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
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?