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Hi Willie,
I would agree that we as a society want instant everything and its crept it way into the churches.
However, I/we don't need a 40,000 word book either to understand a biblical concept. We need hours of sitting before the feet of Jesus through His word and the study of it.
And that's not to say a book doesn't help because it does or it can. I also have read various books and commentaries. And some are quite helpful, while others weren't much help at all or were worthy of the trash bin.
What I would say is that what I have found that is more valuable than anything is for us to get into God's word and study it. Read it all and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth. And make sure we also have a good teacher in the process.
God has placed teachers within the body of Christ also, so as we come together we hear the word and have it explained to us. I do believe churches don't completely do the job that God has sent them out to do. We're weak on discipleship.
Jesus spent 3 years with the apostles, discipling them and they still didn't have the complete understanding until the Holy Spirit came upon them and once that happened, they moved out in power, in wisdom and in knowledge. All that Jesus taught them came to their minds in power and in truth as the Holy Spirit led them and guided them.
So books are valuable, but what we all need to be doing is scouring the pages of God's word and actually studying them. Spending time in prayer with His precious word is what most of us need today.
I have read the bible and do read the bible. But what I can say from experience is that it wasn't until I actually began studying books of the bible that pieces of the puzzle on any given topic began to fit into place. There are so many aha! moments while studying.
And one of the wonderful things about the inductive way of studying God's word is that you come away from the study thinking to yourself, "the Holy Spirit just helped me to understand that." God speaks to our hearts and our minds and fills us with knowledge and wisdom we never knew.
So we all need to quit conforming to the pattern of this world and need to be transformed into the image of God. It can't happen instantly and the word of God with the power of the Holy Spirit is what helps transform our minds into having the mind of Christ.
But I would say that some on here use may more words than 140 characters. Some get into deep discussions with many words and some here do spend lots of time in God's word. You can pick them out by reading their posts.
So I would say that there's a lot of value even in the words spoken here no matter how few or how many. People are learning things on here and seeds are being planted.
If you offered a book for me to read, I'm not sure I'd want to read it either. I'd rather spend time reading God's word and studying it. Go right to the source so to speak and allow Him to lead me and guide me into all truth as He promised He would.
In other words, if you don't already "know" there is a coming 'escape pod' rapture..... or that God tortured Jesus on the cross.... you honestly and truly don't find those 'facts' you grew up so positive of, anywhere on the pages of the book.
These past five years have been absolutely startlingly eye-opening from that perspective. I feel like I am finally reading God's word instead of the traditions of men that others have convinced me to verify by reading to find the interpretations of true Scripture taught to me over the decades.
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Many men would agree with you but then possibly have a different view on exactly what being in Christ or abiding in Christ means and encompasses.
We hear the message about Christ - then we believe - then we are sealed with the Holy Spirit who Jesus said would be with us and in us forever. John 14:16
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
These are the ones that are saved from the wrath of God.
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I was going to add this truth to my past post but time was up. We need to be secure in His love and then no fear can assault our minds - because fear involves punishment and there is no punishment for those that are in Christ.
Having "security" produces "maturity" just like it does in all relationships.
1 John 4:18-19 (NASB)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] We love, because He first loved us.
( we need to get secure in His love for us and then His love that is already in us will flow in and through us naturally to love Him back, to love others and to love ourselves properly )
Having "security" produces "maturity" just like it does in all relationships.
1 John 4:18-19 (NASB)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] We love, because He first loved us.
( we need to get secure in His love for us and then His love that is already in us will flow in and through us naturally to love Him back, to love others and to love ourselves properly )
A
I guess having read the Bible first in high school before attending a church or accepting Christ gives me a different perspective....different, not better or lacking.
I think it's a blessing the different ways God teaches and trains us to work together in the body of Christ.
I always question what I believe and what the church teaches because I know of our human tendency to make words say what we want instead of what God intends.
I think it's a blessing the different ways God teaches and trains us to work together in the body of Christ.
I always question what I believe and what the church teaches because I know of our human tendency to make words say what we want instead of what God intends.
I think most of us were raised with: "This is what we here at this place believe, and we read THESE verses to mean THIS, so that such an interpretation becomes our "proof-text" that our beliefs have to be right." (Even though almost any of the three or four hundred different interpretations hardly ever look even remotely similar to just the pure, simply things expressed in the Bible.)
Hi Willie,
I'm not sure you understand the inductive method of studying your bible. It's not canned study. And it's not someone else's ideas. Unless you have someone afterwards teaching you what it means. But during the inductive process there's no one telling you what anything means. It's just you and the Holy Spirit.
Here it is in a nutshell. Observation, Interpretation and then Application.
You observe the text. Whatever book your studying. So lets say for instance we're studying one of Paul's books. Colossians for instance. What you do in inductive study is to do an overview. You read the whole thing in context.
After the overview you begin to look for who is writing the book, who is he writing it to. You ask the 5 W's and an H. You break the book up into chapters.
You begin to mark or underline key words. You look them up in the greek and hebrew. You might make lists of the key words and write down the verse they came from. You look up other scriptures that talk about your key word because scripture interprets scripture.
When interpreting we always remember context is king. So for instance if I was talking about Tommy who just put on a pair of trunks, I would know that this sentence isn't talking about an elephants trunk, it's not talking about packing a trunk (suitcase). We know its not the trunk of a tree nor is it the compartment of a car we put groceries in. The context will tell me how to use the correct understanding of the word used. We will underline geographical locations and look them up on a map. Only afterwards do we look at commentaries and that's only if we want to.
Maybe you mean a different way of studying because this way doesn't teach you preconceived ideas. In fact, you're suppose to forget doctrinal slants and allow the text to speak to you and allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. That's one thing that is stressed over and over. Allow the text to be your teacher, not someone else's opinion.
God does not really hide His face from us for He sees all,and knows all.
I believe that God hiding His face from us might only apply to the people who claim God but are not doing His will for an extended period of time,causing God to not deal in the person's life until they make a move to correct this wrongful position,and when they do that then God will begin to work again in that person's life.
Deu 4:26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
Deu 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
God gave Israel a blessing and a curse depending on how they as a nation behaved in accordance with God's truth.A blessing if they abided in the truth in which they would prosper and no enemy could take them down,and a curse if they disobeyed the truth for a certain amount of time that God would allow their enemies to come against them and scatter them in to the nations.
But anytime they cry out to God,make a move to correct the situation,God would then work among them again as in time past and bring them back to the right position.
Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Jer 33:19 And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
Jer 33:21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
Jer 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
Jer 33:23 Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 33:24 Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
Jer 33:25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Jer 33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Jer 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God called Israel and will never turn from it,and His covenant is always with them and never departs,and anytime they make a move to correct their wrongful position,God will make a move to bring them around to being right with Him again,even in the latter days if they turn to God,He will work them,which God will send them two witnesses and turn them to Jesus,which they make a move towards God,and then God makes a move towards them to cause them to prosper as the kingdom is restored to them.
God is always there for them,and if they are disobedient will work with them anytime they make a move to correct their wrongful position.
Deu 32:18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Deu 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
Deu 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Deu 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Eze 39:21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
Eze 39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
Eze 39:23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
Eze 39:24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.
Eze 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
Eze 39:26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
Eze 39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
Eze 39:28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
Eze 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
God is always there for Israel at all times,and never forsakes them,but He would hide His face from them during the time they were disobedient as a nation following that which is not right,which means He was not operating to full capacity in their nation because of their disobedience,but He was always there for them,and never forsook them,and when they made a move to do right,then God worked with them again like the past.
Jesus said that He will never leave us or forsake us,but if we are disobedient then God will not work to full capacity in our life,but when we want to correct our wrongful position then God will work in our life like the past.
If we are disobedient for an extended time God will hide His face from us,but like Israel He is always there and will not forsake us in the sense that He says I am done with you,for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,and when we correct our wrongful ways then God will then again work in our life to full capacity of all what He gives us according to His salvation plan.
Like the nation of Israel,God is always there for us,and Jesus will never leave or forsake us,but our prosperity depends on whether we do right by God,or wrong for an extended period of time,and if wrong then God will not work to full capacity in our life,but He is still there,and when we correct this situation,then God will work to full capacity in our life again.
Because even when disobedient for a certain amount of time,and God is not working to full capacity in our life,He is still there for us,and Jesus will never leave or forsake us,and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,and He is still working somewhat in our life although not to full capacity,like He told Israel,I am the LORD,I change not,therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.
I believe that God hiding His face from us might only apply to the people who claim God but are not doing His will for an extended period of time,causing God to not deal in the person's life until they make a move to correct this wrongful position,and when they do that then God will begin to work again in that person's life.
Deu 4:26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
Deu 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God
he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. God gave Israel a blessing and a curse depending on how they as a nation behaved in accordance with God's truth.A blessing if they abided in the truth in which they would prosper and no enemy could take them down,and a curse if they disobeyed the truth for a certain amount of time that God would allow their enemies to come against them and scatter them in to the nations.
But anytime they cry out to God,make a move to correct the situation,God would then work among them again as in time past and bring them back to the right position.
Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Jer 33:19 And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
Jer 33:21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
Jer 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
Jer 33:23 Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Jer 33:24 Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
Jer 33:25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;
Jer 33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Jer 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Rom 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
God called Israel and will never turn from it,and His covenant is always with them and never departs,and anytime they make a move to correct their wrongful position,God will make a move to bring them around to being right with Him again,even in the latter days if they turn to God,He will work them,which God will send them two witnesses and turn them to Jesus,which they make a move towards God,and then God makes a move towards them to cause them to prosper as the kingdom is restored to them.
God is always there for them,and if they are disobedient will work with them anytime they make a move to correct their wrongful position.
Deu 32:18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Deu 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
Deu 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Deu 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Eze 39:21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
Eze 39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
Eze 39:23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
Eze 39:24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them.
Eze 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
Eze 39:26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
Eze 39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
Eze 39:28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
Eze 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
God is always there for Israel at all times,and never forsakes them,but He would hide His face from them during the time they were disobedient as a nation following that which is not right,which means He was not operating to full capacity in their nation because of their disobedience,but He was always there for them,and never forsook them,and when they made a move to do right,then God worked with them again like the past.
Jesus said that He will never leave us or forsake us,but if we are disobedient then God will not work to full capacity in our life,but when we want to correct our wrongful position then God will work in our life like the past.
If we are disobedient for an extended time God will hide His face from us,but like Israel He is always there and will not forsake us in the sense that He says I am done with you,for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,and when we correct our wrongful ways then God will then again work in our life to full capacity of all what He gives us according to His salvation plan.
Like the nation of Israel,God is always there for us,and Jesus will never leave or forsake us,but our prosperity depends on whether we do right by God,or wrong for an extended period of time,and if wrong then God will not work to full capacity in our life,but He is still there,and when we correct this situation,then God will work to full capacity in our life again.
Because even when disobedient for a certain amount of time,and God is not working to full capacity in our life,He is still there for us,and Jesus will never leave or forsake us,and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,and He is still working somewhat in our life although not to full capacity,like He told Israel,I am the LORD,I change not,therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Here is what I am talking about:
Inductive Bible Study
Introduction
The Inductive Bible study method is applicable to every level from individual study, to leading a small group, to every level of Bible teaching from children’s Sunday School to the main message coming from the pulpit.
Its goal is to provide a framework by which you can hear God speaking through His Word and make personal application to your life. It’s how one becomes a doer of the Word and not just a listener. This brief introduction is essential to understanding Walk with the Word’s perspective and approach to providing Bible studies and related materials to all levels of ministry. There are many books and web sites devoted to this topic that will provide much more detail. This discussion is provided as an overview.
At its simplest, the Inductive method employs three basic techniques:
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application
Observation
Observation teaches you to see what the passage says and is the basis for accurate interpretation and correct application. It is vitally important to understand the context of the Scripture being studied and to not pull the words or sentences away from their true meaning. Observation answers the question, “What does the passage say?”
You don’t have to earn a degree in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic to figure out the correct context of any portion of Scripture. (It can’t hurt, either.) But it’s essential that you keep in mind that language changes over time, and that speech patterns, writing styles, communication methods differ during the course of our own lifetime, much less over 2,000 years and many, many cultural hand-offs. The observation techniques that follow allow you to glean what is being said in the proper context as you study.
Begin with Prayer
If you want to “hear” what God has to say to you personally, you really need to enter into 2-way communication. Prayer begins the “conversation” and places your mind, heart and soul in the right relationship with Him.
Ask the 5 W's and an H
The hardest thing to do is ridding ourselves of assumptions when we approach God’s Word, whether it’s a book (“Revelation is nothing but symbols and allegories.”) or a familiar passage (“1 Corinthians 13 is all I need to know about ‘love. ’”). Presuppositions are the most common culprits leading to wrong interpretation and mis-application. Carefully observing who, what, when, where, why and how are the best assurances leading to correct interpretation. DON’T RUSH PAST THIS. Doing this on a chapter-by-chapter basis consistently places the paragraphs, sentences, and words in their proper context.
• WHO is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters? To whom is he speaking?
• WHAT is the subject or event covered in the chapter? What do you learn about the people, event, or teaching?
• WHEN do/will the events occur or did/will something happen to someone in particular?
• WHERE did or will this happen? Where was it said?
• WHY is something being said or mentioned? Why would/will this happen? Why at that time and/or to this person/people?
• HOW will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?
Mark Key Words and Phrases
A key word or phrase is one which, when removed, leaves the passage void of meaning. They are often repeated by the author throughout a chapter or book in order to reveal the point or purpose of the writing.
However you decide to mark such things in your Bible, determine to be consistent in your use of colors, symbols, or a combination of both throughout in order to capture important themes that transcend just a single passage of Scripture. (e.g., “love”, “covenant”, “sin”, “grace”, etc.)
Pay attention to pronouns (“he”, “she”, “we”, “they”, “I”, “you”, “it”, “our”, etc.) as they often indicate a change of direction or emphasis. (e.g., when it changes from “He” says to “you” say.) And note synonyms which are different ways of referring to the same person, place, or thing. For instance, there are many names for “God”, several names for “Jerusalem”, and so on. These often hint at different character traits of the same entity, trying to teach us a little more about it.
Look for Lists
Trivia Time: In movies, books and everyday speech people often refer to “The Seven Deadly Sins” – where did that come from? One of Paul’s epistles. (Looking it up would be good for you.) Lists are often additional words used to describe a key word, but are also what is said about someone or something or related thoughts/instructions grouped together.
Lists are something you should develop as you study a particular topic throughout the Bible such as “grace”. Listing the characteristics of grace as provided by each use throughout Scripture will provide you with a much broader view of the whole meaning of grace. Such a list allows you see the bigger picture and avoid incorrectly interpreting it on the basis of just one Scripture in and of itself. Lists are the building blocks to developing something usually described in the much more intimidating terms “doctrine” and “theology”.
Yes, keeping lists of the important topics provides you with the basis for personalizing doctrines and theologies that follow from studying a theme across the entire Bible. Essentially you are placing the foundation layers of your faith into their right and proper context.
Watch for Contrasts and Comparisons
A contrast is a comparison of things that are different or opposite, such as light/darkness, proud/humble, good/evil. The word but often indicates a contrast to something just stated.
A comparison points out similarities and is most often indicated in the use of words such as like, as, as it were.
These small words are great eye-openers in the process of observation as they set the words on either side of them into their proper context.
Identify Terms of Conclusion
Wherefore, therefore, for this reason, and finally are terms of conclusion that usually follow an important thought in order to tell you how to personally apply the teaching. They’re a bridge between the “teaching” and the “application” and often clearly spell out the proper meaning and context of the passage with no guesswork as to what it means.
Develop Your Own Chapter Themes
The printed chapter themes in most Bibles are more of an aid for finding a specific story or passage such as “Jesus Heals a Blind Man”; they’re not very descriptive of the spiritual topic or theme that reveal the lessons God is directing to your heart. Nearly every Bible translation is available without such markings, usually in a “wide margin” edition conducive to making personal notes. The New Inductive Study Bible by Harvest House Publishers, for instance, builds this into several versions and even provides a place at the end of every book to record your personal chapter headings in order to see patterns and development of themes. But this can also easily be maintained on a separate sheet of paper.
Note Expressions of Time
This is often the most-overlooked part of observation. A crucial part of attaining the correct context is understanding when something has/is/will happen.
Time is often directly indicated such as “during the reign of”, “on the tenth day”, “at the feast of”, etc., etc. Sometimes the context is as much about when, or its relationship to a past or present event, as it is the person, place, or thing mentioned.
Pay attention to words such as until, then, when, and after as they reveal the relationship of one event to another. This is of particular importance when studying the Gospels as you will begin to see that Jesus’ acts and miracles are often an extension of the teaching He gave just before or after them. Throughout the Bible these words help connect actions with teaching in the proper context.
These are the fundamentals and, to be sure, there are added guidelines for the proper observation applied to some of the different types of literature provided throughout the Bible such as psalms, songs, parables, allegories, etc. But this will serve as the baseline throughout. Proper observation takes the guesswork out of interpretation and application. As stated previously, don’t rush through observation because you want to get to interpretation or application more quickly. The latter are only properly achieved through patient and thorough observation.
Interpretation
Interpretation answers the question, “What does the passage mean?” Tons of books and web sites are available on this topic–not to mention hundreds of institutions providing degrees in related fields–so these are the basic rules. But don’t let anyone intimidate you in following their steps; God makes His knowledge and will known to ANYONE who seeks. (There’s a good topic for you to keep track of throughout your studies.)
1. Context ALWAYS rules first. Never take a Scripture out of its context to make it say what you want it to say. Look at context first from the perspective of the book being studied, the overall chapter, the paragraph, and the sentence. Try to stay away from giving individual words meanings that reinterpret sentences, paragraphs, and onward up.
2. Always seek the FULL counsel of God’s Word. Never accept someone’s teaching based on one or two verses; ensure that they’re not taken out of context as they’re employed throughout the whole Bible.
3. Scripture never contradicts Scripture. It’s amazing how the best interpreter of Scripture is other Scripture. One of the best study aids is a good Bible dictionary which will show words and concepts as they’re presented throughout ALL of Scripture. This is often the best use of footnotes in your Bible that indicate other verses utilizing the same words or phrases in other places so you can compare and contrast how it’s used in many passages.
4. Never base a belief or conviction on an obscure passage of Scripture. You can always ask other Believers, go to Bible dictionaries or commentaries, or submit it to God in prayer and await His direction.
5. Interpret Scripture literally. Obviously there are no dragons and the Bible uses it and other symbols. But these are far and away the exceptions in the Bible as the vast majority are very, very literal. Beware of false teachers who teach that all the Bible is but allegory, such as Jonah and the big fish, or the Garden of Eden, etc., etc. These and all events, places and things in the Bible are real and not allegory. God is very clear in Scripture when He uses allegory, parables, or other literary devices to communicate His Word.
6. Look for the single meaning of the passage. Let the passage speak for itself. Seek to understand what the author had in mind. Flee from those that teach about things such as “Bible codes” or try to twist Scripture to support a meaning it never had in the first place. Making something complicated is usually an outward sign of someone that is going to great lengths to justify some kind of sin in their life or the choices they’ve made. Always remember that allegories and typology always illuminate what is already present in Scripture – they never create something new on their own.
Application
Application answers the question, “What does it mean to me personally? What truths can I put into practice? What changes should I make to my life?”
Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Paul provides the activities involved in application: Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
• Teaching is what the Word of God has to say on any topic or subject and is always true. Once you discover what the Word of God teaches, you are obligated before God to accept that truth and to live by it, dropping any false beliefs or teachings you may have previously held.
• Reproof is finding out where you have thought or behaved wrongly or have not been doing what God says is right according to His Word. It’s your personal acknowledgment that you were wrong in thought or behavior and now accept and agree with God’s truth, setting you free from sin and unbelief.
• Correction is the step wherein the knowledge gained from teaching and reproof are placed into action resulting in changed behavior. It’s converting knowledge into obedience.
• Training in righteousness can be thought of in terms of God’s Word as a handbook for living, for how we conduct ourselves. It’s continually returning to the source and consistently putting into practice the reproofs and corrections of His Word to build our character in Him.
In seeking to apply Scripture to your life, ask the following questions in light of your observation and interpretation:
1. What does the passage teach?
2. As I’ve studied this passage, do any errors in my belief or problems with my behavior come to mind?
3. Remembering that God is my Father and I am His child, what instruction is my Father trying to pass to me, His child?
Finally, in the process of applying Scripture, take note to beware of the following:
• Applying cultural standards rather than biblical standards
• Attempting to strengthen a legitimate truth by using Scripture incorrectly
• Applying Scripture out of prejudice from past training or teaching
Conclusion
• Observation, interpretation, and application lead to transformation. This is the goal at every level of Bible teaching whether in an individual’s daily devotions or the Sunday morning sermon. This is the process of becoming more and more like the image of Christ that we might not only enjoy a deeper personal relationship with our Savior but reflect His image to the world rather than our own.
• Or as Christ described it, becoming doers of the Law.
• Ultimately, it you want to measure whether or not your Bible study time and method is effective or not, there is one measurement which conclusively proves it for you personally regardless of the techniques or methodology you employ. Remember two things Jesus taught:
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
• “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:15
• The whole Law is fulfilled in Christ’s commandment to love others and the proof of our love for Him is found in the quality of our obedience to His Word. Therefore, if we are putting His Word into practice in our life and being obedient to Him, the proof that our Bible study method is working will be revealed in our relationships with other people.
• If we are becoming more loving, the Word is taking root as it should and therefore our Bible study method is working. But if we are the most intellectual Bible scholar on the planet yet continue to struggle in our love for others, our Bible study method is an utter failure. The proof is the degree that our relationships begin to change over time.
Inductive Bible Study
Introduction
The Inductive Bible study method is applicable to every level from individual study, to leading a small group, to every level of Bible teaching from children’s Sunday School to the main message coming from the pulpit.
Its goal is to provide a framework by which you can hear God speaking through His Word and make personal application to your life. It’s how one becomes a doer of the Word and not just a listener. This brief introduction is essential to understanding Walk with the Word’s perspective and approach to providing Bible studies and related materials to all levels of ministry. There are many books and web sites devoted to this topic that will provide much more detail. This discussion is provided as an overview.
At its simplest, the Inductive method employs three basic techniques:
• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application
Observation
Observation teaches you to see what the passage says and is the basis for accurate interpretation and correct application. It is vitally important to understand the context of the Scripture being studied and to not pull the words or sentences away from their true meaning. Observation answers the question, “What does the passage say?”
You don’t have to earn a degree in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic to figure out the correct context of any portion of Scripture. (It can’t hurt, either.) But it’s essential that you keep in mind that language changes over time, and that speech patterns, writing styles, communication methods differ during the course of our own lifetime, much less over 2,000 years and many, many cultural hand-offs. The observation techniques that follow allow you to glean what is being said in the proper context as you study.
Begin with Prayer
If you want to “hear” what God has to say to you personally, you really need to enter into 2-way communication. Prayer begins the “conversation” and places your mind, heart and soul in the right relationship with Him.
Ask the 5 W's and an H
The hardest thing to do is ridding ourselves of assumptions when we approach God’s Word, whether it’s a book (“Revelation is nothing but symbols and allegories.”) or a familiar passage (“1 Corinthians 13 is all I need to know about ‘love. ’”). Presuppositions are the most common culprits leading to wrong interpretation and mis-application. Carefully observing who, what, when, where, why and how are the best assurances leading to correct interpretation. DON’T RUSH PAST THIS. Doing this on a chapter-by-chapter basis consistently places the paragraphs, sentences, and words in their proper context.
• WHO is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters? To whom is he speaking?
• WHAT is the subject or event covered in the chapter? What do you learn about the people, event, or teaching?
• WHEN do/will the events occur or did/will something happen to someone in particular?
• WHERE did or will this happen? Where was it said?
• WHY is something being said or mentioned? Why would/will this happen? Why at that time and/or to this person/people?
• HOW will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?
Mark Key Words and Phrases
A key word or phrase is one which, when removed, leaves the passage void of meaning. They are often repeated by the author throughout a chapter or book in order to reveal the point or purpose of the writing.
However you decide to mark such things in your Bible, determine to be consistent in your use of colors, symbols, or a combination of both throughout in order to capture important themes that transcend just a single passage of Scripture. (e.g., “love”, “covenant”, “sin”, “grace”, etc.)
Pay attention to pronouns (“he”, “she”, “we”, “they”, “I”, “you”, “it”, “our”, etc.) as they often indicate a change of direction or emphasis. (e.g., when it changes from “He” says to “you” say.) And note synonyms which are different ways of referring to the same person, place, or thing. For instance, there are many names for “God”, several names for “Jerusalem”, and so on. These often hint at different character traits of the same entity, trying to teach us a little more about it.
Look for Lists
Trivia Time: In movies, books and everyday speech people often refer to “The Seven Deadly Sins” – where did that come from? One of Paul’s epistles. (Looking it up would be good for you.) Lists are often additional words used to describe a key word, but are also what is said about someone or something or related thoughts/instructions grouped together.
Lists are something you should develop as you study a particular topic throughout the Bible such as “grace”. Listing the characteristics of grace as provided by each use throughout Scripture will provide you with a much broader view of the whole meaning of grace. Such a list allows you see the bigger picture and avoid incorrectly interpreting it on the basis of just one Scripture in and of itself. Lists are the building blocks to developing something usually described in the much more intimidating terms “doctrine” and “theology”.
Yes, keeping lists of the important topics provides you with the basis for personalizing doctrines and theologies that follow from studying a theme across the entire Bible. Essentially you are placing the foundation layers of your faith into their right and proper context.
Watch for Contrasts and Comparisons
A contrast is a comparison of things that are different or opposite, such as light/darkness, proud/humble, good/evil. The word but often indicates a contrast to something just stated.
A comparison points out similarities and is most often indicated in the use of words such as like, as, as it were.
These small words are great eye-openers in the process of observation as they set the words on either side of them into their proper context.
Identify Terms of Conclusion
Wherefore, therefore, for this reason, and finally are terms of conclusion that usually follow an important thought in order to tell you how to personally apply the teaching. They’re a bridge between the “teaching” and the “application” and often clearly spell out the proper meaning and context of the passage with no guesswork as to what it means.
Develop Your Own Chapter Themes
The printed chapter themes in most Bibles are more of an aid for finding a specific story or passage such as “Jesus Heals a Blind Man”; they’re not very descriptive of the spiritual topic or theme that reveal the lessons God is directing to your heart. Nearly every Bible translation is available without such markings, usually in a “wide margin” edition conducive to making personal notes. The New Inductive Study Bible by Harvest House Publishers, for instance, builds this into several versions and even provides a place at the end of every book to record your personal chapter headings in order to see patterns and development of themes. But this can also easily be maintained on a separate sheet of paper.
Note Expressions of Time
This is often the most-overlooked part of observation. A crucial part of attaining the correct context is understanding when something has/is/will happen.
Time is often directly indicated such as “during the reign of”, “on the tenth day”, “at the feast of”, etc., etc. Sometimes the context is as much about when, or its relationship to a past or present event, as it is the person, place, or thing mentioned.
Pay attention to words such as until, then, when, and after as they reveal the relationship of one event to another. This is of particular importance when studying the Gospels as you will begin to see that Jesus’ acts and miracles are often an extension of the teaching He gave just before or after them. Throughout the Bible these words help connect actions with teaching in the proper context.
These are the fundamentals and, to be sure, there are added guidelines for the proper observation applied to some of the different types of literature provided throughout the Bible such as psalms, songs, parables, allegories, etc. But this will serve as the baseline throughout. Proper observation takes the guesswork out of interpretation and application. As stated previously, don’t rush through observation because you want to get to interpretation or application more quickly. The latter are only properly achieved through patient and thorough observation.
Interpretation
Interpretation answers the question, “What does the passage mean?” Tons of books and web sites are available on this topic–not to mention hundreds of institutions providing degrees in related fields–so these are the basic rules. But don’t let anyone intimidate you in following their steps; God makes His knowledge and will known to ANYONE who seeks. (There’s a good topic for you to keep track of throughout your studies.)
1. Context ALWAYS rules first. Never take a Scripture out of its context to make it say what you want it to say. Look at context first from the perspective of the book being studied, the overall chapter, the paragraph, and the sentence. Try to stay away from giving individual words meanings that reinterpret sentences, paragraphs, and onward up.
2. Always seek the FULL counsel of God’s Word. Never accept someone’s teaching based on one or two verses; ensure that they’re not taken out of context as they’re employed throughout the whole Bible.
3. Scripture never contradicts Scripture. It’s amazing how the best interpreter of Scripture is other Scripture. One of the best study aids is a good Bible dictionary which will show words and concepts as they’re presented throughout ALL of Scripture. This is often the best use of footnotes in your Bible that indicate other verses utilizing the same words or phrases in other places so you can compare and contrast how it’s used in many passages.
4. Never base a belief or conviction on an obscure passage of Scripture. You can always ask other Believers, go to Bible dictionaries or commentaries, or submit it to God in prayer and await His direction.
5. Interpret Scripture literally. Obviously there are no dragons and the Bible uses it and other symbols. But these are far and away the exceptions in the Bible as the vast majority are very, very literal. Beware of false teachers who teach that all the Bible is but allegory, such as Jonah and the big fish, or the Garden of Eden, etc., etc. These and all events, places and things in the Bible are real and not allegory. God is very clear in Scripture when He uses allegory, parables, or other literary devices to communicate His Word.
6. Look for the single meaning of the passage. Let the passage speak for itself. Seek to understand what the author had in mind. Flee from those that teach about things such as “Bible codes” or try to twist Scripture to support a meaning it never had in the first place. Making something complicated is usually an outward sign of someone that is going to great lengths to justify some kind of sin in their life or the choices they’ve made. Always remember that allegories and typology always illuminate what is already present in Scripture – they never create something new on their own.
Application
Application answers the question, “What does it mean to me personally? What truths can I put into practice? What changes should I make to my life?”
Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Paul provides the activities involved in application: Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
• Teaching is what the Word of God has to say on any topic or subject and is always true. Once you discover what the Word of God teaches, you are obligated before God to accept that truth and to live by it, dropping any false beliefs or teachings you may have previously held.
• Reproof is finding out where you have thought or behaved wrongly or have not been doing what God says is right according to His Word. It’s your personal acknowledgment that you were wrong in thought or behavior and now accept and agree with God’s truth, setting you free from sin and unbelief.
• Correction is the step wherein the knowledge gained from teaching and reproof are placed into action resulting in changed behavior. It’s converting knowledge into obedience.
• Training in righteousness can be thought of in terms of God’s Word as a handbook for living, for how we conduct ourselves. It’s continually returning to the source and consistently putting into practice the reproofs and corrections of His Word to build our character in Him.
In seeking to apply Scripture to your life, ask the following questions in light of your observation and interpretation:
1. What does the passage teach?
2. As I’ve studied this passage, do any errors in my belief or problems with my behavior come to mind?
3. Remembering that God is my Father and I am His child, what instruction is my Father trying to pass to me, His child?
Finally, in the process of applying Scripture, take note to beware of the following:
• Applying cultural standards rather than biblical standards
• Attempting to strengthen a legitimate truth by using Scripture incorrectly
• Applying Scripture out of prejudice from past training or teaching
Conclusion
• Observation, interpretation, and application lead to transformation. This is the goal at every level of Bible teaching whether in an individual’s daily devotions or the Sunday morning sermon. This is the process of becoming more and more like the image of Christ that we might not only enjoy a deeper personal relationship with our Savior but reflect His image to the world rather than our own.
• Or as Christ described it, becoming doers of the Law.
• Ultimately, it you want to measure whether or not your Bible study time and method is effective or not, there is one measurement which conclusively proves it for you personally regardless of the techniques or methodology you employ. Remember two things Jesus taught:
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
• “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:15
• The whole Law is fulfilled in Christ’s commandment to love others and the proof of our love for Him is found in the quality of our obedience to His Word. Therefore, if we are putting His Word into practice in our life and being obedient to Him, the proof that our Bible study method is working will be revealed in our relationships with other people.
• If we are becoming more loving, the Word is taking root as it should and therefore our Bible study method is working. But if we are the most intellectual Bible scholar on the planet yet continue to struggle in our love for others, our Bible study method is an utter failure. The proof is the degree that our relationships begin to change over time.
And once again, many men would agree with all of that but then have a slightly different understanding on eternal security and think that it is possible to be cut off for unbelief. But none of them that I have spoken with are filled with fear at that but say they would have been if they came to that knowledge before they grew to know Him better.
I agree that people can believe whatever they choose. People can believe that Daffy Duck and Donald Duck are the 2 witnesses in the book of Revelation if they want.
From what I can see - which of course is what I base my belief on - the scriptures are very clear in regards to Christ's eternal salvation but if others want to believe they lose salvation somehow or other - then that is their individual choice.
If people fear that they will lose their salvation - then it is a sign that they have not been perfected in love yet - because fear involves punishment - losing one's salvation is punishment. I just state what I believe the scriptures are saying and whether people have fear or not is none of my business. I leave that in the Lord's hands....
I still believe that Christians are saved from the wrath of God on sin because of what Jesus did. He purchased us with His blood and in Him we have redemption. But if others want to doubt that - that is their individual choice..
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