![]() The Holy Spirit guides us in interpreting the passage, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from Spirit. Remember, we have set aside any previous knowledge of the passage and are basing meaning on the text and our observations. Now we begin to understand the purpose and main idea of the passage. Look for Patterns – What does the passage mean? Going over it twice, or even three times, may take time, but the word is living and may reveal more to us at second glance. Once the passage text is clear, it might be good to look it over and check for any holes or new points. It continues with a discussion of relationships, where a diagram may best show the connections. This New Testament passage offers a list of earthly nature and then contrasts that to a list of Christ-like characteristics that believers should ‘put on’. In this passage, you will find contrast between the brothers’ offerings and a sequence of Cain’s actions and God’s response. I find that a simple list helps me keep things separated and not too muddled on the page. You may circle the references to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the associated pronouns, or underline the verbs. ![]() Some people find it helpful to print a simple copy, double-spaced of the passage so they can indicate the data noted with highlighters or colored pencils. You may also compare translations or consider the structure and literary type of the passage and the book. We should also note any connecting words, repeated words, phrases and ideas, and sequences or cause-effect, action/consequence in the passage. Once the passage is familiar, it is time to begin asking simple comprehension and ‘language’ questions: who, what, where, when, why, how are a good start. Gathering Data – What does the passage say?īegin by reading the passage, it can be helpful to review the passage in multiple translations. Let’s look more closely at each one to understand how this method of study unfolds. Develop Principle then Practice (application).Įach of the steps is distinct, yet they build upon one another and even overlap. Bible study is beneficial when it is attempted in an organized manner, such as working through a single book of the Bible at a time, by passage or chapter. Any past lessons, studies or sermons that you may recall about the studied passage should be set aside as we lean on the Bible as our primary key to understanding God’s words in the passage.Īs with all study, be sure to open with prayer, asking God’s guidance and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we read the Bible to understand the Bible. Inductive study has one basic premise – we look to the text to understand the text. As with all Bible study methods, you can take as much time as you’d like to study using this method and with as many resources as you’d like – but the Bible is always the primary study resource. method is often used for a light or quick study of a passage, whereas inductive study can go deep and be quite thorough. method is one example of inductive study. The inductive method works backward, from the basic information and examples to then formulate the rule, definition, or lesson. Traditional study, also called deductive, begins with a rule and then looks at information and examples to demonstrate it. Many of the simple study methods that we have looked at over the past several months shave been based on the indicative method of study.
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