This is an outline of how to do an inductive bible study. It is a type of bible study that digs into the history and content of the bible. It is neat and very informative!
Why Inductive Bible Study?
- The inductive bible study method takes the Word and digs out as much information as possible by examining things like:
- Context – Instead of only studying a verse or two, it is important to look before and after the passage in question. This allows the reader to understand what the author is really trying to say. If a verse is read out of context it can lead the reader to believe things that are not true.
- A common example of this is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” If you were to just read this you would think that as long as you were trying to do something “through Christ” you would be successful! I can make this free throw because I can do all things through Christ! This is not what the verse is saying! If you read the verses before this you see that Paul is speaking of how he can be content while he is suffering. He states, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:12) He can only do this through Christ who strengthens him! Context completely changes the meaning!
- Word Meanings – The bible was written mostly in Hebrew and Greek so many people around the world have translated versions of it. It is very difficult to directly translate these languages to others so sometime it can be very beneficial to go back to the original word to see exactly what it means in the original language.
- Historical Background – This closely ties to both context and word meanings. This bible was written thousands of years ago so unsurprisingly traditions have changed. It is important to know what would have been custom in the days or what was going on politically because it would help make sense of what the true meaning of the text is.
- For example: In Luke 7:36-50 There is a very sinful woman who enters into a pharisee’s house where Jesus is dining and washes His feet with her perfume from her alabaster jar and her hair. Well, if you just read that it’s seems like a good story but it is not nearly as significant if you know the background of it.
- It is likely this woman could have been a prostitute so entering into a religious leaders house is pretty gutsy to begin with.
- The alabaster jars back in the day were not made in such a way you just open it up and pour out the liquid. They were made to stay in tact but the smell of the liquid would spread out like a portable air freshener. These were extremely expensive back then. It would have been a very valuable possession for this woman. She would have had to smash the jar in order to spread the liquid onto Jesus’ feet. She destroyed one of her most valuable possessions to honor Him.
- A respectable woman back in the day did not let her hair down in public, ever. In fact, if she did and she was married it would be ground for a divorce! The fact that this woman did shows her great humility and the intimacy she desired with Christ.
- This passage turned from a neat story about a woman who honored Jesus to an incredibly brave woman who risked everything and gave everything to honor her Jesus. Pretty big difference.
Knowing the Word will keep
you from believing and teaching incorrect teachings.
- Studying the Word closely will keep you from believing incorrect teachings.
- Acts
17:11 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in
Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and
examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
- Studying
the Word closely will keep you from preaching incorrect teachings.
- 2
Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a
worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word
of truth.”
Three Major Steps of
Inductive Bible Study
1.
Observation
· Read
over a few times to get the big picture of the book/chapter.
· Ask
yourself the five W’s and the H.
o Who – Who wrote it? To who?
o What – What was the general theme?
o When – When was it written? What was the history of
that time?
o Where – Where is this happening?
o Why – What is the purpose?
o How – How is the message being delivered and in what
circumstance?
· Using
some type of colored pens/pencils, mark key component/characters with a certain
color. This helps you visually understand who is in the passage and what they
are talking about.
· EX:
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for
the sake of you gentiles – Surely you have heard about
the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made know to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.” – Ephesians
3:1-3
· All
of the me’s and you’s in this passage can lead to confusion but by marking them
it helps you keep them straight.
2.
Interpretation
· This
is when you studying each passage/chapter in depth. What is the text actually
saying? It is a good time to use your general knowledge from your observations
and add in word studies and context.
· During
this phase you look for repetition. Is there a certain phrase/word that
continues to be used? If so it is noteworthy!
· Make
lists and comparisons/contrasts charts. This helps organize the information
being stated. An example of making a list would be Proverbs 6:16-19.
o “There
are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes,
a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked
schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out
lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
o Right
there the Word lists out what God hates. It seems like an important passage to
make note of!
· An
example of a contrast would be Proverbs 21:29
o The
wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
o This
verse makes the distinction of what a wicked man does what an upright man does.
· Cross
Referencing
o Cross
referencing allows you to see where the bible addresses a topic in a different
location. This can help you understand a topic more fully.
o For
instance, in Genesis 14 the biblical character Melchizedek is introduced. While
there is some information on him in this passage you do not understand how
important he is until you read about him in other passages such as in Psalm
110:4, Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:1-28. Here you learn he is an unusual priest in the
fact that he is not a Levite nor is he a Son of Aaron. He is the same type of
priest as Jesus becomes. A king, priest.
3.
Application
· How
does this apply to your life? Beliefs should affect behavior. Are your beliefs
evident in your behavior? If not, what should you do to make them so? What
knowledge from this passage can you use to lead a more Godly lifestyle?
What you need to do inductive bible study.
· Bible
o In
order to study the Word of God you need the Word! If you do not have a bible of
your own I would recommend the New American Standard version and if you want it
for inductive bible studies they make an edition just for it. It is called The
New Inductive Study Bible. This has wide margins that allow you to write notes
and such. There are plenty of cross references there for you as well.
· Colored
pens/pencils
o These
help you mark the passages in whatever way helps you understand it better.
· Notebook
o This
will be good to help you keep your thoughts straight and it provides a place
for you to make lists if you don’t want them in your bible.
· OPTIONAL:
Commentary
o A
biblical commentary is a book that is written by a biblical scholar who can
provide extra information and writings to help you comprehend the text. This is
a great tool but it is good to study it first by yourself to try to come to
your own conclusions before going off what somebody else says.
Inductive bible study is a great way to dig deeper into your
bible. It takes time and effort but it is well worth it in the long run. All
you need are some pens, paper, and of course the bible to do this. The real
question is what is keeping you from it!
Logan
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