Looking for a great Bible Study method? You’ve come to the right place! There are so many different methods we can use to help us study the bible effectively. However, I have to say that the Inductive Bible Study Method is the best way to study the scriptures for an in-depth Bible study time.
If you are a new believer or just starting to study the Bible for yourself you may have some questions about this process:
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These are all great questions that are worth exploring as you learn to grow in your ability to study God’s Word.
Contents hideThe main point of the inductive process of Bible study is to teach you a process for how to discover truth for yourself. It uses a three-step process of observation, interpretation, and application. I’ll talk about this more in-depth in a minute.
The guiding principle for this method of study is that we use God’s Word as the primary resource. That means that we wait to consult commentaries or others’ thoughts until after we have done our own diligent study of the scriptures.
The ultimate goal of our Bible study is to know God more!
Watch the video tutorial on how to use the Inductive Bible Study Method. It will break down these steps and go over the basics of inductive BIble Study.https://youtu.be/hPRLwCcxDsk
Here is a breakdown of the three steps to inductive study.
The first step is observation. It’s simply looking at the text to see what it says. This step is crucial! In order to properly apply God’s Word to our lives, we must interpret it correctly. In order to interpret scripture correctly, we must observe it thoroughly.
There is one original meaning that the author had in mind when they were writing scriptures. This is the interpretation we are searching for.
It’s also very important to look at the text objectively at this point. If we read a certain passage of scripture with an attitude that we already know what it means, we may miss a deeper concept the Lord wants to show us. So try and read the scriptures with fresh eyes.
Once we gain a clear understanding of the meaning of the scripture, we should then prayerfully consider how the Lord would have us apply that Truth to our lives.
Then, the fruit of our application should always be transformation.
Get your free inductive Bible study observation chart and overview below.
Make sure to download the free Bible study worksheet below. It’s kind like your Bible study cheat sheet in PDF format! You can also get free self study workbooks of different books of the Bible.
When I want to define a specific word or process I find it helpful to look at the antonyms (or opposites). The opposite of inductive reasoning is deductive reasoning.
Inductive reasoning is considered to be “bottom-up logic”. Deductive reasoning, or deduction, starts out with a general statement, then observes data to reach a specific conclusion.
Basically, it’s considered as “top-down logic”.
If we think back to our 6th-grade science class, we may remember learning about a deductive process. As you can see below, the Scientific Method begins at the top with a hypothesis, then works its way down to reach the conclusion.
So an inductive process is the opposite of this.
Instead of starting a more general idea or hypothesis, we begin with the conclusion (or the truth). Then, we dig up that truth to help us answer more general thoughts and questions about life. An inductive process is bottom-up logic.
So, in Bible study, the truth or conclusion that we are going to be digging up is God’s Word.
Therefore, in order to do inductive Bible study, we have to have already determined that God’s Word is truth. This is foundational because the Word of God is our starting point. It’s what we are building everything else upon.
Here are some tips for how to dig a little deeper into each step of the inductive approach. Remember, don’t consult commentaries pre-maturely. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you first. Then, look at thoughts from others.
When you are observing the scriptures there are some specific keywords and phrases you want to watch for that will help you gain a better understanding of the historical context of the scriptures. These skills of observation take practice. Show yourself lots of grace when you first start.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you move into the next step of interpreting the scriptures.
Now, it’s time for application! God’s Word is alive and active. After you gain the correct interpretation of what the text is saying, ask the Lord how He would have you apply it to your own life.
Application questions to ask yourself:
Here are some great resources to help you get started using the inductive Bible study method for your own personal use.
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I taught on this a few months ago in a blog post too! I love the inductive study method. It really helps me think and absorb in scripture.
I started doing inductive study very soon after becoming a Christian. Probably the one thing that has caused my relationship to with the Lord to grow most. I love it!
In-depth Bible study is needed in each of our lives, especially in this day and age where the morals of Scripture run contrary to the culture.
I agree, Susan. We need to know the Word!Awesome explanation! I feel strongly about teaching this to our kids in Sunday school. If they fall in love with the Word as kids, that love will never leave them. We can teach that and I believe it is our responsibility to do so.
So true! Especially during the times we live in. Our kids need to KNOW the word if they are going to stand strong for Christ in the world today. We need to be equipping them. Thanks, Carrie ;)
I love this Megan! I actually would love to purchase that Bible too. I love God’s Word so much and application does bring transformation. I love how you mark the Lord’s presence with a purple triangle for God and a purple cross for Jesus. I will begin doing that also. Thank you for this beautiful, rich and very practical post. Very encouraging … ❤
