In the last lesson you learned to make observations at the sentence level. Now the focus will shift the focus of your observation from the sentence level to the paragraph level. Learning to see details is a skill that does not come naturally, but one developed through practice.
Things to Look for in Paragraphs
1. General and Specific-Sometimes an author will introduce an idea with a general statement-that is an overview or summary of the main idea. The author will them follow this general statement with the specifics of the idea. An example of this would be Galatians 5:16 being a general statement and Galatians 5:19-21 being the specific statement.
2. Questions and Answers-Occasionally an author will raise a rhetorical question and then answer that question. Paul does this several times in Romans. An example of this would be the question asked by Paul in Romans 6:1 and the answer given in Romans 6:2.
3. Dialogue-When you encounter a dialogue ask the following questions. Who are the participants? Who is speaking to whom? What is the setting? Are other people around? Are they listening? Are they participating in the dialogue? Is the dialogue an argument? A discussion? A lecture? Friendly chitchat? What is the point of the dialogue? You may find it helpful to color-code the dialogue. Assign one specific color to each participant and then color the conversation accordingly.
4. Purpose Statements-Always identify purpose statements. These are phrases or sentences that describe the reason, the result, or the consequence of some action. Examples are Ephesians 2:10, John 3:16, John 15:16, Deuteronomy 6:3, and Psalm 119:11.
5. Means (by which something is accomplished)-When an action, a result, or a purpose is stated, look for the means that brings about that action, result, or purpose. How is the action or result brought into reality? How is the purpose accomplished? Psalm 119:9 is an example. The purpose or action desired is for a young man to keep his way pure. What is the means? Living according to God’s Word.
6. Conditional Clauses-Identify all conditional clauses. These are clauses that present the conditions whereby some action, consequence, reality, or result will happen. The conditional aspect will usually be introduced by the conditional conjunction “if.” The resultant action or consequence will occasionally be introduced by “then.”
7. The Actions/Roles of People and the Actions/Roles of God-Biblical passages often refer to actions of people as well as those of God. Identify these and mark them separate. Ask the questions: What does God (further identify as the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit) do in this passage? What do people do in this passage? Then ask whether there is any kind of connection between what God does and what people do.
8. Emotional Terms-The Bible is not a book of abstract, technical information. It is a book about relationships, primarily relationships between God and people. Emotions play a big role in relationships. This is frequently overlooked in biblical interpretation. As part of your careful reading, when you observe the text, be sure to underscore words and phrases that have emotional overtones-that is, words that convey feeling and emotion. Also be sure to note words such as “father,” “mother,” “child,” “daughter,” “son,” and the like.
9. Tone-Try to identify the tone of the passage. This will often be closely related to the identification of emotional terms. However, once you have noted any emotional terms, continue on to determine the overall tone of the passage. Is it one of anger? A scolding tone? A sorrowful tone? Or a tone of unimpassioned explanation?
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