This document provides tips and guidelines for teaching the Bible using an inductive approach. It discusses the importance of Bible teaching and studying the Bible inductively by making observations, interpretations and applications. It provides tips for preparation, observation, interpretation and application stages of inductive Bible study. The document also gives recommendations for PowerPoint presentation including using clear text, relevant graphics and engaging teaching aids. The overall goal is to teach the Bible accurately and help students apply it to their lives.

1. TO TEACH THE BIBLE

2. TO TEACH THE BIBLE
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
Objectives
Why Teach the Bible?
The Inductive Approach
Inductive Bible Study – Tips
Powerpoint Tips

3. TO TEACH THE BIBLE
OBJECTIVES
To:
 Understand the prime importance of
bible study and teaching
 Refresh the inductive approach for
personal preparation
 Derive maximum benefit from bible
personally and for group
 Run through powerpoint tips
 Brush up teaching tips

4. WHY TEACH THE
BIBLE?
 Command of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20,
Col 3:16, 1 Tim 5:17)
 Characteristic of God’s servant (2
Tim 2:24)
 Character and faith development
(Titus 1:1)

5. INDUCTIVE BIBLE
STUDY
The inductive approach
involves starting from general
and moving down to specifics.
It enables you to draw your
own conclusions.

6. INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
- PREPARATION
Begin with Prayer
Read with a purpose – read multiple times, multiple
versions
While reading, Ask questions
WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? WHY? HOW?
• WHO is speaking?
• WHAT is this about?
• WHEN will it happen?
• WHY is this being said?
• HOW are they described?

7. COMPONENTS OF AND
INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
Observation:
•What does it say?
Interpretation:
•What does it mean?
Application:
•How does it apply to me?

8. OBSERVATION - TIPS
Look for:
• the obvious – don’t look for hidden
meanings
• People, places and things
• Look for key words and phrases
For a book study: Find out the author’s
purpose
(Sometimes this will take several
readings)

9. OBSERVATION - TIPS
For a character study:
• list characteristics – good and bad.
• Find cross references
For a verse study:
• List cross references and understand various
connotations
• Study meanings using bible dictionary or other
bible refs
(This can also take several readings)

10. OBSERVATION - TIPS
“The main things
are the plain things
The plain things are
the main things”

11. INTERPRETATION -
TIPS
Look for Keywords
Contrasts, comparisons
Expressions of time
Connecting words/ phrases

12. INTERPRETATION -
TIPS
Context always rules in interpretation
– eg. Parables – a parable is meant to
illustrate one focal point. Find that and
don’t interpret every word. An allegory on
the other hand can have different
interpretations on different aspects

13. INTERPRETATION
Take Bible truths literally unless:
•It is illogical
•It clashes with another passage..(the
so called clashes can be used to
complement and complete each other)

14. APPLICATION
Take principles of the biblical context and apply
into current context.
Allow the spirit of God to convict and guide at a
personal level
Context continues to rule in
application

15. USE COMMENTARIES
LAST
After
 Doing your own evaluation of the bible,
 Listing out observations, interpretations, applications,
 Ensuring you come to your own conclusions based on the
word of God.
Then refer commentaries and other references to
supplement.
Using them earlier will certainly bias your
viewpoints.

16. SOME RECOMMENDED
REFERENCES
Please start with references to bible
and bible dictionaries for inductive
study then after putting in several
hours to soak it in for yourself and
notes on observation, inferences,
application, move on to other
references like commentaries, etc.

17. SOME RECOMMENDED
REFERENCES – START WITH
1. For verse comparison and cross
referencing: http://biblehub.com – Enter full
reference
2. For full bible text – various
translations: http://biblegateway.com also
http://biblehub.com – enter chapter
3. For Bible Dictionaries:
http://biblestudytools.com/dictionaries

18. SOME RECOMMENDED
REFERENCES – END WITH
4. For Bible Commentaries:
http://biblestudytools.com/ click on Commentaries
link
5. Various bible topics: http://bible.knowing-
jesus.com/topics/
6. Good reference sites: https://bible.org/,
http://bereanbibleexpositions.org/ ( currently OT
topics), http://bibletransforms.com
7. Book references: The Search by Dr. Ron
Charles

19.  Ensure your font size is 16 pt
(minimum) – typically much
more
 Try to use 7*7 principle – not
more than 7 words (in a row) 7
rows. – If it crosses that, use
separate slide.
POWERPOINT - TEXT

20.  Keep it simple and clean.
 Use the template variations for
picture and text (see Home New
slide for templates)
 Highlight in red and larger font
focus bible phrases
POWERPOINT - TEXT

21. POWERPOINT -
GRAPHICS
 Graphics are a powerful parallel means of
communication. Choose graphics, videos
that communicate.
 Use graphics within the slots in template
options ie Home -> New slide gives you a
list of template options
 Use high res graphics wherever possible.
 Ensure you do not use graphics with
watermark as they are copyrighted.

22. POWERPOINT -
GRAPHICS
Ensure pictures
blend in by fitting
into “picture” slot
or merging with
background (ie
white background
pics to insert on
white background
ppt)

23. POWERPOINT - USE
OF GRAPHICS
When you use a
graphic, use the
standard template
options to insert
it. This slide
represents one.
Try to use same
background
graphics

24. POWERPOINT -
GRAPHICS
Don’t stretch the
figure out of
proportion to fit
your slot (as in
the picture on the
right)

25. POWERPOINT -
GRAPHICS
If you really need
to adjust it use
the “format”
“crop” feature
(ensuring you are
cutting, not
stretching) to
smartly remove
excess bits
without changing
proportion.

26. POWERPOINT -
GRAPHICS
If you have to use
coloured graphic
soften the edges
right clicking and
using “format”
“glow and soft
edges” using
“soft edges” at
around 20 pt.

27. OTHER TEACHING
AIDS
 People learn by what they do. Try
engaging them by simple, effective,
creative activities, discussions, videos,
etc.
 Make them think
 Encourage everyone to share – it will add
that much richness to the discussion
 Create an environment for learning

28. WHILE TEACHING
 Remember not to get the focus on the
powerpoint but sit so that all have eye
contact with each other.
 Leader should keep laptop in front with
audience behind laptop
 Keep discussions focussed on your
objectives – align those who deviate
 Spend adequate time discussing
personal application

29. CONCLUSION
Do your best to
present yourself
to God as one
approved, a
worker who does
not need to be
ashamed and who
correctly handles
the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15