How to Study the Bible Seminar!?
Into Thy Word Ministries
We teach people how to study the Bible in a simple, clear,
and concise way, since 1978!
www.intothyword.org
Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7
• Open in Prayer!
• What do you want to get out of this
presentation? What are your goals?
• Do you realize that if you are a Christian, and
have read the entire Bible, you are in the
minority? Does this scare you?
• How do you feel about your level of Bible
understanding?
Why should we study the Bible?
• Because, to be a growing, effective
Christian, we need to get what is in the
Bible.
• We have to end the apathy, arrogance,
confusion, and falsehoods coming out of the
church.
• We have to stop our self-grandstanding and
keep preaching the message of Christ
crucified, because it is about Him—not us.
Why should we study the Bible?
• That way we can take the Wonder Christ
has given you and know it!
• That way we can take the Wonder Christ
has given you and share it with others!
• That way you are exposed to wondrous
opportunities in encountering Christ even
more in order to be better transformed for
the work He has for you!
Why should we study the Bible?
• Be the person who reads and studies
God’s Word much, and apply the precepts
to all aspects of your life!
• We glorify our Lord when we yield
ourselves to His precepts, we are giving
Him glory which is the primary fruit from
studying the Bible!
Why should we study the Bible?
• We cannot do what He has given when we
refuse to yield ourselves to our Lord.
• (Prov. 1:7; 3:5: 9:10; John 14-15; Gal.
2:20-21: Phil.1:6; 3:10)!
Why should we study the Bible?
• The study of the Bible matters!
• We must study the Bible because it is the
foundation for life.
• God even commands us to study His Word
as the priority before we do anything else
(Deut. 6: 6-9).
• Because we are to love Him (Deut. 6:4-5).
Why should we study the Bible?
• Because Jesus demands we teach others
the Word (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
• Because we are to fear, trust, understand,
and respect Christ as LORD (Prov. 1:7; 3:5:
9:10)
• As a Christian, we need to live a life of
distinction; and the only way to receive the
knowledge of that distinction is to get into
the Word!
Why should we study the Bible?
• We do not want to be “barcode” Christians
who do not care what is in the box
because only the label matters, or that
Christianity is just “fire insurance” from
hell!
• We must seek out the truth and the
answers that we need from the final
authority, and not the ways of the world!
Why should we study the Bible?
• The point of Christianity is to be a
transformed person through self-surrender
to our Lord’s holiness, through His Word
and prayer! This is what glorifies our Lord
(Gal. 2:20-21; Phil 3:1-14)!
• He must become greater; I must become
less. John 3:30
• REMEMBER: THE BIBLE IS GOD’S LOVE
LETTER TO YOU!!!
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• DON’T JUST
INTERPRET IT, BUT…
• APPLY IT TO YOUR
LIFE!!!
• John 3:5, 30; Gal
2:20-21; Phil. 3:10!
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• Unfortunately a lot of Christians think that
all we have to do is read the Bible, and do
what it says, and there is nothing to
interpret.
• Or they will react against the educated
“professional” Christian who is a teacher,
scholar or pastor.
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• They do not want the Bible to be some
kind of obscure book they cannot
understand.
• But what they are in fact doing is reading
the Bible without any understanding and
making excuses for it and it is very
doubtful they are doing what it says! (Of
course some scholar’s love to wrap things
in confusion!)
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• Some Christians have no problems with
interpretation, it is the application and
obedience that they have trouble with.
• We tend to understand the precepts of the
Bible so well that we will rationalize them
away, such as “do everything without
complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14). Thus
we complain and argue all the time.
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• REMEMBER: BE SURE TO
INCORPORATE WHAT
YOU KNOW INTO YOUR
LIFE!!!
• “You search the scriptures
because you believe they
give you eternal life. But
the Scriptures point to
me” (John 5:39)
The Main Goal of Bible Study
• Since the Bible is God’s authoritative
Word…
• We will spend more time in it!
• That is why you are here today?!
• Are we prepared to allow the Word of God
to get in us and make changes and to
transform and renew our minds for His
glory? (Romans 12)
Do you struggle with the Bible?
• Do you believe that how much you are in
the Word will dramatically affect every
decision and action that you will ever face
and make?
• Is the Bible in your home read much, but
studied little? Or read little and studied
little? Or?
• What are you going to do about it?
Do you struggle with the Bible?
• How does the lack of solid Bible leaders
and Bible knowledge produce a weak
church, ripe for false teachings and
political power plays?
• Do you believe that how much you are in
the Word will dramatically affect every
decision and action that you will ever face
and make?
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Read Acts 17:11-12: Because we can gain
so much more from His Word, precepts and
call.
• Inductive Bible study is learning how to
exegete the Bible for all its worth with our
best efforts.
• We do this through teaching people the tools
and skills to help observe the text, dig out
the meaning, and then apply it to their lives.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Inductive simply means to use “logic
induction” (reasoning = faith + reason) by
examining the particulars, facts and
essence of a text first before making any
conclusions.
• Inductive Bible Study enhances the
exegesis (Bible Study) process by enabling
us to read the Bible for all its impact,
value and significance.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• We first examine the ideas and words of
the text…
• This leads us to the meanings and
interpretations…
• Then we are led to the conclusions and
applications.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• We are “interviewing” a passage, we are
also allowing His Word to intervene and
interview us!
• We do this with reverence, respect and
humility without our preconceptions or
agendas.
• Seeking what God is actually saying before
we seek what a passage means.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Then we can apply it to our life in a more
effective and effectual manner.
• In other words…
• I want to know Christ and His Word
better, to be convicted and impacted so I
can line my life up to His.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Because if not, we will have Eisegesis
or Isogesis!
• This means “to lead in” or “reading into
the Scriptures” as in to introduce into the
text our own presuppositions, ideas and
thoughts while ignoring what is actually
there to satisfy our own agendas and
opinions.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• This is using our personal interpretation or
agenda or presupposition, inserting or
expressing ones own ideas, bias, seeking
what we want it to mean rather than the
actual intended meaning of the passage.
• This ignores the language, context and
culture, leading us to incorrect conclusions,
inconsistent understandings and also leads
to heresies and false teachings!
What is Inductive Bible Study?
• Thus, a bad Bible Study method enables
us to read into a text what is not there
and draw out what God is not saying.
• Isogesis causes us to think this way: In
other words, don’t confuse me with the
facts; I have already made up my mind, I
want to think my way and or lead my life
my way not His Way.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Check out: Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 4:2;
2 Timothy 2:15 and see how God wants
us to study His Word!
• Inductive Bible Study is not just for a
pastor or Bible Study leader, it is for
anyone who wants to know and grow in
our Lord.
Why Inductive Bible Study?
• Consequently, faith
comes from hearing the
message, and the
message is heard through
the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
• You can do it!
Why We
Do this?
What is Inductive Bible Study?
• Inductive Bible study has 3 primary areas:
• First is Observation
• Second is Interpretation
• Third is Application
What is Inductive Bible Study?
• There are many ways to study the Bible
and the best way is that you do it!
• There are other common ways to study
the Bible and all have their advantages
and shortfalls.
• Inductive is far the best way to know His
Way!
First is Observation
• This is carefully going over the text to see
what is going on, the “who, what, where,
when, how, and why.”
• This is done by teaching you how to pull
out the facts through the nature of
Scripture and how to avoid presumptions
and fallacies, because God’s Word speaks
for itself.
Second is Interpretation
• This is taking what is said and finding out
what does the text mean.
• How to interpret literally in the correct
context.
• That is we never take out of God’s Word
what is not there, or read in our will as
His.
Third is Application
• This is taking the plain meaning and
putting it to practical use.
• This is the, ‘how shall I respond’ to the
Word.
• What sin to get rid of, what commands to
yield too, the pitfalls to avoid, the actions
to engage in, and the promises we are to
keep.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• Look at the whole text in its context and
pulls out facts, interpret, and then apply
them to your daily life.
• This works as long as the ‘exegete’ (you,
draw out and from and not read in) is
honest to the text.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• Reading into the Bible ones wills and
agenda leads to false teaching!
• Reading from the Bible, gleaning what is
there in context, leads to glorifying our
Lord!
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• This is taking the plain meaning and
putting it to practical use.
• This is the, ‘how shall I respond’ to the
Word. What sin to get rid of, what
commands to yield too, the pitfalls to
avoid, the actions to engage in, and the
promises we are to keep.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• At Into Thy Word,’ we have an 8-step
process. At the heart, are the 3 steps of
Observation, Interpretation, and
Application.
• Our extra steps are not to be convoluted,
but allow you to draw out even more.
Because we capitalize on how our minds
work, so you get more out of your
experience in His Word.
What
convoluted
looks like
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• Because of the way our minds naturally
work, we expanded the 3 step ‘Inductive’
process into 8 steps. This is done in a
logical and systematic way. This is not
adding irrelevant information, causing
distraction, or making it convoluted, but
rather making the process easier and
more insightful.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• Our unique process of ‘Into Thy Word’
allows each step to build upon the
previous step in a logical and systematic
way…
• This paves the way for the next step. So
you learn more and are able to progress,
learn and grow at your own level.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP I: “KNOWING THE KNOWABLE:”
BRINGING OUR MIND TO BE RIGHT WITH
GOD!
• This is about Prayer and Attitude, two
essential factors that will enable you to
excel if you do, or fail if you do not.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP II: “HOW”: THE METHOD OF
GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD
• The first two steps is showing you how to
start, choosing your text, and how to go
about it.
• The next 5 steps are the inductive process
of observing then learning, then applying
it into your life.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP III & III (B): “OBSERVE IT” ASK
WHAT DOES IT SAY?!
• This has to transpire so we can dig out
what is there.
• “OBSERVE IT” ASK WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• Since we naturally interpret and jump to
conclusions in our fallen human thinking,
we just start the interpretation process,
because you are going to do it anyway.
• We then place a ‘governor’ to slow you
down, without sacrificing your enthusiasm
and creativity, so we can do it right.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP IV: “QUESTIONS”: ASK AND
LEARN!
• We then ask key essential questions to dig
out more that we may have missed.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP V: “KNOW IT”!
• Then we can really start to make sense and
internalize the implications and truth, so it
effects who we are at the very ‘existential’
core of our being.
• This needs to take place before we can
apply it. Because we need to be the people
of God in order to do the work of God.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP VI: “APPLICATION”!
• We take a careful look on how we can do
this with honesty and forethought. And then
take on the responsibility to reciprocate, that
is telling others!
• Then, the last step is taking the previous
steps and writing it down for lasting
remembrance and commitment.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• STEP VII: “CHARTING YOUR PATH”
• This is so we can keep track what we learn as you
progress. You can use this step throughout the
inductive process.
• And we pray this in order that you may live a life
worthy of the Lord and may please him in every
way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in
the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
“My son, if you accept my words and store up
my commands within you, turning your ear
to wisdom and applying your heart to
understanding, and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, and if you
look for it as for silver and search for it as for
hidden treasure, then you will understand
the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge
of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5)
The Three, Basic, Essential, Inductive
Bible Study Questions:
• What does this passage say?
• What does this passage mean?
• How does this apply to me?
The Basic “Into Thy Word” Inductive
Bible Study Questions
• 1. What does this passage say?
• 2. What does this passage mean?
• 3. What is God telling me?
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• 4. How am I encouraged and
strengthened?
• 5. Is there sin in my life for which
confession and repentance is needed?
• 6. How can I be changed, so I can learn
and grow?
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• 7. What is in the way of these precepts
affecting me? What is in the way of my
listening to God?
• 8. How does this apply to me? What will I
do about it?
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• 9. What can I model and teach?
• 10. What does God want me to share with
someone?
Start Asking Questions!
• You are to study the Bible with quiet
confidence in God. (Matt. 8:5-13; 14: 2233; John 15:1-17; Eph. 3:20; James 4:3;
Jude 24-25)
• Interview the Bible; ask it questions to get
to know the story, just as a reporter or
researcher does. At the same time, whom
you are interviewing is God’s Most Holy
Word in His Holy presence!
Start Asking Questions!
• Why? To be more challenged and to draw
out more information:
• Is there a lesson to learn?
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a sin to avoid?
• Is there a promise to claim and keep?
• Make sure you trust and obey what God is
telling you!
You
can
do it!
Start Asking Questions!
• ALWAYS BE AWARE OF THE CONTEXT!
• The “nitty-gritty:” Read a whole book at
least three times in an easy-to-read
translation. Then, read each chapter you are
studying in a good translation at least three
times. Then, read the verses, verse-by-verse
in order, and write down what you see and
learn. Then you will be amazed at how much
more you will pick up!
Start Asking Questions!
• How do I exhibit a life of fruit, character,
love, faith, and maturity in my daily life
now?
• How can I develop the willingness to be a
more disciplined, character, fruit and faith
driven person who will realize I am called,
empowered, and filled by Christ?
• What blocks His work in me from working
and being exhibited in me?
Start Asking Questions!
• How can I accept and commence His
work, and discipline myself to carry it out?
• What can I do to make His work in me
function better, stronger, and faster, even
in times of uncertainty and stress?
• So, what is our LORD telling you?
Start Asking Questions!
• God calls us to encourage others, just as He
encourages us.
• With His encouragement, we can tell others
about Him just by our attitude. This builds
unity and strength that cannot exist for
selfish and alone Christians.
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• To live a life that
is not touched by
Christ is to live a
life that does not
touch others
positively, which is
a very sad life
indeed (Col. 4:78; 1 Thess. 5:1114; Heb. 10:25).
Doing Inductive Bible Study!
• To grow in Christ, we must desire to be
with Him and to learn from Him. (Phil.
3:10; I John 1 :3-4)
• Remember this important fact: Your
Savior has a personal word for you!
(Psalm 119:25- 28, 50, 72, 89, 90, 105,
130; Prov. 6:20-23; Ps. 40:7-8; Jer.
15:16, 23-29; Matt. 4:4; plus many more).
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
A BOOK CHART WILL HELP YOU GREATLY
• This is where you write down what you
learn from the previous steps.
• It will allow you to see a whole book at a
glance.
• It will allow you to reach and remember
what you learn much, much faster and
better.
• It will reveal the theme of a chapter
paragraph just at a glance.
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
• This is the step where you keep track of
what you learn.
• Just like Pastors who get better at
preaching and teaching not just by
practice and study, but also by going over
what they taught in the past. Playing their
tapes and re-reading and reviewing their
studies. You can do this too!
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
• You can see where
you have been to
go further ahead.
• It also acts as an
archive of
learning, a
database of what
we have learned
that we can draw
from.
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
THIS CHART IS IN FOUR (4) SECTIONS
1ST: Chapter and
Paragraph titles.
This is where you can
summarize chapters
and
whole books in your
own words or
paraphrase a verse(s).
You can create an
outline of the passage
by making your own
titles for paragraphs
and insights. STEPS I
and II come into play
here!
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
Develop your own
chapter and
paragraph titles.
Be creative. Try
harder.
Be sure it
describes the
passage and
relates to it!
Do not be too
general.
Keep them short
so they are easy
to remember.
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
Use your individual unique way of expressing yourself.
2nd: OBSERVATION:
What does it say?
This is where you
use STEP III,
…and write
your observations.
Bible Statements.
Give the “looks”
Observe grammar &
literary style
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
3rd: “OBSERVATION:
What does it mean?
This is where you use
STEPS IIIB & IV.
Ask what are the
implications.
Ask your questions
here!
Who, What, Where,
When, How, and
Why.
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
APPLICATION:
How does it apply
to my life?
This is where we
use Steps V & VI.
How does it apply to
my life?
How can I
implement God’s
Word into my life?
What will I do with
this information?
When will I do it?
“CHARTING YOUR PATH”
OTHER
INFORMATION
This is where
you can write
down your
prayers and
doodles.
If you are a
pastor this
chart becomes
your sermon
outline, just
add facts and
illustrations!
Remember to
Pray!!!
Conclusion
• The Basic Inductive Bible Study Questions
are simple and easy to memorize .We
even have a “cheat sheet” you can put in
your Bible with further questions.
• Basically, you will want to read the Bible
for all that it is worth so that it and He
impact you by this:
Conclusion
•
Seeing it!
•
Knowing it!
•
Doing it!
Conclusion
• To grow in Christ, we need to be equipped
by His precepts and ready for His service. (2
Tim. 3:15-16)
• Growing in the Spirit is a day-by-day
progression, just like learning to read, the
study of mathematics, or learning to play a
musical instrument. It takes time and effort!
So, do not be discouraged if your goals do
not come about as quickly as you would like.
Conclusion
• Let us be doers
of His mighty
Word!
Now go and Do Inductive Bible Study!
What is Into Thy Word ?
Into Thy Word Ministries
teaches people how to
study the Bible in a simple,
clear, and concise way,
equipping pastors and
missionaries, providing
seminars, speaking, church
consulting, discipleship
tools and resources for
Christian growth.
In 1978, Under Francis A. Schaeffer’s guidance and
vision, “Into Thy Word” was founded! This ministry
was birthed from his thoughts, ideas and challenge
in “true spirituality.”
Whatever happened to discipleship?
Evangelical leadership has forgotten the
basics of its call, make disciples. Thus, the
Holy Spirit and the Bible gave Into Thy
Word its call and I its start. Their mandate is
simple, model and teach “true spirituality”
to pastors, churches and young people.
Teaching them “how to study the Bible” so
to place the Centrality and Lordship of
Christ into their lives and church. I cannot
think of anything that is more needed or
important for a church to aggressively
support and do.
Francis A. Schaeffer, Switzerland, 1983
Talking about Christianity, but not living it?
Into Thy Word Ministries vision is to provide
Christians with the most effective tools by the most
effectual means possible to better understand and
apply God’s Word to their lives.
Providing you with…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bible Resources
Discipleship Tools
Sermon Resources
Pastoral Aids
Church Leadership
Helps
Research
Consulting
We research and develop Discipleship Curriculums
that are used in Bible Schools, Seminaries and
Pastor Training centers in 80 counties.
We have over 200
full time pastor
trainers and 2,500
part time
associates world
wide. We plant
churches, put on
pastor’s
conferences, and
work with some
of the top movers
and shakers in
Christendom.
We specialize in developing in-depth, inductive based Bible
resources that are carefully researched. One of the primary
purposes and call of Into Thy Word Ministries is to
research, develop and provide Pastors what they cant get
in their areas or from a lack of training! We have been
equipping pastors and missionaries overseas since 1988
and we would like to provide you what you need too.
Pastoral Training
Evangelism
Our Office in India
Into Thy Word Ministries Family of Websites
Into Thy Word is not a web ministry, rather a Missions
Organization that also operates 10 very large comprehensive
Christian Websites and blogs. Each are discipleship based with
thousands of content items, each receiving up to and over
5,000 hits a day!
• www.intothyword.com
• www.biblestudynotes.org
• www.intothyword.org
• www.discipleshiptools.org
• www.truespirituality.org
• www.churchleadership.org
1994
1996
1997
2000
2001
2005
Into Thy Word is here to help equip and encourage
you to grow deeper in your walk with Christ and
impact others around you.
• Our Websites include
Insightful, Relevant and
Comprehensive Articles,
Studies, Research,
Curriculums, Forums,
Chats, Stats, and over
1,000 Resources that are
Biblical and Relevant for
you to effectively and
effectually Shepherd your
Flock for Christ’s Glory.
www.intothyword.org
It is our VISION and call, and commitment to point the
church back onto the path of making disciples. It is our
passion and directive to lead Christians away from our false
perceptions and into His way. One of the ways we do this
is writing thought provoking and challenging books:
• Net-Work!
• True Spirituality!
• The Field Guide to
Healthy Relations...
• The Market-Driven
Church:
• Into Thy Word
We are a Mission that Needs You!
If you want to help support us in these endeavors and our
pastoral training overseas, then please let us know.
Please remember us in prayer!
Into Thy Word Ministries is a small Missions organization with a
call upon our hearts to bring discipleship materials to pastors and
everyone who needs them here and overseas for free. And we
need your help!
We are a mission that you also benefit from!
Our articles, research, essays and curriculums are designed for
any Christian, church leader or pastor to get to know and teach
the Bible better.
We are committed to provide you with high quality
materials for you and your churches Christian spiritual
formation.
We are a Mission that Needs You!
Nothing prepares a pastor better
to lead a church than knowing and
applying God’s Word into their life
first. Into Thy Word does just
that!
Billy Graham, Pasadena, 2004
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2
Timothy 3:16-17
Dr. Richard J. Krejcir cofounder and Director since 2000