The Reason for an Inductive Bible
This is the quintessential essay to show you all about studying the Bible inductively!
Check out Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:15 and see how God wants us to study His Word!
The First Step of Inductive Bible Study is preparing yourself to study the Bible! Before you can successfully engage God’s most precious Word, you must know that the Scriptures are our primary means of knowing God, learning His precepts, and growing in His grace. We must be willing to not just read the Bible, but to obey God's decrees! It is not about you, it is about God! Make it your choice and work out your salvation hard with a surrendered will to His!
STEP II: HOW-The Method
The Second Step of Inductive Bible Study is Learning "The Fundamentals of Getting More out of God’s Word!" If you just took a Bible book, any one, such as Romans, and read it every day for a month, you would know it beyond measure! And, this can be done in less time than it takes to watch a half hour TV show! You will have far more knowledge of His Word and be more active and involved with our Lord than perhaps 90% of Christians who usually just “pew sit” and do nothing with their faith. So, who will get your time and reverence?
STEP III: OBSERVE IT
The Third Step of Inductive Bible Study is asking, "What does this passage say?" Observation is taking a careful look of what is going on. We must know what is going on before we can act on a plan or action. Bible students must know the Word themselves before they can teach it. Start with the simple questions and as you progress you will start to see more and ask more. Not every question will apply to every passage, perhaps only a couple out of dozens. Remember, these are just tools; He is the means and reason why we study.
STEP IV: INTERPRET IT
The Fourth Step of Inductive Bible Study is to ask, "What Does This Passage Mean?" Inductive Bible Study helps us study with a plan: consecutive reading, book study, topical study, and verse-by-verse. When observing, we first ask what it says; then and only then can we examine what it means. This is the crucial step we have to undertake before we apply it to our lives. There are no easy ways out, or shortcuts to understanding any great works of literature, especially God’s Word!
STEP V: QUESTIONS
The Fifth Step of Inductive Bible Study is Asking Questions. “Have I found all that this passage has to say and mean?” Now the key principle that the great exegetes and pastors do to get more out of the Bible is, do not stop at the first observations or interpretation. They go back and mine out additional precepts; that is why they get more so they can teach more. They seek out what they missed by interviewing the text and they look for what can additionally be learned. You can do this too! This step is designed for you to do just that—get more out of the Bible.
STEP VI: KNOW IT!
The Sixth Step of Inductive Bible Study is to ask the Big Question, “How is this Passage going to fit into my life?” This is the step that helps us internalize what we are learning. This is the process of further interpretation, which is determining the meaning of the text—not just what it says, but what we do with it, to determine how it’s going to affect and fit into our lives. It is not enough to just know it. It must be rooted in our very hearts, minds, and soul!
STEP VII: APPLICATION!
The Seventh Step of Inductive Bible Study is to ask the other Big Question, “How does this apply to me?” We are called to be people who get in His Word, who see, know, and apply it so we will be growing and useful for Christ. We will be exhibiting good character and godliness as we move into actually applying Christianity, to being Doers of His Mighty Word! Remember, the Word of God's purpose is to transform us into His image and character!
STEP VIII: CHARTING YOUR PATH
The Into Thy Word Bible Study Method is the “cheat sheet” for using the Inductive Bible Study method. Here are all of the inductive steps laid out for you to use to get the most out of your Bible studies! Keep a copy of this tucked in your Bible. Feel free to make copies of this for your personal use; more are available in our book, Into Thy Word!
THE CHART
Inductive Bible Study Articles in 
MS Word files of our essential resources, - What does this passage say?
- What does this passage mean?
- What is God telling me?
- How am I encouraged and strengthened?
- Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
- How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
- What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
- How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
- What can I model and teach?
- What does God want me to share with someone?
Order the book, 'Into Thy Word' with a 15-week curriculum!
This book is about helping you understand the Bible and enabling you to teach others how to study the Bible in a simple, clear, and concise way. We have included in our Book a 15-week curriculum specifically designed for High School Youth.
For more In-depth Bible Study Methods see our Channels on “Exegetical Bible Study,” Bible Study Methods” and “How to Study the Bible” for the resources on how to dig out more of the precepts of the Bible।
http://www.intothyword.org/pages.asp?pageid=53489
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