How to Study Your Bible (Part 4)
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In Part 1 of the series I gave you an overview of the inductive study method. Part 2 discussed methods of observation. In Part 3 I wrote about interpreting a passage based on your observations.
Today’s article will discuss bringing the words of the Bible alive in your home and life through application.
This will be the most challenging part of your Bible study, not because it is the most difficult but because once you know what the Bible says, you are responsible to live it. Application often leads to a crisis of belief. Will you respond in obedience?
The foundation of correct application is through accurate observation and correct interpretation.
All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousnesses; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The critical tool in the inductive study method is questions. When you are ready for applying the Scripture to your life, these questions may be helpful:
- How does the meaning of this passage apply to me?
- What truths am I to embrace, believe, or order my life by?
- What changes should I make in my belief, in my life?
- What does the passage teach?
- Is it general of specific?
- Does is apply only to a specific people?
- has it been superseded by a broader teaching?
- Based on my understanding of this scripture, do I need to adjust my beliefs or behavior
- What is God telling you to do now?
The challenge of the inductive study method is to take a passage written to a particular culture, and find out what the words meant to the people in that culture. From there, you try to find the basic principle that the Holy Spirit expressed through the writings, and then apply that principle within your own culture.
You are building a bridge from the culture in Bible times to the culture in modern times. That bridge is the timeless principles of the Bible.
update: Part 5 , the final post of this series, is now available.