THE THREE COMPONENTS
OF INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY

INTRODUCTION

Observation describes the act of taking notice, fixing the mind upon, beholding with attention and as used in science includes the idea of making and recording one's findings, a skill certainly applicable to fruitful inductive study. To quote Yogi Berra...

You can see a lot just by looking.

You may be surprised and maybe even a bit insulted by the suggestion that most of us have never really been taught how to read a book, much less a divinely inspired book. (Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book is a highly recommended secular work and makes for fascinating reading on this topic) Most of us really don't know what to look for in order to effectively and efficiently carry out the observation of a specific book of the Bible because we've never been instructed. The goal of this section is to present some general guidelines on "how to read the 'Best Book'" but you will find the principles applicable to anything you are reading.

The Bible is unlike any other book for it is essentially a "love letter" from God to mankind. Stop for a moment and ponder this awesome truth. You probably received a letter from your sweetheart when you were dating or courting. Do you remember how you responded when you received that letter? First, you were eagerly anticipating it. You couldn't wait for it to arrive in the mail. You kept checking the mailbox to see if the mail had arrived. And when it did come, you blocked out everything, opened the envelope and devoured every word, every nuance, every innuendo, as you read the letter from your beloved...and you read it not just once but over and over and over. You permitted nothing to interfere with reading the letter from beginning to end. The phone might have rung, but you paid little attention to the ringing. You were far more focused on observing and interpreting what the the love of your life had written. Is not this the approach we should take to "the letter" called the Bible written by the One Who "demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (see note Romans 5:8)? Is this how you approach His word? Or have you "left your first love" (see note Revelation 2:4) ? Jesus speaking to the saints at Ephesus told them to

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place-- unless you repent." (see notes Revelation 2:4; 2:5)
 

Martin Luther (bio) whom God used to return His church to a Sola Scriptura approach (only the Scriptures) which birthed the Reformation, gives what is essence is an inductive approach to the Bible writing that...

"I study my Bible as I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest might fall . Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf . I shake the Bible as a whole , like shaking the whole tree (~ Context). Then I shake every limb—study book after book (~ Overview of Book). Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters when they do not break the sense (~ Observation of Chapters). Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings (~Greek/Hebrew Word Studies)." (Ed note: my comments in blue)

Begin your study by establishing the context which lays the foundation for subsequent interpretation. Context is the setting in which a passage occurs or simply what precedes and what follows the text you are studying. Thus context includes those verses immediately before and after the passage, then the paragraph and book in which the passage appears, then other books by this author, as well as the overall message of the entire Bible.

Establishing the context forces the reader to examine the biblical writer's overall flow of thought. The meaning of any passage is nearly always determined, controlled, or limited by what appears immediately beforehand and afterward in the text. Context is "king" in interpretation. Since context always "rules" in interpretation and Scripture must always be interpreted in light of its context, the first step in the study of any book of the Bible is to get an OVERVIEW of the book you are studying. Why? Because when you get an overview of the entire book, it will help you discover the context.

Everything in a given book must be considered and analyzed within its setting, which means we can never isolate one verse or portion of the book from the rest of what is written. Setting is context and context is central if you are to arrive at a correct understanding of the text.

Two other sources of context to always consider and which may shed significant light on the understanding of a passage are the cultural environment when the passage was written and the historical when the passage was written (e.g., what does the text teach about what it was like to be a believer in that specific culture and how does that influence what the author is writing in a specific book).

As discussed in the section on "Interpretation", "context is king" and vital for accurate interpretation. Most misinterpretation (and subsequently misapplication) of Scripture is the result of taking the text out of its proper context. So the first task is to carefully observe the passage to establish the context. The natural tendency for most of us is to take a verse or verses out of context in order to support some point of view that we espouse or favor. This is called "proof-texting" and represents our attempt to make the Bible say what we want it to say or what we want to hear, rather than letting the Scripture say what God intended the passage to communicate. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that the most common failure in interpretation is to violate basic principle of allowing context to control how the passage is interpreted.

If context is so important, how does a lay person proceed to establish the context?

The simple answer is that one needs to read, re-read and carefully observe the text for repeated facts and truths. As one observes what is said, giving special attention to repeated words, phrases, or ideas, he or she should begin to understand the context.

It sounds easy doesn't it?

But careful observation is "easier said than done" for we live in a society which continually promulgates "instant gratification" and the "natural" approach to studying Scripture is to want to know immediately "What is in it for me?" or "How can this passage benefit me?" That's why one of the main prerequisites to productive inductive study is a willingness to slow down and to observe carefully.

Since most of us don't really know the basic principles of observation, we may read through the chapter or book without truly "observing" the text. How many times have you read a chapter in the morning and by noon you can barely remember what you read? The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions. When you study the Bible "hit or miss," you MISS more than you HIT. We must approach God's Word as if our lives depended on it--because they do. However, left to our human nature, we all tend to read the Bible more like Dr. Watson than like Sherlock Holmes (Click here for illustration). To effectively establish context, you need to learn to read like Holmes rather than Watson. Be encouraged beloved for you will find that if you persevere in this critical stage of inductive study, the passage will begin to open up to you as never before.

So from a practical standpoint, how should you begin to establish the context? Simply reading and re-reading a text could become very boring and non-productive. So let's look at some basic principles that will help us achieve our goal of determining the context...

Have you ever put together a jigsaw puzzle? How do you usually begin? Which pieces do you try to find first? Don't you look carefully for the most obvious pieces (F.O.T.O), the corner pieces. Which pieces do you try to identify next? The next most obvious pieces are those with straight edges. Can you see how this analogy relates to the study of a book of the Bible? Once you have connected all these puzzle pieces together, you have a framework or "context" in which to place ("understand") the less obvious pieces of the puzzle. You will find that by beginning to observe the obvious, then the things within a book that are not easy to see or understand will eventually become clearer, "rising" to the surface even as you focus on those things that are obvious. And as you begin to grasp the context of the book, it will help you in your interpretation of the difficult, unclear or obscure parts of the book. But even as you have to invest some time to find the obvious pieces to establish the context of the puzzle, so too you will usually need to read a book (chapter) several times in order to begin to see the context and to begin to understand what the author is repeating or emphasizing (see key words below).

So remember, in your initial study of a passage, chapter or book...
 

F.O.T.O.
"Focus On The Obvious"
 

Read through the book (chapter) you are studying, observing for the obvious facts, details, events or ideas, those things which are usually repeated. The three things that are usually most obvious and easiest to see are people, places and events. Please do not be distracted by minute details, by verses you do not understand or by your favorite passage. Remember that you are attempting to establish the context and you do so by observing and marking the most obvious facts. Let the acronym F.O.T.O. be your watchword as you begin to study any passage, chapter or book. Resist the temptation to look at the study notes of you Bible, especially if the passage is unclear. You do not want to spoil the priceless joy of self-discovery. 

Remember that once you begin to observe and identify the OBVIOUS facts, then those facts and truths that are not as easy to see or understand will begin to become clearer, "rising to the surface" so to speak. Please do not be discouraged or frustrated, for if you persevere in reading and re-read the text with a specific purpose (such as "What does this section say about the author?"), you are in the process of establishing the CONTEXT and this background will aid and guide your interpretation of the difficult, unclear or obscure passages.

As you begin your journey in inductive Bible study, seek to have the mindset of an explorer searching diligently for priceless, hidden treasures (see Ps 119:72 [Spurgeon's note], Ps 119:127 [note],  Ps 19:10 [note]). Avoid reading the passage with the attitude of a tourist who is on a leisurely holiday for as Michael Green explains...

"There is a basic difference between and explorer and a tourist. The tourist travels quickly, stopping only to observe the highly noticeable or publicized points of interest. The explorer...takes his time to search out all that he can find. Too many of us read the Bible like a tourist and then complain that our devotional times are fruitless. It is necessary that we take time to explore the Bible. Notable nooks and crannies will appear as we get beneath the surface."

If we do not carefully observe the Bible noting "what it says", taking time to carefully establish the context, we may misunderstand "what it really means" and worst of all we may misapply our misunderstanding with potentially calamitous results (see the following anecdotal story for the danger of "Incorrect Interpretation").

Robertson McQuilkin writes that...

"It is a shameful thing to carelessly ignore the context. To deliberately violate the context is more than shameful; it is sinful, for it is a deliberate substitution of one's own words for the Word of God. The student of Scripture, though he may not understand the original languages, nevertheless has at his command the single most important tool -- the context. Let him use it diligently!" (Understanding and Applying the Bible, page 163 )

OBSERVE FOR
KEY WORDS AND KEY PHRASES

What are key words or key phrases? Think about the keys to your car or house. What is their purpose? What happens when you misplace them? By analogy, in simple terms key words or phrases function like keys to help the reader "unlock" the meaning of a passage, a paragraph, a chapter or a book.

How do we go about identifying these crucial words and phrases? First, we need to understand a few more details about these vital "keys" and then we can take "action".

Why are we doing all this work on key words and key phrases? Don't become frustrated at this point. Remember that you are reading to establish the context (which is necessary for accurate interpretation) and that it is crucial to identify, mark and interrogate the key words/phrases in order to firmly and accurately establish the context. After several readings of a section focusing on author, recipient, key words and key phrases, you should begin to understand what the main subject(s) are, which in turn will reveal the theme (unifying idea repeated or developed throughout a work) of the chapter or book you are observing.

To reiterate, as you read the Scriptural text, be alert for key words and phrases which will be critical in establishing the context, the overall theme, and the author's specific purpose for writing the book. Each encounter with a key word or phrase should prompt you to pause and mark it (see next section) as well as to ask one or more of the 5W's and H questions.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE:
Click for a simple exercise on identifying, marking and questioning the key word "God" in 2Timothy 1

MARK KEY WORDS

Mark each "key word" in a distinctive way, using symbols and if feasible adding color. Once you determine a symbol for the key word or phrase, it will be helpful to use this marking system throughout your Bible to facilitate quick recognition.

Here are some examples of how you might mark some common key words (place symbol over the key word):
 

**HINT: The symbols in the table are available in Microsoft Word's fonts - scroll down to "webdings" and "wingdings" (1-3). If you do not have Microsoft Word on your computer, these symbols will not be accurately displayed but you should still be able to understand the idea from the description of the symbol.

Remember that although God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are always key words, they may occur many times in a given chapter or paragraph. In these situations, you may elect not to mark every occurrence lest you end up with so many marks that you can barely read the actual Scriptures! Use common sense about when to mark and when not to mark.

Don't forget to mark synonyms of the key word/phrase. A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word within a particular context and is used in place of the word. A synonym is like saying the same thing with a different word. For practice, read through 1 Thessalonians 1 (Click) and make note of the key word "gospel". If you have time print this chapter off (as an "Observation Worksheet") so you can mark the text. How would you mark "gospel"? What do you learn about the gospel? What other "5W's and H" questions can you ask of this key word? Now read through 1 Thessalonians 1 a second time, but this time read with the purpose of observing for any synonyms (including phrases) for "gospel" . Did you see any words or phrases that refer to the gospel? If you didn't see them, read it through a third time and you will probably see the two phrases that refer to the gospel. After reading through this chapter two or three times, you have begun to understand the context. You have also begun to understand how removal of "gospel" and its synonyms leaves the passage virtually devoid of meaning and on the other hand how an understanding of the key words/phrases helps you begin to discern the theme of this chapter.  Click for more complete instructions on how to practice the inductive technique on 1 Thessalonians 1

Why do mark the text?

Marking helps make the Scriptures your own because it helps remember the text. As discussed elsewhere,  as a general rule we recall 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear and 50% of what we read, hear and see (Click table).

Marking allows one to quickly scan the page and see  the key words that are emphasized in that section. Use the same symbols for key words from Genesis to Revelation as this will facilitate recognition throughout the Scriptures.

Avoid the temptation to "speed read" a passage marking mechanically for each key word. 

Each encounter with a key word should stimulate an interrogation with one of the "5W's and H" questions. Why is this used here? How does it impact the flow of thought? Who does this relate to? When did this occur?, etc.

As you seek to establish the all important context of the chapter or book, continually reading with a "marking, interrogating mindset", you will find yourself engaging more and more in active (versus passive) reading. Active reading not only stimulates your thinking and interaction with the text, it also slows you down. Active reading engages you in conversation with the Author. In a sense, by reading actively you are practicing the essence of the all but lost art of meditation on the Scriptures. Yes, marking and interrogating will slow you down somewhat, but you will gain so much more from the passage than if you had simply read through it in obedience to your "read through the Bible in a year" schedule.

Mark it down: Marking a book is not an act mutilation but of love. You may own the book but you've not really made it your own. Someone has well said that a Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who is not!

Don't try to identify, mark and interrogate every "key word" in the first reading of a paragraph, chapter or book. A recommended approach is to read through a section (e.g., 2 Timothy 1) marking and interrogating a single key word. Then read through the same chapter again and mark another key word. Remember that  "God", "Jesus", "Christ", "Lord" and "Spirit" are always "key words" and therefore should generally always be marked, unless they are so concentrated that marking them would make it difficult to see other key words in the text.

As you read and reread a chapter making observations on the key words, you will notice that you are beginning to understand and establish the context, which as "king" in the interpretation.
 

And remember that while it is good to mark your Bible, it is better to let your Bible mark you because the value of the Bible is not in just knowing it, but in obeying it.

What kind of pen do I use to mark my Bible? One of the best pens for marking thin Bible pages is the Sakura Pigma Micron which comes in several colors, is long lasting, does not bleed through the page and comes in a variety of point widths (Micron 01 = 0.25mm is recommended). Note this link is provided as a starting point so that you can see what Pigma Micron pens look like and their price range. I have never ordered from this link and so appropriate caution and shopping around are recommended.

As you encounter each "key word" always pause and interrogate the word or phrase asking...

Do not panic if you cannot ask every one of the "5W's and H" questions for each use of the key word.

Asking the questions of the text trains one to read "Actively" and with an "Interrogative" or "curious" mindset, which will not fail to yield to veins of truth buried beneath the surface.

"Asking questions of the text of Scripture is really a way of forming hypotheses and allowing it to confirm or reject them." (Karleen, P. S. The Handbook to Bible Study)

We interpret the Bible properly when we learn to ask the right questions of the text. The problem is that many people do not know what the right questions are, or they are too lazy to learn. God feeds the birds, but He doesn't throw the food into their nests. Learning to ask the right questions and carefully observe the text takes discipline, diligence and practice, because most of us have never been trained in the "Sherlock Holmes" approach. Please persevere for the reward you will experience in personal discovery and understanding of the Word of God will far outweigh the cost!

Kay Arthur reminds us of the importance an interrogative mindset, writing that

"every part of the entire process of inductive Bible study is based on asking who,  what, when, where, why, and how kinds of questions. This is how vital the 5 W's and an H are!" (ibid)

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OBSERVE FOR
TERMS OF CONCLUSION

Terms of conclusion are specific words or short phrases which are used to identify a summary, a conclusion or a result.

Train your eye to observe the text carefully for words or phrases like those listed below.  Note that the uses represent the occurrences in the 1977 version of the NASB.

INTERROGATE
 

And so in inductive study, every time you see a "therefore" always ask the question "What's it there for?"

"So" is frequently found at the beginning of verses and when used as a term of conclusion should prompt you to ask "why?" which should draw your attention to preceding context to answer the question. E.g. note the first use in Genesis 2:21 which will force you to check the context to answer "why"? Do you see how this simple "technique" serves to slow you down and aids your interpretation of the passage? As you slow down and ponder the passage, you are in effect learning how to meditate on Scripture, an application associated with profound spiritual blessings.

"TERMS OF EXPLANATION"

"For" and because are small words that is often overlooked, but which are frequently used in Scripture at the beginning of a passage or in the middle of a passage. Although listed under the category Terms of Conclusion, these words are probably more accurately classified as terms of explanation. In these occurrences "for" (because) often functions as a connective word which indicates purpose. In other words, in this setting "for" (because) is like a marker which shows the cause or reason for something, specifically expressing the reason for what has been stated before... thus the logic for designating it as a "term of explanation". For may be used to introduce a detailed description of something alluded to earlier in the section.  In most of these uses of "for" as a conjunction (see below) one can often substitute the synonym "because".  For example, Mark records that as Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum on the Sabbath,

"they were amazed at His teaching; for (substitute "because") He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Mk 1:22)

What does "for" explain in this verse? In sum, when you encounter a "for" (or because), stop and interrogate the text asking why the "for" (or because) is there, what is being explained, etc...it will not be a waste of time. Note that for/because is the opposite of "cause/effect", the effect being usually occurring in the preceding passages and the cause in the passages following the for/because. Note also the caveat that this discussion relates to "for" as it is used as a conjunction (words like "and" that functions to join together sentences), and not when "for" is used as a preposition (words placed before another to express some relation or quality, action or motion to or from the thing specified - "God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife").

MARK IT
 

Always consider marking these important connective words by underlining or boxing them in. But even if you don't mark them, stop and ponder them and you will be amazed at what the Spirit illuminates. Test it out by reading Ezra 7:10 (click for NAS translation in context) in a modern non-paraphrase version (eg, use NAS, ESV, NIV, KJV, NKJV). You will observe the obvious "for" in these translations. You will also see a list. Do you see any progression in the list? Now ask yourself why has the author begun the sentence with a "for" and get ready to become excited! I'm not going to tell you what you will discover but after you have discovered it (please not before lest it spoil your own discovery), you can refer to more in depth discussion of the truly life transforming truths in Ezra 7:10.

LET YOUR MOTTO BE...
 

Whenever you see a therefore, stop to see what it’s there for. Terms of conclusion will often compel you to look back over the previous passages (the preceding context) to determine why the conclusion is being rendered.

The prince of preachers C H Spurgeon had this to say about the importance of the "therefores" in Scripture...

Every doctrine of the Word of God has its practical application. As each tree bears seed after its kind, so does every truth of God bring forth practical virtues. Hence, you find the apostle Paul very full of therefores—his therefores being the conclusions drawn from certain statements of divine truth.

OBSERVE FOR
TERMS OF CONTRAST

Contrast is the juxtaposition of dissimilar elements, things that are unlike. Contrast sets off their dissimilar qualities makes an idea sharp and clear by highlighting the differences.

Always be alert for contrasts taking special note of words like...(# of uses in parentheses are from 1977 NASB,  but always check the context)

Words of contrast are always important to note because they indicate a change in direction. When a verse begins with one of these words, always stop and ask the 5W and H type questions such as...

When a verse begins with a contrast word like "but", as a good inductive student, what should be your "natural reflex"? Clearly your attention should be drawn to re-read the preceding context to determine what the author is contrasting. Once again you are forced to slow down and engage your thinking process rather than speeding through a crucial "intersection" without slowing down.

Note that not all contrasts are identified or delineated by specific contrast words like but, yet, etc. Although they are more difficult to identify, be alert for contrasting thoughts. For example, observe the following passage...what is the contrast in 1Thessalonians 5:5 (note)?

"for you are all sons of light and sons of day.
We are not of night nor of darkness"

To reiterate, words of contrast should always be a clue the passage is changing direction.

For example. take a moment and read Galatians 5 and make a list of the two contrasting lifestyles in Galatians 5:19-23 (notes). Paul first writes that “the deeds of the flesh are evident” (Gal 5:19 - note) and then proceeds to list those deeds (providing the source of a simple list). Then in Galatians 5:22 (note) Paul begins with the contrast word "but" writing “But the fruit of the Spirit is..." and gives us a list of the components of the fruit that characterizes life in the Spirit. The contrast is between two dramatically different lifestyles and destinies. Now put you skills of observation to work by doing the following exercise.

OBSERVE FOR
EXPRESSIONS OF TIME

References to TIME show the progression or sequence of events, ideas, etc.