Inductive Bible Study Method Introduction

What Is Inductive Bible Study? a means of studying and exegeting a biblical passage.  Richard Krejcir describes it terms of "interviewing a passage" without preconceptions or agendas.[1]   Examining the ideas and words of the text, which leads to the meanings and then the interpretations, which in turn lead the reader to conclusions and applications.[1]  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_study_(Christian)#Inductive_Bible_study

What Is Inductive Bible Study? Continued… Read a passage and then ask questions of how they personally interpret the verse(s). what do the verse(s) literally mean? how does it apply to the believer's present personal circumstances? The purpose of these questions is to go deep enough into the text to extract the meaning and then to apply that gained knowledge to life.[2]

Exegetical Bible Study Goes beyond the surface value of the text. the purpose is not so much for personal application as gaining information. Exegetical study is used most often by pastors, theologians, writers, professors, and church leaders in order to prepare for sharing lessons with others. It is meant to extract the ideas found in the text for the primary purpose of teaching.

What is Exegesis? Explanation or critical interpretation of a text a descendant of the Greek term exegeisthai, meaning "to explain" or "to interpret"

Study Tools Books: Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Concordance Commentaries (i.e. Matthew Henry’s commentary; Brown’s, Nave’s Topical Bible, Bible Dictionary's Zondervan’s Commentary Vols. 1 and 2) Study Bibles Live in the Spirit Study Bible Zondervan KJV or NKJV ESV Study Bible Crossway Publishing Spirit Filled Life Study Bible (Dr. Jack Hayford editor) NKJV Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible Sculfield Study Bible Amplified Bible

Study Tools continued… Websites www.biblegateway.com www.biblehub.com www.intothyword.org www.precept.org Apps E-sword for PC (free download at www.e-sword.org Mysword for Android (similar app to e-sword, but for tablet or phone. You version Bible App

What Does the Scripture Say? Step 1: Observation What Does the Scripture Say?

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? The 5 Ws and H Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Who Who wrote it? Who is speaking? Who are the recipients? Who is the text about? Who are the main characters?

What What is the theme? What is the subject or event? What do you learn about the people, event, or teaching from the text? What instructions are given?

When When was it written? When do events occur? When did something happen to a person, people, or nation?

Where Where are the main characters? Where did or will the this happen? Where was it said?

Why Why is something said or mentioned? Why would or will this happen? Why was it written? Why is something said or mentioned? Why would or will this happen? Why at this time? Why this person?

How How will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?

Step 2: Interpretation What Does the Text Mean?

Interpretation: Context Rules Consider each verse in light of surrounding verses, its book, and the entire Bible. Never take it out of context; interpret literally Remember that Scripture is God inspired and never contradicts other Scriptures. Look for the single meaning of the passage. Use tools, such as word studies, cross-references, but leave commentaries for last.

Step 3: Personal Application How Does this Work for Me?

Application: Discover How it Works What are life lessons? What does the passage teach me? What does it mean to me? What does it require me to do? Does the section of Scripture expose any error In my beliefs or my behavior? What is God’s instruction to me as His child?