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There are many different methods to studying anything including the Bible.
Cross references takes the best parts of several types of studies, but primarily uses the Inductive study method.
Inductive study is a basic and easy process. It requires only your Bible and a notebook. Some have added extra elements
to it like the use of colored pencils and symbols, which work for some but hinder others. We will suggest other helpful tools,
but they are not necessary.
This method takes Scripture at face value. It says what it says, It means what it means, and It will change our
lives if we let it.
Inductive study has three basic steps:
Observation.
What does it say?
Skip Hietzig refers to it as Opening your Eyes.
In this step you ask yourself basic questions to focus yourself on what is happening in the given passage.
Interpretation.
Opening your Mind.
What does it mean?
This is the step some people have trouble with. Some don't think we can know what the bible means. Others don't want
to know what it means, especially if they don't agree with the passage. For example, in Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus says "You
have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy". But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.(NASB).
Does this mean that we are to love the people behind the 9/11 attacks?
Application.
Opening your Heart.
What does it mean to me?
This is where our lives change. Once you understand what God says and what He wants, its time to put it use.
Over the next few weeks, in each session, we look at various steps and aspects of this process in more detail, one
step at a time.
Return to Additional Information
Unwrapping God's Gift of Salvation
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