Inductive Bible Study
Inductive Bible Study
Inductive Bible Study is a personal study of the Scripture using the Bible as the primary source. After you have thoroughly examined the Scripture, you may consult other books, tapes, etc., to check out your observations and conclusions.
The purpose of inductive Bible study is to direct you to the content of Scripture so that you base your belief upon a prayerful understanding and legitimate interpretation of Scripture and, as a result, practice that body of belief which you have embraced.
If you will study inductively, the benefit will be beyond anything you ever hoped could happen in your own personal understanding of the Word of God. As a result of incorporating the principles of inductive Bible study, you will
Be equipped to study God's Word on your own
Be independent of relying only on another's interpretation
Increase in your knowledge of God and His ways
Be greatly strengthened in your personal faith
Recognize the authority of the inerrant Word of God in your daily walk
become increasingly aware of all that it means to be in Christ
TWO APPROACHES TO BIBLE STUDY
INDUCTIVE:
1. Coming to Scripture with an open mind.
2. Wanting to discover.
3. Conclusion is the end product – not the beginning point!
4. Studying Scripture in context.
5. Tends to be more beneficial in correcting error.
6. It’s easy for everyone, with or without experience.
7. The Bible tells me what Truth is.
8. Deal with the text objectively.
9. The interpretation is only one.
10. The Bible is the standard.
DEDUCTIVE:
1. Coming to Scripture with your mind already made up about what you think is true.
2. Wanting to prove what you have already decided to be true.
3. Begins with conclusions made – go to the text to find support.
4. Studying Scripture in a fragmented way.
5. Can be used to support error (doctrinal theological, etc.)
6. You can use it only when you have complete knowledge of the Bible.
7. I tell the Bible what I think Truth is.
8. Deal with the text subjectively.
9. Tending to come up with many interpretations.
10. Personal opinion becomes the standard.
The Three Basic Steps
1. OBSERVATION: What does the text SAY??
2. INTERPRETATION: What did the text MEAN to the original hearers or readers?
3. APPLICATION: What does the text MEAN to me, and how do I APPLY it in my own life?
These steps should always be done in this order!
Observation should be done first, followed by interpretation; both of these should lead us into an application of the Bible. Only then are we ready to share or proclaim these truths.
Begin with Prayer
Payer is often the missing element in the Bible study. You are about to learn the most effective method of Bible study there is.
Yet apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, that's all it will be- a method. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, who takes the things of God and reveals them to us. Always ask God to teach you as you open the Scripture.
Contrast Chart
INDUCTIVE
DEDUCTIVE
Accumulative
Achieves authority
Asks questions
Assembles facts
Builds on facts to find causes
Constructive
Creative
Defers assertions
Diagnoses reasons
Discovers causes
Expanding
Explores, exposes
Flexible, elastic
Intuitive
Invites participation
Involves listeners in question
Open
Prophetic
Practical
Progressive
Reasonable
Relates
Relational accent
Seeks causes, concepts, conclusions
Seek reasons, evidences, principles
Assertive
Assumes authority
Asserts answers
Asserts concepts as facts
Binds facts into categories
Constrictive
Cognitive
Declares answers
Defends reason
Declares conclusion
Contracting
Explains, exhorts
Firm, set
Intellectual
Imposes principles
Imparts answers
Closed
Priestly
Prescriptive
Protective
Reasoning
Restricts
Rational accent
States effects, conclusions
States results, proof
Inductive Attitudes
Accepting not approving
Accommodating not acquiescing or accosting
Asking not demanding
Beckoning not badgering or be meaning
Compassionate not compromising
Cooperating not coercing
Courageous not conflicting
Dialoguing not dictating
Directing not driving
Encouraging not insulting
Engaging not opposing
Humble not hard
Inquiring not insisting
Investigating not imposing
Involving not evading
Probing not "preaching at"
Respecting not renouncing