BIBLE STUDY TECHNIQUES Observation OVERVIEW Inductive vs Deductive

BIBLE STUDY TECHNIQUES Observation

OVERVIEW • Inductive vs. Deductive • Why we do observation • Principals of observation

INDUCTIVE VS. DEDUCTIVE • Inductive - characterized by the inference of general laws from particular instances • Deductive - characterized by or based on the inference of particular instances from a general law

DEDUCTIVE EXAMPLE General principal: these cards contain a sequence of even numbers starting with 2. 2 8 4 10 6 12 Deduce the value of this card.

INDUCTIVE EXAMPLE General principal: Determine the general principal these cards contain a sequence of odd numbers starting with 1. 1 3 5 7 9 11

WHY WE DO OBSERVATION • You cannot determine the general principal without first observing the situation • The act of deriving the rule is called interpretation

PRINCIPALS OF OBSERVATION • Observation is similar to critical reading • Observation requires • • A willingness to learn Persistence/patience Diligent recording Caution • Do not get lost in the details • Do not just observe, you must also ask questions • Do not give equal weight to everything

QUESTIONS TO ASK • Who • When • What • Why • • • Who is the narrator Who is speaking Who is being spoken to/about Who else is watching Who else is involved • What happened • What ideas were expressed • What was the result • Where did it happen • • • When did it take place What year What season What time of day What other relevant events are taking place • Why did it happen • What was the purpose • How were these things accomplished • How effectively was it accomplished

OBSERVE THE FORM OF THE PASSAGE • Common forms • Relating the way things are (1 Thes. 1) • Admonition and exhortation (Gal. 2: 1 -14) • Teaching (Matt. 5 -7) • Parables • Narrative (Gen. , Ex. , Joshua-Esther) • Things to look for in the form of the passage • Cause and effect (1 Thes. 1) • Moving from particulars to generalities (1 Thes. 2) • Moving from generalities to particulars (1 Thes. 5) • Use of Old Testament references in the New Testament (Romans 10) • Use of illustration (Gal. 4) • Use of the current events of the time (Luke 13: 1 -5)

OBSERVE KEYWORDS • Look for the keywords in a passage and write them down • Lookup the definitions in a Bible dictionary • An English dictionary will not define words translated from Greek and Hebrew • The Expanded Exhaustive Concordance required for this class has a Vine’s Dictionary included • In English, wisdom means: the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment • What does it mean in a Bible dictionary

OBSERVE COMPARISON AND CONTRAST • Look for comparison words like • Even so • Likewise • Etc. • Look for contrasting words like • But • Not • Etc. Verses Item X Contrasted in Verse Item Y

OBSERVE OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • The New Testament writers only had the Old Testament • In Galatians, Paul uses the Old Testament to prove the Jesus was the Christ • Ask "what point is being made with these Old Testament references? "

OBSERVE PROPORTIONS AND REPETITION • Proportion • The amount of time spent on a topic can help you weigh how important it is • Repetition • Chart out repeated words or phrases and how often they occur Word/Phrase Verse Count

OBSERVE THE PROGRESSION OF IDEAS • Highlight similar ideas in a passage and see how they connect • Ask “how is the idea evolving in the passage? ”

OBSERVE VERBS • Noting verbs can clarify what is happening and what needs to be done • Highlight all verbs in a passage • Ask • • • What kind of actions is taking place? Who/what is taking the action? Are they active or passive? Do the verbs represent questions? Do the verbs represent commandments? Are any of the verbs repeated?

OBSERVE ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS • Illustrations help to clarify a subject and make it more memorable • Ask “how does this illustration clarify the subject? ” • Explanations delve into the details of a subject • If the author takes the time to explain something, it’s probably important • Ask “what point is the author trying to make? ”

OBSERVE CONNECTIVE WORDS • Connecting words join to ideas together in different ways • If – expresses a conditional relationship between 2 ideas • • Therefore – introduces some kind of summary Because, or for, then – introduce a reason or result But, however – introduces a contrast “In order that” – introduces a purpose

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • Have a daily quiet time and record your findings • Continue with the Topical Memory System • Take sermon notes on Sunday • Choose a section of scripture and make observations • Be ready to share next week

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES Links to materials and resources mentioned, as well as the handouts, Power. Point slides, and lecture notes, can be found at http: //www. nbsbaptistchurch. org/resources/bible-study-techniques/