The Three Steps of Bible Study:

1. Observation:

In this step we discover what the Passage Says. This requires more than a casual reading of the passage. Observation requires reading actively, purposely seeking to discover what the passage is saying ... and only what the passage is saying. It is imperative that we guard against reading personal ideas or prejudices into the passage! This kind of sloppy Bible study results in erroneous Interpretation leading to false doctrine.

When reading a passage, keep in mind these questions: Who is the passage talking about? What is the passage talking about? When is the action occurring? Where is the action occurring? How do events occur in the passage? Notice key words or phrases in the passage that convey the important ideas of the passage.

2. Interpretation:

In Interpretation, we discover what the Passage Means. It has been said, “There is only one interpretation but many applications.” Our task is to discern that one interpretation, and our primary tool is an inquisitive mind asking relevant questions. Scripture was written thousands of years ago in a different language and in a different historical and cultural setting from our own. Interpretation is the task of bridging that language, cultural and historical gap between ourselves and the original author.

It is imperative that we discern the correct interpretation ... what the author meant by what he wrote and not what we think he meant. We must always remember that if our interpretation is in error, so too will be our Applications.

3. Application:

In the final step, we discover what the Passage Means to Us. The Bible was not given to fulfill our curiosity, but to transform lives! God is in the business of changing lives, and He does it primarily through the ministry of His Spirit and His Word, transforming hearts, minds and wills, and conforming lives to the Living Word, Jesus Christ!

To learn more on how to study the Bible, download, print and study Discipleship Study Three included on this Website.