B. Key Question: What does the text say or What do I see

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1 OBSERVATION Bible Study Methods -Part II Passages of Scripture must be examined, searched and inspected. It is a common error when reading the Bible to skip the step of observing the text and move directly into interpreting the text. It takes time, energy and patience to slowly go through the observation process so that all information offered in the passage will be noticed. Failing to observe the text thoroughly has the potential to lead to a faulty interpretation. On the other hand, observing all the details can greatly increase your understanding of the passage. I. Observation Defined (Ps. 119:18) A. Definitions - the art of awareness and of taking notice - Observation: examine, search, inspect carefully, scrutinize the text B. Key Question: What does the text say or What do I see C. Goal: to become fully saturated with the text D. Never say: I already know that (e.g. You may understand the obvious meaning, but you may not grasp all of the implications, etc. There is always more to be gleaned from a passage of Scripture) II. Observation Steps A. Read the text: 1. Preparing to Read the Text - Write down observations (e.g. Word document) - Organize your thoughts - Mark up the text itself: underline, circle, and insert arrows to connect thoughts. 2. How to Read the text: - Read the text repeatedly: Be patient and do not assume that you already fully understand the text. - Read through the entire book that the passage is contained in - Read the text slowly: Read with emotion and passion, putting emphasis on particular words - Read the text out loud - Read the text verse by verse attempting to correlate each verse to the next verse and the previous verse

2 3. Goal: General comprehension - Summarize the main idea of each paragraph in a sentence or two - Relate each paragraph to its surrounding paragraphs. Trace the flow of logic and the train of thought. 4. What Questions to Ask? a) Who is the author of the passage (book)? b) Who is the author talking to (recipients)? c) Who/What is the author talking about? d) What time period was this passage written? e) What words or phrases are repeated? - A repeated idea normally signals the author s main point or idea f) What is the subject or topic being discussed? (What is talked about first; what is talked about next ) g) When/Where is the activity or discussion taking place? 5. CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT!!! a) Why we examine the text? (1) So that we do not misinterpret the authorial intent - (i.e. the intent of the original author). - The author had a specific meaning in mind when he wrote the text. (2) So that we do not read meaning back into the text b) What is the broader context of the text? (e.g. entire passage, surrounding passages, entire book and the entire Bible) B. Examine the individual words: Do not overlook any word in the text 1. Subject - Definition: Who or what performs (or received) the action? - follow and track the pronouns (I, me, we, us, you, he, she, they, etc.)

3 2. Verb - Definition: the word which expresses action - Observe Verb Tenses: expresses the time of the action of the verb (e.g. past, present, future) 3. Modifiers (adjectives and adverbs) - Definition: descriptive words that enlarge and enhance the meaning of the words they modify 4. Conjunctions (a word that connects) a) Coordinating: (and) b) Contrasting: (but, yet) c) Sequential: (next, then, now) d) Summarizing: (therefore) e) Comparison (like, as) C. Look for Structure (Ignore verse markings, chapter markings and headings) 1. Observe change of topic or theme 2. Observe changes in time, location, or setting 3. Paragraphs: groups of sentences which typically have a common theme or idea 4. Repeated words and phrases (e.g. Ps. 136; Heb. 11) - A repeated idea normally signals the author s main point or idea 5. Lists of terms (e.g. 1 Tim. 1:8-10) - Multiple commas sometimes indicate a list - Ask yourself: Is the order important? Is there sequence? 6. Cause and effect (e.g. 1 John 1:7-10; cf. Rom. 12:1; Eph. 4:1) - One statement (effect) is dependent upon the execution of the other statement (cause) - Key terms (therefore, so, if, then, as a result, in order that)

4 7. Illustrations (e.g. Ps. 1:1-3) - Used to develop and enrich a spiritual truth (i.e. parables) - Key terms (like, as) 8. Questions and Answers (e.g. Rom. 9:14-33) - Questions in Scripture may be rhetorical, descriptive, sarcastic, etc. 9. Contrasts (e.g. Gal. 5:15-23) - Scripture uses contrasts to compare one thing to another 10. Observe change of genre (e.g. from a greeting to a prayer; from a parable or sermon to narrative) D. Determine the Genre (adapted from Mock, Bible Study Methods) 1. Narrative: story format in which themes are conveyed through characters and events a) includes facts, stories, parables, accounts, biographies and genealogies b) communicates truth indirectly c) descriptive not prescriptive. (i.e. The author is typically describing what took place not necessarily prescribing certain behavior) d) i.e. Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, 1 Samuel, Gospels, Acts e) Examples - Gen : Theme of God s providence with Joseph - John: Theme of Jesus deity - Job: Theme of God s sovereignty 2. Teaching: discourse predominately includes commands and instructions a) includes arguments, letter, lecture, sermon or speech b) communicates truth directly

5 c) prescriptive not descriptive (i.e. The author is typically prescribing something to be observed and is not as concerned about describing the details of the situation.) d) i.e. Deuteronomy (part of), Leviticus (part of), Epistles e) Examples - 1 Corinthians: Paul is directly rebuking and instructing the church on unity and proper behavior within the body of Christ - Leviticus: Moses is instructing Israel about how to worship through sacrifice 3. Poetry: uses imagery and symbols to convey the spiritual meanings a) expresses emotions, feelings and ideas b) communicates truth in word pictures, hyperboles and generalities c) i.e. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs d) Example - Ps. 1: Observe how David compares meditation to a tree planted by the water - Ps. 23: Notice how David describes the LORD through the imagery of a shepherd 4. Prophetic: declarations of God s will through warnings and blessings a) involves symbolic language to reveal and uncover truth b) communicates previously unknown truth c) i.e. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation d) Examples - Isa. 53: Isaiah foretells of the future suffering of Jesus Christ - Ezek. 4-5: Ezekiel warns of the future destruction of Jerusalem

6 RESOURCES CONSULTED Hendricks, Howard G. and William D. Hendricks. Living by the Book. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press, Main, Doug. Bible Study Methods Syllabus. Simi Valley, Ca.: Eternity Bible College, Mock, Dennis. Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation. Atlanta, Ge. Zondervan Publishing, Tozer, A.W. The Knowledge of the Holy. San Francisco, Ca.: Harper Collins Publishers, Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation, Colorado Springs, Co.: Cook Publishers,