Introduction

Once you have established a growing relationship with God through regular TAAP devotional Bible study, you'll discover a thirst and hunger for a more complete understanding of his living Word, what God has said to us. Here are some tools to help you did deeper into the text as originally written. It is called inductive study—a way to get an accurate understanding of the details and then to put them together into a coherent message. You will gain new confidence to study the Bible on your own without needing interpretations from the experts.

The following steps and tools will lead you to a discovery method that teaches careful, systematic, and detailed study of a chapter or entire book of the Bible. There are nine study tools, each designed for an orderly and thorough examination of the passage. You may feel like a detective using a magnifying glass to examine the original text more closely, looking for clues that bring the message and characters to life.

These tools can be used in or out of sequence. They will help you ask the important questions — who, what, when, why, and how did the original message affect the original audience, and is there a deeper meaning for me today? In contrast, deductive Bible study is topical; it deals with a general subject such as grace or love, drawing on many books of the Bible to prove a particular view or general principle. By studying inductively, we come to our conclusions after systematic, detailed study, rather than studying broadly to substantiate a previously held belief. There are four steps in this inductive approach to Bible study:

• Observe
• Interpret
• Synthesize
• Apply

Steps and Tools

Conclusion

Regardless of how many or how few of the above tools you use, your study will be enlivened and you will find precious, previously-hidden truths. But know that intellectual head knowledge does not guarantee a richer life. It is only when knowledge is combined with emotions--the heart and soul that produce feelings, convictions, and motivations--that we become truly wise. There are 130 references to mind in scripture, but over 950 uses of the world heart. The final step of all Bible study is Apply to one's life. This requires a tender and open heart.

But how does one apply head knowledge to seeking wisdom? By setting aside time each day to spend with God for the purpose of developing a personal relationship with him. When we ask for divine wisdom, his Word has the power to change our thinking, our motives , our priorities, our behavior, and our relationships. We must be open to deep character change. Please do not begin using these inductive study tools until you invite God into your private every-day devotional and prayer life.