Why inductive bible study

It is the small pieces that have the biggest contribution to make. The words of the text are your clues to its message. So you will pay close attention to the word choices of the writer.

You will look at the form and function of the words. You will define the words by their use in Scripture as a whole and in their particular context. Expository preaching particularly requires an inductive approach to Bible study for sermon preparation.

This results in a surface understanding of the riches of the text. The nature of the Bible itself invites inductive study.

It is a book of particulars with the universal truths of the revelation of God presented in specific historical settings. The prophets and preachers and writers of Scripture communicate in particulars. Why does Jesus rebuke the disciples for their lack of faith? What have the disciples seen so far that should have set them up to have greater faith? Be curious.

Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how? Jot down keywords or repeated phrases. Is there a list? Is it in the Old Testament or the New? Are there similar passages that support our understanding of what this passage seems to be teaching?

For this story, it would be fruitful to look at other times when Jesus talked about faith. This might lead to a greater word study on references to faith throughout the New Testament. What other examples do you find? Or look at Jesus' authority over all things. This passage demonstrates His authority over the wind and waves. Where else do we see Him exercise authority over sickness, demons , etc. The time we spend in the interpretation step can be brief or can be extensive.

This is the Application step. So, we make it a point of daily prayer to ask God to increase our faith and show us where we have the opportunity to make it apparent for His glory. Within this community are some gifted to teach, to exhort, and to provide wisdom.

Haley further developed the method. We are blessed to serve a God who desires to communicate with us. We all can do our best to understand it at whatever level of understanding we can attain and then apply that understanding to our lives.

Through our relationship with Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed as we live His revealed truth. The inductive method of Bible study can be used for deep advanced theological studies, but it can also be used by ordinary believers reading His Word at the start or end of our days.

We can trust that with published studies using the inductive method, the creator of the study is going to encourage us to follow the three steps. In this way, we open the door for transformation that testifies to the power of Jesus. Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a blogger, speaker, coach, and disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She speaks her mind at www. Inductive Bible study is a method of Bible study that allows Scripture to interpret Scripture, without relying on commentaries or other people to tell you what the passage means.

It is a way of studying the Bible carefully through observation of the passage. Those commentaries and books are not the inspired, inerrant words of God, only the Bible is. By learning to study it effectively, those additional tools become even more useful. Take your time. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness 2 Peter , and that includes His Word. If you are a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit is living and active in your life.

That means the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is actively working in your life and is willing and able to help you understand the Bible. He wants you to get it! Trust that He will lead you to a correct understanding of His Word. You know what else? Test what you have learned or concluded with the rest of Scripture. Does it line up? Is it consistent with truth found elsewhere in the Bible? Be willing to change your convictions and conclusions as the Holy Spirit teaches you and grows you in your walk with God.

I so desperately want to draw closer to God. I want to be in Christ. Thank you for joining us on the blog today and sharing from your heart. You are definitely in the right place! I, too, am looking forward to new methods for interpreting His Word. God Bless You!

I was trying to become a monthly donor but thr site would not accept my email address. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I love the piece about thinking for ourselves. Growing up as a Catholic then having my parents take me to a word of faith believing pentacostal church during my formative teenage years, I have found myself having to start from ground zero to establish my own beliefs and faith.

There was little room for individual thought in either church. Studying the Bible has helped me see the errors in both religions and correct my thinking.

I met many beautiful and loving people at both places, but many of them just accepted what was taught without ever being like the Bereans in Acts Thank you for joining us today and being so brave to share with us. Whether it was the culture or language of that time period, I wanted to put myself in their shoes.