How To Study The Bible, Inductively-Step Seven

Welcome to step seven! You've made it this far, so don't faint now. We only have one step left. Let me take this time to refresh some key points of the previous steps, in order to keep them fresh in your mind. If you're like me, you need all the refreshment you can get!

One point to reiterate is that it is important to keep things in context when studying scripture. Always read the book, chapter and verse several times before beginning your study. Then make some observations and scrutinize it. Look for ways that you are encouraged from God's word. Remember, this IS God's word, so don't take it lightly. Then, start looking for answers. Of all of these points, however, always remember to pray before, during and after your study. Prayer is crucial to enlisting God's wisdom. Keep these in mind as we look at step seven.

This step is when the “rubber meets the road”, so to speak. We talked earlier about getting personal with your study, but now, it gets VERY personal. Yes, we're talking application. Now that you've gone through your study, and asked some very poignant questions and found many biblical truths that will cause pause for thought, you are ready.

Ready for what? We've already discussed the importance of confession for sin that will be discovered, true. But a truly changed life cannot come without answering this simple question, How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?

Application comes from a changed life and leads to a life transformed, (Ro 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

You will, now, need to seek what you must do to make God's word real in you. And, once you've found that, you will need to find your response. In other words, do I have a good attitude about what I just learned? We must be ready to receive what God has to say to us. The fact is, that God never lies for He is truth and, sometimes, the truth hurts. Do we have the character to listen and hear what God is telling us. This isn't always easy. There are many times that I read something in the bible and receive conviction and I go into resist mode. I don't want to change. My flesh says that I am OK. God says that there is too much of me around here, so He's going to chip away at it, until His Son is revealed.

David wrote, in the Psalms, that he meditated on God's word “day and night”. I must admit that I have difficulty with this. I don't take the time to meditate on His word and I suffer for it. That being said, I do understand the importance of meditating on His word. We all need to take the time, after reading studying, to be still. There is a lot of noise and confusion in the world today, everything is based on “instant gratification”. We rarely take the time to just listen. God's word is all about relationships. He wants a relationship with you. But that involves us listening to and for Him. We must be still and quiet to hear His voice. Meditation on His word is giving thought to what you just read and studied, then listening for His response.

One important thing to remember when we discuss application of biblical principles is that we cannot, truly, apply these lessons on our own. We need the help of the Master Teacher. So, again, pray the God would help, lead and direct you on how to apply the lessons learned to your life. Then you will need accountability. This comes from telling others what you've learned and confessed. Through this network of fellow believers, you will be held accountable. They will help you stay on track and finish the race.