Inductive Bible Study
“They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
ACTS 17:11 (NIV)
● LOVE GOD
What if you let the text speak before you speak for it?
There are numerous ways to study the Bible, but one primary option is called inductive Bible study. This form of study approaches a specific text with a lens of investigation, hoping through deep and careful study, we might learn the depth, insight, and beauty of a specific passage.
Inductive Bible study is different than other forms of study because this method allows the text to speak for itself. Instead of looking for Scripture to say what we want it to say, we come to a passage ready to hear what it has to say.
THE STEPS
Observe, interpret, apply
Inductive Bible study is built around 3 primary steps. Observation, interpretation, and application. It isn’t the only way to study Scripture, but it is one of the most well respected forms of biblical study. The next time you have some questions about a passage why not give this form of study a try?
Observation
All inductive study begins with observation.
- Who is writing this passage?
- What is the intended audience that is being written to?
- What is the genre of this passage? (Narrative, poetic, epistle, prophecy, etc.)
- What do you notice about the structure? (Repeated words, phrases, ideas or stylistic choices)
Interpretation
After observation comes the step of interpretation. Discovering more deeply what a text means. Interpretation relies heavily on asking questions of the text, and consulting outside resources to discover some of these answers.
- What does a specific word or phrase mean in this context?
- What was the author’s intended goal in writing this?
- What historically was occurring as this was being written?
- How do other passages of Scripture relate to this one?
Application
The final piece of inductive Bible study begins to look at application. What does an ancient document composed thousands of years ago have to do with us today?
- How does this passage impact us today?
- What does this teach me about who God is?
- What specifically does this passage invite me to as a follower of Jesus?
RESOURCES
Companions for the journey
Living by the Book
By Howard and William Hendricks (Moody Publishers). The classic observe, interpret, apply method.
Living by the Book Workbook
Moody Publishers. Short exercises plus guided studies of Ruth and James.