Inductive Bible Study System

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Psalm 119; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 1:19-21

This is the classic article to show you how to better understand and study the Bible inductively! Obedience and faith is a trust relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that we learn and grow from our efforts of getting into the Bible, seeking God's counsel and applying His true-Truth and precepts to our lives and churches.

This Bible Study curriculum is designed to use along with "The Cheat Sheet" and "The CHART" and Why Inductive Bible Study? Then, you will have all you need to dig into God's Word and even teach it to others. On our Inductive Bible Study page has more resources and even "power point" presentations for this system to do your own seminar.

The primary purpose of this Bible Study method is to teach you to better engage God's Word. This is about how to know, study and apply His Word in a logical, clear, and concise way to your mind, life and ministry effectively. To be "purpose driven," Christ's purpose driving and living out in you! This will give you the general idea of the best method of getting into God's Word! This is called "Inductive Bible Study," it is a technique to help you learn how to exegete (draw out from) the Bible for all it's worth by your best honest efforts. We do this through learning the tools and skills to help us observe the text, dig out the meaning, and then apply it to our lives and churches.

The "Cheat Sheet" is your basic Step by Step questions for using the Inductive Bible Study method. Here are the main inductive Steps laid out for you in a sound and orderly way to use to get the most out of your Bible studies!

The "Bible Chart" is for recording your insights from the Inductive Bible Study method. Here you can write down all of your observations, what you have learned, your questions, and even make commitments on what you will do with the information from God's most precious Word! This is used overseas to train tens of thousands of pastors on how to teach the Bible, prepare basic sermons and for them to know, grow and lead others to God's rich pastures in the Word.

Inductive Bible study has Three (3) main parts:

First is Observation:

This is carefully going over the text to see what is going on, the "who, what, where, when, how, and why." This is designed to teach you how to pull out the facts and examine context through the nature of Scripture, and how to avoid presumptions and fallacies that lead to false teaching, because God's Word speaks for itself.

Second is Interpretation:

This is taking what is said and finding out what does the text mean so I know what I need to learn. How to interpret the Bible correctly and literally from the correct context, word meanings and genre (type of language). Our goal is to never take out of God's Word what is not there, or read in our will, ideas, presumptions, assumptions as His!

Third is Application:

This is taking the plain meaning from God's Word and putting it to practical use. This is about, 'how shall I respond' to the Word. What sin to get rid of, what commands to yield too, the pitfalls to avoid, what I need to be and do, what area I need to discover and grow in, the actions to engage in, and the promises we are to keep, what is God calling me to do?

Using the Chart, Write it Down!

The Chart is divided up in four (4) main columns, following the basic inductive outline, observe, learn and apply.

Then we use this chart to take these parts and record our findings. In this way, we keep a record of what we learn and have a platform to use for devotions and for teaching. We then can go back to them, even years later, and see what God has done in our lives or what we may need to relearn or have forgot to do and apply!

The First Column, this is where your basic information goes and get ready to dig and be in prayer.

What you want to do first is, PRAY, direct your will, make a commitment, and line yourself up to God. Chose your text, one to twelve verses or a paragraph and when you get better up to a chapter at a time. Then read, then re-read; keep in prayer and then look at the whole book, then chapters, and then verses.

Here is where you record your Chapter and Paragraph Titles. You can also make an outline, paraphrase the passage, and or write down the general idea.

This is where you use Step I and II: of the cheat sheet and note the Key Verses and Words.

The Second Column, the key question, What does this passage say?

This is where you place your Observations. What does it Say? Give the "looks'" observe grammar and literary style, record any Biblical Statements. This is where you use Step III: of the cheat sheet, OBSERVE IT and note your findings.

This is also where you ask, How am I encouraged and strengthened?

The Third Column, this is where you ask, What does this passage mean?

This is where you record your Observations:What Does it imply or signify? Ask questions, be aware of context and making errors, use "tools," implications, "who, what, where, when, how, and why" This is where you use Step III B and IV: of the cheat sheet and note your findings and questions. Here is where you can mark down the words you may not understand, that can look up later in a Bible Dictionary or Good Commentary or Study Bible.

This is also where you ask, Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?

The Fourth Column, this is where you ask, How does this apply to me?

This is where you record your Application: How Does It Apply to Me? What is God telling me? Make an emotional identification! Look for the answers, dig personally, and let God's Word transform and affect you!

This is where you use Step V & VI: of the cheat sheet and note what is God telling you what to know, how to be and what to do? And, trust and be obedient!

This is also where you ask,

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?

What will I do about it?

What can I model and teach?

What does God want me to share with someone?

Remember, the true believer is the one who bases all their life," IT ALL", upon Christ as LORD, with full trust and assurance by faith and obedience (Rom. 12; Gal. 2:20-21; Col. 3:1-3; Phil. 3:1-14).

The Bottom and back of the Chart, Here is where you can list other information and prayer items. If you run out of space, just add a second chart…

Remember when you read and study the Bible, you are going into God's presence. Be reverent, listen and be in a pray-full attitude. Because the primary purpose of this method is to not only teach you how to study His Word in a logical, clear, and concise way, it is also a platform for the Holy Spirit to use for you to be challenged, changed and to grow in faith, fruit and maturity and then impart these truths and your transformed life to others around you!

Be a real effective Christian! Never just rest your faith in a simple sinner's prayer and do nothing else. Christ's grace gets us the admission into the Faith, but what good is the Faith if we never grow in it or use it. Our faith and practice must be real, so use His Word, be renewed and transformed, but do not just rely on its privileges! How to do this? Rely on Christ; be real in your faith completely! Be mature, open and trusting in your approach to God's Word. Be a learner and then a doer of the Word. Christ's sacrifice must have reached in the depths of your personality, will and aspirations wholly, so you are grateful, so all you are and strive to be in life is because what Jesus has done for you (Rom. 12:1-3; James 1:21-27).

Keep a copy of this curriculum along with the "cheat sheet" and a few "charts" tucked in your Bible. Feel free to make copies of this for your personal use! Feel free to make copies of this for your teaching use too just keep our copyright info on it; more insights are available in our book, Into Thy Word!

For a deeper, Bible Study Method to gain more insights from God's Word and then for church leaders to teach them, see Inductive Bible Study Basics and then the Eight (8) Step, Inductive Bible Study Method in our Book, Into Thy Word.