<p> Inductive Bible Study Skills</p><p>Inductive Bible study involves looking at facts and drawing conclusions based on those facts. There are always three parts to a good inductive study:</p><p>OBSERVATION: What does the passage say? What questions and comments come to you as you look at the passage?</p><p>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?</p><p>Following is one inductive method you may want to try. Use a Bible Study Outline sheet or your own notebook to record answers.</p><p>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.</p><p>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<cause>, then a plant will sprout up<effect>.).</p><p>3. Commands: An instruction, rule, order, or requirement (look for "go", "do", "do not", etc.).</p><p>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</p><p>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</p><p>Date: Passage:</p><p>OBSERVATION</p><p>1. Key words:</p><p>2. Cause-and-effect statements:</p><p>3. Commands:</p><p>4. Linking words:</p><p>5. Questions:</p><p>INTERPRETATION 6. Relevant information about history, geography, and culture:</p><p>7. Language (words that need defining): 8. What is the single primary meaning of this passage?</p><p>9. What do I think the original readers understood from this passage?</p><p>10. Cross references(list 5 that apply):</p><p>APPLICATION</p><p>11. Is there *a command for me to fulfill?</p><p>*a promise for me to claim?</p><p>*a sin for me to avoid?</p><p>*an example for me to follow?</p><p>*a problem I need to solve?</p><p>*a truth I need to claim?</p><p>12. Reference of the verse or passage you are applying personally:</p><p>13. What will I do now to obey what God is teaching me in this passage?</p>