Organic Disciplemaking
Appendix 3:
Inductive Bible Study Method
by Dennis McCallum and Gary
DeLashmutt
This study is usually used as a study plan for a book of the Bible.
Disciple makers will typically select a short book like Ephesians or
1 Thessalonians to study. Then they will go over this plan, demonstrating
how it works in the chosen book. After getting a start while together
(perhaps in the first chapter or two), disciples are challenged to do
their own work before the next meeting. The discipler maker will also
do fresh work on the same book and during the next meeting, they will
compare their work and talk about what they have learned. The hope is
that disciples will gain a sense of mastery in their ability to read
the Bible and analyze what the text is saying.
Introduction
Inductive study is a process where the student gathers as many facts
about a passage as possible, and only then draws conclusions about the
meaning. The main point of the discipline is to teach disciples how to
interpret individual passages in the context of the whole book. It also
teaches readers to avoid jumping to conclusions based on similar words
or expressions in other, unrelated passages.
Overview
A. Read the book all the way through writing down titles for each paragraph.
This reveals the general thought development of the book. The titles
should meet the following requirements:
- The title should be short.
No sentences are allowed. A phrase of a few words is the maximum length.
We are not writing synopses. Summarizing compels us to get the main
idea clearly fixed in our minds.
- The title should cover all
of the significant content in the paragraph. If there is subject matter
that is not covered in your title, you need revision.
- Decide how you will determine
where the paragraph divisions belong. If studying with a study group,
it is probably best to stay with the existing paragraphs. However,
if studying one-on-one, you may not agree with the paragraph divisions
in your translation. These are purely a matter of opinion. You may
decide to divide the paragraphs in a different location than those
used in any particular version. Feel free to discuss where the divisions
should be, and why. (Remember they are not inspired, and are different
from one version to another).
B. Compile all the references to the author, audience and key third party.
This is usually done by drawing three columns on a sheet of paper—one
for the author, one for the audience, and one for others. The data should
be referenced with the chapter and verse, and marked with an asterisk
if the insight is implied rather than directly stated. The implied data
are less conclusive in reconstructing the historical situation.
C. Summarize their respective situations with a short paragraph.
D. Record your conclusions about the author's reasons for writing the
book. Differentiate between major and minor reasons. Remember that this
could affect the interpretation of some passages.
Specific Study (six questions for each paragraph).
After doing the overview study for the whole book, go back to the beginning
and do the following six studies for each paragraph, recording your findings
as you go. For any of the six questions that don't apply in any
given paragraph, just put N/A.
A. Language
- Identify and define the key
and difficult words and phrases. If necessary, perform word studies
using concordances and lexicons. Look at other uses, especially by
the same author, to understand the likely meaning of words and expressions.
- In some cases, the style of
the paragraph affects its interpretation. This is the case if the author
employs sarcasm, parable, diatribe or poetry.
B. Historical
- How does your understanding
of the historical setting affect your understanding of the words?
- Identify and explain any additional
historical references.
C. Theological
- What does this paragraph teach
about theological issues such as the nature of God, sin, man, Satan,
salvation, the church and the Christian life? Limit your observations
to the information in the paragraph at hand and the preceding paragraphs.
D. Strategic
- How does this paragraph fit
into the overall purposes of the author for this book? Why does he
write this paragraph? Why does he include it here? How does it relate
to the structure of the book?
- This is the question that
gives depth to your interpretation and ensures that your application
is legitimate, because you are making the same point the original author
was. In the Strategic question, you are asking yourself, how was this
supposed to apply to the original audience?
E. Contemporary Application
- How does what is taught in
this paragraph apply to our world today? How does it affect your overall
Christian world view?
- What are the implications
for the church or for individuals? How does this paragraph contrast
with faulty views in the world today?
F. Personal Application
- How does this passage apply
to my own life and ministry? What are its implications for my sin problems,
relationships and general spiritual growth? What are its implications
in the same areas for the people in my ministry?
- The point is to make sure
you are applying the passage to actual situations in your life, as
God used the Bible to speak to your life.
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