Precept Upon Precept

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What is
Inductive
Bible Study?
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Inductive Bible Study
a method that brings you directly to the Word of
God apart from anothers understanding or
interpretation of the text
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Inductive Bible Study
The Bible is your primary text
it does not just contain the Word
of God

• it is the very Word of God

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Inductive Bible Study
Therefore, refrain from reading
Books about your study topic
Commentaries
Study Bible notes
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3 Components of Inductive Bible Study

• Observation

What does the text say?

• Interpretation

What does the text mean?

• Application

How does the meaning of this text apply to your
life?
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Inductive Bible Study

• Observation

• Interpretation

• Application

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OBSERVATIONDiscover what it says!

• Overview

get the big picture

• Read and re-read the book

• Read with a purpose

let the text speak for itself
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OBSERVATIONDiscover what it says!

• Overview

get the big picture

• Identify the type of literature

• History, Biography,
• Poetry, Prophecy ,
• an Epistle (letter)

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OBSERVATIONDiscover what it says!

• Overview

get the big picture

• Identify the type of literature

• Focus on the obvious

• People, Places, Events

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OBSERVATIONDiscover what it says!

• Overview

get the big picture

• Identify the type of literature

• Focus on the obvious

• Ask the 5 Ws the H

• who, what, where, when, why, how

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The foundation of Inductive Bible Study is
CONTEXT
the environment or setting in which something
dwells, exists, or occurs
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CONTEXT

• Scripture must always be interpreted in light of
  its context

• Biblical

• Historical

• Cultural

• Geographical

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Context rules your interpretation
CONTEXT

• It determines what the passage means and what it
  cannot mean

• It is determined by repeated words and phrases

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Develop an At-a-Glance Chart

• Discern the main theme

identify the key verse that best expresses the
theme of the book

• Identify the theme of each chapter

• Identify clearly defined segments

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Focusing in on the Details

• Chapter Studies

• Observation Worksheets

(copies of the Biblical text printed,
double-spaced )
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

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Key Words

• Repeated words and phrases are Key Words

(include pronouns synonyms)

• Key words are vital to understanding the meaning
  of the text

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Key Words

• I Cor. 29-16

spirit/spiritual (11)

• Hebrews 11

faith (24)

• Gospel of John

life (47)
true/truth (45)
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Key Words
Choose a system of colors and/or symbols to mark
the text (observation worksheets) that will be
meaningful to you
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Mark Key Words and Phrases
Godr Jesusgt Holy Spirit? IsraelA
churcha worldä Word gospelU knowP
worship expressions of time _at_ or 6
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

• Lists

simple lists
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But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
...
Galatians 522-23a
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

• Lists

simple lists
topical lists
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• Christ died for our sins

according to the Scriptures

• He was buried

• He rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures

• He was seen by many

I Corinthians 151-8
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

• Lists

• Contrasting Words

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• Contrasting Words

the use of different or opposite
characteristics to teach a truth
Signal words however, but, yet, although,
otherwise, nevertheless
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God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and
walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the
truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in
the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
from all sin. I John 15b-7
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

• Lists

• Contrasting Words

• Words of Comparison

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Words of Comparison
the use of similar or like characteristics to
teach a truth
Signal words like, as, just as, so, also,
likewise, moreover
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Words of Comparison
Simile a comparison of two different things or
ideas that uses connecting words (e.g., like, as)
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All we like sheep have gone astray we have
turned, every one, to his own way and the LORD
has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah
536
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Words of Comparison
Metaphor an implied
comparison between two
things that are different
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I am the good shepherd and I know My sheep, and
am known by My own.
John 1014
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Look for and mark

• Key Words

• Lists

• Contrasting Words

• Words of Comparison

• Terms of Conclusion

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Terms of Conclusion
show a conclusion or summary being made a
result indicated
Signal words therefore, thus, so, then,
wherefore, for this reason
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Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, Hebrews 121
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Look for and mark

• Expressions of Time

• Locations, Events

• Major Characters

• Doctrine

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Focusing in on the Details

• Chapter Studies

• Word Studies

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Word Study

• To understand the meaning of a word or words in
  the context you are studying

• To discover the meaning of the original Greek or
  Hebrew word for correct interpretation

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Word Study Tools

• An Exhaustive Concordance

• Strongs Concordance of the Bible (KJV)

• New American Standard Concordance of the Bible

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Word Study Tools

• An Expository Dictionary

• Vines Dictionary of New Testament Words

• Zodhiates Complete Word Study Dictionary

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Word Study Toolson the Internet

• bible.crosswalk.com

• www.studylight.org

• www.searchgodsword.org

• www.blueletterbible.org

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Focusing in on the Details

• Chapter Studies

• Word Studies

• Cross-References

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Scripture Cross-References
Cross-reference a reference to another
Scripture that supports, illumines, or amplifies
the Scripture you are studying

• The best interpreter of Scripture is other
  Scripture!

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Scripture Cross-References
Cross-reference a reference to another
Scripture that supports, illumines, or amplifies
the Scripture you are studying

• God never contradicts His Word!

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Inductive Bible Study

• Observation

• Interpretation

• Application

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INTERPRETATIONDiscover what it means!

• Remember that context rules

When you interpret anything it must be considered
in the light of
the surrounding verses chapters
the book in which it is found
the entire Word of God
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INTERPRETATIONDiscover what it means!

• Remember that context rules

• Always seek the full counsel of the Word of God

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INTERPRETATIONDiscover what it means!

• Do not base your doctrine on an obscure passage
  of Scripture

(one not easily understood)

• Doctrine should be based on clear repeated
  teachings in Scripture

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INTERPRETATIONDiscover what it means!

• Interpret Scripture literally

(except where clearly figurative)

• Look for the single meaning of the Scripture
  passage

the authors intended meaning (not what
you would like it to mean)
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INTERPRETATIONDiscover what it means!
Now that you have thoroughly studied the
Scripture passages you may check your conclusions
by referencing reliable commentaries Study
Bible notes
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Inductive Bible Study

• Observation

• Interpretation

• Application

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All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work. II Timothy 316-17
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APPLICATIONDiscover how it applies to you!

• What does the passage teach?

• What truths can I put into practice?

• Does it expose any error in your beliefs or your
  behavior?

• What changes should I make in my life?

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APPLICATIONDiscover how it applies to you!
When applying Scripture beware of

• Applying cultural standards rather than Biblical
  standards

• Using Scripture incorrectly in an attempt to
  strengthen a legitimate truth

• Applying Scripture out of prejudice from past
  training or teaching

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OBSERVATION
INTERPRETATION
APPLICATION