What Is the Inductive Bible Study Method and How to Try It

Most followers of Jesus understand the importance of reading the Bible consistently, but many Christians struggle to know how to effectively approach times of personal Bible study. The Inductive Bible Study is a simple and effective 3-step approach to interpreting and reading scripture. Through this method, you can easily grow in your understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it to your daily life.

Below are the 3 simple steps to the Inductive Bible Study for you to try the next time you open your Bible. This can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as a few hours, depending on how in-depth you choose to practice each step. Be sure to write down your notes and responses to the steps in your Seek First Journal. Before you start, pray and invite the Holy Spirit to lead your time of Bible study and to speak to you through the text you will be reading.

1. Observation: What does the scripture say?

After reading a portion of scripture, begin by observing what the text says. In this step, you aren’t trying to draw any conclusions about what to interpret from the passage. Instead, look at the text and ask questions to get as much information as possible about it.

Here are some simple ways to observe:

• Compare multiple translations
• Ask who, what, where, when, and why questions
• Identify key words and phrases that stand out
• Observe literary features such as repetition, comparison and contrast, illustrations, conjunctions, etc.
• Identify the structure and genre of the text: eg, poetry, prose, prophecy, narrative, etc.

2. Interpretation: What does the scripture mean?

Now that you have observed the text, you can gather information to determine the meaning behind the passage. Here are some simple ways you can complete this step:

• Consider the historical and theological context in which it was written
• Compare the passage with other portions of scripture that speak to the same themes
• Do word studies on any words or phrases that stood out to you in your time of observation
• Complete topical studies of any major themes that stood out to you from the text
• Consult resources such as:
  • Commentaries
  • Bible dictionaries
  • Study Bibles
  • Bible surveys
  • Bible atlases
  • Concordances

3. Application: How do I apply the scripture to my life today?

The Bible is relevant to our lives, and the Lord speaks to us through His Word. In this final step, prayerfully ask the Lord to show you how you can apply what you have just read and studied. Here, we are establishing what instructions are in the text and how they were originally applied by God’s people. We are also identifying key principles and how we can apply these lessons in our faith. Write down what the Lord is asking you to do or how He is leading you to respond to your time in the Word.

After you have completed these three steps, close your time of BIble study in prayer. Thank God for what He has revealed to you in His Word, and ask for the Holy Spirit to empower you to embrace and apply its truths in your life.