be specific here. T Is there a Truth to memorize and meditate upon (Click here)?