An Introduction
Inductive Bible Study is a method of reading and studying the Bible that takes the time to closely examine what the biblical authors wrote and what it meant in their own time and setting. Inductive Method seeks to hear the message of scripture by examining the evidence in and around the text. In this way, the meaning of a passage is determined by its own historical and literary context. Once this foundation is laid and we understand what the biblical author wrote and why, then we can identify how that relates to our own contemporary context.
Inductive Bible Study Method is about listening to scripture rather than speaking to it. It is about asking questions and discovering answers. It is about stepping back in time to witness God’s activity in human history and overhear His Word in its original context. Only then can we know its relevance for today.
The 3 steps of the Inductive Bible Study method are:
“The Bible, as we personify it, beckons us to hear its message on its own terms; it wishes to speak a new word to us, challenging our presuppositions over against conforming to them.”
Step #1 – Observation
Step #2 – Interpretation
Step #3 – Application