INDUCTIVE BIBLE

STUDY
C

SIMPLIFIED AND MODIFIED

CONTENTS
• About the Bible
• About Bible Study
• Bible Literature
• Approaching the Bible
• Observation: What is happening?
• Interpretation: What does it mean?
• Application: How do I respond?
• Bible Genres: Guidelines for Reading and Studying Them
ABOUT THE BIBLE
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CHAPTER ONE
ABOUT THE BIBLE
• The Bible is a collection of books written by over 40 authors inspired by God. It
was written over a period of 1600 years, in three languages on three
continents. 2 Peter 1:16-21
• The Bible is God’s will for us. It is an account of how God created the world,
how man fell and God’s salvation plan for mankind.
• It is the work of God. It talks about real people who lived in real settings and
had real encounters with God.
• The Bible is a universal book. Its message is a message of hope for today and
eternity.
• All 66 books of the bible talk about the person of Christ and His kingdom. They
all talk about the salvation plan of God.
ABOUT THE BIBLE
• The Bible is the highest authority as far as any document is concerned. The
words contained in the Bible are words of truth and life. Psalm 138:2
• The Bible is the greatest library of books that outlives and outdates any book
that has been produced in any generation.
• In the Bible, we discover how God wants us to live and serve His purposes on
earth.
• The Bible serves as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm
119:105). It shows us how to lead our lives in complete surrender to the Lord.
• The Bible is profitable for doctrine, rebuke, correction and instruction in
righteousness so that we shall be thoroughly equipped for every good work as
God deems fit (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
THE STRUCTURE OF THE BIBLE
• The Bible is divided into testaments namely the Old Testament
and the New Testament.
• The Bible has 66 books of which 39 are in the Old Testament and
27 are in the New Testament.
• The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek
over a period of 1500 years.
• These languages were chosen because they are very vivid in
describing people, places and events.
• The Bible was written in various locations by people from all walks
of life who were chosen by God. It was initially written by hand.
THE GENRES OF THE BIBLE
GENRE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
Torah/ Pentateuch/ Law Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Old Testament Historical Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra,
Accounts (Narratives) Nehemiah, Esther
Poetic & Wisdom Books Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon,
OT Prophetic Books Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos,
Obadiah, Jonah, M icah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai,
Zechariah, M alachi
New Testament Historical M atthew, M ark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles
Accounts
The Epistles/ Letters Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1,2&3 John, Jude
NT Prophetic Book The Revelation of John
ABOUT BIBLE STUDY
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CHAPTER TWO
READING, MEMORIZING, MEDITATING
AND STUDYING
• Reading is primarily the assimilation of facts without application. In other words,
it is for the gathering of information about a subject matter.
• Memorizing deals with committing facts into memory. It is the art of storing
relevant information in the mind with the intent that one will be able to
recollect or remember it.
• Meditating has to do with feeding on the information and reflecting on it with
the intent of taking a decision.
• Studying is taking time to explore, investigate and analyze passages of
scripture to increase our understanding and appreciation of what the
passages are communicating and how we can apply the insights to our
everyday lives.
VARIOUS FORMS OF BIBLE STUDY
• Book Study
• Chapter Study
• Verse-By-Verse Study
• Word Study
• Character Study
• Thematic Study
• Topical Study
• Chronological Study
DEDUCTIVE VS INDUCTIVE STUDY
DEDUCTIVE STUDY
• Having a conclusion and
looking for biblical text to
support it
• Making arguments and forcing
the scripture to speak to speak
in that light
• It is subjective and does not
allow for scripture to speak for
itself
INDUCTIVE STUDY
• It is investigative and open
minded.
• It allows for gathering of facts
before arriving at any
conclusion.
• It does away with
preconceived ideas and
allows the scripture to speak
for itself
WHY CHOOSE INDUCTIVE STUDY?
Inductive Bible Study is the most preferred approach for effective
bible study because of the following reasons:
1. It is investigative and open-minded.
2. It helps to properly interrogate scripture and set it in the proper
context.
3. This approach seeks to let the scripture speak for itself rather
than dictate what it should say.
4. This approach is designed to help study the scripture rightly.
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY IN THREE STEPS
• Observation (What do you see?): observation is simply gathering
the facts of what is happening, being said or being discussed.
• Interpretation (What does it mean?): Interpretation is getting a
clear picture of the intended message that the author is
communicating to his audience.
• Application (How should I respond?): Application is the goal of
bible study. It is putting what we have learnt into practice in our
modern-day lives.
BIBLE LITERATURE
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CHAPTER THREE
THE AUTHORS OF THE BIBLE
• The Bible was written by about 40 different authors from different
backgrounds.
• 30 of them wrote the books of the Old Testament whiles 10 of them
wrote the books of the New Testament.
• The authors of the various books of the bible wrote these books by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21
• The authors of the bible comprise the educated as well as the
uneducated, scribes, kings, prophets, lawyers, doctors, etc.
• Every book of the bible was written for a specific purpose and each
book of the bible was initially written for a specific audience.
THE AUTHORS OF THE BIBLE
• Every author had a specific message about God and His salvation that
they were communicating in their writing.
• Most of the bible's authors were primary eyewitnesses to the very things
they wrote about in the various books. E.g., John (1 John 1:1-4)
• A few others took time to make enquiries and investigations to ensure
that their writings conveyed the plain truth. E.g., Dr. Luke (Luke 1:1-4)
• Some others also wrote based on first-hand encounters that they had
with God and revelations they received. E.g., John (Revelations 1:9-20)
THE SETTING OF THE BIBLE
OLD TESTAMENT
• A compilation of accounts about
Israel stretching from creation to the
return from exile in Babylon
• Written as far back as 10th Century
BC and completed by the 1st
Century BC
• Spans 1500 years from
approximately 2000 BC to 400 BC
• Written in the Middle East with most
events taking place in Palestine
NEW TESTAMENT
• A compilation of records about
Christ and the early church as well
as the end of the age
• Written over a few decades
• Spans a few years
• Written in 1st Century Palestine, at
the time of the Roman Rule
• Most of the stories are based on
Judaism and the predominant
groups were the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
THE JEWISH BIBLICAL WRITINGS
• The Bible was written in ancient Jewish settings. The Jews primarily
made use of oral tradition. With time, as the authors were led to
put the text in writing, they did.
• Jewish literature is presented in a manner that as we read, we will
slow down and reflect on what we are reading.
• Jewish literature does not provide so much information on
characters, events and places. This is to get us to focus on what
they did and what lessons we can learn for our daily living.
• Jewish literature invites us to investigate and find things out.
THE JEWISH BIBLICAL WRITINGS
• Jewish literature has a deliberate way of getting us to ponder on
what we are reading and ask questions that lead to a further
search to understand what we are reading better.
• Reading Jewish literature is like being presented with a puzzle
and having to connect the pieces of the puzzle to get the
complete picture.
• Jewish literature is written such that we keep on searching and
putting the pieces of the puzzle together until we discover the
truths and make meaning of what it is saying.
THE JEWISH BIBLICAL WRITINGS
• The literature of the books of the bible is written to be read as a
complete whole.
• We must be careful to note that each part of the bible is weaved
into the whole and must therefore be read in the light of the
whole.
• We must let scripture interpret scripture to be able to better
connect the parts and get a complete understanding.
• As we read the bible, we discover that the bible begins to read
us!
 THE BIBLE’S MAIN LITERARY STYLES
NARRATIVES
• Makes up 43% of the Bible
• Involves characters, a
storyline and a setting.
• Every good narrative
begins with characters
playing various roles to
make the story progress
from one point to another.
• The storyline gives an idea
of what the narrative is
about.
• Narratives talk about what
is happening, who is
involved and the location.
POETRY
• Makes up 33% of the Bible
• It involves lines and free
verses.
• It uses creative works to
invoke our imagination
about a subject matter.
• It is written in couplets. The
first couplet makes a
statement and the next
one develops it.
• Biblical poetry can be
compared, contrasted or
deepened
• It uses figures of speech
PROSE DISCOURSE
• Makes up 24% of the Bible
• Deals with issues springing
out of a flow of thoughts.
• Its purpose is to produce
ideas on a subject and
leave us to reason through
them.
• Ideas and thoughts are
expressed through articles,
speeches, essays, letters,
etc.
• Prose discourse invites us to
look at the issues raised
and make our decisions.
APPROACHING THE
BIBLE
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CHAPTER FOUR
INTRODUCTION
• The reading and study of the Bible is a very critical discipline and
most equally critical is the lens with which it is carried out.
• The right reading and study of the Bible require the right lenses to
arrive at the right application.
• Reading and studying the Bible using the wrong lenses leads to
wrong interpretation and subsequently wrong application.
CONSIDERATIONS
Approaching the Bible rightly requires some important things to consider.
The following are some considerations to make in this regard:
• We must consider the intended purpose for which the various books of
the Bible were written, the original recipients and the message of the
authors.
• We must consider the date, time and historical period within which the
author is writing and the events unfolding at the time of writing.
• We must consider the structure of the writing, the organization of
chapters and how the author communicates his message.
• We must consider the language, the tone and the mood of the
passage. We must look at the keywords and key issues raised in the
passage.
CONSIDERATIONS
• We must consider the issue of culture and lifestyle concerning the time of
writing. This is because the Bible was written during the times of ancient
civilization, hence, we of modern civilization must situate the passages within
the context of ancient civilization to grasp the message.
• We must consider the issue of translation. This is because the message of
scripture that is being communicated to us was first communicated to people
who lived many years ago before us. We must get into their time to grasp the
message as exactly as it was presented to them.
• We must consider the fact that the Bible is originally written to be read as a
whole, not as a segment of parts. It is to be read as an interconnection of parts
coming together to make a whole.
SETTING THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT
• One of the challenging issues that most believers and bible readers
face is that of reading the bible and misunderstanding what it says.
• We must ensure that we set the Bible in proper context when reading
so that we can clearly understand the message that was
communicated by God through the authors to the initial hearers or
recipients.
• Context is the broader world within which a text is written.
• Context sets the tone for the understanding of a text. If we will get a
clear understanding of the text, we must get into the world in which it
was written.
SETTING THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT
• Two types of contexts must be considered when reading the
Bible.
• The first is the literary context.
• When we look at the literary context, we look at how the
passages of scripture fit into the passages around them.
• Thus, the passages of scripture must be examined in the light of
the books they are coming from, the message of the books in
question and what the entire Bible says.
• This is where the subject of pretext and pro-text comes up.
SETTING THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT
• The second type of context is the historical context.
• Historical context helps us to situate ourselves into the world and
culture of the authors, initial recipients and characters in the
various books at the time that they were written.
• Here, we see how the authors received inspiration from God and
allowed Him to use their creativity to convey His message in a
way that those receiving them will understand.
SETTING THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT
• Setting the Bible in the proper context helps us to receive God’s
timeless truths.
• As we do an honest appreciation of the passages of scripture with the
lens of the original recipients, the Bible begins to make more meaning
to us exactly as God, through the authors, originally intended.
• It is always helpful to get a very good study Bible that gives a good
background information to the 66 books and offers us a glimpse into
the world in which the authors, original readers and characters lived.
• Bible maps, dictionaries, commentaries, and concordances are great
resources as well.
OBSERVATION
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CHAPTER FIVE
WHAT IS OBSERVATION?
• Observation is about taking a tour and
recording what you see around you. It involves
probing and seeking to know what is
happening.
• Observation is where we take our time to read
the passages of scripture, taking note of very
vital information in the text.
• This is where we are trying to gather relevant
facts about the passage that we are reading.
• Observation asks the question: What do you
see?
OBSERVATION AT THREE LEVELS
• There are three levels at which observation can be done on passages of
scripture. Observation can be done as a whole, in parts and detail.
• Observation as a complete whole sets the ball rolling for the gathering of facts
as we read a passage of scripture in its entirety.
• Observation in parts brings us to the point where we break the whole into
interconnected parts for further observation of facts. Here, we get to study the
structure of the passage and how the authors arrange their thoughts or tell
their stories to convey their intended message.
• Observation in detail takes us further to the place where we discover some
interesting facts that provoke our curiosity and incites our desire to research
further.
OBSERVING NARRATIVES
• Every part of the biblical narrative is like an interconnection of scenes in an
entire movie.
• To properly observe biblical narratives, care must be taken to read the various
individual stories in the light of the entire storyline.
• In observing narratives, we must take note of the Authors, Recipients,
Characters and People Groups. Observe any given facts about them.
• We must observe the storyline, scenes, objects, symbols, images, numbers,
measurements, colours, and any other vitals.
• We must also observe names of locations, landmarks, setting and culture.
Observe any vitals given in the narratives.
• We must also take notice of dates, times and timelines, and time sequence.
OBSERVING NARRATIVES – E.G. JONAH 1
• Jonah was the son of Amittai and a prophet of God sent from Joppa to
Nineveh to cry against the city on account of their sins.
• He however run away from Joppa to go to Tarshish by ship.
• The Lord sent a violent storm against the ship whiles Jonah went to sleep.
• The mariners were afraid, and they compelled everyone to call on the name
of their gods.
• They found Jonah asleep in the ship and they woke him up and asked him to
call on His God.
• They later cast lots to identify the cause of the problem and the lots fell on
Jonah who owned up and admitted that he was running away from God.
OBSERVING NARRATIVES – E.G. JONAH 1
• The mariners asked Jonah to tell them what to do to calm the storms and
Jonah responded that the solution was for him to be thrown into the sea.
• They attempted to sail the ship further, but the storms proved to be difficult to
handle.
• They finally carried Jonah, pleaded for mercy from God and threw him into
the sea and there was a great calm.
• The mariners feared the Lord, offered sacrifices to Him and committed their
lives to Him.
• Jonah was swallowed by a whale and was kept in its belly for three days.
OBSERVING POETRY
Poetry, as already defined, is an art of writing that sparks our imagination
with creative words and invites us to experience what is being
described.
To properly observe poetry, the following must be considered:
• The author, recipients, animate objects and any vitals given about
them must be observed.
• Inanimate objects, numbers, images, ideas, colours, figurative
expressions (similes, metaphors, comparisons, contrasts, repetitions,
etc.) and the structure (lines, verses, interludes, etc.) must be observed.
• Places must be noted and so must any vital information given about
them be observed.
• Time and sequence must be observed as well.
OBSERVING POETRY – E.G. PSALM 1
• The characters are the righteous, God and the ungodly/ sinners.
• The author is possibly King David.
• The righteous are compared with a tree planted by the rivers of water
that bears fruits and its leaves do not wither whiles the ungodly are
compared with chaff driven away by the wind.
• The literature reveals that the righteous meditate on the law day and
night.
• Whereas the righteous delight in God’s word and meditate on it, the
ungodly do not do so, hence, the end is good for the righteous but evil
for the ungodly.
• The literature makes mention of the congregation of the righteous
where the ungodly and sinners shall not stand.
OBSERVING PROSE DISCOURSE
• Prose discourse deals with issues springing from thoughts and ideas
communicated through letters, speeches, essays, articles and reports.
• To properly, observe prose discourse literature, we must take notice of
the author and the original recipients (their profile and background
information).
• We must observe the subject matter, introduction, main and supporting
ideas, keywords, definitions, illustrations, references, comparisons,
contrasts, lists, figures of speech and flow of thoughts, sentence
structure, conclusion, etc.
• We must take notice of the point in time in which the discourse is taking
place as well as any elements of time mentioned in the writing.
• The location at the time of writing, setting, landmarks and events
unfolding at the location must be observed as well.
OBSERVING PROSE – E.G., 1 JOHN 1:1-10
• The author of the passage is Apostle John, and the recipients are the believers
in Asia Minor.
• The principal characters are the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the early
disciples.
• The author is testifying about the one that he and the early disciples have
seen, heard, felt and handled.
• He declares that He is the Word of life and the eternal life who was manifested
to them.
• He is declaring this message so that the brethren will have fellowship with
them.
• He wrote that their fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
OBSERVING PROSE – E.G., 1 JOHN 1:1-10
• He further noted that God is light and in Him, there is no darkness.
• He also stated that if we say we have fellowship with Him and we walk in
darkness, we lie and we do not practice the truth.
• He added that if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.
• He also established the fact that if we say we have no sin, we are liars, and the
truth is not in us.
• He added that if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
GENERAL OBSERVATION LIST

Repeated Keywords/ Phrases &

Contrasts
words & ideas Concepts Clauses

Time elements
Conditional
Comparisons (Present, Past Connectives
Statements
and Future)
GENERAL OBSERVATION LIST

Commands Warnings Advice Predictions

Author’s Questions &

Promises Progressions
Logic Answers
GENERAL OBSERVATION LIST
Figures of Summary Emphatic
illustrations Speech Statements Statements

Introduction & Atmosphere &

Quotations Lists
Conclusion Mood

Things beyond
Understanding
OBSERVATION
EXERCISES
EX. 1 – OBSERVING NARRATIVES
1. Read Genesis 12:1-20
2. Using the guidelines for observing narratives, record
your observations from the passage.
3. Using the general observation list, pick out some of the
things you can observe in the passage and record
them.
EX. 2 – OBSERVING POETRY
1. Read Psalm 19:1-14
2. Using the poetry observation guidelines, record your
observations from the passage.
3. Using the general observation list, pick out some of the
things you can observe in the passage and record
them.
EX. 3 – OBSERVING PROSE DISCOURSE
1. Read Colossians 1:1-29
2. Using the guidelines for observing prose discourse,
record your observations from the passage.
3. Using the general observation guidelines, pick out
some of the things you can observe in the passage
and record them.
INTERPRETATION
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CHAPTER SIX
INTRODUCTION
• The next stage of inductive Bible study is
interpretation.
• Interpretation is where we put the facts we
have observed together to arrive at the
explanation of their meaning.
• It also involves investigating puzzling details
in a passage.
• Interpretation asks the question: What does
it mean?
THE NEED FOR RIGHT INTERPRETATION
• The right interpretation of the Bible is so essential for the right
application of what it says to our present real-life situations.
• Without a right interpretation of scripture, we risk applying it wrongly.
• If we also observe the passages of scripture wrongly, the likelihood of
making wrong interpretations is much higher.
• Giving wrong interpretation puts scripture in the wrong light, making it
say what it is not saying.
• It is for this reason that care must be taken to properly observe the
passages of scripture to enable the reader to interpret what he is
reading rightly.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
• When interpreting scripture, the objective is to find the writer’s
original purpose for writing.
• We seek to find out the need for which the author is writing the
passage and the message he is trying to communicate to his
audience.
• Most importantly, we seek to know what God is saying through
the biblical writers to us.
• To arrive at a good interpretation of any passage of scripture,
there are some considerations to be made. These considerations
are as follows:
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
• 1. Consider the content of the passage. Consider the style of writing
and literature type, language (literal or figurative), presentation and
arrangement of facts, relevant information provided, and the
atmosphere and mood of the passage.
• 2. Consider the context in which the passage is written. Look at the
passages surrounding the text being studied to properly situate it within
the context of the entire book. Also look at the historical, cultural,
political, and social setting in which the text is written.
• 3. Consider looking at other biblical passages that relate to the text
which helps to give a clearer understanding of its content. Cross
references are helpful in this regard.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
• 4. Consider looking out for any interpretations and biblical references
given by the author in the passage and how they help to
communicate his intended message.
• 5. Consider consulting any secondary sources that give more insight
into the text being studied. These sources include bible maps,
concordances, bible dictionaries and commentaries. A good study
bible is highly recommended for this purpose.
• 6. Consider checking observations to be sure they have been properly
done before making any conclusions based on interpretation.
• 7. Consider reading the passage in different but very good translations
to get a clearer picture of what the author is communicating.
PRINCIPLES/ LAWS OF INTERPRETATION
• Let scripture interpret scripture. Thus, use the tool of scriptural
references that speak to the passage being read to interpret to
get clarity on what the author is communicating. In some cases,
the authors refer to some verses of scripture to communicate
their messages to their audience or readers.
• Interpret the Bible literally. The Bible was written to be read and
clearly understood bearing in mind the author’s intent/ purpose
for writing and the message he is communicating. In this regard,
we must take the passages of scripture as it is whiles allowing
room for the use of figures of speech which give colourful and
powerful means of expression.
PRINCIPLES/ LAWS OF INTERPRETATION
• Interpret the Bible grammatically. Take note of the nouns,
pronouns, verbs and their tenses, adjectives and adverbs used in
the passage as well as subject-verb agreement, and use of
phrases, clauses, and figures of speech to explain key concepts.
• Interpret the Bible in its historical setting. This refers to the point in
time in which the passage was written, events unfolding at the
time and actions taking place that prompted the author to write
the passage.
INTERPRETATION
IN PRACTICE
INTERPRETING NARRATIVES – EG.
JONAH 1
Summary Statement:
• Jonah was sent by God to go to Nineveh and preach against the
city because it was sinful, and its sins had come before God.
• Jonah disobeyed God and tried to escape from God and the
assignment to cry against the city of Nineveh.
• The result of his decision was disastrous and his attempt to run
away from God was unsuccessful.
• To disobey God and go our own way is a risky adventure. More
dangerous is the act of sinning continuously against Him.
INTERPRETING NARRATIVES – EG.
JONAH 1
The Need:
The people of Nineveh were living in sin and God was so displeased with
their actions. The wickedness got to a point that God needed to send
Prophet Jonah to go and cry against the city. Prophet Jonah tried to run
away from the assignment, but God aborted it considering the urgency
of carrying out His orders.
The Message:
God is merciful, yet His mercies are not to be taken for granted. Sinning
continually against God provokes Him to anger and puts the offenders in
danger of His righteous judgements. Moreso, running away from God
and His call is equally dangerous and can be disastrous.
INTERPRETING POETRY – EG PSALM 1
Summary Statement:
• The author in Psalm 1 points us to a clear distinction between the
righteous and the ungodly/ the sinners.
• The lifestyle of the righteous is governed by consistent fellowship
with the laws of God daily. This explains why they are like trees
planted amid the waters and their leaves do not wither. This
speaks of stability, growth and maturity.
• The sinners on the other hand are like the chaff driven by the
wind. This results from their way of living. If they remain in sin, they
struggle to stand in the congregation of the righteous.
INTERPRETING POETRY – EG PSALM 1
The Need:
• The author is writing to draw attention to the essence of developing
quality fellowship with the Lord through consistent study of the word of
God and righteous living. This is essential for our growth, maturity and
stability in the faith as Christians.
The Message:
• Those who walk in righteousness spend quality time in fellowship with
God through His word. Sinners do not do that. Choosing to walk in
righteousness or live in sin have distinct results which are in sharp
contrast. It is therefore important to choose to walk with the righteous
and emulate their lifestyle which has tremendous benefits.
INTERPRETING PROSE – EG. 1 JOHN 1
Summary Statement:
• Jesus Christ is truly the eternal one sent from God and revealed
from the very beginning. Those who genuinely accept Him as
their Lord and personal saviour are brought into fellowship with
Him and the Father.
• As long as we walk in the light and we do not sin, our fellowship
with God and Jesus Christ remains intact. When we sin, our
fellowship with God is however interrupted.
• Genuine repentance for sin is necessary to restore any broken
fellowship with God. This is however no license to walk in sin.
INTERPRETING PROSE – EG. 1 JOHN 1
The Need:
• The author wrote to assure his audience that true fellowship with
God is possible only when the believer is walking in the light.
Regardless of what the believer is going through, his fellowship
with God stands to be intact so far as his ways are right with God.
The Message:
• Genuine fellowship with God is developed when believers walk in
right standing with Him. Sinful living hinders fruitful fellowship with
God. True repentance and abstinence from sin ensures that our
fellowship with God is strong and remains unbroken.
INTERPRETATION
EXERCISES
EX. 4 – INTERPRETING NARRATIVES
1. Go back to your observations of Genesis 12:1-20
2. Construct your SUMMARY STATEMENT for Genesis 12:1-
20 using the example from Jonah 1.
3. State the NEED and the MESSAGE.
EX. 5 – INTERPRETING POETRY
1. Go back to your observations of Psalm 19:1-14
2. Construct your SUMMARY STATEMENT for Psalm 19:1-14
using the example from Psalm 1.
3. State the NEED and the MESSAGE.
EX. 5 – INTERPRETING PROSE
1. Go back to your observations of Colossians 1:1-29
2. Using the example for 1 John 1, construct your
SUMMARY STATEMENT for Colossians 1:1-29.
3. State the NEED and the MESSAGE.
APPLICATION
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CHAPTER SEVEN
INTRODUCTION
• So far, we have gathered information and investigated the original
meaning intended by the authors. All these are preparing the way for
the final step in inductive Bible study – Application. We will be asking
how to respond to what we have learnt.
• Truth comes alive when it affects our personal experiences and
circumstances. It is no coincidence that Jesus often chose to heal
people while He proclaimed His Gospel of forgiveness. The reality of his
message was expressed in changed lives.
• Application is the art of putting what we learn from our observation
and interpretation into action. It is applying the bible to our modern
day lives.
BASIC APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Before we apply a passage, we must answer three questions:
• Is this teaching local or universal? Is the truth for a specific group
at a location, or is it intended for everyone always?
• Is the teaching temporary or timeless? Is the truth to be applied in
a certain period of history, or is it always applicable?
• What realm of experience does this passage speak to? In what
areas of our lives should we apply these truths?
Every teaching of Scripture should be received universally unless
the Bible itself limits the audience, either in the context of the
passage or other Biblical teachings.
BASIC APPLICATION GUIDELINES
• The Bible limits its application under at least two circumstances: Context
and Additional Revelation.
Context
• The context of a passage may indicate that it is not meant to be
applied.
Example: In the book of Job, Elihu’s “wisdom” is not meant to be applied
because it is contrary to the wisdom of God expressed later in the same
book.
• The author may limit the application by addressing a specific group.
Example: In 1 Corinthians 7:8 Paul says it is better not to marry, but the
text limits the application to those who have this “gift from God” (v.7)
BASIC APPLICATION GUIDELINES
• A requirement that is bound by the culture of that day may limit the
application.
For example: the New Testament gives several warnings about not
eating meat sacrificed to idols (Rom 14:21; 1 Cor. 8:13; 10:28). Few
cultures today have a similar situation. Unless you are a missionary,
chances are you won’t need to question the meat you are given to eat.
• Note: Although history and culture may limit how we obey certain
commands (like God’s command to Abraham in Gen 12:1), there is a
place for applying universal principles within the passage.
For example, we should follow Abraham’s example of obeying God no
matter what the cost.
BASIC APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Additional Revelation:
• New Testament revelation may limit how we are to apply some
Old Testament Scriptures.
• Example: Hebrews 9-10 teaches that the Levitical laws of the Old
Covenant are no longer valid since the coming of Christ.
PERSONAL LIFE APPLICATION
• There are four general guidelines for applying scriptures to our own
lives. These are:
• 1. Know yourself – Your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of need.
• 2. Relate the passage to life – Determine the universal truths that apply
to our lives, determine if the principle of truth is universal and timeless,
and look for new relationships to which the truth may be applied.
• 3. Meditate on the passage – Feed on a specific verse of scripture in the
passage that expresses the principle of application until it becomes a
necessary action point for implementation.
• 4. Practice what you have learnt. This is where we act and consciously
emphasize the application. Write out an action plan to take based on
the application
RELATIONSHIPS AND APPLICATIONS
WITH GOD WITH YOURSELF/ WITH MAN

• A truth to rest in • A word to examine

• A command to obey • An action to follow
• A prayer to express • An example to follow
• A challenge to Heed • An error to avoid
• A promise to trust • An attitude to change or guard
• A fellowship to enjoy against
• A priority to set
• A goal to strive for
• A personal value to uphold
• A sin to forsake
RELATIONSHIPS AND APPLICATIONS
WITH OTHERS WITH SATAN

• A witness to share • A piece of spiritual armour to wear

• An encouragement to extend • A temptation to resist
• An exhortation to give • A person to resist
• A service to do • A sin to avoid and confess
• A forgiveness to ask
• A fellowship to nurture
• A burden to bear
• A kindness to express
• A hospitality to extend
• An attitude to change or guard against
• A sin to renounce
APPLICATIONS FROM JONAH 1
• VS 1-2: A challenge to heed – Whenever God commands us to do something,
we must be careful to obey and do as He say.
• VS 3-6: An error to avoid – We must never go our own way against the
commands of God and risk encountering problems for ourselves and others.
• VS 7-13: A sin to forsake – Should we disobey God’s commands and realize it,
we must admit that we have sinned, confess the sin and turn a new leaf.
• VS 14-15: A truth to rest in – God is just. He is righteous in all that He does.
• VS 16: An example to follow – We must serve the Lord our God with all our
hearts and offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him
• VS 17: A truth to rest in – Even in His judgements, God shows mercy when we
admit our wrongs.
APPLICATIONS FROM PSALM 1
• VS 1: An example to follow: We must not be found in the way of sinners nor
associate with their way of life.
• VS 2: A priority to set: We must make the laws of God our delight and study it
day and night
• VS 3: A truth to rest in: If we give ourselves to regular fellowship with God, we
will become stable and fruitful like the tree planted in the midst of the waters.
• VS 5: A goal to strive for: We should strive to be counted among the assembly
of the righteous, not among the wicked who risk not standing in the
judgement.
• VS 6: A truth to rest in: God will take care of us as long as our ways are right
with Him
APPLICATIONS FROM 1 JOHN 1
• VS 1-4: A witness to share: We who have accepted Jesus Christ as
our Lord and personal saviour must witness to others about our
faith
• VS 5: A truth to rest in: God is light and there is no darkness in Him
• VS 6-7: A goal to strive for: We must walk in the light as Christ is in
the light
• VS 8-10: An action to follow: We must ensure that we lead lives of
honesty and integrity before God and deal with sin as much as
possible to maintain our fellowship with Him.
EX 7 – NARRATIVE APPLICATION
1. Reread Genesis 12:1-20 and restudy your observations
and interpretation.
2. Using the relationships and applications chart, write
out as many action points for personal application as
you can draw out of the passage. Indicate the verses
and the points for application.
EX 8 – POETRY APPLICATION
1. Re-read Psalm 19:1-4 and review your observations.
2. Review your interpretation – summary statement,
need and the message
3. Using the relationships and applications, write down
as many action points for personal application as you
can identify from the passage.
EX 9 – PROSE DISCOURSE APPLICATION
1. Reread and revisit your observations on Colossians 1:1-
29
2. Review Your interpretations – summary statement,
need and message
3. Draw out as many applications from the passage
using the relationships and application chart.
READING AND
STUDYING BIBLE
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GENRES
CHAPTER EIGHT
INTRODUCTION
• Torah/ Pentateuch - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
• Old Testament Historical Accounts - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings,
1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• Poetic & Wisdom Books - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon,
• OT Prophetic Books - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel,
Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah,
Malachi
• New Testament Historical Accounts - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the
Apostles
• The Epistles/ Letters - Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1&2
Peter, 1,2&3 John, Jude
• NT Prophetic Book/ Apocalyptic - The Revelation of John
BIBLE GENRES – HIGHLIGHTS
TORAH
• Commonly called the five books of
Moses
• Contains the creation account, the
fall of man, the flood, and the
history of Israel from Abraham to
Moses
• Also contains the laws given by God
on Mount Sinai to guide human
conduct and worship
• Also contains records of
genealogies tracing all the way to
Adam and the first census of Israel
OT HISTORY
• Made up of the historical accounts
of Israel from the time of Joshua to
the time of the return from exile in
Babylon
• Captures the dispensations of the
judges, kings and prophets.
• Captures records of Israel’s
continuous rebellion against God
and the many problems that the
nation faced as a result.
• Captures events before and after
the 70-year exile in Babylon.
BIBLE GENRES - HIGHLIGHTS
OT POETRY & WISDOM BOOKS
• Contains mostly ideas rather than facts.
• Job is written as a discussion with the
focus on sufferings and their origin.
• Psalms and proverbs talk about God, His
nature and character, and how man
must relate with Him.
• Ecclesiastes deals with everyday life
experiences under the sun and draws life
lessons from them.
• Songs of Solomon talks about a
relationship between a lover and His
beloved as a reflection of God’s love
towards us.
OT PROPHETS
• The prophetic books are a collection of
messages from God through His prophets
who lived in various times in Israel’s
history.
• These prophets were to convict Israel of
their sins, call them to repentance and
warn them of God’s judgements.
• They also spoke about the eternal reign
of Christ and His kingdom.
• The prophets spoke using symbols,
images and prophetic acts to convey
God’s message to Israel and other
nations that rebelled against God.
BIBLE GENRES - HIGHLIGHTS
NT HISTORY
• A compilation of the
accounts of Jesus Christ
and the early church.
• The four Gospels capture
specific events in the life
of Jesus Christ.
• The book of Acts is a
historical account of the
early church.
• References are made to
the OT as a foreshadow
of the NT.
EPISTLES
• A compilation of writings
to specific churches to
deal with specific issues.
• They were written to
address specific
challenges and minister
to pressing needs.
• They also include
teachings that form the
foundation of Christianity.
• They also contain prayers
for healthy Christian
living.
APOCALYPTIC BOOK
• A prophetic unfolding of
events concerning the
end of the age.
• It talks about God’s
judgement against evil
and Christ’s eternal rule
with the saints.
• Contains letters to the
seven churches and
visions of Christ, God’s
presence, angels and
judgements.
• Uses symbols, images,
and numbers.
READING TIPS - TORAH
• In reading through the Torah, one must carefully observe the
sequence of events which are recorded.
• Note the purpose of the laws which was to guide Israel in their
conduct before God and their fellow humans.
• Note the failures of Israel in keeping the law despite God taking
their weaknesses into account when making them.
• Note that not all the laws are directly applicable to us since Jesus
Christ came to fulfil the requirements of the law.
READING TIPS – OT NARRATIVES
• Observe closely the sequence of events.
• Take note of various characters, their way of life, the setting in which they lived, their
background, culture, strengths as well as their weaknesses and their relationship with
God.
• Take note of the various landmarks, locations and places and their importance to the
bible storyline.
• Take note of the time in which the events took place.
• Care must be taken to situate the narratives in their historical setting to get the context.
• Take note of God’s covenant with Israel and the failures of the Israelites to keep to their
responsibilities.
• Look at God’s role in the accounts, and His dealings with His rebellious children.
• We must look out for vital truths and lessons that we need to learn and apply to our
situation today.
READING TIPS – OT POETRY AND
WISDOM BOOKS
• Look at the issues raised and what the author’s message.
• Observe the structure of the passages and the flow of thoughts
from beginning to the end.
• Take note of the figures of speech and the literary devices that
are used to communicate about God and mankind.
• Know where to approach the passage literally and where to
approach the passage figuratively in order to interpret
appropriately.
• We must also look at illustrations, issues they are addressing and
the lessons that must be derived from them.
READING TIPS – OT PROPHETS
• Take note that most of the prophecies in the prophetic books
have been fulfilled and therefore may not apply to us.
• Take note of the fact that God is sovereign, and He is a just and
righteous God.
• Observe the messages and look at the key issues raised in the
prophecies and the instructions that are to be taken.
• Observe images and symbols and what they represent. Look out
for what God is saying and what He wants us to do.
• Observe the prophecies that talk about Christ, His kingdom, and
the end of the age.
READING TIPS - NT NARRATIVES
• Take note of the person, life and ministry of Christ.
• Take note of the teachings and parables of Jesus Christ and the issues
they address.
• Take note of the events that unfolded , the setting and the culture.
• Take note of landmarks and locations and their role in the narratives.
• Take note of the person and work of the Holy Spirit and the church as
God’s agents of transformation on earth in the book of Acts.
• Take note of references made to the Old Testament and how they
prove that the New Testament is a fulfilment of the Old Testament.
• Look at the subject matter of God’s kingdom, its message, mandate
and influence.
READING TIPS - THE EPISTLES
• Bear in mind the purpose of the letter, the subject matter, the key issues
and addressed in the letter and other relevant information for our
attention.
• Consider the events unfolding for which the epistles were written.
• Look at what the letters reveal about happenings in the churches and
what to be done about them. This may be relevant to the modern
church setting.
• Also take note of doctrines and teachings on various themes.
• Take notice of commendations, admonishments, counsels, rebukes and
warnings given to the church and some individuals whose names are
mentioned.
READING TIPS - THE BOOK OF
REVELATIONS
• Take note of the interpretations that are given to some of the
symbols, the images and the numbers in the book.
• Take note of the key message of the book and the various
themes that are discussed in the book.
• Read with care and follow the events as revealed. Seek the
guidance of the Holy Spirit to better appreciate the author’s
message.
• Be guided by the Holy Spirit to properly interpret the passages.
• Bear in mind the images, symbols and numbers and what they
represent.
SUMMARY OF KEY
POINTS
C
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
• We have noted that the bible is a collection of books written in
various literary styles. The various books are to be read as a whole
and not as a segment of parts.
• To appreciate the study of the Bible, we must approach each
book bearing in mind the style the author uses. We must know
where to approach the passage literally and where to approach
the passage figuratively.
• When reading narratives, take note of people, places, time,
culture, events, language, and religious worship.
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
• When reading poetry and wisdom books, look at language, tone,
the flow of ideas from one line to the other, parts of speech,
figures of speech, words, and expressions.
• When reading prophetic books, look at people, places, time,
events unfolding, the message of the prophet, prophetic actions,
objects, symbols, images, numbers, and language.
• When reading letters, look at the author, recipient, setting,
salutation, main message, issues raised, keywords, references,
encouragements, warnings, advice, and recommendations.
FINAL WORDS
• Bible study is a very rigorous activity and hence, it demands a lot
of caution when doing it.
• To effectively undertake any bible reading and study, we need
the help of the Holy Spirit because He alone can open our minds
to understand as we read and study.
• We must be cautious when approaching the bible and when
subjecting it to thorough study. Bear in mind the setting and the
context within which the various books of the Bible are written.
• Proper Bible Study and application comes with great results and
hence, it is highly recommended for all believers.