Each day you work through the inductive study, use the following questions as a guide to help you analyze the passage of Scripture. Once you have done this a few times, it will begin to become a habit you can use throughout your life to study the Bible.
Observation: What does the passage say?
- Ask Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
- Look for key words.
- Look for repeated words or phrases.
- Look for imperatives, which are commands, warnings or admonitions.
- Look for comparisons and contrasts.
- Look for lists and progressions.
- Look for cause and effect (If…then).
- Look for connectives (and, but, therefore, for this reason, in order that…etc.).
- Look for questions being asked.
- Look for promises and conditions of fulfillment.
Interpretation: What does the passage mean?
- To interpret means to explain or tell the meaning of something.
- The purpose is to determine what the author meant by the words he used.
- What is the meaning of a word, phrase or statement?
- What is the significance of this key word, connective, comparison or cause-effect?
- What is the implication of the use of this phrase, question or illustration?
- What is the relationship of words or verses to other words or verses?
- Process of Interpretation:
- Check the context of the passage.
- Define words or phrases used.
- Study the grammar and structure of sentences.
- Compare several translations of the text.
- Study the background of the text.
- Compare text with other passages of Scripture/cross-referencing.
- Consult a commentary as a last resort.
- Try to write out the central truth of the passage.
Application: What does the passage mean to me?
- Is there a sin to confess?
- Do I need to change an attitude?
- Is there an example I need to follow?
- Are there any errors I need to avoid?
- Is there anything to praise God for?
- Are there any promises to claim?
- Are there any commands to obey?
- Is there a prayer that I can pray?
- Is there a truth to believe in?
Other Resources to Use:
www.bible.org
www.biblestudytools.com
www.bible.lifeway.com
www.biblegateway.com
www.blueletterbible.org
www.netbible.org
“I prayed for faith and thought it would strike me like lightning. But faith did not come. One day I read, ‘Now faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’ I had closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now began to study my Bible and faith has been growing ever since.” ~ D.L. Moody
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” ~ Romans 10:17.
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 Going Over?Self Assessment How Do I Begin? The Inductive Method |
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