Inductive Bible Study- New Testament Didactic Literature

Step One: Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Step Two: On a computer, copy and paste the chapter that contains the passage of study, along with the preceding and following chapters, into a word processing document. Remove all chapter and verse divisions, as well as indentations, spaces and paragraph breaks. Step Three: Read the entire document three or four times. Step Four: Read through again, this time emboldening repeated phrases or words, or any thematic element that stands out as important to the thought flow of the passage. (The point is to trace the thought flow or argument of the author.) Step Five: Divide the text into paragraphs based on thought flow. You can make larger divisions or smaller divisions based on the level of connection between paragraphs. (chapter and verse divisions in the Bible are not inspired, and are not based precisely on content. Also, the writings originally had no paragraph breaks or indentations, and the New Testament was not punctuated.) Step Six: Pray again for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. ( do this periodically)

Step Seven: Copy and paste each paragraph into separate pages of a second document on the computer. Each page of this second document should contain one paragraph each. Step Eight: Beginning with the first paragraph, divide up and arrange the individual phrases or clauses of the paragraph around the page in a way that visually displays the flow of thought. Use your word processor's drawing tools to circle words and phrases, draw lines or arrows to connect related ideas on the page, or color-code the text to help display visually what's going on grammatically. You may also want to use text boxes to insert your own notes, or those from a commentary. While doing this, keep an eye on other translations for alternate readings of the text. (An example of what I've done with the book of Titus 1:1-2:14is at the end of this document.) Step Nine: Once all paragraphs have been diagrammed and analyzed, study again the flow of the whole document, paying particular attention to how all the parts fit together. Write two sentences, 12 words or less each; in one, write out the main idea of each paragraph, and in another, identify its function relating to preceding and following paragraphs. List them all on a separate sheet of paper. Step Ten:

- Study the list of main ideas and purpose statements and, based on these statements, determine a main, underlying idea through all the paragraphs. Each paragraph should in some way contribute to this underlying theme, what I call the Historical Main Idea. This is what was in the author's mind to communicate to the original recipient. Step Eleven: -Considering the Historical Main Idea you've just discovered, write another statement, 12 words or less, describing how your chosen passage contributes to this theme or idea. What does this passage say about the theme that the other passages don't? What is unique about its perspective on the author's main point? Step Twelve: Find an Old Testament/New Testament introduction, survey, reputable commentary (Bible backgrounds commentaries are excellent for this), Bible handbook, dictionary or encyclopedia, and spend some time researching the historical-cultural context of the book your passage is from. Just like the paragraphs, as pieces of a whole, try to get a feel for the main idea and purpose of the book within the history and life of the author, and within the Bible; where does the book fit into the whole sweep of redemptive history? How does your passage fit within that purpose? How does your passage contribute to the book's place in redemptive history? Step Thirteen: Identify the historical and cultural differences that exist between us and the original audience. Time, language, politics, social peace or unrest, religion, specific circumstances, etc., and make a list. Then identify the similarities. The purpose in finding similarities here is to identify what I'll call the Contemporary Main Idea. That this idea is Contemporary, as opposed to Modern, is due to the fact that the CMI is universal and not bound to a period of history. It is Contemporary with the reader, regardless of when he's reading. The Contemporary Main Idea of your passage will come from the Historical Main Idea and purpose for the passage, in light of these differences and similarities. The aspect(s) of the HMI that involve the similarities between ancient and contemporary audiences will be what translates into the Contemporary Main Idea. Consider principles and teachings in the passage, consider the historical-cultural context, and consider what similarities exist between ancient and modern audiences, and between these three, you will discover the Contemporary Main Idea. Step Fourteen: - If they are available to you, consult a few commentaries to see what professional Bible scholars have made of the passage you're studying. Try to stick to a critical or exegetical commentary, as opposed to a more devotional commentary (they can be helpful, but really only for devotional use, not serious study). Many commentators have a lot of expertise in particular areas of history, culture or language that qualify them to speak to certain passages' interpretations. Never consult just one, though. Just as in medicine, second opinions are extremely helpful. (Not all commentators are right, fair or even Christian!) Step Fifteen: - Formulate the Contemporary Main Idea in one sentence, 12 words or less. The CMI is also known as the thesis, Big Idea or Primary Theological Principle. It is that principle which is universal to all people, regardless of situation, culture, time period or even covenant (old or

new). This idea or principle does not involve any characters or circumstances from the text. The CMI would be the same whether the reader was living just after the original composition, or 2000 years from now. Keep in mind, there may be two or three, but there will only be one primary CMI. Step Sixteen: The Holy Spirit should be at work throughout this whole process, but His guidance is especially needed for this step: Application. In this step, prayerfully examine your life in light of the principle you've discovered in the text. It's been said that the reader must allow the text to examine them as they examine the text. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job of illuminating the areas where this principle is needed in your life to make you more like Christ. Make a list of items, such as sins to avoid or repent of, actions to take, people to forgive, people to ask forgiveness of, fears to release, possessions, emotions or relationships to surrender, etc., Step Seventeen: - No Bible study is ever complete until the main principle has been implemented into the life of the reader. In this last and final step, take action in faith, putting into practice the applications you've discovered in the fear of Christ. Adorn the doctrine of God. (Titus 2:10)

In the following pages I've included an example of the type paragraph analysis I do. It may not be helpful for everyone, as different people learn and process ideas differently. The same can also be done without a computer by writing out the paragraph on paper if preferred. Keep in mind, this method is not recommended for all types of Biblical literature. This method is designed for studying primarily Epistles and some portions of the Gospels, or any other passages which are written logically for the purpose of instruction. It is not as well suited for historical narrative, poetry or apocalypse. Having said that, with the exception of the method of paragraph diagramming shown in the following pages, the method of study proposed will be the same for any portion of Scripture.

Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,

for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, promised long ages ago, [who cannot lie] but at the proper time with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. manifested, in the proclamation

even His word,

1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach,
Overseer and Elder are used synonymously community marriage family Areas of reputation

the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as Gods steward,

Introduces the following:

not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, sensible, just, devout, holding fast the faithful which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. word,

1:10-14

aFor there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers,

who must be silenced

especially those of the circumcision, because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
Sarcastic irony.

One of themselves, a prophet of their own,

said,

Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to
This reproof is ministry to them, reproof for the purpose of restoring to pure doctrine.

Jewish myths and commandments of men who [turn away from the truth.]

1:15-16

To the pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, but both their mind and their conscience They profess to know God, but

all things are pure;

contrast

nothing is pure,

are defiled.
contrast

they deny Him, by their deeds, being detestable and disobedient

contrast

and worthless for any good deed.

2:1-6

This address introduces vv. 1, 7, and 9.

As opposed to they in 15-16.

But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women are to be likewise reverent in their behavior, not gossips malicious nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; doctrine

2:7-8

show yourself to be an example of good deeds In all things, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame,
Show[ing] yourself to be an example of good deeds is an offense against critic of the gospel..

Points back to sound doctrine

having nothing bad to say about US.

Defines what will shame the critic: no ammunition with which to launch criticism.

Identifies who Titus' example influences: everyone, Paul included, since Titus is commissioned by Paul, working under Paul's authority.

2:9-10

Urge bondslaves to be subject in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. to their own masters

2:11-14

Refers to whole section beginning at 2:1

For the grace of God

Past, completed action Adj. of grace-- that which is saving

has appeared, [bringing salvation] instructing us ungodliness and worldly desires

Present continuous.

to all men,

to deny

i.e., live for tomorrow by living for today, rather than living for tomorrow instead of for today.

and to live
Main Subject

in the present age, sensibly, righteously and godly looking for the blessed hope and the appearing
Direct Object/ Secondary Subject

Second Direct Object

Christ's deity clearly shown

of the glory of our great God Christ Jesus, and Savior, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify a people for Himself for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.