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Inductive Bible Study Method: How to Guide

Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal or group bible studies. This free guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible study method: Observation, Interpretation and Application. It will walk you through each step of ‘how to do inductive bible studies’ in details.

Inductive Bible Study method is one of the most effective bible study methods for personal  bible study, quiet time or small group bible studies. This guide presents three basic steps of Inductive bible studies, Observation, Interpretation and Application. It will walk you through each step of inductive bible studies in details.

By definition, inductive logic or induction means ‘the type of reasoning which involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion’. (Wikipedia) Inductive bible study method provides a bible-based tool to study bible by observing the facts, investigating the motives and reasons behind it and thus offering life applications relevant to individual’s life experiences. (Also check out: Manuscript Bible Study Method)

What You Need:

How to Start:

  • Spare about 20-30 minutes for the bible study, more if possible.
  • Start with Prayer and ask God for his guidance specifically for the study time.
  • Select a bible passage. It is good to select a book of bible and study it continuously. However, it all depends upon your own preference. In any case, select a bible passage, which consists of 10-15 verses (Usually one or two paragraphs which may cover the story, topic or event). Selecting a very long passage or whole chapter of bible may not be the best approach, as you won’t be able focus on one particular event or aspect of the chapter.
  • Read the passage 2-3 times. While first read may be a quick read, reading second or third time, will give you a good overview and outline of the bible passage.
  • The three steps of Inductive bible studies are Observation, Interpretation and Application.

Observation:

Observation is an essential aspect of inductive bible studies. So often, we get to the interpretation or even application of the bible verse without understanding its context. But if we miss this step, we can miss a lot about what passage has to offer. In this step, you should ask yourself following questions:

  • Who: Who is mentioned in the passage? To whom it is said or written? Who are the audience? It helps you to get the picture of what is going on in the passage.
  • What: What is happening? What is the passage about? Is there some kind of teaching, event like miracle or healing, exhortation, warning, conversation, debate, arguments, discussion etc?
  • It also helps to ask question, weather the bible passage is the historical event, poetry, narration, letter etc?
  • When and Where: This is an important piece of information. Ask yourself, when and where did this occur?  The place and its significance, time of the day/month/year?
  • One useful way of observation is to imagine yourself present in the settings of the bible passage.

Interpretation:

Once you get a good background and understanding of the bible passage. Now, you can move to questions about the interpretation.

  • Why: Why is it mentioned? What is the core issue? What is the main focus or theme of the passage?
  • You may use some other resources, such as bible dictionary or a bible commentary, if the passage is difficult to understand.
  • Observation and Interpretation may overlap each other sometimes, but these two steps will enable you to understand the context and meaning of the bible passage.

Application:

Finally, Inductive bible study is not complete, unless you have an application from the bible passage. The idea of bible study is not only to learn and gain knowledge but also to apply and implement in our own lives. Ask yourself:

  • How does this passage apply to present situation?
  • What can I learn from this passage?
  • How does it apply to me personally?
  • Application process helps you to make the bible passage relevant to you, and your life experiences. It is the step in which you can relate to the bible and discover how God communicates to you through the bible passage.

So, if you have not ‘try out’ inductive bible study method, test for yourself. You will be amazed at the treasures, you may discover though it!

Other Resources:

  • Reflections on Inductive Bible Study, by Ajith Fernando
  • Independent bible study: E-Book – Independent Bible Study Method, written by Irving L. Jensen, published in 1963 by Moody Press. The book is freely available as ‘E-book’ in pdf format. It offers a great in depth method of using Inductive Bible study method.

Inductive Bible Study Resources on Amazon:

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Check out our eBook, The Miracles of Jesus Christ – 7-part Bible Study Series on the Healing Miracles of Jesus Christ for Small Groups & Personal Study. 

By Amit Christian

Founder and Author of BibleSEO (Bible Study Exposition Online), Bible study topics website, which offers free small group bible studies on various topics. His passion is to train, equip and inspire individual and small groups for life-changing bible study experience.
(Check my Google+ Profile at https://plus.google.com/u/0/108196373225656079903/)

17 replies on “Inductive Bible Study Method: How to Guide”

Thanks for providind such guidance and help in studying the Bible. Do you provide Bible courses? If yes, then how may I benefit? Please, I am waiting to hear from you. I can assure you that your investment would not be in vain.

Hi Clifford,

Thanks for the encouragement. I do have posted two bible study guides on the website (Miracles of Jesus Christ and Beatitudes). You can find it on the right hand sidebar.

I taught an inductive for college youth out of my apartment during my college years and it went rather well. Years later, as I face a mission trip disability, unable to go on mission trips or work with the youth, I find myself being guided towards teaching my congregation the method of inductive or perhaps we may examine the lyrics, scripture and context of what we sing each week . Though a seasoned leader, I’m young and you know how that is sometimes allowed to be an issue. Prayers are welcome!

I have done Bible Studies for many years using Jensen’s books on various books of the Bible. Having been on staff with the Navigators for several years and now have been working in the church for many years, I forget that young people do not have a clue as to how to study the Bible. This outline is clear and concise and easy to pass on to others.
Thanks

Wahoo! a glance at this articles captivates a lot. The simplicity has made them such wonderful. More grace in Jesus name. I am happy I found myself here. It’s great.

I feel led to implement this inductive method of Bible study in our Sunday Morning “Church School.” We have been studying discipleship curricula for over a year, and will now move forward using the small group approach. May God continue to bless this Website and your efforts to advance the Kingdom of Christ. Let’s make disciple-makers!

Tears of joy are tricking down my cheek pastor Iam growing spiritual since I tuned to this website. Thanks and be blessed glory to God

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