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How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"The most important rule of Bible Study is TO DO IT!
What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer? Satan and his cohorts are so good at distracting us, andmany of us are guilty of saying, "it'five minute devotional to my hectic schedulein fact, I'm sure I've spoken thoseGod's Word, and studying God's word takes work. enemy only mean that it requireneeded. The Apostle Paul exhorts his dear friend,to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does ashamed, accurately handling the word Although addressed to Timothy specifically, this is a principle for all believers toword Diligent in this text is: 1. spoudazoto exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence”persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and haste! That's how we are to approach God's word take some work on our part, it's an endeavor to work toward,perseverance, action, a sincere earnestness engaging our heart and mindapplication and effort, accomplished with speed and haste. imperative, which means we are That's just interpreting one word!! Interpretation - that's the next part ofpreviously at the fact that Inductive Study is using the study. The process that we use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a cursory reading. We read with purpose. We Observe obvious: facts about people, places and events. only then, do we Interpret what thlives. So, how do we interpret what we have observed? By obsinterpretation will only be as good as our observation. myself. But thankfully, there are many study helps av
1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 169). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"The most important rule of Bible Study is TO DO IT!
What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer?
re so good at distracting us, and even good at intimidating us, "it's too hard to understand", or "I'd be doing good to fit in a
five minute devotional to my hectic schedule." Both of those statements may be very trueose words myself. Life is so good at getting in the way of time in
Word, and studying God's word takes work. Hectic schedules and intimidation from requires more diligence and determination to carve out that time
his dear friend, Timothy (and really, all believers) in 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be
accurately handling the word of truth.”(nasb)
specifically, this is a principle for all believers tospoudazo (σπουδάζω, 4704) it signifies “to hasten to do a thing,
to exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence”1 Webster's defines diligent as: steady, consistent, persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and
approach God's word - hastening to study, realizing our part, it's an endeavor to work toward, be steady, consistent,
perseverance, action, a sincere earnestness engaging our heart and mind, with application and effort, accomplished with speed and haste. Did you get all that?
, which means we are commanded to be diligent.
hat's just interpreting one word!!
that's the next part of this brief look into Inductive Study. We looked previously at the fact that Inductive Study is using the Bible as our main referencestudy. The process that we use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a cursory reading. We read with purpose. We Observe - what does the text say; observing the
laces and events. And reviewing it until we knowterpret what the text means, so that we are able to Apply the word to our
So, how do we interpret what we have observed? By observing some more, since tion will only be as good as our observation. I, by no means know how to do all this
here are many study helps available, and it's best to find
White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of (Vol. 2, p. 169). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.
Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"
What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer?
intimidating us. How be doing good to fit in a
." Both of those statements may be very true, and etting in the way of time in
ectic schedules and intimidation from the and determination to carve out that time
all believers) in 2 Timothy 2:15 - not need to be
specifically, this is a principle for all believers to be diligent. The “to hasten to do a thing,
steady, consistent, persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and
realizing it's going to steady, consistent, requiring
with energetic Did you get all that? Oh, and it's an
We looked Bible as our main reference, or source of
study. The process that we use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a observing the
eviewing it until we know it. Then and able to Apply the word to our
erving some more, since our ow how to do all this
ailable, and it's best to find sources that
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
you can trust to be accurate, which I know can be trickybut find a teacher whom you know is a blessed to be able to ask for clarification from my Dhas taught Bible and Koine` Greek for of harmonization of the whole Bible of anyone I knowpartial, but I believe has been gifted linguistically. He and it's wonderful to be able to just call and ask a questiondocumentation for the answer, not just an opinionalthough both are so busy I'm not sure how up to date they are: Spheres of GraDr. Troy Welch, Sr.; Koine Ministries, Dr. Todd Bounds. Study Helps - We have looked at the context, we have looked at the cosome of the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where we can start doing word studies Iabout the text. No commentaries just yetown deductions from study, not read what other people have written in response to their thoughts of a text. After we have completed our workcommentaries. They become the final lookplace we go. We want to know what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, but let's look at some study helps that are available to us Exhaustive Concordances - Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good reference to find a verse you're looking for, but as Concordance is the most often referenced lists every place in the Bible whereand may not always take syntax and grammar into consideration. However, the number that isattached to a particular word, as you can see in t[σπουδάζω, 4704])" is what is called the Strong's numberconcordance and used as a reference nhelps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines, and others. In looking at the definition we learn several things. (1. spoudazo [σπουδάζω, 4704])"diligence." You will often find other definitions following after thisthe transliteration (English spelling) of the Koine` Greek wordletters for the word. Followed by the Strong's numberStrong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list biblical references where the word is used, andother verses.
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
trust to be accurate, which I know can be tricky as there are many scholars out there,but find a teacher whom you know is a true student of the Bible in the original languagesblessed to be able to ask for clarification from my Dad who is a Pastor-Teacher for 60
Koine` Greek for many years. He also has one of the best understandings of harmonization of the whole Bible of anyone I know. And then, there's my son who, I may be
been gifted linguistically. He has taught Bible and Greek courses, alsoit's wonderful to be able to just call and ask a question and have them give biblical
documentation for the answer, not just an opinion. They do have websites for information, although both are so busy I'm not sure how up to date they are: Spheres of Gra
Koine Ministries, Dr. Todd Bounds.
We have looked at the context, we have looked at the content, but we may be confused as to some of the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where we can start doing word studies It's time to pull out the Study Helps and observe what they say
es just yet though. Remember, we are trying to ascertainnot read what other people have written in response to their
After we have completed our work first hand, then we can search out the final look, rather than what we are most use to being the first
what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, but let's look at some study helps that are available to us as we work to interpret the text
Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good reference to find a verse you're looking for, but as I previously mentioned Strong's Exhaustive
the most often referenced Exhaustive Concordance. You may remember that it lists every place in the Bible where a particular word is used. Remember, it gives the root word and may not always take syntax and grammar into consideration. However, the number that is
as you can see in the definition of diligence, "1. spoudazois what is called the Strong's number. Each word is numbered in the
concordance and used as a reference number in other publications, in fact, manyhelps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines,
we learn several things. In the definition for the word you will have:, 4704]) This means this is the number 1 definition for the word
other definitions following after this. The word "spoudazo" is (English spelling) of the Koine` Greek word. Then you have the actual Greek
letters for the word. Followed by the Strong's number (4704) where you can find that wordStrong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list biblical
where the word is used, and give further information of how the word is
any scholars out there, in the original languages. I'm
Teacher for 60+ yrs. He has one of the best understandings
. And then, there's my son who, I may be Greek courses, also,
and have them give biblical . They do have websites for information,
although both are so busy I'm not sure how up to date they are: Spheres of Grace Ministries,
ntent, but we may be confused as to some of the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where
and observe what they say emember, we are trying to ascertain our
not read what other people have written in response to their , then we can search out the
, rather than what we are most use to being the first what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if
what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, as we work to interpret the text.
Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good mentioned Strong's Exhaustive
Concordance. You may remember that it it gives the root word
and may not always take syntax and grammar into consideration. However, the number that is spoudazo
. Each word is numbered in the many other study
helps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines,
In the definition for the word you will have: for the word
"spoudazo" is . Then you have the actual Greek where you can find that word in
Strong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list biblical of how the word is used in
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
If you look up a specific word in Strong's you will find multiple verses listed showing where the word is in the Bible it is used. Ylisted for that one word, meaning it isdifferent numbers have different definitions.to how the word is defined. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance isin many Bible apps. Bible Dictionaries - There are many Bible Dictionaries word means, such as I used above in describing Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, but limited in that it deals with root words, Webster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that definitions found there are not taking into consideration the contthe word was used in the Bible. Resources Purpose - Resources have different information and different purposes. Some have more info, others are very brief. Some of the resources are: Biblical Encyclopedia, Lexicons, Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Many of these resources are available online, some are even modified in App form forBible Software, Blue Letter Bible, Biblesoft, Ebiblos.com., biblestudytools.com, and the list goes on.than carrying around those huge thick books. Beginning to Interpret - By now through your observation places to begin to do some interpretation. Look up and define each of those key words from the text. Define them separately, and then bripicture, meaning, don't try to define aindividual words, and then see what they say when put together. that you see in the text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinear (has Hebrew & English, or Greek & English) and begin looking at the order of the wordsword was used in the original language rather than the translations.have posted an excerpt from a syllabus my dad put together when he was teaching college courses. Its meaty, but it gives a lot of good informthinking cap on. I think you will find it helpful. Harmonization - Harmonization is key to understanding what God's word says about aother verses. Concordances are great for this in t
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
word in Strong's you will find multiple verses listed below the wordin the Bible it is used. You may also find different Strong's
, meaning it is not used in the exact same way in every textnumbers have different definitions. Again, syntax, grammar and other factors play in
o how the word is defined. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance is a huge book, but now is
Bible Dictionaries available out there and they give good information on what a I used above in describing diligence. You'll note that I used Vine's
Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, n that it deals with root words, and also, not every word is defined.
Webster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that definitions found there are not taking into consideration the context of Koine` Greek, or how
ormation and different purposes. Some have more info, others are f. Some of the resources are: Grammars, Word Studies, Interlinears, Bible Dictionaries,
Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Many of these , some are even modified in App form for mobile devices: Logos
Bible, Biblesoft, E-sword, You Version, PC Bible, biblia.com, biblos.com., biblestudytools.com, and the list goes on. Technology has made it so much easier than carrying around those huge thick books.
through your observation you have found key words, and key phrases. Tplaces to begin to do some interpretation. Look up and define each of those key words from
Define them separately, and then bring all the definitions together to form the whole meaning, don't try to define a word based on how you think it's used in a text
individual words, and then see what they say when put together. There may be other words text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring
questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinear (has English) and begin looking at the order of the words
word was used in the original language rather than the translations. At the end of this lesson I have posted an excerpt from a syllabus my dad put together when he was teaching college courses. Its meaty, but it gives a lot of good information, so take the time to read with your thinking cap on. I think you will find it helpful.
Harmonization is key to understanding what God's word says about a topic, or key word in other verses. Concordances are great for this in the regard that you can easily find where the
below the word Strong's numbers
in every text. Those Again, syntax, grammar and other factors play in
a huge book, but now is online
available out there and they give good information on what a . You'll note that I used Vine's
Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, not every word is defined. While
Webster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that the ext of Koine` Greek, or how
ormation and different purposes. Some have more info, others are Bible Dictionaries,
Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Many of these mobile devices: Logos
sword, You Version, PC Bible, biblia.com, Technology has made it so much easier
d key words, and key phrases. Those are good places to begin to do some interpretation. Look up and define each of those key words from
ng all the definitions together to form the whole how you think it's used in a text. Define
There may be other words text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring
questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinear (has English) and begin looking at the order of the words, look at what
At the end of this lesson I have posted an excerpt from a syllabus my dad put together when he was teaching college
ation, so take the time to read with your
topic, or key word in he regard that you can easily find where the
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have tStrong's number since each of the other numbers have different words used and different definitions. Harmonizing the complete why something is being said. It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A component to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word. As you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will become clear, for if you are in fellowship with the Lord, His Spirit will begin to tug on you as you look at the word. He will use it to transform your thoughts (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and see it as He would. You will know Him more deeply as you seek Him and He reveals Himself to you. I have no doubt that as you do, yHim more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as you see His grace unfold in the pages of His book. The following pages are taken from "Tools for Biblical Interpretation" syllabus. Written by Dr. Troy Welch, Sr. for Channel Islands Bible College. I hope you find them useful. You will also find a similar study on Koine` Ministries, with Dr. Todd Bounds. God's word is rich and we cannot exhaust it. There issaid of us that we were diligent to be in it!
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have tthe other numbers have different words used and different
complete Bible is helpful to get the overall picture of what and It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A
component to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word.
you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will become clear, for if you are in fellowship with the Lord, His Spirit will begin to tug on you as you look at the word. He will use it to transform your thoughts by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and see it as He would. You will know Him more deeply as you seek Him and He reveals Himself to you. I have no doubt that as you do, your trust will grow immeasurably, your desire to know Him more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as you see His grace unfold in the pages of His book. Happy studying!
om "Tools for Biblical Interpretation" syllabus. Written by Dr. Troy Welch, Sr. for Channel Islands Bible College. I hope you find them useful. You will also find a similar study on Koine` Ministries, with Dr. Todd Bounds.
not exhaust it. There is always something to learn, so said of us that we were diligent to be in it! Faithful stewards of His words to us. God bless!
word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have the same exact the other numbers have different words used and different
Bible is helpful to get the overall picture of what and It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A major
component to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word.
you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will become clear, for if you are in fellowship with the Lord, His Spirit will begin to tug on you as you
by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and see it as He would. You will know Him more deeply as you seek Him and He reveals Himself to
our trust will grow immeasurably, your desire to know Him more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as
om "Tools for Biblical Interpretation" syllabus. Written by Dr. Troy Welch, Sr. for Channel Islands Bible College. I hope you find them useful. You will also find
rn, so let it be Faithful stewards of His words to us. God bless!
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation
How To Study the Bible Inductively
© Grace to Joy 2015
How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation