subject: What to Do with a Biblical Text [print this page] What to Do with a Biblical Text What to Do with a Biblical Text
You are preaching or teaching this Sunday. You have spent time on your knees and the Spirit has given you a text. Now what? What do you do to expound a biblical text in a way that it becomes clear and compelling to the people whose hearts, lives, and souls God has entrusted to your care?
Here is a brief outline of an approach I have found helpful.
Probe It Thoroughly.Read the entire Biblical book. Survey the immediate context and flow of thought. Read the text in several translations for comparison. Develop a working structural outline of the passage.
Observe It. Look at the words it uses. Examine the structure. What is the literary form? What is the Atmosphere?
"Usage determines meaning." How is this word used in the rest of scripture (concordance!)? Is it being used the same way here? Differences are just as important as similarities.
What does it mean and so what?
Which words?Crucial words; central to the meaning of the passage.
Unusual words; non-routine or different words; unexpected terminology; specialized words.
Logically, Structurally, or Theologically Difficult words.
Mood Studies: What is the emotion of the passage?Rational: Why?
Implicational: What does this imply?
Secondary Questions: Who, How, When, Where? (Background and Historical Studies)
Theological Questions:On what does this text center?
Where does this concept fit doctrinally?
What other texts are crucial to this doctrine?
What other doctrines hold this doctrine in balance? Heresy is a matter of extremes and imbalances.
What does the text say about God/Redemption/World view?
Does my presentation of it fit my theology?
APPLICATION. SO WHAT? What is the significance of all this?To God? ii.To God's People? (1)What in the text relates directly to them?
What underlying principles relate to us?
What specific needs do I have re: this text?
What should it lead me to do? For example, is it a call to worship, a warning, a celebration, quiet intimacy, fear, encouragement, admonition, correction, etc?
Determine the Theme.What's the main topic/idea?Exegetical theme: State the big idea in the passage's own terms.
Homiletical theme: Restate the big idea in terms of yourself.
Theme and Subject: Their relationship.The subject defines the general area: What is the text talking about?
The theme defines the aspect of the subject to be set forth: What does the text say about what it is talking about?
Choosing the words for your theme.Look for the key words/emphases of your text.
Strive for literal and specific language.
Strive for clarity.
Make it appealing.
Use language that appeals to the senses.
Strive for significance.
Using the theme sentence.It may provide the direct basis for your outline.
It may provide the content of the introduction.
It may be used as a transitional sentence between points.
It provides ideas for applications.
It leads you to your conclusion.
Develop your outline.General Statements.Most often it will grow out of the theme statement.
It should clarify and fill out the theme.
It should relate back to the text regularly.
The Process.The main headings will relate directly to the theme. (Don't be afraid to adjust your theme as needed; outlining may bring you new understanding.)
Main headings should be stated in complete sentences. This is for clarity of thought.
