Inductive Bible Study: Is it Biblical? Plus, How To Know
When I first started learning the inductive Bible study method, I was so excited to experience the Bible in a new way that I never stopped to think about whether or not it was biblical. What if it wasn’t? What if I was doing something that was not biblical? I didn’t like that idea, so I did some investigating.
The Inductive Bible study method is biblical. Even though the Inductive Bible study is not mentioned in the Bible, it follows biblical principles about studying God’s word. As such, the inductive Bible study method can be trusted as a biblical method of experiencing the Bible.
Let’s explore a little further and see what the Bible says about studying itself and how the inductive Bible study method follows these principles.
What Is Inductive Bible Study?
But first, what is the inductive Bible study method? The inductive Bible study method is method of studying Scripture that seeks to determine the original meaning of a particular passage and apply that meaning to everyday life.
To do this the inductive Bible study asks three questions. They are:
- What does the passage say?
- What does the passage mean?
- How can I apply this passage to my life?
Answering these questions will involve observing key words and concepts in a passage; analyzing historical, cultural, and literary contexts; discovering the original meaning; and craft application points to current situations in your life.
Are you curious about how to do this step-by-step? If so, then I wrote the perfect article for you. One that will walk you through the inductive Bible study (with an example) one step at a time. You’ll even have access to free resources and worksheets to help you start doing an inductive Bible study on your own.
The Bible Tells us How to Study It
Not surprisingly the Bible is completely silent on the issue of Inductive Bible Study. That is simply because the inductive Bible study method had not been created yet. However, the Bible is not silent about itself. There are many verses that we can use to determine biblical principles of a Bible study.
Some key verses are:
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 complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV
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.
Joshua 1:8, ESV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.”
Deuteronomy 18:8-23, ESV
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Acts 17:11
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
John 5:39-40
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
Ezra 7:10
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Revelation 1:3
Principles That Determine Whether or Not a Bible Study is Biblical
From these verses we can see some common themes and ideas that we can use to create some biblical principles to help us decide whether or not the inductive Bible study method is Biblical. These common ideas include things like the value, purpose, and impact of Scripture.
So, we can create these Biblical principles:
- A biblical Bible study method will value Scripture as God’s Word. The Bible makes clear that it is to be treated with the highest regard. We see verses where Scripture is compared to life-sustaining forces such as water or food. Or compared to valuables like gold, silver, rubies, and other treasures.
- A biblical Bible study method will deepen our understanding and appreciation for God’s Word. We see verses and ideas that a biblical examination of the Bible is encouraged and leads to a deeper appreciation and understanding of God’s Word.
- A biblical Bible study method will lead to a better picture of Jesus. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for having their noses so far down in Scripture that they missed the author of the Book standing in front of them. The Bible will always paint a clear picture of Jesus.
- A biblical Bible study method will involve constant interaction with God’s Word. The Jews were called to meditate, teach, write, and memorize God’s Word. They were to be surrounded by constant reminders of Scripture. So, a biblical Bible study will involve constant interaction with the Bible.
- A biblical Bible study method will change us. Scripture makes clear that the Bible is both able to change and will change those who interact with it well. So, a biblical Bible study will transform us into more Christ like versions of ourselves.
The inductive Bible study method follows all of these principles for making it a biblical Bible study method. The inductive Bible study method values God’s word and leads us to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Bible.
Throughout the inductive Bible study method we are constantly going back to Scripture and analyzing it. This will result in a better picture of Jesus and a changed life. Thus, we can conclusively say that the inductive Bible study method is indeed biblical.
That doesn’t mean the inductive Bible study method is without its problems. This article will introduce you to some common inductive Bible study problems you may have and how to fix them. That said, Inductive Bible study is a biblical and beneficial way of experiencing the Bible in a way to encounter God.
