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Inductive Bible Study

How to Study a New Testament Letter

Inductive Bible Study is a method where you gather observations, interpret the meaning, and apply the insights from the passage. This approach begins with specific observations and leads to a broader interpretation of the text. Many variations of Inductive Bible Study exist. We will present one approach below:

(1) Historical setting

The Bible was written for us, but it wasn’t written to us. The New Testament authors wrote 2,000 years ago to specific churches. So, before we can interpret what a passage means to us, we need to understand what it meant to them. Here are some good questions to answer:

(1) Who wrote this letter? What prompted him to write to this church?

(2) When did he write it?

(3) What was this church like? What was going on in this church that they received a letter from an apostle?

Good study Bibles will have short introductions to each book that will answer most of these questions above. As you read through the letter, you’ll discover many of the answers to these questions for yourself.

(2) Paraphrase: Put it into your own words

Read short sections of the chapter and paraphrase what you think was being said. Don’t worry about being right or wrong—just take your best shot.

Avoid using Christianese words. Instead, put what you read into your own words. Imagine trying to explain what you read to a 12-year-old. How would you explain it in a way that would make sense?

(3) Observation

In general, you want curiosity to guide you as you study. Here are some good questions to ask:

(1) What does the plain sense of the passage seem to be saying?

(2) Are there any terms that you don’t understand?

(3) Is this a difficult passage? For example, is it confusing, offensive, or difficult to harmonize with another passage of Scripture?

(4) Does the author cite the Old Testament? Why does he cite it to support his point? What significance does this have?

(5) Look up cross-references in your Study Bible. How do these other passages help you to understand what you’re reading?

Keep a list of your questions. Once you’re done with the chapter, go back and answer each one to the best of your ability.

(4) Interpretation

By now, you have a lot of data to sift through. But what is the big picture? What is the passage communicating to you? Here are some key questions to help you to interpret what you’re reading.

What is the immediate context? Context can radically alter our interpretation. Imagine if someone told you, “I saw your wife kissing another man in bed this week.” I’m sure this would immediately make your pulse rise! But what if you discovered that your wife was actually kissing her elderly father on the forehead in his hospital bed? The context of this statement would mean the difference between adultery and empathy! Look at what the author wrote before and after the passage you’re trying to understand.

What is the greater context? Does this author write about this subject in his other writings? Do other biblical authors address this issue? Does my interpretation contradict any clear teaching in Scripture?

Are there any key words that keep appearing in this passage? Is there a main theme that is clear in this passage?

What is the main argument of the author? What was the author arguing for? What was he arguing against? Was he offering encouragement, correction, instruction, reminders, or something else entirely?

Is there a broad principle that I can apply from this passage? Make sure your principle connects to the main point of the narrative?

(5) Application

Take a minute to pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal a personal application for you as you think about your passage (Psalm 119:18; 139:23-24). You’ll be amazed what he will bring to mind during these times. These questions can help you to personalize what you just read in Scripture:

What would happen if I never grasped this biblical concept? What effects would this have on me—or on others around me?

What would motivate me to not trust this biblical teaching? What false beliefs do I have concerning this portion of God’s truth?

How has this truth been impacting me lately?

Why did God want me to read this today?

What does God promise me in this passage? How does this promise relate to his instructions or imperatives?

Is God prompting me to take a step of faith based on what I read? Pray that you have the faith not to minimize convictions that you gain from Scripture.

What is a small step of faith that I could take based on this passage? What is a big step? Which do I want to take?

How to Study a New Testament Narrative

How does Inductive Bible Study apply to biblical narratives? While the same concept still applies, the methods need to be modified in order to help the narratives come to life. We will present our approach below:

(1) Historical setting

Once again, the careful interpreter needs to know about the general background of the biblical narrative. Here are some good questions to answer:

(1) When did these events take place?

(2) Where did these events take place?

(3) What was the culture like during this time?

Good Study Bibles, Bible handbooks, or Bible commentaries will help answer these historical questions. For instance, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds (edited by Clinton Arnold) is a good resource for understanding the historical background.

(2) Paraphrase: Put it into your own words

Picture what it would’ve been like to witness these events firsthand. Imagine being a bystander in the crowd as these events took place. What would you be thinking or feeling as you watched these events unfold?

Tell the story over and over. After each attempt, go back and read the text and see if you got it right. Do this until you’re able to explain this story fluidly.

(3) Observation

In general, you want curiosity to guide you as you study. Here are some good questions to ask:

(1) Who are the main characters in the narrative? What do you learn about them from what you read?

(2) What is the central conflict? Was the conflict resolved? If so, how was it resolved?

(3) What are small details in the story that might have bigger implications? (e.g. interpretive clues, foreshadowing, reoccurring words or themes, etc.)

(4) What did you learn about God from this narrative?

Keep a list of your questions. Once you’re done with the chapter, go back and answer each one to the best of your ability.

(4) Interpretation

All good stories describe the events in question, but they don’t necessarily prescribe the moral or lesson that we should take away. At this point, you need to discover what the narrative is teaching you about God, about humanity, and about yourself. Here are some key questions to help you to interpret what you’re reading.

Is this a difficult passage? Is it confusing, offensive, or difficult to harmonize with another passage of Scripture? Take your time to resolve the key difficulties that you might see in the text.

What is the immediate context? Does an earlier or later narrative affect what you’re reading?

What is the greater context? How does this passage fit into the book as a whole? How does the book influence your understanding of this passage?

Why did God choose to include this narrative in the Bible? This question will help you to grasp what you should take away from the text.

Is there a broad principle that I can apply from this passage? Make sure your principle connects to the main point of the narrative?

(5) Application

Take a minute to pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal a personal application for you as you think about your passage (Psalm 119:18; 139:23-24). You’ll be amazed what he will bring to mind during these times. These questions can help you to personalize what you just read in Scripture:

What would happen if I never grasped the meaning and importance of this biblical narrative? What effects would this have on me—or on others around me?

What would motivate me to not trust in the truth of this passage? What false beliefs might I have?

How has this truth been impacting me lately?

Why did God want me to read this today?

What does God promise me in this passage? How does this promise relate to his instructions or commands?

Is God prompting me to take a step of faith based on what I read? Pray that you have the faith not to minimize convictions that you gain from Scripture.

What is a small step of faith that I could take based on this passage? What is a big step? Which do I want to take?

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.

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