Inductive Bible Study Skills

Inductive Bible study involves looking at facts and drawing conclusions based on those facts. There are always three parts to a good inductive study:

OBSERVATION: What does the passage say? What questions and comments come to you as you look at the passage?

INTERPRETATION: What does it mean? What is it teaching about God, people, how to live? APPLICATION: How does this apply to my life and what will I do about it? What can I share with others?

Following is one inductive method you may want to try. Use a Bible Study Outline sheet or your own notebook to record answers.

OBSERVATION 1. Key words: Words or phrases that are repeated frequently or words that summarize the meaning of the passage. Writers emphasize a point or concept by repetition.

2. Cause-and-effect statements: Statements that begin with if, because, since, i.e. if you do this, then that will happen (If you plant a seed, then a plant will sprout up.).

3. Commands: An instruction, rule, order, or requirement (look for "go", "do", "do not", etc.).

4. Linking words: Little words that play an important role in providing meaning and understanding by connecting large ideas. Look for: but— shows contrast in order that/so that— emphasizes a purpose because, /or—introduces reasons if--introduces a condition therefore/then— stresses importance of previous passage

5. Questions: Write down—and answer if possible—five or six questions beginning with who, what, where, when, why, and how that come to mind as you read the passage. Bible Study Outline

Date: Passage:

OBSERVATION

1. Key words:

2. Cause-and-effect statements:

3. Commands:

4. Linking words:

5. Questions:

INTERPRETATION 6. Relevant information about history, geography, and culture:

7. Language (words that need defining): 8. What is the single primary meaning of this passage?

9. What do I think the original readers understood from this passage?

10. Cross references(list 5 that apply):

APPLICATION

11. Is there *a command for me to fulfill?

*a promise for me to claim?

*a sin for me to avoid?

*an example for me to follow?

*a problem I need to solve?

*a truth I need to claim?

12. Reference of the verse or passage you are applying personally:

13. What will I do now to obey what God is teaching me in this passage?