Study the Bible Using the Inductive Bible Study

Method
A review of three simple steps you can do to study the Bible better (by Pastor Andy Deane).
Here are the three simple steps to an inductive Bible study:
• Observation—“See it” (What does the text say?)
• Interpretation—“Know It” (What does the text mean?)
• Application—“Do It” (What will the text cause me to do?)

STEP #1 OBSERVATION: “SEE IT” – Open Your Eyes to What the Text is Actually Saying
To observe the passage means to take notice of it by fixing your mind upon the Scripture. In
other words, don’t just read it; carefully examine what it is saying. Observation demands time,
concentration, and discipline. It cannot be hurried. The purpose of observation is to help you to
see the context of the passage and absorb all of its meaning. The best way to do this is to simply
read the passage a number of times, in a few different ways. For instance, first read it slowly and
prayerfully, then once again aloud, and finally read it through, pausing at the end of each verse,
and reflecting upon what it is saying. Each time you read the text be sure to write down
everything you notice about the passage, even those things that seem obvious.

To practically help you observe better simple remember the five W’s: who, what, when, where,
and why. Answering these questions from the text will help you see the bigger picture. For
instance:
1. Who: Who are the people in the story? Who is writing? Who is being written to?

2. What: What is being communicated? What is happening? What caused it to happen?

3. When: When did it happen? When will it happen? When did they find out?

4. Where: Where are they going? Where did it happen? Where did they come from?

5. Why: Why did he say that? Why did he do that? Why did he go there?

STEP #2 INTERPRETATION: “KNOW IT” - Interpretation Will Help us Discover What the
Text Means
A correct interpretation of Scripture will never be discerned strictly by human logic. We cannot
simply apply our intellect to the text; we must be willing to allow the revealed wisdom of God to
speak to us through the pages of Scripture. Many Christians miss the truth of God’s Word
because they are trying to mold its precepts to fit their own personal ideologies. They read
meaning into the text rather than drawing understanding from it. However, when we come to the
Bible prepared to have our thoughts and ideas conformed to its authority (rather than the other
way around) then whether we are seasoned biblical scholars or the youngest Sunday school
students we will be able to come away with a correct understanding. The best assurance we
have of arriving at the right interpretation of any biblical passage always begins with laying aside
our own preconceived thoughts and ideas, popular opinions, gut feelings, long-held beliefs, and
persuasive arguments, and allowing the Word of God and the Spirit of God to impart
understanding to us.

To practically help you discover the correct interpretation there are five questions that can be
asked to help you find the writer’s original intent. For instance:
1. Why did the writer say this?
2. What is the meaning of this?
3. What is the significance of this?
4. What is the implication of this?
5. Why is this important?

STEP #3 APPLICATION: “DO IT” – How Are You Applying What You Know?
Application puts feet on our Bible study—we cannot really say we know the truth until we walk in
it. How do we apply the Bible to our daily lives? It’s simple. We become “doers of the Word.”
James 1:22 says that if we are hearers only we are deceiving ourselves. God’s purpose for our
study time is transformation—He wants to make us more like Jesus. He is not impressed by our
knowledge; He is blessed by our obedience. So one very important question that we need to be
asking as we study the Bible is how can we apply what we are learning to our lives each day.

To practically help you apply the Scriptures you have to “design a project with a deadline”. Ask
God to show you a personal, practical and provable project that helps you to live out the Word. It
should be something that helps you to specifically do what the Bible is asking within a given
timeframe. There must be a deadline that you set for yourself otherwise you will forget about it
quickly. Ask yourself:

• How does this truth apply to my life? (At work? At home? At school?)

• In view of this truth, what specific changes should l make in my life?

• How do I propose to carry out these changes practically?

• When will I complete this project by?

Remember, the goal of the inductive Bible study is not just the acquiring of Bible knowledge; it is
to use that knowledge love Jesus more each day. How do we show God love? The Bible is clear on
this, by joyfully obeying His commands (1 John 5:3). Following these three inductive Bible study
steps will help you get more out of your Bible study time.

Studying the Bible should be exciting. If you feel like you are stuck in a routine and want to add
some variety to your Bible study experience then why not learn forty different Bible study
methods? Visit http://www.LearnToStudyTheBible.com to find out more. With 40 Bible study
methods you’ll be sure to find many that keep your Bible study time fresh and thought-
provoking. Each Bible study method has a handwritten example to help you see exactly how to
do it. You can learn one of these Bible study methods, The Daily Bread Bible Study Method, right
now by visiting http://www.squidoo.com/40WaystoStudytheBible.

Pastor Andy Deane is an Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in New Jersey. In 2009 he
published his first book, Learn to Study the Bible, containing 40 step-by-step Bible study
methods. Visit the author’s website at http://www.AndyDeane.com to contact him.