How to Study The Bible: The Inductive Method

How to Study The Bible:How to Study The Bible:The Inductive MethodThe Inductive Method

““Foundations of Knowing Him”Foundations of Knowing Him”

Crossroads Bible ChurchCrossroads Bible ChurchSpring 2004Spring 2004

I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen verses all day long than I would, as it were, rinse verses all day long than I would, as it were, rinse my hands in several chapters. Oh, to bathe in a my hands in several chapters. Oh, to bathe in a text of Scripture and to let it be sucked up into text of Scripture and to let it be sucked up into your very soul til it saturates your heart. The your very soul til it saturates your heart. The man who has read many books it not always a man who has read many books it not always a learned man, but he is a strong man who has learned man, but he is a strong man who has read three or four books over and over til he has read three or four books over and over til he has mastered them. Set your heart upon God's mastered them. Set your heart upon God's Word! It is the only way to know it thoroughly; let Word! It is the only way to know it thoroughly; let your whole nature be plunged into it as cloth into your whole nature be plunged into it as cloth into a dye.a dye.

- Charles Spurgeon- Charles Spurgeon

What is the Inductive Method?What is the Inductive Method?

The Inductive Method is a systematic process of The Inductive Method is a systematic process of observing, interpreting, and applying Scripture. observing, interpreting, and applying Scripture.

ObservationObservation InterpretationInterpretation ApplicationApplication

LookLook LearnLearn LoveLove

What do I What do I see?see?

What does it What does it mean?mean?

How does it How does it work?work?

Why use the Inductive Why use the Inductive Method?Method?1.1. Its aim is transformation, not informationIts aim is transformation, not information

““The aim of our charge is The aim of our charge is lovelove that issues from a pure heart and that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5)a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5)

2.2. It gets you re-reading and musing over the text, which It gets you re-reading and musing over the text, which helps memorizationhelps memorization

3.3. It’s applicable to every encounter with God’s word It’s applicable to every encounter with God’s word (hearing sermons, meditation, etc.)(hearing sermons, meditation, etc.)

4.4. It structures your study and organizes your thoughtsIt structures your study and organizes your thoughts

5.5. It deepens our love for God and dependence on God’s It deepens our love for God and dependence on God’s Spirit to teach us His WordSpirit to teach us His Word

Observation: OverviewObservation: Overview

IdentificationIdentification InvestigationInvestigation

EmphasizedEmphasized Who?Who?

RepeatedRepeated What?What?

RelatedRelated When?When?

AlikeAlike Where?Where?

UnlikeUnlike Why?Why?

True to LifeTrue to Life How?How?

Identification: OverviewIdentification: Overview

EmphasizedEmphasized Amount of space, stated purpose, order, climax, Amount of space, stated purpose, order, climax, progression, imperatives, conclusion (“therefore”)progression, imperatives, conclusion (“therefore”)

RepeatedRepeated Terms, phrases, clauses, thoughts, characters, events, Terms, phrases, clauses, thoughts, characters, events, patterns, OT quotepatterns, OT quote

Related Related General to specific, Q&A (rhetorical and regular), General to specific, Q&A (rhetorical and regular), cause/effect, conditional statements (if/then), cause/effect, conditional statements (if/then), negative/positive, idea/explanation, action/mannernegative/positive, idea/explanation, action/manner

AlikeAlike Similes, metaphors, comparisonsSimiles, metaphors, comparisons

UnlikeUnlike Contrasts, ironyContrasts, irony

True to lifeTrue to life Problems, goals, emotions (ask: how does this relate to Problems, goals, emotions (ask: how does this relate to my experience?) my experience?)

Investigation: OverviewInvestigation: Overview

Who?Who? Characters, names, pronouns Characters, names, pronouns

What?What? Main point, cultural issues, argument, etc.Main point, cultural issues, argument, etc.

When?When? Time, year, season, special days (festivities, etc.)Time, year, season, special days (festivities, etc.)

Where?Where? Location, geography, origination, destinationLocation, geography, origination, destination

Why?Why? Purpose, choice of words vs. others, timing of teachingPurpose, choice of words vs. others, timing of teaching

How?How? Adverbs, way to obey, proceduresAdverbs, way to obey, procedures

PracticePractice

Jesus Feeds Five ThousandJesus Feeds Five Thousand

Matthew 14:13-21Matthew 14:13-21

What do you see?What do you see?

Matthew 14: 13-21Matthew 14: 13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When he went ashore followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [15] Now when it was evening, the disciples healed their sick. [15] Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." [16] But Jesus said, "They need not go food for themselves." [16] But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." [17] They said to him, away; you give them something to eat." [17] They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." [18] And he said, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." [18] And he said, "Bring them here to me." [19] Then he ordered the crowds to sit "Bring them here to me." [19] Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. [20] And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up crowds. [20] And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. [21] And those twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. [21] And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. children.

Observation PointersObservation Pointers

• Record your observations. “Think with a pen” Record your observations. “Think with a pen” (Jonathan Edwards).(Jonathan Edwards).

• Don’t skip observation because you’ll risk Don’t skip observation because you’ll risk interpreting poorly and applying dangerously.interpreting poorly and applying dangerously.

• Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know how to Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know how to answer your observation questions. Your first answer your observation questions. Your first task is just to answer, “what do I see?”task is just to answer, “what do I see?”

• The better your observation, the better your The better your observation, the better your interpretation, and the better your application.interpretation, and the better your application.


Step 2: InterpretationStep 2: Interpretation



It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand. do understand.

- Mark Twain- Mark Twain

Definition Game!Definition Game!

Total of all the books regarded by the Christian Church as Total of all the books regarded by the Christian Church as belonging to the Bible belonging to the Bible

Translation principle aiming for a “thought for thought” Translation principle aiming for a “thought for thought” translation translation

Analysis of a Biblical text to determine its meaning Analysis of a Biblical text to determine its meaning

Explanation and description Explanation and description

Translation principle aiming for a “word for word” translation Translation principle aiming for a “word for word” translation

Dialect of Greek that the NT was written in Dialect of Greek that the NT was written in

Jewish title for Hebrew Bible (the church’s OT) Jewish title for Hebrew Bible (the church’s OT)

Science of the interpretation of literature Science of the interpretation of literature

expositionexpositionexegesisexegesis hermeneuticshermeneutics

TanakhTanakh formal equivalenceformal equivalencecanoncanon KoineKoine

dynamic equivalencedynamic equivalence

TranslationsTranslations

Which do I use? Which do I use?

ESVESV English Standard VersionEnglish Standard Version

NASBNASB New American Standard BibleNew American Standard Bible

RSVRSV Revised Standard VersionRevised Standard Version

NIVNIV New International VersionNew International Version

KJVKJV King James VersionKing James Version

NKJVNKJV New King James VersionNew King James Version

TNIVTNIV Today’s New International VersionToday’s New International Version

Evaluating TranslationsEvaluating Translations

Overall goal: Overall goal: Transparency to the original textTransparency to the original text

a. Faithful to the original languages (does not a. Faithful to the original languages (does not change what it says)change what it says)

b.b. Presents itself in modern language with literary Presents itself in modern language with literary beauty beauty

Translation SpectrumTranslation Spectrum

thoughtthoughtforfor

thoughtthought

DynamicDynamic FormalFormal

wordwordforfor

wordword

NASBNASBESVESVNIVNIVNLTNLT

Interpretation: OverviewInterpretation: Overview

InterpretationInterpretation

LearnLearn

What does it What does it mean?mean?

LookingLooking LearningLearning

ConsultationConsultationCultureCultureComparisonComparisonContextContextContentContent

The Holy Spirit and the WordThe Holy Spirit and the Word

1. The apostles delivered the NT not from their interpretation, 1. The apostles delivered the NT not from their interpretation, but directly from revelation by God. (1 Cor. 13:132 Pt. 1:20)but directly from revelation by God. (1 Cor. 13:132 Pt. 1:20)

2. We also can (and need to) rely on God’s Spirit to illumine our 2. We also can (and need to) rely on God’s Spirit to illumine our minds and hearts to fully grasp Scripture. (Psa. 119:33 2 Tim. minds and hearts to fully grasp Scripture. (Psa. 119:33 2 Tim. 2:7)2:7)

Key One: ContentKey One: Content

ContentContent

The important observations and summarizations The important observations and summarizations from the textfrom the text

Gather observations, and pick important Gather observations, and pick important questions from you investigation to answer. Also, questions from you investigation to answer. Also, write a preliminary summary of the text you’re write a preliminary summary of the text you’re studying.studying.

Practice ContentPractice Content



What does it mean?What does it mean?

Key Two: ContextKey Two: Context

ContextContext

The text before and after the text of studyThe text before and after the text of study

Read the text before and after the one you’re Read the text before and after the one you’re studying. Observe it: what light does it shed on studying. Observe it: what light does it shed on what you’re trying to understand? Consider what what you’re trying to understand? Consider what bearing the context has in many areas: literary, bearing the context has in many areas: literary, historical, cultural, geographic, theological, etc.historical, cultural, geographic, theological, etc.

Practice ContextPractice Context




Key Three: ComparisonKey Three: Comparison

ComparisonComparison

Other relevant Scripture Other relevant Scripture

In a phrase, “interpret Scripture with In a phrase, “interpret Scripture with Scripture.” God’s Word does not contradict Scripture.” God’s Word does not contradict but support itself. Look for other texts on the but support itself. Look for other texts on the same subject, and see what they have to say.same subject, and see what they have to say.

Practice ComparisonPractice Comparison




Key Four: CultureKey Four: Culture

CultureCulture

The customs and manners of that time period The customs and manners of that time period and locationand location

The Bible was written in a completely different The Bible was written in a completely different society than ours, with its own set of values, society than ours, with its own set of values, customs, manners, and so on. Interpret your text customs, manners, and so on. Interpret your text through the eyes of the original audience.through the eyes of the original audience.

Key Five: ConsultationKey Five: Consultation

ConsultatioConsultationn

Other secondary sources pertaining to the textOther secondary sources pertaining to the text

Those believers truly gifted in teaching and Those believers truly gifted in teaching and related areas have produced a legion amount related areas have produced a legion amount of helpful material. Much of this material is of helpful material. Much of this material is now available online tool.now available online tool.

Practice Culture and Practice Culture and ConsultationConsultation




Matthew 14: 13-21Matthew 14: 13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When he went ashore followed him on foot from the towns. [14] When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [15] Now when it was evening, the disciples healed their sick. [15] Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." [16] But Jesus said, "They need not go food for themselves." [16] But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." [17] They said to him, away; you give them something to eat." [17] They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." [18] And he said, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." [18] And he said, "Bring them here to me." [19] Then he ordered the crowds to sit "Bring them here to me." [19] Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. [20] And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up crowds. [20] And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. [21] And those twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. [21] And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. children.

Interpretation PointersInterpretation Pointers

• Ask, “what barriers are blocking my understanding of this Ask, “what barriers are blocking my understanding of this passage?” Be aware of fear of change or of conviction (like passage?” Be aware of fear of change or of conviction (like we saw in Mark Twain’s quote).we saw in Mark Twain’s quote).

• Check out online resources (links will be posted online)Check out online resources (links will be posted online)

• Ask your spouse to hold you accountable to growing in Ask your spouse to hold you accountable to growing in inductive Bible Studyinductive Bible Study

• Don’t skip observation and go right to commentaries; they Don’t skip observation and go right to commentaries; they have great value but not before observation.have great value but not before observation.


Step 3: ApplicationStep 3: Application



"Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years."widens and deepens with our years."

- Charles Spurgeon- Charles Spurgeon

God’s InterestGod’s Interest

Why is God utterly concerned with your application?Why is God utterly concerned with your application?

Our SakeOur Sake His SakeHis Sake

He’s glorified!He’s glorified!

PerseverancePerseverance

Matt. 7:24-27Matt. 7:24-27 Refuge, Safe haven, Rock, FortressRefuge, Safe haven, Rock, Fortress

Happiness (blessing)Happiness (blessing)

Rev. 22:7, Psa. 1Rev. 22:7, Psa. 1 Fountain of life, Giver of good, Joyful Fountain of life, Giver of good, Joyful

Eternal security (assurance of salvation)Eternal security (assurance of salvation)

2 John 1:9, Matt. 7:21-23, Luke 8:152 John 1:9, Matt. 7:21-23, Luke 8:15Peaceful, Helpful, Holy, Faithful Peaceful, Helpful, Holy, Faithful

Fulfill our destinyFulfill our destiny

Eph. 2:10, John 15:16Eph. 2:10, John 15:16 Sovereign, Omniscient, Secure, GoodnessSovereign, Omniscient, Secure, Goodness

Escape sin’s destructive effectsEscape sin’s destructive effects

1 Thess. 1:8-9, 1 Cor. 11:301 Thess. 1:8-9, 1 Cor. 11:30 Wrathful, RighteousnessWrathful, Righteousness

Christ and Our ObedienceChrist and Our Obedience

1. Nothing tells more about our relationship with Christ than application

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.”

2. Application is the channel for us to experience Christ more

“And he who loves me will be loved by my Father. And I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Typical, Bad SubstitutionsTypical, Bad Substitutions

– Interpretation for application (doctrine for doing)Interpretation for application (doctrine for doing)– Superficial obedience to substantive life-changeSuperficial obedience to substantive life-change– Rationalization for repentanceRationalization for repentance– Emotional experience for volitional decisionEmotional experience for volitional decision– Conviction for changeConviction for change– Talk for walkTalk for walk– Busyness for obedienceBusyness for obedience

Application QuestionsApplication Questions

• Is there an Is there an exampleexample for me to follow? for me to follow?

• Is there a Is there a sinsin to avoid? to avoid?

• Is there a Is there a promisepromise to claim? to claim?

• Is there a Is there a prayerprayer to repeat? to repeat?

• Is there a Is there a commandcommand to obey? to obey?

• Is there a Is there a conditioncondition to meet? to meet?

• Is there a Is there a verseverse to memorize? to memorize?

• Is there an Is there an errorerror to mark? to mark?

• Is there a Is there a challengechallenge to face? to face?

Application AreasApplication Areas

God

Me

Friends

World

Me•thoughts (belief system)attitudesactionsemotions

People•WorkministrycoworkersNeighborsFamilyOther acquaintancesEnemiesPeople who annoy/aggravate youChurchCommunityThose in need

World•Nationoutside U.S.unreached people groupspoliticsgovernmentmissionaries

More InfoMore Info

““Living by the Book”Living by the Book”

ByBy

Howard Hendricks and William HendricksHoward Hendricks and William Hendricks

Documents

How to Study The Bible: The Inductive Method