how to study the bible inductively · complete expository dictionary of old and new testament...

How To Study the Bible Inductively

© Grace to Joy 2015 New American Standard Bible © Lockman Foundation 1995

Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"The most important rule of Bible Study is TO DO IT!

What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer? Satan and his cohorts are so good at distracting us, andmany of us are guilty of saying, "it'five minute devotional to my hectic schedulein fact, I'm sure I've spoken thoseGod's Word, and studying God's word takes work. enemy only mean that it requireneeded. The Apostle Paul exhorts his dear friend,to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does ashamed, accurately handling the word Although addressed to Timothy specifically, this is a principle for all believers toword Diligent in this text is: 1. spoudazoto exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence”persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and haste! That's how we are to approach God's word take some work on our part, it's an endeavor to work toward,perseverance, action, a sincere earnestness engaging our heart and mindapplication and effort, accomplished with speed and haste. imperative, which means we are That's just interpreting one word!! Interpretation - That's the next part of this brief look intoInductive Study is using the Bible as our main referencewe use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a cursory reading. We read with purpose. We Observe - what places and events. And reviewing it until we knowthe text means, so that we are able to Apply the word to our lives. So, how do we interpret what we have observed? By obsinterpretation will only be as good as our observation. myself. But thankfully, there are many study helps av

1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 169). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

How To Study the Bible Inductively Part Three - Interpretation

New American Standard Bible © Lockman Foundation 1995

Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"The most important rule of Bible Study is TO DO IT!

What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer?

re so good at distracting us, and even good at intimidating us, "it's too hard to understand", or "I'd be doing good to fit in a

five minute devotional to my hectic schedule." Both of those statements may be very trueose words myself. Life is so good at getting in the way of time in

Word, and studying God's word takes work. Hectic schedules and intimidation from requires more diligence and determination to carve out that time

his dear friend, Timothy (and really, all believers) in 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be

accurately handling the word of truth.”(nasb)

specifically, this is a principle for all believers tospoudazo (σπουδάζω, 4704) it signifies “to hasten to do a thing,

to exert oneself, endeavor, give diligence”1 Webster's defines diligent as: steady, consistent, persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and

approach God's word - hastening to study, realizing our part, it's an endeavor to work toward, be steady, consistent,

perseverance, action, a sincere earnestness engaging our heart and mind, with application and effort, accomplished with speed and haste. Did you get all that?

, which means we are commanded to be diligent.

hat's just interpreting one word!!

this brief look into Inductive Study. We looked previously at the fact that Bible as our main reference, or source of study. The process that

we use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a cursory reading. We read what does the text say; observing the obvious: facts about people,

eviewing it until we know it. Then and only then, do we Inable to Apply the word to our lives.

So, how do we interpret what we have observed? By observing some more, since tion will only be as good as our observation. I, by no means know how to do all this

here are many study helps available, and it's best to find

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of (Vol. 2, p. 169). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Someone once said, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never accomplish anything!"

What is it about picking up your Bible that brings children clamoring for attention, or a husband wanting to talk at that moment, the phone ringing, or a text coming in that requires an answer?

intimidating us. How be doing good to fit in a

." Both of those statements may be very true, and etting in the way of time in

ectic schedules and intimidation from the and determination to carve out that time

all believers) in 2 Timothy 2:15 - not need to be

specifically, this is a principle for all believers to be diligent. The “to hasten to do a thing,

steady, consistent, persevering action, earnest, energetic application and effort, accomplished with speed and

realizing it's going to steady, consistent, requiring

with energetic Did you get all that? Oh, and it's an

We looked previously at the fact that or source of study. The process that

we use to figure out what God wanted us to know is more than just a cursory reading. We read observing the obvious: facts about people,

and only then, do we Interpret what

erving some more, since our ow how to do all this

ailable, and it's best to find sources that

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of



you can trust to be accurate, which I know can be trickybut find a teacher whom you know is a blessed to be able to ask for clarification from my Dhas taught Bible and Koine` Greek for of harmonization of the whole Bible of anyone I knowpartial, but I believe has been gifted linguistically. He and it's wonderful to be able to just call and ask a questiondocumentation for the answer, not just their Study Helps - We have looked at the context, we have looked at the content, but we may be confused as to some of the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where we can start doing word studies Iabout the text. No commentaries just yetown deductions from study, not read what other people have written in response to their thoughts of a text. After we have completed our workcommentaries. They become the final lookplace we go. We want to know what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, but let's look at some study helps that are available to us Exhaustive Concordances - Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good reference to find a verse you're looking for, but as Concordance is the most often referenced lists every place in the Bible whereand may not always take syntax attached to a particular word, as you can see in t[σπουδάζω, 4704])" is what is called the Strong's numberconcordance and used as a reference nhelps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines, and others. In looking at the definition we learn several things. (1. spoudazo [σπουδάζω, 4704]) "diligence." You will often find other definitions following after thisthe transliteration (English spelling) of the Koine` Greek wordletters for the word. Followed by the Strong's numberStrong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list biblireferences where the word is used, andother verses. If you look up a specific word in Strong's you will find multiple verses listed



trust to be accurate, which I know can be tricky as there are many scholars out there,but find a teacher whom you know is a true student of the Bible in the original languagesblessed to be able to ask for clarification from my Dad who is a Pastor-Teacher for 60

Koine` Greek for many years. He also has one of the best understandings of harmonization of the whole Bible of anyone I know. And then, there's my son who, I may be

been gifted linguistically. He has taught Bible and Greek courses, alsot's wonderful to be able to just call and ask a question and have them give biblical

ion for the answer, not just their opinion.

We have looked at the context, we have looked at the content, but we may be confused as to the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where

we can start doing word studies It's time to pull out the Study Helps and observe what they say . No commentaries just yet though. Remember, we are trying to ascertain

not read what other people have written in response to their After we have completed our work first hand, then we can search out

the final look, rather than what we are most use to being the first what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if

what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, k at some study helps that are available to us as we work to interpret the text

Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good reference to find a verse you're looking for, but as I previously mentioned Strong's Exhaustive

the most often referenced Exhaustive Concordance. You may remember that it lists every place in the Bible where a particular word is used. Remember, it gives the root word and may not always take syntax and grammar into consideration. However, the number that is

as you can see in the definition of diligence, "1. spoudazois what is called the Strong's number. Each word is numbered in the

used as a reference number in other publications, in fact, manyhelps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines,

we learn several things. In the definition for the word you will have:, 4704]) This means this is the number 1 definition for the word

other definitions following after this. The word "spoudazo" is spelling) of the Koine` Greek word. Then you have the actual Greek

letters for the word. Followed by the Strong's number (4704) where you can find that wordStrong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list bibli

where the word is used, and give further information of how the word is

word in Strong's you will find multiple verses listed below the word

any scholars out there, in the original languages. I'm

Teacher for 60+ yrs. He has one of the best understandings

. And then, there's my son who, I may be Greek courses, also,

and have them give biblical

We have looked at the context, we have looked at the content, but we may be confused as to the meaning that is there, some of the answers are not as obvious, and this is where

and observe what they say to ascertain our

not read what other people have written in response to their , then we can search out the

, rather than what we are most use to being the first what does God say in the text, then we can rightly discern if

what others are sharing in regards to the text is correct. So, save the commentaries for later, as we work to interpret the text.

Some of you may have Concordances listed in the back of your Bible, and that's a good mentioned Strong's Exhaustive

Concordance. You may remember that it it gives the root word

and grammar into consideration. However, the number that is spoudazo

. Each word is numbered in the many other study

helps refer to that number. Zodhiate's Concordance uses the Strong's number, as well as Vines,

definition for the word you will have: for the word

"spoudazo" is . Then you have the actual Greek where you can find that word in

Strong's. This is commonly how you would see a definition of a word, it would also list biblical give further information of how the word is used in

below the word



showing where the word is in the Bible it is usedlisted for that one word, meaning it isdifferent numbers have different definitions.to how the word is defined. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance isin many Bible apps. Bible Dictionaries - There are many Bible Dictionaries word means, such as I used above in describing Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, but limited in that it deals with root words, Webster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that the definitions found there are not taking into consideration the contthe word was used in the Bible. Resources Purpose - Resources have different information and different purposes. Some have more info, others are very brief. Some of the resources are: Biblical Encyclopedia, Lexicons, Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Manyresources are available online, some are even modified in App form for mobile devices: Logos Bible Software, Blue Letter Bible, Biblesoft, Ebiblos.com., biblestudytools.com, and the list goes on.than carrying around those huge thick books. Beginning to Interpret - By now through your observation places to begin to do some interpretation. Look upthe text. Define them separately, and then bring all the definitions together to form the whole picture, meaning, don't try to define aindividual words, and then see what they say when put together. that you see in the text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinearHebrew & English, or Greek & English) and begin looking at the order of the words, look at what word was used in the original language rather than the translations.have posted an excerpt from a syllabus my dad put togetcourses. Its meaty, but it gives a lot of good information, so take the time to read with your thinking cap on. I think you will find it helpful. Harmonization - Harmonization is key to understanding what God's wordother verses. Concordances are great for this in the regard that you can easily find where the word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have tStrong's number since each of the other numbers have different words used and different



in the Bible it is used. You may also find different Strong's , meaning it is not used in the exact same way in every text

numbers have different definitions. Again, syntax, grammar and other factors play in efined. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance is a huge book, but now is online

Bible Dictionaries available out there and they give good information on what a I used above in describing diligence. You'll note that I used Vine's

Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, n that it deals with root words, and also, not every word is defined.

ster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that the definitions found there are not taking into consideration the context of Koine` Greek, or how

ormation and different purposes. Some have more info, others are very brief. Some of the resources are: Grammars, Word Studies, Interlinears, Bible Dictionaries,

Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Many, some are even modified in App form for mobile devices: Logos

Bible, Biblesoft, E-sword, You Version, PC Bible, biblia.com, biblos.com., biblestudytools.com, and the list goes on. Technology has made it so much easier than carrying around those huge thick books.

through your observation you have found key words, and key phrases. Tplaces to begin to do some interpretation. Look up and define each of those key words from

Define them separately, and then bring all the definitions together to form the whole meaning, don't try to define a word based on how you think it's used in a text

then see what they say when put together. There may be other words that you see in the text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinear

English) and begin looking at the order of the words, look at what word was used in the original language rather than the translations. At the end of this lesson I have posted an excerpt from a syllabus my dad put together when he was teaching college courses. Its meaty, but it gives a lot of good information, so take the time to read with your thinking cap on. I think you will find it helpful.

Harmonization is key to understanding what God's word says about a topic, or key word in other verses. Concordances are great for this in the regard that you can easily find where the word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have t

the other numbers have different words used and different

Strong's numbers in every text. Those

Again, syntax, grammar and other factors play in a huge book, but now is online

available out there and they give good information on what a . You'll note that I used Vine's

Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine's is a great resource, not every word is defined. While

ster's is a good source to get basic English definitions, we must remember that the ext of Koine` Greek, or how

ormation and different purposes. Some have more info, others are Bible Dictionaries,

Study or Reference Bibles, all have use for us. Many of these , some are even modified in App form for mobile devices: Logos

sword, You Version, PC Bible, biblia.com, Technology has made it so much easier

d key words, and key phrases. Those are good and define each of those key words from

Define them separately, and then bring all the definitions together to form the whole how you think it's used in a text. Define

There may be other words that you see in the text that aren't particularly key, but that still effect the text, or bring questions to mind. Look those up as well. If you have LOTS of time, look in an interlinear (has

English) and begin looking at the order of the words, look at what At the end of this lesson I

her when he was teaching college courses. Its meaty, but it gives a lot of good information, so take the time to read with your

topic, or key word in other verses. Concordances are great for this in the regard that you can easily find where the word is used in other verses. But be careful to stick to the references that have the same exact

the other numbers have different words used and different



definitions. Harmonizing the complete why something is being said. It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A component to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word. As you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will become clear, for if you are in fellowship with the Lord, His Spirit will blook at the word. He will use it to transform your thoughts by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and see it as He would. You will know Him more dyou. I have no doubt that as you do, your trust will grow immeasurably, your desire to know Him more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as you see His grace unfold in the pages of His book. The following pages are taken from "Troy Welch, Sr. for Channel Islands Bible College. I hope you find them useful God's word is rich and we cannot exhaust it. There is always something to learn, but let it be said of us that we were diligent to be in it!



complete Bible is helpful to get the overall picture of what and It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A

to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word.

you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will become clear, for if you are in fellowship with the Lord, His Spirit will begin to tug on you as you look at the word. He will use it to transform your thoughts by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and see it as He would. You will know Him more deeply as you seek Him and He reveals Himself to you. I have no doubt that as you do, your trust will grow immeasurably, your desire to know Him more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as

nfold in the pages of His book. Happy studying!

The following pages are taken from "Tools for Biblical Interpretation" syllabus. Written by Dr. Troy Welch, Sr. for Channel Islands Bible College. I hope you find them useful.

God's word is rich and we cannot exhaust it. There is always something to learn, but let it be said of us that we were diligent to be in it!

Bible is helpful to get the overall picture of what and It's the grand view of all God wanted us to know. A major

to understanding a text without taking it out of the overall context of God's word.

you delve into the meanings of God's word, I believe the next step in inductive study will egin to tug on you as you

look at the word. He will use it to transform your thoughts by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). You will begin to take on the perspective of God's view in regards to life and

eeply as you seek Him and He reveals Himself to you. I have no doubt that as you do, your trust will grow immeasurably, your desire to know Him more will develop, and He will be faithful to lead you on. The results will be pure joy as

" syllabus. Written by Dr.

God's word is rich and we cannot exhaust it. There is always something to learn, but let it be

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