A Hunger for Gods Word

Objectives

Remnant West Side 2011 Young Adult Retreat

1. Issue a call to greater ______________________________. 2. Introduce the arc of ______________________________. 3. Give you some material on ______________________________.

A Biblical Call to Gods Word

NOURISHMENT FOR THE SOUL Deuteronomy 8:1-3 [1] Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. [2] Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. [3] He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (NIV)

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VOICES According to David Shenk in his book Data Smog: Surviving the Information Glut (ISBN 0060187018), Americans are exposed to an estimated 3,000 media messages per day seeking to influence them in some way. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt once reported1 that every two days, we now create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003! In an article put out by the Union of Concerned Scientists2, it is estimated that globally, corporations spend $620 billion each year to get us to buy their products. 1 Kings 19:11-12 [11] The LORD said, Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (NIV)

GROUP EXERCISE Turn to your neighbor and ask them if they are satisfied with the amount of time they spend with the Bible. If they answer, yes encourage them to continue on. If they answer, no explore what the barriers are that keep them from being more connected to Gods word.

1 2

http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/04/schmidt-data/ http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/guide.ch1.html

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Some General Facts About the Bible

The first part of biblical literacy is becoming familiar with some of the most basic facts about the Bible. In this section we will review some basic things that we should be aware of. THE BIBLE BY THE NUMBERS God used _______ authors over a period of about _______ years (approximately 1400 B.C. to 95 A.D.) to write the Bible. The Bible contains _______ books: _______ in the Old Testament and _______ in the New Testament. The Old Testament has _______ chapters containing _______ verses. The New Testament has _______ chapters containing _______ verses. THE UNIFYING THEME At first the Bible can seem like a hodgepodge collection of disconnected writings. But there is a unifying theme that brings all those pieces together to tell a beautiful story of Gods love and mercy. This unifying theme or metanarrative is the story of Gods plan to save mankind from the consequences of their sin. It is what theologians call redemptive history. It is this overarching theme that provides a skeleton upon which to hang all the other details of the Bible. The later section on the arc of redemptive history is largely adapted from Max Anders book 30 Days to Understanding the Bible (ISBN: 1418500143).

What Is the Basic Structure of the Bible?

With the rise of Bibles in digital formats it is easy to rely on computers to help you locate Bible passages. In fact, some people only read the Bible on an electronic device. These machines aid us in quickly accessing and searching the Bible, but we will not always have them handy. When all youve got is the printed Bible, we should be able to navigate its pages to locate specific texts. Suggestion: Photocopy the table of contents from your Bible and carry it around with you to aid you in your memorization.

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It is also helpful to know some general facts about the overall structure or organization of the Bible. The Old Testaments 39 books fall into three main genres: historical (17), poetical (5), and prophetical (17). The New Testaments 27 books fall into three main genres as well: historical (5), Pauline (written by Paul) epistles (13), and general (written by other than Paul) epistles (9). STRUCTURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Historical Historical Poetical Prophetical

STRUCTURE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation Pauline Epistles (To Churches) Pauline Epistles (To Individuals) General Epistles

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Is the Bible Arranged In Chronological Order?

It can be helpful to see a timeline of the Bible books so you know where the books fit in chronologically with respect to one another. The canonical order of the Bible does not always follow a chronological order. The dates below are approximatescholars debate the exact dates of many booksbut the following tables provide a general timeline for the Old and New Testaments. TIMELINE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

1
Genesis

3
Exodus Numbers Joshua Leviticus Deuteronomy

5
Judges Ruth

6
1 Samuel

7
2 Samuel 1 Chronicles

8
2 Chronicles 1 Kings

9
2 Kings

10
Ezra Esther

11
Nehemiah

Historical Books

Poetical Books
Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon

Prophetical Books
To Israel Hosea Amos To Judah Habakkuk Isaiah Jeremiah Joel Micah Zephaniah Lamentations To Assyria Jonah Nahum To Edom Obadiah Ezekiel Daniel Haggai Zechariah Malachi

TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 0 AD 30 AD 48 AD 50 AD 53 AD 60 AD 62 AD 67 AD

post-Acts

95 AD

Historical Books
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Pauline Epistles
Galatians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Romans Ephesians Colossians Philemon Philippians 1 Timothy Titus 2 Timothy

General Epistles
James 1 Peter 2 Peter Hebrews Jude 1 John 2 John 3 John Revelation

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Do We Need to Know Geography?

According to a CNN poll conducted in 2006, nearly two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 24 could not locate Iraq on a map despite the fact that American armed forces had been engaged in more than three years of combat and sustained over 2,400 casualties.3 Geography is not always important, but there are many cases where a basic knowledge of Bible geography can add a great deal of meaning to a particular passage. MAP OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD The map below represents the general region of the Old Testament period. It is an area roughly the size of the state of Texas.

Key to Map
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Mediterranean Sea Jerusalem Sea of Galilee Jordan River Dead Sea Euphrates River Tigris River Persian Gulf Nile River Garden of Eden?? Babylonia Persia Assyria Israel Egypt

MAPS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/05/02/geog.test/

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The Arc of Redemptive History

CREATION ERA (1)

Key Figure: Adam Key Location: Garden of Eden Summary: Adam and Eve are created by God, but they sin and destroy Gods original plan for man.

Key Points: Creation - God creates the universe including the earth and all its creatures. He makes man in His image. All is good and sinless and just as God wants it to be. (Genesis 1-2) Fall - Sin enters the world as Satan (in the form of a serpent) lures Adam and Eve into rebelling against God and violating the one prohibition God had given them: not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Pain, death, and evil enter creation through sin. (Genesis 3) Flood - Man continues to grow more and more wicked. God judges the world for its sin through a great flood that kills nearly every creature on earth. Only Noah, his 3 sons, their wives, and representatives of every species survive the flood in an ark. (Genesis 6-10) Tower of Babel - God orders mankind to spread out and fill the earth in obedience to Him. Instead mankind stays in one place and grows in numbers and in pride. They build the Tower of Babel as a monument to their own greatness. God forces them to speak different languages and the people are scattered over the earth, forming nations. (Genesis 11)

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PATRIARCH ERA (2)

Key Figure: Abraham Key Location: Canaan Summary: Abraham is chosen by God to father a people to represent God to the world.

Key Points: Abraham - God initiates a plan of redemption by choosing for Himself a man who would become the father of the Hebrew people, a nation that would represent Him. Abraham moves out of Ur (near convergence of Tigris and Euphrates) to Canaan where he has two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. (Genesis 12-23) Isaac - Isaac becomes the second father of promise. The promises of the covenant God made with Abraham are passed down to Isaac and not Ishmael. Isaac becomes very prosperous. He has twin sons, Esau and Jacob. (Genesis 24-26) Jacob - The promises of the covenant are passed along to Jacob, the younger brother, through a deception whereby he stole Esaus birthright. Jacob is a self-centered scoundrel who, after encounters with God changes his ways. He has 12 sons by two wives (Rachel and Leah) who would become the fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. (Genesis 27-35) Joseph - Jacobs sons sell their righteous brother Joseph into slavery because of jealousy. Joseph is taken to Egypt where he rises to the position of second in command under Pharaoh. During a severe famine Jacobs sons travel to Egypt for relief and are reunited with Joseph who forgives them and provides for them. Choice land is provided for Jacobs family and they grow greatly in number and prosperity during Josephs life. After Joseph dies the Egyptians enslave the Jews and they cry out to God. (Genesis 37-50)

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EXODUS ERA (3)

Key Figure: Key Location: Summary: Moses Egypt Through Moses God delivers the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and then gives them the Law.

Key Points: Deliverance - The Hebrews suffer as slaves in Egypt for 400 years. God hears their cries for deliverance and raises up Moses. Moses demands that Pharaoh let the Hebrews go. When Pharaoh refuses God sends 10 plagues on Egypt and the Hebrews are finally liberated. The Red Sea parts and the Egyptian army (in hot pursuit) is swallowed up by the sea. The Hebrews journey to Canaan, the Promised Land. (Exodus 1-18) The Law - The Hebrews are now large enough to be a nation and become known as Israel. At Mount Sinai God gives them the 10 Commandments through Moses. Moses also receives the full revelation of the Law that would govern the Israelites. (Exodus 19-40) Kadesh Barnea - The Israelites travel from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, the southern gateway to the Promised Land. 12 spies are sent to scout out the land. The spies return and report that the land is flowing with milk and honey but is also populated by giants. 10 spies say the land cannot be conquered. 2 spies (Joshua and Caleb) have faith and claim the land can be taken. The people believe the other 10 and refuse to follow Moses into the land. Kadesh Barnea becomes known as a place of rebellion against God. (Numbers 10-14) Wilderness Wandering - A generation of Israelites that refuses to enter the land are condemned to wander in the wilderness until everyone 21-years old and up die as punishment for their rebellion. Moses is also told that he may not enter Canaan. Joshua would lead the next generation into the Promised Land. (Numbers 20-36)

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CONQUEST ERA (4)

Key Figure: Key Location: Summary: Joshua Canaan Joshua leads the conquest of the Promised Land.

Key Points: Jordan - God picks Joshua to be Moses successor. His first test is to lead Israel across the Jordan River into Canaan at flood stage. Joshua prepares the people to cross in faith, and when the priests touch the water the river parts just like the Red Sea. (Joshua 1-5) Jericho - This heavily fortified city was the eastern gateway into Canaan and posed the first obstacle to the advancing Israelites. Without using any weapons the Israelites march around the city seven days and the mighty city comes crashing down. (Joshua 6) Conquest - Joshua leads the Israelites straight into the heart of Canaan, defeating cities and kings along the way. Then initially head straight toward the Mediterranean Sea, then move northward. In about 7 years the initial defeat of Canaan is complete. (Joshua 7-12) Dominion - Each of the 12 tribes is given a portion of the land by lottery and is responsible for finalizing control of that region. All 12 tribes inhabit their assigned territories and are united by a loose federation with the other tribes. (Joshua 13-20)

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JUDGES ERA (5)

Key Figure: Samson Key Location: Canaan Summary: Samson and others were chosen as judges to govern the people for four hundred rebellious years.

Key Points: Judges - These were political and military leaders who governed Israel with nearly absolute authority. Some of the major judges are Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. Samuel was a transitional figure who was the last judge and the first prophet. (Judges 1-21) Rebellion - Moses final instructions to the Israelites were: (1) Destroy all inhabitants of Canaan; (2) Dont intermarry with the Canaanites; (3) Dont worship Canaanite gods. Israel had just enjoyed a high point of their history (conquest) but entered into a 400-year period of constant rebellion against God. (Judges 1-21) Cycles - A clear repeating cycle is seen throughout Judges: (1) Israel sins; (2) God punishes their sin through conquest by enemies; (3) Israel cries out to God for deliverance; (4) God raises up a judge to deliver them; (5) God establishes the judge as ruler and keeps Israel free during the judges lifetime. This cycle repeats 7 times in the book of Judges. Sound familiar? (Judges 1-21) Ruth - A Moabite woman who offers a refreshing picture of faithfulness in the midst of Israels rebellion during the Judges era. She demonstrates great faith, love and loyalty to her Hebrew motherin-law and God rewards her for this. She is one of only a few women listed in the genealogy of Jesus. (Ruth 1-4)

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KINGDOM ERA (6)

Key Figure: David Key Location: Israel Summary: David, the greatest king in the new monarchy, is followed by a succession of mostly unrighteous kings, and God eventually judges Israel for her sin, sending her into exile.

Key Points: Monarchy - Jealous of the other nations around them, the Israelites demand that God give them a king. Israel had been a theocracy (God is king) but now they wanted an earthly monarchy. Saul is the first king but fails and is succeeded by David. The kingdom prospers greatly under David and is handed to Davids son Solomon. Under Solomon the kingdom flourishes until Solomon falls away from God in his later years. (1 and 2 Samuel) Divided Kingdom - A civil war erupts largely because of Solomons spiritual wandering, and the kingdom is divided in about 926 B.C. The northern kingdom consists of ten tribes and is still called Israel. The southern kingdom consists of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and is called Judah. (1 Kings) Northern Kingdom - The northern kingdom is ruled by a long series of wicked kings punctuated by a few righteous kings. God raises up Assyria to conquer the northern kingdom and scatter these people. The capitol city of Samaria falls to the Assyrian army in 722 B.C. The northern kingdom is never restored. (2 Kings) Southern Kingdom - The kings of the southern kingdom tended to be better than their northern counterparts, but eventually Judahs sin increases as well. The southern kingdom lasts about 400 years and falls to Babylonia who takes away the cream of the crop into exile. The capitol city of Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. (2 Kings)

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EXILE ERA (7)

Key Figure: Daniel Key Location: Babylonia Summary: Daniel gives leadership and encourages faithfulness among the exiles for the next seventy years.

Key Points: Prophecy - After the northern kingdom had fallen in 722 B.C. the southern kingdom receives warnings of impending captivity through Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Jeremiah prophecies that the Babylonians would take them away into captivity for 70 years. The prophecies come true exactly as Jeremiah foretold. (Jeremiah 1-52) Prophets - Daniel and Ezekiel are two prophets who minister during the exile. Ezekiel foretells restoration and encourages faithfulness among the exiles. Daniel rises to a high position of leadership in Babylonia and stands out as an example of righteousness and faithfulness to God. (Ezekiel 1-48, Daniel 1-12) Exiles - The Jewish exiles are assimilated into the culture of Babylonia. Though they face some discrimination they are well integrated into Babylonian society. This represents a wise strategy on the part of the Babylonians to rob them of their national identity and make them comfortable in exile. (Daniel 1-12) Power Change - While the Jews are in Babylonian exile the Persian empire rises to power and conquers Babylonia (which had conquered Assyria). The Persian empire expands from the Tigris River to the Mediterranean Sea. (Daniel 1-12)

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RETURN ERA (8)

Key Figure: Ezra Key Location: Jerusalem Summary: Ezra leads the people back from exile to rebuild Jerusalem.

Key Points: Disrepair - With the leaders of the southern kingdom in Babylonian exile, no one is left behind to care for Jerusalem, Gods holy city. The destruction from battle with Babylonia as well as years of neglect and erosion have left Jerusalem in ruins. (Nehemiah 1:1-3) Temple - God causes Cyrus, king of Persia, to fund the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, a prominent Jew in Persia leads the initial rebuilding of the Temple. They run into lots of opposition from the Gentiles in Jerusalems vicinity. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah push for work on the Temple to be completed and it finally is. (Ezra 1-6) Revival - For 70 years Temple worship had ceased among the Jews. Many had never read or heard the Law of Moses. Ezra reconnects the Jews with Gods word and begins to rebuild the people spiritually as they return from exile. The events of the book of Esther take place during this era. (Ezra 7-10) Walls - The Temple is restored but the walls of the city are in ruins. This is a security threat and an embarrassment. Nehemiah, cupbearer to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, is raised up to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Once again the Jews secure financing from the Persian king and face opposition from neighboring peoples. Nehemiah leads the returning exiles in rebuilding the walls to completion. (Nehemiah 1-13)

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SILENCE ERA (9)

Key Figure: Pharisees Key Location: Jerusalem Summary: Pharisees and others entomb the Israelites in legalism for the next 400 years.

Key Points: The Changing Guard - At the end of the OT period the Persians were the dominant empire in the region. In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great conquers the Persians and establishes Greek culture and language as a unifying force. Rome eventually overtakes Greece, but Greek influence remains strong in this era. Political Sects - Throughout this period there are militant Jewish sects that attempt to instigate uprisings against foreign rule and establish independence. Among these are the Maccabeans and the Zealots. Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus disciples, was a member of these sects. Religious Sects - There are two main religious sects in Israel during this period. The Pharisees were conservative orthodox Jews who called for separation between them and secular society. They pushed an agenda of legalistic adherence to the Law. The Sadducees were more liberal and tended to be wealthier and more politically connected. A ruling board known as the Sanhedrin was made up of representatives from both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The two groups had little in common other than their desire for religious freedom and their later opposition to Jesus. Messianic Hope - The Jews had long awaited the coming of the Messiah, a savior who would deliver Israel. Most expected the Messiah to be a political/military leader who would cast off the rule of Rome and reestablish the former glory of Israel. The Silence Era was not an inactive one - the hope for this Messiah reached a fever pitch during this era.

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GOSPEL ERA (10)

Key Figure: Jesus Key Location: Palestine Summary: Jesus comes in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of a savior and offers salvation and the true kingdom of God. While some accept Him, most reject Him, and He is crucified, buried and resurrected.

Key Points: Early Life Mary becomes pregnant miraculously by the Holy Spirit. Joseph and Mary travel to Josephs hometown of Bethlehem where Jesus is born according to prophecy. They flee to Egypt to avoid Herods attempts on Jesus life. Jesus learns the trade of carpentry from Joseph. There is very little record of Jesus life from early childhood until He is baptized at the age of 30 by His cousin John. Jesus emerges victorious from 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Early Ministry Jesus begins His public ministry after His baptism. His two goals are to announce that He is the Messiah and encourage people to live a truly righteous life. His message is accompanied by miraculous signs and He gains an initial acceptance. Much of this early ministry takes place around Jerusalem. Later Ministry Jesus initial acceptance does not last. The religious leaders are jealous and conspire against Him. He increases His investment of time in the 12 disciples closest to Him. Jesus travels a lot during this period. Much of the ministry takes place near the northern bank of the Sea of Galilee. Death and Resurrection Jesus continues to polarize the people: some follow Him enthusiastically while others totally reject Him. No one feels neutral about Jesus. The leaders succeed in bringing Jesus to a mock trial and having Him crucified. He is buried on Friday night but arises from the grave on Sunday.

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CHURCH ERA (11)

Key Figure: Peter Key Location: Jerusalem Summary: Peter, shortly after the ascension of Jesus, is used by God to establish the Church, Gods next major plan for man.

Key Points: Birth of the Church The Church is born in Jerusalem. The disciples were instructed to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them. This happened at Pentecost in a miraculous way. (Acts 1-5) Growth of the Church As the number of believers in the Church grows some organization and structure take shape. Deacons are appointed and the disciples function as elders. The church grows through conversion as the lost respond to the proclamation of the gospel. (Acts 6) Persecution Stephen, one of the original deacons, is arrested by the Jewish leaders and delivers a passionate gospel presentation before being stoned to death as the first Christian martyr. This incident kicks off a wave of persecution against the Church that causes many to scatter, taking the message of the gospel with them as they went. (Acts 7) Ministry to the Gentiles A zealous persecutor of the Church named Saul experiences a dramatic conversion and becomes Gods appointed witness to the Gentiles. Until this point the gospel went out exclusively to a Jewish audience. (Acts 8-12)

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MISSIONS ERA (12)

Key Figure: Paul Key Location: Roman Empire Summary: Paul expands the Church into the Roman Empire during the next two decades.

Key Points: First Missionary Journey Paul and Barnabas are sent to Galatia to take the gospel to Gentiles there. They depart from Antioch, the point of departure for all 3 missionary journeys. They remain in Galatia for two years. They return to Jerusalem where the council decides that converts do not have to become Jewish in addition to becoming Christian. (Acts 1314) Second Missionary Journey Paul leaves from Antioch to visit believers from the first journey. He receives a vision of a man from Macedonia (Greece) and changes plans and goes there instead. He travels in Greece for three years. (Acts 15-17) Third Missionary Journey Paul leaves again from Antioch to encourage the believers from his first two trips and to spread the gospel into Asia. He meets with great success and great opposition. He remains in Asia for four years and is immediately arrested upon his return to Jerusalem. (Acts 18-21) Trials and Imprisonment Paul is arrested by Jewish leaders and moved to Caesarea, the Roman capital in the area. He is tried there by Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. Paul exercises his rights as a Roman citizen and is moved to Rome for a trial before Caesar. He remains under house arrest in Rome for two years but his case never reaches trial. Tradition holds that he was beheaded before his trial could take place.

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The Arc of Redemptive History

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Inductive Bible Study

Introduction
There is very little difference between the inability to read (true illiteracy) and the practical choice not to read (functional illiteracy). Many Christians are missing out on the great wealth of guidance, encouragement, and comfort God provides through the Bible simply because they have not committed themselves to study it. However, many others have a sincere desire to study the Bible but are discouraged by feelings of inadequacy. In the following section we hope to push back those feelings of inadequacy by equipping you with a proven method for studying the Bible on your own. Although, there are many ways to effectively study the Bible, we will focus on the inductive method.

What Does Inductive Mean?

To illustrate the inductive method, well begin by contrasting deductive and inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning begins with an idea (hypothesis) about a given topic. It then gathers data and evidence that can be examined with the goal of proving that hypothesis true. Deductive reasoning begins with general information and builds toward a more specific conclusion, guided by a hypothesis. The scientific method is a familiar example of a system of deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning takes a very different approach. Rather than starting with a hypothesis, it selects a specific piece of data, then intensely and objectively studies it until some general conclusions can be induced from it. In summary, inductive reasoning starts with specific information and leads to general conclusions, while deductive reasoning begins with general information and leads to a specific conclusion.

What Are the Dangers of Both Methods of Reasoning?

Although both deductive and inductive reasoning are valid in certain contexts, they also have some inherent weaknesses.

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The inherent weakness of deductive reasoning is that the preconceived idea or hypothesis can over-influence the way data is interpreted. It can lead us to choose only the data that supports our ideas. When it comes to Bible study, deductive reasoning can lead to something called prooftexting, where Bible verses are sought to support a preconceived idea rather than letting the Bible speak for itself. We prefer the inductive approach to Bible study because it lets the text speak for itself. However, inductive reasoning can also be abused by inappropriately generalizing a very specific observation. An example of this might be to observe that Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding early in his ministry, and thus we can conclude that all weddings should serve wine. That is an example of faulty inductive reasoning. Any method we choose to study the Bible must be consistent with the nature of the Bible and the authority of God. If the Bible is Gods revelation and his authority is higher than our own, then our method must be driven by his agenda rather than our own. Bible study must be a quest to discover what God has to say, not to see if God agrees with what we have to say.

What Is Required for the Inductive Method of Bible Study?

The inductive method of Bible study requires a certain attitude and preparation of the heart in order for it to be fruitful: Time and Patience The inductive method is more of a sit down than a fast food approach to Bible study. It requires that you be willing to slow down and take some time with the text. We recommend that you reserve a steady block of time each day to devote yourself to personal Bible study. Peace and Quiet To get the most out of inductive Bible study, you should find a place and time where you will be most free of interruptions and distractions. Humility and Objectivity You must not be so bound to your own ideas that you are not willing to abandon them if Gods word contradicts them. Without humility our study of the Bible will only make us puffed up (1 Corinthians 8:1, Colossians 2:18). Diligence and Precision Inductive Bible study is hard work. You must make a steady daily investment in studying Gods word. You must also not be sloppy about details. In inductive Bible study details are very important.

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What are the Steps in the Inductive Method?

The inductive method is generally recognized to have three main components: (1) Observation; (2) Interpretation, and (3) Application. Observation This step deals with the question, What does the text say? Observation involves data gathering, big picture perspective, and first round observation. Interpretation This step deals with the question, What does the text mean? It is at this stage that exegesis (in-depth interpretation of a document) is done. Application This step deals with the question, How must I respond? When information ends in the mind, it is simply knowledge. When it finds its way into our lives, it becomes wisdom.

STEP 1 Observation
The first stage of the inductive method is observation where the goal is to see as much as you can. Some are naturally observant while others are not. No matter where you lie on the spectrum, with proper training and practice, you can learn to develop your powers of observation. BEGIN WITH PRAYER AND SUBMISSION Remember that Bible study cannot be done effectively or fruitfully without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Make sure that every session in front of your Bible is begun with earnest prayer. Ask God to: Open your heart and mind to the deepest insights Give you humility to be led by Him rather than the reverse Give you a commitment to respond to truth in obedience

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT Understanding the context in which words were spoken or written is very important to knowing what they mean. Consider the sentence, I got a ticket! If you are walking away from a box office, that is probably good news. If you are driving away from a police car, it is probably bad news. Context matters. When it comes to Bible study, establishing the context is not always a simple task. Because the Bible was written many centuries ago, it will take some serious work to get the context of any text. Sometimes one or two study sessions might be devoted entirely to establishing context.

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One of the best places to start getting the context of a book of Scripture is the introductory information given at the beginning of each book in a good study Bible. Zondervans NIV Study Bible gives background information for every book that serves as a good template for understanding the context: Author Who did God use to communicate these words? Date When was this written and what was happening then? Place Where and in what situation was this written? Purpose What was Gods intention in communicating this? Title How did the book get its name and is that meaningful? Themes What are the major topics addressed? Outline How is the text organized?

The historical context of a passage of Scripture is important, but it can also be helpful to get a sense of its immediate literary context. It is a good idea to read the passages just before and just after the passage you are studying. Making this practice a habit will help guard you against taking individual passages or verses out of context. Another practical way to get context is to read the entire book of the Bible several times through before settling down for careful study. This kind of broad survey of the book will give you a good birds eye view. ASK QUESTIONS Once youve established the context, you are ready to dive into the passage. Try to start with the obvious observations such as major events, lists of names and places, etc. It can be helpful to approach the text as though you were a journalist gathering information for a news story. When approaching the text, learn to ask the following questions as part of your initial data gathering: Who Who is writing/speaking to whom? How are they related? Who are the characters in the scene? Who is present and who is conspicuously missing? What What are the main events recorded in the passage? What are the major teachings? What are the most prominent or important words and ideas? What is the tone or mood? When When is the writing/speaking taking place? What other events immediately precede and follow the present text? Is there a time component to the passage?

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Where Where are these events taking place (setting)? Where are the people going or coming from? Is there an important sense of geographic place or movement in the text? Why Why is this being written/spoke? Is the occasion of the communication made obvious in the passage? Are there motives that can be clearly seen in the text? How How was a certain thing done? Are there process-oriented things in the passage? Is there a lot of attention to procedural detail? Are there precise directions given?

LOOK FOR PATTERNS Once youve asked some questions, you are ready to discern patterns within the text. Some common patterns to look for are: Keywords Is there a word that is emphasized in a way that it is obviously meant to take center stage? Are there words that appear in the text but are not very common in Scripture? Is there a word that, if removed, would significantly change the meaning of the passage? Repetition Are there words or phrases that appear several times in the passage? Is there an idea that is expressed several times but with different words? Contrast One of Gods favorite teaching tools is contrast. He often teaches about one thing by comparing or contrasting it to another. Often you will see thematic contrasts such as light and dark, heaven and hell, godly and ungodly. Bridges Is this passage a bridge that connects to some past or later text? Words like so that, therefore, in order to, unless, because, as a result of, in view of, etc. are indicators that you are dealing with a bridge text.

STEP 2 Interpretation
Having gathered all the important data during your observation period, you can now start to interpret the passage, finding out what it means. IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT IN INTERPRETATION The importance of context cannot be emphasized enough. In observation, context was essential for filtering and organizing the data you gathered. In interpretation it is crucial for guiding you to the most truthful interpretation.

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Context occurs on three levels, all of which are important in interpreting a Bible passage correctly: 1. The immediately surrounding verses and chapters 2. The book in which the passage is found 3. The entire Bible On the first level of context you should examine the surrounding text to determine if: You are understanding the text in terms of the intent of God and the author in the original setting There is any additional information that will shed light on how you are to interpret the present text If there are surrounding statements that either affirm or deny your proposed interpretation

On the second level of context you should examine the whole book the passage is in to determine if: Your interpretation is in keeping with the theme of the book Your interpretation makes sense in view of the overall purpose, historical context, and literary genre of the book

On the third level of context you should consider the following: Is the conclusion Im about to reach consistent with the overall teaching and tone of the Bible? Will this particular passage yield a teaching that is at odds with any other part of the Bible? Has my present interpretation yielded an apparent contradiction in the Bible?

Remember that the key to successful inductive Bible study is to let the text speak for itself. When we become so committed to one way of understanding a text that not even clear indications from its context are able to change our minds, we are no longer doing honest Bible study. Instead we are trying to become higher authorities than Scripture. Our interpretation must flow out of the text, not in spite of it. With respect to the third level of context (entire Bible), it must be said that this can only be accomplished through a faithful and regular reading of the entire Bible. Such is a lifelong endeavor that will enrich your understanding of Scripture and guard you from faulty conclusions.

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CASE STUDY IN CONTEXT Consider the verse John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (ESV) It would be easy to take this verse out of context and see God as some great genie in a bottle, especially if the emphasis is placed on asking, whatever you wish. Does this verse give us a blank check to demand anything our hearts desire with the guarantee that God will grant it? If this were the only verse on prayer in all of Scripture we might be led to such a conclusion, but it is not the only teaching on prayer. There are other verses such as the following that give us further instruction on prayer:

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING When we study the Bible, we must remember that it is a fairly straightforward book. Gods desire is that the Bible should be understood and embraced by all who read it (Psalm 19:7). Consequently, our interpretations must not aim to be the most creative or novel, but the most simple and direct. When you come to a passage in the Bible, make your first aim to understand its simplest and most direct meaning. From there you may ask good questions of the text to see if there is another layer to be revealed as you dig further. From any given passage of Scripture you can draw out a wide variety of practical lessons. But there is usually one primary lesson and many secondary lessons arising from any given passage. The main task of the interpreter is to see the primary lesson and differentiate it from the secondary lessons. NORMATIVE VS. DESCRIPTIVE Another distinction to keep in mind is whether the passage intends to provide a normative or descriptive lesson. Normative lessons are those that are meant to be received as commands for our own lives. For example, Jesus command to forgive our enemies 77 times (Matthew 18:22) was normative. He was not only speaking to

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Peter, but his clear intent was that all those who followed him should forgive the sins of others. In contrast, the account of Gideon putting out fleece as a test of Gods will (Judges 6) is a descriptive account. The story is given to inform us of the deeds and events of one mans life, but not to teach us that we are all supposed to put God to the test by putting out a fleece every time we want to know what to do next. WORD STUDY Word studies are careful studies of key words in the original languages that help us to understand passages where an English translation of a word misses some key nuances from the original language. Consider Galatians 6:2-5 (KJV) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. At first there appears to be a contradiction in that passage. In the first sentence we are told to bear one anothers burdens. But in the last sentence we are taught that every man must bear his own burden. So which is it? In order to answer this question we must look at the Greek words behind the English word burden. It turns out that in verse 2, the word baros is used, which suggests a burden generally regarded as being too heavy for one person to lift/carry alone. In verse 5 phortion is used, which suggests a personal load (such as a mans satchel) that an individual can reasonably lift/carry for themselves. Completing a word study helps clear up the confusion from an English translation. Since most of you are not Greek and Hebrew scholars, you will be greatly helped by using an interlinear Bible. These Bibles present the Greek or Hebrew original texts directly above or below the English translations. Using an online interlinear Bible such as the one available at http://bible.crosswalk.com/InterlinearBible can be very helpful because it allows you to do a word study with a single click of your mouse.

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FIGURES OF SPEECH The Bible makes use of figurative language in various places, and it is important to have some guidelines in dealing with these figures of speech. For example, consider the account of the Lords Supper below: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Was Jesus using figurative language (in this case a metaphor) or was He being literal? If we take a literal meaning, we must adopt the doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches that the communion bread literally becomes the flesh of Jesus Christ when we consume it. There are seven main figures of speech we should become familiar with: Simile A stated comparison between two distinct things using connector words such as like, as, such as, or the word pair asso. Make sure you interpret similes as comparisons and not equations. Examples: Revelation 1:14 and Psalm 42:1. Metaphor An implied comparison between two different things. Metaphors are different from similes in that no connecting words are used. While metaphors use the language of equation, remember that they are still figurative comparisons. Examples: John 15:5 and Ephesians 6:17. Hyperbole A way of deliberately overstating something to make a point. Exaggeration was a very popular communication device among Jewish people. The key to interpreting exaggeration or hyperbole is to understand what emphasis the exaggeration is trying to make. Example: Matthew 23:24. Metonymy A device whereby one word is used in place of another because it can legitimately stand as a representation or symbol of the word it is replacing. For example, you might hear a news reporter say, Washington had no comment on the incident. In that case, Washington is a metonymy for the United States or its leadership, not the specific state or city. Example: Mark 1:5. Synecdoche A figure of speech where an association is drawn by allowing a part to refer to the whole, or the whole to refer to a part. For example, the Old Testament often uses the Law to refer to either the Pentateuch, the Ten Commandments, or the whole Old Testament. Example: Jeremiah 25:29.

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Personification A non-human object or being is given human attributes to draw a comparison that a human audience can relate to. Example: Isaiah 55:12. Irony A statement that says the opposite of what is meant to produce emphasis or effect. Sarcasm or satire are forms of irony. Example: 1 Corinthians 4:8.

CONSULT THE EXPERTS After you have done your own diligent study, go to the experts to see if they agree with your interpretation. Do not go to them as a first resort or you will fail to develop the necessary discipline and skills needed for serious Bible study. The work of scholars is one of Gods great gifts to the Church, but it must become an added blessing, not a crutch or substitute for our own fervent pursuit of Gods Word.

STEP 3 Application
The third and final stage of the inductive method is application, where the truth becomes a part of our lives as we make an obedient response to what we have learned. You can think of it this way: Observation and Interpretation are about what we get out of the Bible; Application is about what the Bible gets out of us. CHECK YOUR WORK Each step of the inductive process is dependent on the step before it. Your interpretation depends on what you have seen in the text during observation. Your application depends on what you think the passage means. Therefore it is very important that you are confident in your interpretation because you are about to apply that understanding to your life through action. Two questions may help you check your work of interpretation: 1. Have you understood ALL of what the text seeks to communicate? While it may not be possible to gather ALL that a text communicates, the point is to make sure you have not overlooked something of great importance. Have you understood the full content, mood, force, intensity, etc. of the lesson? 2. Have you understood ONLY what the text seeks to communicate? In addition to getting all the meaning, it is important to guard against making the text say anything it does not intend to say.

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USEFULNESS OF SCRIPTURE 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. On the basis of this passage we can identify four general approaches to applying a passage of Scripture in our lives: 1. Teaching The NLT translates it, to teach us what is true. Not every application is necessarily action-oriented. Sometimes the only thing expected from us by a certain text is to believe and accept a truth. ASK: Does this teach me something I didnt know before? Have I gained some new information or insight into the character of God, the nature of this world, my own heart or the age to come? 2. Reproof The NLT translates it, to make us realize what is wrong with our lives. We are often blinded to our faults, but the Bible is a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) that has the power to cut through our blindness. ASK: Does this reveal to me some error in my life? Does this passage produce any inner tension or sense of guilt? 3. Correction The Greek word for correction (epanorthosis) conveys a sense of straightening out, restoring, and improving something that is off. Correction differs from reproof in that reproof diagnoses the problem while correction prescribes the means to set it straight. ASK: Does this teach me what I must do to get my life back on track? Does it offer me a picture of the way things should be? 4. Training in righteousness This can be translated, it teaches us to do what is right. Training in righteousness is about doing the things that make sure your life is strengthened and will not break so readily in the future. ASK: Does this teach me something that I can adopt as a pattern for my life? Does it offer me a better way to do something than what Im already doing? Does it teach me something that will strengthen Gods grip on my life?

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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION In addition to the 2 Timothy 3:16-17 approach, here are some other guidelines that can help you develop sound applications from Scripture: 1. Differentiate between thought vs. action applications. Some applications are thought responses and only require a change in thinking. Others are action responses and require a physical act. 2. Dont jump the gun. Do the hard work of observation and interpretation first. Then, as a final step, work on application. Dont be in a rush to find out what a text requires before you understand what it means. . 3. Reject applications that change your interpretation. If you have to ignore major components of your interpretation to arrive at a certain application, that application is an invalid one. We must not re-interpret a verse in order to justify a particular application. 4. Focus on the primary intent of the passage. There are usually several responses a text may present to us, but we should focus our applications on the primary intent of the passage before we settle on secondary ones. FORMING GOOD APPLICATIONS Sometimes we can be deeply moved by our understanding of a text but find it has made no lasting impact on our lives. Often this is because we formed ineffective applications from our interpretation. Here are some criteria for good applications: 1. Realistic If our applications are going to lead to life change, they must be rooted in reality. Its tempting to be idealistic but applications that are unachievable are useless. Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Unrealistic I will personally witness to everyone in my city within 12 months Realistic I will finally share my faith with my best friend Randolph next week.

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2. Measurable One test of a good application is whether you can know when you have done it or not. You must be able to detect or measure your execution of an application. Luke 17:17 Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Not measurable I will become a more thankful person. Measurable I will treat my parents to lunch this week to sincerely thank them for all theyve done for me.

3. Challenging A practical application that is challenging and stretches us or pulls us out of our comfort zone can really help us grow spiritually. Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Unchallenging I will try to finish the book of Genesis before I have grandchildren. Challenging I will commit to a Bible reading program and finish the entire Bible in the next year.

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