Overview of Assignments: Studying a passage of Scripture

Part 1: Language and Culture

  • 1.1 Select An English translation
  • 1.2 Two word studies using words taken from your passage
  • 1.3 (Grammatical & Literary Study)
  • 1.4 (Cultural/Historical Insights to Passage)

Part 2: Larger Context (Background and Purpose of Book)

  • 2.1 Occasion (circumstances) of writing
  • 2.2 Purpose of the book
  • 2.3 Outline of book
  • 2.4 Purpose for this passage within the book

Part 3: The Message

  • 3.1 Statement of the basic steps of reasoning within the passage
  • 3.2 Which covenant period is the passage under?
  • 3.3 Verse by verse explanation/interpretation
    • Use Biblical Theology (e.g. compare with parallel passages)
    • Use Systematic Theology (e.g. similar or contrasting teachings in Scripture)
    • Point out any quotations of the Old Testament in the New
    • Discuss alternative interpretations and give your preferred interpretation
  • 3.4 Conclusions regarding the teachings of the passage

Part 4: Response

  • 4.1 The Response Required from the Original Hearers
          and The Response Required Today
  • 4.2 Personal Response

Updated 2009-10-07 (build:7) by Andrew Fountain