How God’s Eternal Purpose Unfolds in Every Passage of Scripture

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God,…”  

– Ephesians 3:9 ESV

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Introduction

The OBL Inductive Bible Study Method is more than a process of analysis—it is a spiritual journey into the heart of God’s eternal purpose. It follows the rhythm of divine revelation itself: Life received, Truth unveiled, Glory manifested. Each of the seven stages leads the disciple and the ekklesia into deeper participation in Christ, transforming Bible study from an intellectual exercise into spiritual fellowship and incarnate expression.

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1. LOCATE — Define the Divine Context

“Then He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:45

Every revelation begins with orientation. To locate is to discern where a passage lives within the flow of God’s eternal plan. This includes both the Scriptural context (book, author, audience) and the dispensational context (where it fits within God’s oikonomia). By locating, we find our place in the divine story—not as observers, but as participants in His unfolding purpose.

Practice Example: Compare God’s call to Abram (Gen. 12), Paul’s commission (Acts 26), and the revelation of the mystery (Eph. 3). All three show how God’s calling develops toward the same eternal purpose.

 

2. OBSERVE — See What the Text Says

“What do you see, Jeremiah?” – Jeremiah 1:11

Observation requires slowing down to truly see. We note patterns, repetitions, contrasts, and divine actions that reveal God’s intent. This step trains the eyes of the heart to recognize the consistent character of God. Observation guards us from assumption and opens us to illumination by the Spirit.

 

3. ILLUMINATE — Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

“The entrance of Your word gives light.” – Psalm 119:130

Here, the Bible becomes its own commentary. We allow one passage to shed light on another, tracing the same divine theme across covenants—from shadow to substance, from type to fulfillment. To illuminate is to see how all Scripture points to Christ and His democratic assembly. This step transforms knowledge into vision.

 

4. INTERPRET — Discern Meaning Within God’s Eternal Purpose

“He made known to us the mystery of His will…” – Ephesians 1:9

Interpretation asks not merely, 'What does this mean to me?' but 'What does this reveal about God’s purpose in Christ?' We interpret every text in light of the oikonomia—God’s plan to unite all things in Christ and build  His one Body (Democratic Assembly) in diversity. This brings coherence to Scripture, transforming fragments into facets of one eternal design.

 

5. INTEGRATE — Align with Life, Truth, and Glory

“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” – John 6:63

Every revelation concerning His eternal purpose in Scripture expresses one of the three gifts Jesus gave in John 17—Life, Truth, and Glory. To integrate is to connect the passage with these divine elements.

 

6. INSIGHT — Translate Revelation into Mutual Edification

“When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching… let all things be done for edification.” – 1 Corinthians 14:26

Insight moves from understanding to edifying. Here, revelation becomes shared life within the Body. Students and believers articulate what they have seen, ministering Christ to one another through testimony, song, or word. Insight turns learning into fellowship—the Word flowing through every member.

 

7. INCARNATE — Live Out the Revelation

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

The final step is embodiment. To incarnate is to let what we have seen become what we now live. This is where study turns into discipleship, and insight turns into impact. Our relationships, service, and daily interactions become living Scriptures written by the Spirit.

 

Conclusion: The Flow of Fellowship

The sevenfold flow is circular, not linear—it begins and ends in fellowship with the Triune God and His people. Each cycle deepens our experience of Life, expands our grasp of Truth, and radiates greater Glory. In this way, the OBL Inductive Bible Study Method is not merely a tool for learning; it is a pathway for transformation, equipping the saints until the Lord’s Democratic Assembly (Ekklesia) reflects the fullness of Christ on the earth.

 

 

OBL Inductive Study Worksheet (Student Edition)

Discovering God’s Eternal Purpose in Every Passage of Scripture

 

Step 1 — LOCATE: Define the Divine Context

“Then He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:45

Passage / Text Reference: ____________________________
Book / Author / Audience: ____________________________
Historical & Covenant Context: ________________________
How this fits within God’s oikonomia:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Tip: Identify how this text connects to God’s overarching plan (Family, Bride, Body, New Man, Kingdom).

 

Step 2 — OBSERVE: What Does the Text Say?

“What do you see, Jeremiah?” – Jeremiah 1:11

Key Words / Phrases: _________________________________
Repetitions or Contrasts: ______________________________
God’s Actions vs. Human Actions: ________________________
Logical Progression or Structure: _______________________________

Tip: Use your OBL Glossary to look up recurring terms (ekklesia, oikonomia, mystery, fellowship, etc.).

 

Step 3 — ILLUMINATE: Scripture Interpreting Scripture

“The entrance of Your word gives light.” – Psalm 119:130

Cross References:
1. __________________________________
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________

What these related verses reveal about Christ or His Ekklesia:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Tip: Connect Old and New Testament parallels—how does this passage reveal Christ or His corporate Body?

 

Step 4 — INTERPRET: Discern Meaning within God’s Eternal Purpose

“He made known to us the mystery of His will…” – Ephesians 1:9

Main Idea or Message: _________________________________
Purpose within God’s Eternal Plan: _______________________
What does this reveal about Christ and His Body?:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Tip: Every interpretation should harmonize with the Father’s plan to unite all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10).

 

Step 5 — INTEGRATE: Align with Life, Truth, and Glory

“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” – John 6:63

Divine Gift | Observation from Text | Result in Believer
-----------------------------------------------------------
LIFE (Father’s Name) | ______________________ | Growth / Sonship
TRUTH (Son’s Word) | ______________________ | Sanctification / Unity
GLORY (Spirit’s Expression) | ______________________ | Transformation / Fellowship

Tip: Identify how this passage imparts life, unveils truth, and expresses glory.

 

Step 6 — INSIGHT: Translate Revelation into Edification

“When you come together, each one has… let all things be done for edification.” – 1 Corinthians 14:26

Personal Insight or Revelation:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

How this can edify others:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Tip: Be ready to share your insight in fellowship — revelation grows through mutual building.

 

Step 7 — INCARNATE: Live Out the Revelation

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” – John 1:14

Practical Application:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Action Step / Obedience Response:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Fruit or Testimony (after applying):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Tip: The final step is not just 'doing' but living—letting the Word become visible through your life.

 

Life • Truth • Glory Reflection

Area | What the Lord Showed You | How You Will Walk It Out
-----------------------------------------------------------
LIFE | _________________________ | _________________________
TRUTH | _________________________ | _________________________
GLORY | _________________________ | _________________________

 

Final Reflection / Prayer

“That they all may be one… that the world may believe.” – John 17:21

Summary of Revelation:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Prayer / Declaration:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________