THE BIBLE FROM THE GROUND UP Study Methods
• The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:10-11
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY Application Interpretation Observation
OBSERVATION • Interrogate the text • Translations • Ask questions of the text
OBSERVATION • Who is speaking to whom? • What and when are they saying it? • Why do they say they are saying it? • What is the context?
OBSERVATION • Repetition • Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice . • Look for theological words • He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
OBSERVATION • Figures of speech • For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands • Find out what the therefore is there for • There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
OBSERVATION • Observe literary features • What genre are you reading? • Is there contrast or comparison? • Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
OBSERVATION • Is there an illustration? • Philippians 2:1-11 • Is there a quotation or an allusion to another passage? • Acts 2:16-21 • Consider the context
OBSERVATION • Cross references • Study Bibles • Do the work yourself
THE BIBLE FROM THE GROUND UP Interpretation and Application
OBSERVATION • Let’s practice! • Open to 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 • Find a group around you and make observations from the text!
INTERPRETATION • Interpretation flows from observation • Interpretation is summarization • Let’s practice!
APPLICATION • The goal of interpretation is to live according to the text • 11 questions to help apply
11 QUESTIONS TO HELP APPLY • Does the passage point out sin in my life? • What assumptions does this passage have that I don’t share? • Is there a command to obey in this passage?
11 QUESTIONS TO HELP APPLY • Is there encouragement in this passage? • Is there a promise in this passage that holds true for me? • Does this passage teach me something about God? • Does this passage help me understand something about myself?
11 QUESTIONS TO HELP APPLY • What evidence for my faith does this passage give me? • What am I going to do differently because of my time in this passage? • How can I model, share, or teach, the truth of this passage to others so that they can be encouraged by it?
11 QUESTIONS TO HELP APPLY • What application does this passage have for us as a family? As a church?
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