Connecting with God through Bible Study

Inductive Bible Study

“Inductive” means drawing general principles from specific examples. In other words, getting what applies to all of us from specific examples in the Bible. It is done in three steps. It helps tremendously to do this on your own and then discuss the passage in a group setting. I find it helpful to take notes in a journal under the three headings.

Step One: Observation (What does it say?)

This is simply writing down the four 'Ws": who, what, when, where, and why. My current group is studying the gospel of Luke. It is an 8 week study. We read about half a chapter a day(or natural division, usually titled in your Bible). When we are together, we choose a passage from the previous week and I simply let them respond with each of these “w’s” and we write them down.

Today’s reading is Luke 4:1-30

Step Two: Interpretation (What does it mean?)

This is boiling down the meaning/thrust of the passage from a God-ward and man-ward perspective. It is simply two sentences. This is called the central idea of the text (C.I.T.). Together, we develop a sentence about God and a sentence about people that communicate the main idea of the passage.

Step Three: Application (What does God want me to do?)

Here, we are formulating a biblical prayer focusing on two things. First, what are the promises we can claim and be grateful for? Secondly, what do we need to change (repented of)? I find it helpful to write this prayer down. In the group setting, we pray this together.

It helps when whoever is leading the discussion has studied the passage. I recommend Dr. Thomas Constable’s notes on the Bible that have been posted at www.soniclight.com in PDF.

I hope this is helpful!

Tim