Inductive Bible Study

Sometimes studying the Bible requires a bit more effort than the general read-through.Imagine yourself sitting at the table doing an inductive Bible study, delving into God’s Word by means of markings, the five w’s & one h, and a sermon. 99% of outgoing eighth grade students at Grace Christian School in 2017 have repeatedly expressed that they would prefer not to perform an Inductive Bible Study, but they are indeed a remarkably constructive method of Bible studying. To truly explore your passage of choice, around six to eight hours are estimated for the completion of this exercise. According to the Grace Bible teacher Mr. Weber, pastors are required to perform an inductive Bible study weekly to include in their sermons.

With that in mind, the time has arrived to discover the secrets of a successful inductive Bible study. Without a doubt, markings are a great way to discover more about your passage during the process of performing an inductive Bible study. Key words explain what your passage is primarily teaching, or exemplify the point the author is attempting to communicate. If you become unsure about who your passage is currently speaking of, then pronouns are helpful in identifying the person. Synonyms aid your understanding of the meanings of and connections betwixt, two or more words which might have otherwise been skimmed over. Contrasting words, such as but, uncover that the author of your passage is contrasting one phrase with another.

This is commonly a do or do not statement. Next included in this study are comparison words, which consist of the words like and as. They evidently compare or associate two terms or phrases. Time words such as forever, then, or after this show time spoken of or happening in your passage. Lists explain themselves, and you find a minimum of two words or phrases that express the same concept for a list.

Finally, conclusion and result words hint that the author is concluding their point and presenting the result of their message. Subsequently, the five w’s and one h are vital in examining your passage during an inductive Bible study. The first question, who, contains the sub questions: who wrote it, who said it, who are the major characters, who are the people mentioned, and about whom is he speaking. The resulting inquiries for what incorporate: what are the major events, what are the major ideas, what are the major teachings, what are these people like, what does he talk about the most, and what is his purpose in communicating that? The questions that are under the category when consists of: when was it written, when did this event take place, when will it happen, when did he say it, and when did he do it. Not all of these questions will be applicable to your passage.

Questions under the category labeled where include: where was this done, where was this said, and where will it happen. Why was there a need for this to be written, why was this mentioned, why was so much or so little space devoted to this particular event or teaching, why was this reference mentioned, and why should they do such and such complete the category of why. The last three inquiries, how is it done, how did it happen, and how is this truth illuminated, fall under how. Have you ever wondered why preachers use inductive Bible studies to write their sermons? Inductive Bible studies alleviate the difficult process of writing sermons. Interpretation of the passage strengthens the sermon through these multiple methods.

Discovering what truth your passage is primarily teaching, and also what your passage means construct two of these methods. The other two methods that fall under interpretation consist of: what truths does the author use to support his theme, and what was the author’s original intent. Application describes to your audience what difference the passage should make in their lives. The first two inquiries of application include: is there a command we need to obey, and is there a sin we need to confess. Is there a promise for us to claim, is there an error we need to avoid, and is there something we need to change in our behavior or thinking to keep in line with God’s truth are the final questions that should be located inside your sermon.

Those are the three main factors that affect your inductive Bible study, and exhibit your skill throughout that extensive mission. Markings aid your comprehension of your passage’s topic, and uncover the logic behind the incorporation of your theme. The five w’s and one h develop this knowledge into applicable and easily understood facts. A sermon explains that knowledge, and applies it. Imagine the exhilarating feeling of accomplishment when you at long last complete your first inductive Bible study.

Now that you know how, are you ready?