Indicator words are the little words in the Bible that tend to add a great deal of meaning to the text but are often overlooked. We mark them in italics and/or colors in the BSB Method.

There are many, but some initial indicator words to look for include:

A

• and implies also, both
  I want eggs, bacon, and toast.
  (All three elements are required.)

• as implies in the way of or by means of  (also see just as)
  They grew up liking swimming, as did their father.
  (In the way of or like their father did.)
  Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
  (By means of being a fragrant offering and sacrifice.)

B

• but implies contrast
  He is leaving now, but she is leaving later.
  (There is a shift or contrast from the previous statement.)

C

D

E

F

• for can have several implications including for the sake of, on behalf of, or even to procure.
  He went to the gallows for his crime.
  (One thing, death by hanging was for the sake of another, crime.).
  He went to the store for milk.
  (Milk was procured.)

G

H

I

• if implies condition
  If she runs well today, she will qualify for the state meet.
  (If the condition is met, this will be the result.)

• in implies position or instrumentality
  He completed the marathon in agony.
  (The running of it set him positionally in a state of agony.)
  In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith
  (This "in" contains both position and instrumentality. It is through the person of Christ and his death and resurrection–instrumental element– that we are children of God.)

J

• just as implies exactly like  
  Sarah cooked the roast just as her mother had.
  (Using the exact same method.)

K

L

M

N

O

• of  implies belonging to or in regards to
  The screen of my laptop is clean.
  (The screen belongs to my laptop.)
  The government has only confirmed its ban of Venezuela's shipments.  
  (The ban is in regards to shipments originating from Venezuela.)

• or implies option between 2+ things or if either condition is met.
  We are going to Dallas or Austin. (Only one can be the answer at a particular time.)
  When it rains or snows, the ground will be wet.
  (The presence of either and not requiring both.)

P

Q

R

S

• so implies in the same manner as (typically to what has been stated above) or for the purpose of.
  For God so loved the world...
  (Not meaning 'so much' though that is true, but in the same manner as John 3:14-15 reveals).
  Tie your shoes, so you don't trip on your laces.
  (For the purpose of)

• so that implies purpose or with the result of
  I am going to put new shingles on the roof so that it doesn't leak.
  (The first is done for the result or purpose of the second.)

T

• therefore implies in regards to what was previously stated.
  The train was late. Therefore, John missed the meeting.
  (The second has dependency or connection to the first.)

U

V

W

X

Y

Z