Three vital responses in application are (1) Response of confession: The Word of God is like a sword (it penetrates), like a mirror (it reveals), and like a critic of the heart (it judges and reproves or exposes our attitudes and actions). Fourthly, we seek to stir up our soul to notes of praise and thanksgiving, delighting ourselves in God's Word, rejoicing in the prospect it presents, yielding ourselves in joyful submission to its precepts, and at the same time searching ourselves in the light of its cautions, humbling ourselves over our past coldness or doubtsfor most of our failures come from doubting God. You haven't really learned the Word until you live the Word. 2 Thessalonians meditate and meditate and meditate, Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. Goldsmiths keep bottles of acid by which they test everything that is offered them for sale, whether it is gold or merely tinsel, and the Christian should keep Gods word near at hand and treasured in the soul, to test thereby all that he hears. And to do this, you need to look at the context (Logos Bible Software can be a great help with this). Learn more 2. To profess great love for Gods word or even to pose as a Bible student is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctors prescription. Study the Bible to be wise. No, even though the town of Bethlehem was only only five miles down the road from Jerusalem. Good Bible study does not happen by accident. Inductive Bible study is a practical, relevant, and time-tested approach to interpreting Scripture. (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Andrew Murray writing about the discrepancy between knowing and doing, remarked. So even though you might be familiar with the word Messiah, you might want to focus on Mark and his original audience. If we study to know but never do, we like Chief Crowfoot will never fully tap into the blessing of, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We all need to ask ourselves are we studying the Word that we might be more like Jesus or more like the Pharisees? (Ezra 7:9, 10) (Click to read an in depth unpacking of this practical powerful principle - the "Ezra 7:10 Principle"). 10 Questions the Internet Is Asking about the KJV. Nevertheless our duty is clear. 2 Peter Truth revealed brings responsibility to respond. 2. Their righteousness was external, based on facts and devoid of personal response. Ask yourself all of the important questions above, and answer them as honestly as you are able. The first verse of Mark youve been studying does not have immediate actionable teachings, but you still need to be open to the Holy Spirit moving as you study. They are to leave behind their assumptions and make a ruling based on the facts alone. What guidance does it offer me in my social intercourse? Bible study is about digging into the text and pulling out insights. Here are a few questions to facilitate application of the truth you have observed How does this truth apply to my life in four spheres in my(a) personal life (b) my family (c) work (d) church (e) neighborhood? A sorry, sorry heart is that which so uses Gods Word as to make it an aggravation of its sin. August 5, 2009. These divisions are tools that help us read Scripture; theyre not an actual part of it. O/uE 4l"iI.l#e \c@pZFi7lq?3@hv?7 Il` Application is where the proverbial "rubber meets the road", where our walk either does or does not back up our talk and where head knowledge becomes heart knowledge. To love Him and obey. It went in empty every time and came out full (A. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes [Chicago: Moody, 1962], p. And the botanist had a big notebook under his arm and a great big magnifying glass. Christian author Jerry Bridges reminds us that. Memorization is the first step to meditation. 6. Commentaries can be incredibly useful and powerful tools, but be wise about how you incorporate them into your study. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. J A Bengel wisely admonished "Apply yourself to the whole text, and apply the whole text to yourself.". Sometimes its beneficial to ignore them and consider other ways you might divide the text. When you begin to study a passage, your first step will be observing the text. Lamentations P Is there a Prayer to pray or a Priority to change? Note that the question is not"Is this truth relevant to my life?" What else do I know about the book, author, and broader context of the passage? Malachi Mark key words and phrases (see figure on page five) A key word is one that is essential to the text. HWM5q0^5 !EJ8`vC ! If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. Matthew Henry adds: Every gracious soul stands in awe of the word of God, of the authority of its precepts and the terror of its threatenings; and to those that do so nothing appears, in the power and wrath of man, at all formidable. God's promises are not a substitute for prayer, but a stimulus to it. Its easy to become reliant upon commentary to explain the text to you, and this circumvents many of the benefits of study. Part of this work is active: Youre wrestling with the text and learning to understand it. Do not read the Bible as a book for other people. How about Son of God"? Why are we deluded in this way? (Col 1:28, 29-See notes Col 1:28; 1:29), The basis for application is 2 Timothy 3:16. Micah (Keying into the term good news early will help you understand Marks Gospel, as its a critical term that he uses repeatedly.). Notice how Jesus observes the Old Testament text in verse 42, interprets it in verse 44, and applies it in verse 43 (implying that his listeners should believe the truth and make some changes in their lives). +t8HL~Y,/0B_<7)K]JOSTx*=JOlgTx*=kp]un?VHk?Z,u-tglS Be sure to visit the Precept Ministries International Web site to go deeper into inductive Bible study. As you make it your practice to study God's Word, you will experience the joy of having Him directly unveil His truth and reveal His purpose in your life. You might make a circle around those terms as a reminder to focus on those later. But His smile quickly drives it away; Logos is the largest developer of tools that empower Christians to go deeper in the Bible. Girdlestone in his 1887 classic "How to Study the English Bible" has a chapter on application that speaks to "THE PRACTICAL AND DEVOTIONAL USE OF THE BIBLE" - We have now come to the last and most important stage of our subject. Thus, interpretation flows out of observation. The godly preacher F. B. Meyer wrote that Devout meditation on the Word is more important to soul-health even than prayer. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Authority of God's Word - study on 2Timothy 3:16-17, Ezra 7:10 - Exposition of the "Ezra 7:10 Principle", A Primer on the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation. THE THREE COMPONENTS The inductive Bible study method is a time-tested way for the layperson to approach studying Scripture. 8. Bible Study Principles Again, our METHOD of reading, searching, and study must involve very precise OBSERVATION, which is absolutely necessary to accurate INTERPRETATION! 1 Samuel To know and not to do is not to know at all. 1 John Study the Bible to be wise There really arent any wrong questions, and sometimes what seems like a silly question can reveal critical insights. Chapters, verses and subheadings are all very convenient and helpful, but when it comes time for genuine study, its appropriate to remember theyre not inspired elements of Scripture. The more work you do during this part of your study, the better you will do in the rest. Sometimes the application will simply be deeper faith and firmer belief. Observation answers the question: What do I see? Every time we encounter spiritual truth, we need to seek to apply that truth to our lives. 15.). Haggai The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather: you and me! ", D. L. Moody - "I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.". Practice it to be holy, Or as Skip Heitzig advises "A good perspective to adopt when reading the Bible is that of an obedient servant waiting for instruction from the master. Psalms Think of it as an appointment that you do not want to miss. Look for the plainest interpretation first. In short, as John MacArthur says "Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves, What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it?, We must take the knowledge we have gained from our reading and interpretation and draw out the practical principles that apply to our personal lives. Colossians Reading and studying the Bible are two different practices. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. What distinguishes observation, interpretation, and application? in my business life ? A lot of people have all sorts of news. It can provide you with answers you werent able to come up with on your own, and maybe give you some clues on interpretive techniques and tools in the future. Goes the way, Next, youll want to figure out what youre going to study. never the Bible to ourselves. Learning to read andstudy Scriptureis an important part of the Christian life. The ideal combination is to read the word and then heed it expeditiously and implicitly. However, interpretation can also involve separate actions or steps beyond merely observing the immediate text. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Avoid basing important doctrines on obscure passages. A (supernaturally charged and) changed life is the clearest testimony of genuine understanding of the Bible. Commentaries are fantastic tools. And its in this phase we start to look at what the text means. In truth thou canst not read the Scriptures too much; That's a frightening statement! Once you know what the passage means (interpretation), you are responsible to put it into practice in your own life. These are the ideas that were true for the original audience and are equally true for you. 119:160). What is the cultural and/or historical context of this passage? As questions arise, they give you direction for further reading and study as you seek to answer those questions. Habakkuk Do not be afraid to ask hard or silly questions. Luke (The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word), Jesus explains that relationship (and importance) between knowing God's Word and doing God's Word, declaringIf (If = 3rd class condition = possibility / probability but not a certainty! Learn how you can know God personally. 1 Timothy Develop your leadership skills and learn how to launch a ministry wherever you are. (John 7:17). What does it take to begin a relationship with God? When words or passages make an impression on you, stop and meditate on what God has shown you or as the great preacher C H Spurgeon advised Read the Bible carefully, ), A T Pierson said that "While other books inform, and some few reform, this one book transforms. How do you do that? 1 Corinthians startxref Study the New Testament at your own pace in workable units of material that follow the inductive method of study. What kind of flavor and preserving qualities do I bring to my circle of influence? Maybe this question will lead you to pray for God to show you ways to help others and make some resolutions about things that youd like to change. These four steps help you to orient yourself to a passage, wrestle with what its trying to communicate and examine your life in light of Gods Word. Bible study is meant not merely to inform but to transform and renew our mind. Zephaniah EP !HOz Youre attempting to get a sense of the whole before you begin to break down the parts. Contact Us. One of the pastors startled the group with the declaration that "My grandmother's translation is the best I've ever read." The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of precious gems. -EO{0iB d("o? Then you might turn your attention to verses 18 in the first chapter. Apply: How do I respond to what God is saying? Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. in my teaching, visiting or mission work? (Self deception is the worst form of deception and occurs when we come to believe there is virtue in hearing the truth of God but failing to apply it.) Solicitation Disclosure Statement 2 Corinthians It is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Only in this way can believers grow spiritually. 1 Kings As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgement upon our character and conduct. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Strip the passage of all the jewels you can find on your own, and then come back through with a commentary. If youre not careful, theyll do all the work of observation and interpretation for you. 2 Chronicles Go back to your questions from the beginning and ask them again in light of what youve learned, and apply it to our context today. See what precepts are binding upon thyself, and then, as a child of God, be thy feet swift to run in the way of his commandments. There is something incredibly rewarding about mining those nuggets of truth for yourself. Sometimes youll be studying a passage that has a precise application. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable (useful, advantageous, helpful,) for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (see notes 2 Timothy 3:16-17). 0 The Power of Accurate Observation In Bible Study By Anna Wishart 07/31/2017 Details Bring Meaning God's Word has a lot to communicate. And what thou readest well, thou canst not too well understand; 2 John Thus, we are called and encouraged to new labour in prayer, whilst we have a new example in Him Who prayed, and wept, and bled. Step 2: InterpretationWhat does the passage mean? Some seem as if they read the Bible in order to know how not to do, and the more God commands the more they will not obey. During the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. The botanist would lean over a certain flower and he would look for a long time and then he would write notes in his notebook. If you want to study Scripture, youll need to carve out intentional time for it. Joel Janet Chismar John Calvin commenting on proper application wrote thatWe must observe that the knowledge of God which we are invited to cultivate is not that which, resting satisfied with empty speculation, only flutters in the brain; but a knowledge which will prove substantial and fruitful whenever it is duly perceived and rooted in the heart.. Inductive Bible study draws its conclusions from the text, not our assumptions.
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