There are three areas to the inductive study bible method, Observation, Interpretation and Application.
Looking closer at each of the three areas we will start with observation. Remember that observation is asking the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the passage. So let’s break that down a little more;
-Who: Who is speaking? Who is the passage about? Who are the main characters? Who passage being written to?
-What: What is the main idea/subject being written about? Is it a person, place, or event?
-When: When is this happening? What year did this happen? What other events where taking place at this time? When did this happen in the person’s life? Is this a future event?
-Where: Where does the event take place? Where was the person when the event happens? Where was the person when writing passage?
-Why: Why was the passage written? Why did the event take place? Why did the person do what they did?
-How: How did the event take place? How did the person react? How will the event happen in the future? How is this relevant to other passages?
By asking these questions you begin to get a better picture of the passage. You are digging deeper and finding out what the real meaning of the text. As you are asking these questions look for key words, phrases or lists that help you answer these questions. Also look for comparisons and contrasts, i.e. light/dark, good/evil, etc..
Underline the key words and phrases. This will allow you to reference back to them later if you want to do a word study. Also look for chapter themes and write them in your bible. This will help you remember the passage and internalize it better.
There is much more that can be written about observation but this should give you a good overview of how to apply it to your bible study.
Inductive Bible Study Method – Observation
There are three areas to the inductive study bible method, Observation, Interpretation and Application.
Looking closer at each of the three areas we will start with observation. Remember that observation is asking the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the passage. So let’s break that down a little more;
-Who: Who is speaking? Who is the passage about? Who are the main characters? Who passage being written to?
-What: What is the main idea/subject being written about? Is it a person, place, or event?
-When: When is this happening? What year did this happen? What other events where taking place at this time? When did this happen in the person’s life? Is this a future event?
-Where: Where does the event take place? Where was the person when the event happens? Where was the person when writing passage?
-Why: Why was the passage written? Why did the event take place? Why did the person do what they did?
-How: How did the event take place? How did the person react? How will the event happen in the future? How is this relevant to other passages?
By asking these questions you begin to get a better picture of the passage. You are digging deeper and finding out what the real meaning of the text. As you are asking these questions look for key words, phrases or lists that help you answer these questions. Also look for comparisons and contrasts, i.e. light/dark, good/evil, etc..
Underline the key words and phrases. This will allow you to reference back to them later if you want to do a word study. Also look for chapter themes and write them in your bible. This will help you remember the passage and internalize it better.
There is much more that can be written about observation but this should give you a good overview of how to apply it to your bible study.