OBSERVING THE TEXT
Slowing down to read and observe the Biblical text is critical for listening to Word of the Lord. I think sometimes we forget how precious and amazing it is to be holding in our hand God's breathed Word!
Most of you are familiar with the 5Ws & H (Who, what, where, when, why, & how). These are excellent questions to ask as you read. But there are other observations to make. Below is a suggested list. By the way, do not try to observe these all at once. Instead, make several passes through the text, focusing on one at a time, and be sure to take notes along the way. And most importantly, write down your unanswered questions, and do not attempt to research an answer at this point in the process.And make sure you enjoy this journey of discovery.
Stage 0 – Request in Prayer, Read & Write Down Questions
· Do not stop and answer
· Use later in your message
Stage 1 – Genre/Sub-Genre/Literature Type (Not an exhaustive list)
· Historical Narrative – Chronology, People, Places, Events
· Wisdom (Proverbs) – Parallelism, Principles, Practical Advice
· Prophecy/Apocalypse – Symbols, Principles
· Poetry (Psalms) – Parallelism, Imagery
· Parables – Story with a key point
· Epistles – Argument, Theology, Doctrine
· Law/Procedural - Rules
Stage 2 – 5Ws & H
· Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
· People, Places, Events, Things
· Follow the Pronouns
Stage 3 – Significant Markers
· Contrasts (but)
· Conjunctions (and)
· Comparisons (like, as)
· Conclusion/Result (Therefore)
· Clock - Expressions of Time (when, then, next, after)
· Conditional Sentences (If…then)
· Purpose (so that)
Stage 4 – Creative Language / Figures of Speech
Bullinger, Ethelbert William.
Figures of Speech Used in the Bible
. London; New York: Eyre & Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co., 1898.
· Metaphor (A Declaration that one Thing
is (or represents) another
; or, Comparison by Representation)
· Simile (A Declaration that one Thing
resembles
another; or, Comparison by Resemblance)
· Hyperbole (When
more is said
than is literally meant)
Stage 5 – Theological Observations / Doctrine
· Bibliology / The Bible
· Theology / God the Father
· Christology / God the Son
· Pneumatology / God the Spirit
· Cosmology / Spiritual and Material World
· Angelology / Angels
· Demonology / Satan and Demons
· Anthropology / Man
· Hamartiology / Sin
· Soteriology / Salvation
· Israelology / Israel
· Ecclesiology / The Church
· Eschatology / Future
Stage 6 – Potential for Application
· Think, Say, Do
· Put off / Put On
Stage 7 – Other – Anything else that stand-out or appears significant