Chapter Anaysis Method

7/28/2019 Chapter Anaysis Method

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ThesecondstageofstudyingabookoftheBibleistodoachapteanalysisofeach

ofthechaptesofthatbook.Aftethesuveystudyhasbeencompletedandyou

haveapettygoodgaspandoveviewofthebook,beginexaminingitsindividual

pats.Sincemostchaptedivisionsaesuitableanduseful,itisbesttoexamine

thepatsinthisway.

Definition

Chapteanalysisinvolvesgainingathooughundestandingofthemateialofa

chapteofabookbylookingcaefullyateachpaagaph,sentence,andwodin

anintenselydetailedandsystematicmanne.Thetheepatsofthismethodae

aChapteSummay,aVese-by-VeseAnalysis,andaChapteConclusion.These

patsmaybedoneonthegivenfomoonblankpiecesofpape.

Why Do a chaPter analysis?

ChapteAnalysis,whendonealongwiththeBookSuveyandBookSynthesismeth-

ods,enablesustoundestandtheBibleinthewayinwhichitwaswitteninwhole

10

THe cHaPTeR

anaLYsis MeTHODOf BiBLe sTUDY

How to Do an In-depth Studyof a Chapter of a Bible Book


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Rick WaRRens BiBLe sTUDY MeTHODs

books.Itisalsoamethodinwhichweuselimitedoutsidehelps,thusenablingusto

leantheSciptuesonouown.

Note:DawsonTotman,foundeandfistpesidentoftheNavigatos,believed

thatthismethodisthemajomeansofaChistiansintakeoftheWodofGod.Hun-

dedsofmenandwomenintheealydaysoftheoganizationweetainedtodo

chapteanalysisandeceivedbyitabiblicaleducationcompaabletothatavailable

inBibleinstitutesandcolleges.Sincethattime,anumbeofexcellentbookshave

beenpublishedthatexpandonthismethodindetail.Ifthismethodespeciallyinte-

estsyou,Isuggestyouobtainsomeofthebookslistedattheendofthischapte.

Theypovideexcellentadditionalinsightsintothispopulastudymethod.

simPle stePs for Doing a chaPter analysis stuDy

Inthismethodyoubeginwithanintoduction(chaptesummay),whichisStep

One,thendoavese-by-veseanalysis(StepsTwothoughFive),andfinishwitha

chapteconclusion(StepsSixandSeven).

Step One Write Out a Chapter Summary

Step twO List Your Observations

Step three Ask Interpretation Questions

Step FOur Correlate Your Chapter with Other Scriptures

Step Five List Some Possible Applications

Step Six Write Down Some Concluding Thoughts

Step Seven Write Out One Application


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The.Chapter.Analysis.Method.of.Bible.Stu

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Step One Write Out a Chapter Summary

Youbeginthisstepbyeadingandeeadingthechaptemanytimes.Allyouae

doingheeismakinggenealobsevationsonthechapteasawhole.Afteyou

haveeaditthoughsevealtimes,descibethegenealcontentsinoneofthe

waysabouttobedescibed.Donottytointepetwhatyouseeatthistime,but

meelyaimtobecomefamiliawiththechapte.Youmaysummaizeitinoneof

thefollowingways:

1..Paraphrase.itThesimplestwayisjusttoephasethechapteinyouown

wods.Summaizeitinsuchawaythatyoucouldeadyoupaaphasetoanothe

peson.YoucanchecksomeecentpaaphasevesionsoftheBiblefoexamples

ofthis.

2.Outline.itAnothesimplewaytosummaizeisthoughanoutlinethatfol-

lowsthepaagaphdivisionsofthechapte.Giveatitletoeachpaagaph,then

placesomesubpointsundeeachone.

3.Rewrite.it.without.the.modifying.clauses.and.phrases Usejustthesubjects,

vebs,andobjectsinyousummay.Thisisageatwaytosummaizesomeof

Paulswitings,foexample,wheeun-onsentences(especiallyintheKingJames

Vesion)aehadtoundestandbecauseoftheicomplexity.

Afte youhavecompletedyouchaptesummay,giveatitletothechapte,

usingeitheyoutitlefomthebooksuveyoanewonethatoccuedtoyoudu-

ingthisstudy.

Step twO List Your Observations

This step begins the vese-by-veseanalysis of the chapte. Youstat with the

activityofobsevation.Inthisstepyouaelookingindetailateveysentenceand

wodandthenwitingdowneveythingyousee.Youaetyingtoanswetheques-

tion,Whatdoesitsay?

Befoeyoucanbegintointepetthemeaningofaveseopassage,youmust

fistlookatwhatitactuallysays.Thepuposeofobsevationistosatuateyouself

completelywiththecontentsofaBiblepassage.ThemakofgoodBiblestudentsis

thattheyhavetainedthemselvestoobsevethingsinthetextthatothesovelook.


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Overlooking.biblical. facts..reasons. why Thee ae thee easons why we

oftenovelookthingsandmisssomuchinthebiblicaltext:(1)Weushthougha

passagetooquickly.Soweneedtoslowdownandnotindulgeinspeed-eading.

(2)Wedontwitedownouobsevations.LouisAgassiz,a19th-centuypofessoofzoologyatHavadwhotaughthisstudentstheatofobsevation,usedtosay,

Apencilisthebesteye.Weneedtowitedownwhatwesee,andthenwewill

beginseeingmoe.(3)Wegiveuptoosoon.Thelongewesqueezealemon,the

moejuicewegetoutofittoapoint.Butunlikelemons,theBiblenevegoes

dy.Wecanstudyatextahundedtimesandneveexhausttheichesthatae

init.Soweshouldntgiveuptoosoon;athe,weshouldkeeponlookingthe

longethebette.

Asking.questionsAshasaleadybeendiscussed,thesecetofgoodBiblestudyisleaningtoasktheightquestions(seetheIntoductionatthebeginningofthis

book).ThenumbeofquestionsyoucanaskofatextofSciptueinceasesinpo -

potiontoyouwillingnesstostickwithit.AsyoucontinuegowinginBiblestudy

skills,thetypeandnumbeofquestionsyouaskwillimpoveandyouwillbeable

toobsevemoeandmoe.Thekeytogoodobsevations,then,isacombinationof

diligence,patience,askingmanyquestions,andwitingdowneveythingyousee.

Tohelpyouinyouobsevations,appendixFlists30ideasfomwhichyoucan

selecttheonesthatwillsuityoustudy.

Step three Ask Interpretation Questions

Afteobsevingallyoucaninthepassageundestudy,youaeeadytomoveon

tointepetation.Thisstepinvolvesaskingquestionsaboutmeaning,thentyingto

findanswestothem.Inthisexeciseyoudiscovethebiblicalwitespuposeand

messagebyuncoveingwhathemeansbyhisidea.

IntepetivequestionsincludeaskingwhatowhySomeexamples:

. Whydidthewitesaythis?

. Whatisthemeaningof____________?

. Whatisthesignificanceof____________?

. Whatistheimplicationof____________?

Whyisthisimpotant?


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Youshouldbeabletothinkofmanyotheintepetivequestionstoask.Neve

thinkthatany question istoo sillyodumb. Always witeeveyquestion down

onyoufomeventhoughyoumaynotfindananswetoit.Lateon,instudying

anothechapte,youmaybeabletoansweit;ifso,comebacktothischaptesfomandfillintheanswe.remembethatthemoequestionsyouask,themoe

youwilldawoutofthetext.

Listing. difficultiesWhenyouaewitingdownyouquestions,itisagood

ideatoincludeanydifficultiesyouhaveinundestandingwhatisbeingsaid.Two

commontypesaepersonaldifficultiesquestionsyouwouldlikeansweedin

thefutue,oitemsfofutuestudy,andpossible.difficultiesmattesthatdont

botheyouatthistime,butwouldbegoodtostudysoyoucanhelpotheswho

mightbebotheedbythem.

Finding.the.right.meaning.of.the.text Afteyouhavelistedallyouquestions

ofintepetation,youneedtostatfindingsomeanswes.Theeaesevealways

todothis.

1.Check.the.contextYoushouldalwaysstathee,fooftentheanswesto

youquestionswillbefoundinthevesespecedingofollowingthetext.Always

intepetapassageinlightofitscontext.Toeviewthecontext,youmayhavetogo

backtoyouobsevationsoyoubooksuveytoanswethesequestions:

Whoisspeaking? Whoisbeingspokento?

Whenisitbeingspoken?

. Wheeisitbeingspoken?

. Whatistheoccasionocicumstance?

. Whatisthemainsubjectofthemessage?

. Istheaimofwhatisbeingsaidevealed?

. Whatothebackgoundmateialclaifiesthisstatement?

Youcanavoidageatdealofmisintepetationbyfistcheckingoutthecontextofavese.

2.Define.the.words.and.phrases.usedYoumustintepetyoutextaccoding

tothecoectandpopemeaningofthewods.Lookuptheimpotantwodsina

Bibledictionay,wodstudyset,oEnglishdictionay.


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3.Study.the.grammar.and.structure.of.the.sentencesSometimesapoblemof

intepetationcanbecleaedupbydiagammingasentenceobyundestanding

whatgammaticalusagethewiteintendedinthepaagaph.

4.Compare.several.translations.of.the.textUsediffeentecentvesionsoftheBibletoseehowthevaioustanslatosendeedapaticulawod,phase,opaagaph.

5.Study.the.background.of.the.textIntepetyoutextinlightofthehistoi-

cal,cultual,geogaphic,economic,social,andpoliticalbackgoundsofthebook,

includingthecuenteventsofthattime.Thisshowsyouthevalueofdoingabook

suveystudybefoeattemptingachapteanalysisstudy.Useyouefeencetools

tocheckonthebackgound,thewitespuposeinwitingthebook,andothe

petinentfactos.

6.Compare.your.text.with.other.passages.of.ScriptureThisnextstepco-elationwillgiveyousomeanswestointepetivequestionsasyoucompae

SciptuewithSciptue.

7.Consult.a.commentary.as.a.last.resort Ifyouhave tieddiligentlyto find

themeaningofthetextyouselfandyoucoss-efeenceshavenothelpedyou,

consultthewoksofgeatBiblescholas.Theeisaplacefocommentaiesin

Biblestudy,butitcomesonly.after.you.have.done.your.own.workCompaeyou

intepetationwiththewitingsofdevoutChistiansandseeifyousageeswith

theis.Ifyouhaveacoectintepetation,youmaybesueGodhasshownittosomeothesinceeBiblestudentsinthepast.Ifyoucantfindanyonewhoagees

withyou,youhavepobablygotawongintepetation.

Step FOur Correlate Your Chapter with Other Scriptures

Thisstepinvolvesfindingcoss-efeencesfothevesesofyouchapteinode

tofutheexplainthemeaningofthetext.Itisbasedonthepincipleofintepeta-

tionthatsays,TheBibleintepetsitself;SciptuebestexplainsSciptue.You

canoftenintepetpassagesthataenotcleabypassagesthatae.Askyouself,

HowdootheSciptueselatetoandexplainthisone?

Steps.in.cross-referencingHeeaesomepacticalwaystocoelateveses:

1.Fist,lookfocoss-efeenceswithinthesamebookyouaestudying.This

isinternalcoelation.


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2.Second,compaestatementsinothewitingsbythesameautho.Thisis

externalcoelation.

3.Then,compaewithothebooksinthesametestament.

4.Finally,compaeefeencesinallofSciptue.Youcanfindcoss-efeencesinastudyBibleoefeenceBibleobylooking

upsimilawodsinaconcodance.

Types.of. cross-references Thee ae seveal diffeent types of coss-efe-

ences,includingthefollowing:

. The.pure.cross-reference This issometimes called the paallel coss-

efeencebecauseitsaysalmostexactlythesamethingastheveseyou

aeanalyzing.

. The. illustrative. cross-reference This type, which may involve a eal

eventopesoninhistoy,illustateswhattheveseyouaestudyingis

saying.

. The.contrasting.cross-referenceThistypesaystheoppositeofwhatyou

vesesays.Itmaylooklikeacontadiction,butitisactuallyappoaching

thesubjectfomadiffeentviewpoint.

Onewodofcaution:Besuetocheckthecontextofthevesesyouchoose

ascoss-efeences.Othewiseyoumaybemakingthemsaywhatthewitedidnotsay.

Step Five List Some Possible Applications

Thelastpatofthevese-by-veseanalysisistowitedownsomepossibleappli-

cations.remembethatyougoalinBiblestudyisnotjustintepetationbutappli-

cation. Becauseofthe many applications a chapte mayhave,you will onlybe

listingthemhee.Lateon,inStepSeven,youwillchooseoneofthesetowiteout

andtowokonfoaweek.Youhavealeadyseenthatyoucannotwokonmoe

thanoneapplicationpeweek.Itisbettetoecodjustoneandfullyapplythat

tuthtoyoulifethantowitedownsevealapplicationsandthenfailtoimplement

anyofthem.


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Step Six Write Down Some Concluding Thoughts

Gobackovetheesultsofthefistfivesteps,eviewthemcaefully,andwite

down some concluding thoughts on the chapte. These can include additional

obsevations,someofyouintepetations,themesyouhavediscoveed,possible

topicsandpeopleyouwanttostudyinthefutue,wodsyoumaywanttodoawod

studyon,andanynumbeofothethoughtsthatcometomind.

Step Seven Write Out One Application

NowgobacktothepossibleapplicationsyoulistedinStepFiveandchooseoneof

thesetowokonthiscomingweek.Bynowyoushouldhavehadplentyofpactice

atwitingoutapplicationsthataepesonal,pactical,possible,andmeasuable.

Ifnecessay,efebacktotheDevotionalMethodofBibleStudy(chap.1).Dont

fogettoputyouapplicationinthepesent,notfutue,tense.Askyouself,What

amIgoingtodoaboutthisnow?

HOWTOFILLINTHECHAPTErANALYSISFOrM

Usethefomattheendofthechapteowiteoutyoustudyonyouownsheetof

papewiththenecessaydivisions.

Filling Out the Form

Fistfillintheefeencefothechapteyouwillstudy.Youmaywanttostudyonly

halfachapteifitisa longone.Afteafeweadings,fillinyouowntitlefothe

chapte,eithefomyoubooksuveystudyoanewonethatyouthoughtofin

theseeadings.Next,youshouldsummaizethechapte,usingoneof thethee

methodssuggestedinStepOne.

Asyoubeginthevese-by-veseanalysis,witedownthevesenumbesinthe

columnspovidedandfollowthatwithyouobsevations,intepetations,coela-

tions,andpossibleapplications.Useadditionalpiecesofpapeofomsasneeded.

Onthebackofthefomwitedownyouconcludingthoughtsandthatone

application.


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Sample Filled-out Form

SeetheexampleofEphesians1attheendofthischapte.

AssignmentSeetheassignmentintheBookSuveyMethodofBibleStudy(chap.9)fosug-

gested assignments as towhich books of the Bible tostudy usingthesethee

methods.

For Further Reading

MoegoodBiblestudybookshavebeenwittenonthismethodthanonanyothe.

Asyouinclinationandfinancesallow,puchasesomeofthesefoyouownlibay

andefeence.

Good Books on Chapter Analysis

Methodical.Bible.Study.byrobetA.Taina(Zondevan)[Veyadvanced]

The.Navigator.Bible.Studies.Handbook.(NavPess)

The.New.Joy.of.Discovery.in.Bible.Study.byOlettaWald(AugsbugFotess)

Personal.Bible.Study.byWilliamLincoln(BethanyFellowship)

Good Books on Interpretation

Basic.Biblical.Interpretation.byroyZuck(Victo)Basics.of.Bible.Interpretation.byBobSmith(WodBooks)

Getting.the.Message.byDanielDoiani(Pesbyteian&refomed)

Grasping.Gods.Word.byScottDuvallandDanielHays(Zondevan)

How.to.Read.the.Bible.for.All.Its.Worth.byGodonFeeandDouglasStuat(Zondevan)

How.to.Understand.Your.Bible.byT.NotonSteett(InteVasityPess)

Protestant.Biblical.Interpretation.byBenadramm(Bake)

Studying,. Interpreting,. and. Applying. the. Bible. by Walte Henichsen and Gayle Jackson

(Zondevan)


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cHaPTeR anaLYsis fORM

chapter Ephesians1

chapter title GodsGeatPuposefoOuLives

1. chapter SuMMary

Intoduction(1:12)

I. TherevelationofthePuposeofGod(1:314)

A.Thesummaystatementwhathehasgivenus(1:3)

B.Thebasisofousalvation(thewokofGodtheFathe)(1:46)

1. Chosentobeholyandblameless(1:4)

2. Adoptedashissons(1:5)

3.Gacefeelygivenus(1:6)

C.Thebenefitsofousalvation(thewokofGodtheSon)(1:712) 1. Hesacificedhimselffous(1:7)

2. Helavishedgaceonus(1:8)

3. Heevealedhiswilltous(1:910)

4. Hemadeuspatofhisinheitance(1:1112)

D. The bestowment of ou salvation (the wok of God the Holy Spiit)

(1:1314)

l. HeevealedChisttous(1:13)

2. HesealedusasGodschilden(1:13)

3. Heguaanteesouinheitance(1:14)

II. TheresponseofPayetoGod(1:1523) A.Thefoundationofthepaye(1:1517a)

1. Fofaithfulandlovingbelieves(1:15)

2. ToafaithfulandlovingGod(1:1617a)

B.Thefomulationofthepaye(1:17b20a)

1. Payefowisdom(1:17b)

2. Payefoenlightenment(1:18a)

3. Payefoexpeientialknowledge(1:18b20a)

C. Thefinaleofthepaye(1:20b23 )

Acknowledgmentof...

1. Chistsesuection(1:20b)

2. Chistsdominionoveall(1:21)

3.Chistsheadshipoveall(1:22)

4. Chistslodshipovethechuch(1:23)


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2. OBServatiOn 3. interpretatiOn

wa dos say? wa dos ma?

Eph. V. V.

1:3 GodhasblessedmewithEVErY

spiitualblessing.

3 Godthinksthewoldofme.

4 Godchosemetolivealifeof

holiness.

4 ImustobeyGodandhiscom-

mandments.

5 Godhasadoptedmeintohis

family.

5 ThismeansthatIbelongtohim

foeve.

7 ThoughChistIhavebeenfogiven.

7 Chististheonlyonewhocanfogivesins.

9 Godhasevealedhiswilltous

thoughJesusChist.

9 ChistisGodstotalevelation

ofhimself.

11 IammadeanheiofGod

thoughChist.

11 Ihaveallthepivilegesofbeing

anhei.

1314 TheHolySpiitinmeisa

guaanteeofmysalvationand

acceptance.

1314 ThismeansIamimpotant,that

Godgavemesogeatagua-

antee.

16 PaulpaysfotheEphesians. 16 IneedtopayfofellowChis-

tians.

18 Paulpaysfoothesenlighten-

ment.

18 Ineedtopaythatothesmay

knowGodswill.



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4. cOrrelatiOn 5. applicatiOn

w ls s lad? wa ll i do abo ?

V

3 1Pete1:3

2Pete1:4

ThankGodfowhathehasdonefome.

4 romans8:29

Exodus20:117

ImustmakesueImleadingaholylife.

5 Galatians4:5

Philippians2:13

IneedtoactasbelongingtoGodsfamily.

7 Mak10:45romans3:25

ImustthankGodfothetotalityofhisfogiveness.

9 Galatians1:15

Ephesians3:9

Hebews1:12

BiblestudyisanessentialifImtoknow

Godswill.

11 romans8:1617

Acts20:32

IshouldthankGodfothisgeatgift.

1314 John3:33

Ephesians4:30

2Cointhians5:5

Ineedtolivemylifeinsuchawayasnot

tooffendtheSpiitwholivesinme.

16 Philippians1:3

romans1:810

IneedtopayfoJohn,Sue,andBob.

18 Acts26:18 IneedtopaythisfoChalieandGail.



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6. cOncluSiOnS

ThischapteshowswhatGodhasgivenhispeoplehehasblessedthem

witheveyspiitualblessingtheeis.Itgoesontolistmanyofthoseblessings

intheTinitaianwokofsalvation.ThisiswhatGodtheFathe,GodtheSon,

andGodtheHolySpiithavedonefous.readingasectionofSciptuelike

thisshouldgiveusaealsenseofwoth,becausethisisGodscommentay

onwhathethinksofthosewhobelongtohim.

Thepopeesponsetothisgandevelationshouldbeapayeofthanksgiv-

ing,adoation,andpaise,whichisexactlywhatPauldoesattheendofthe

chapte.

7. a perSOnal applicatiOn

IneedtodevelopmoeofthespiitofpayeasPauldoeshee.Heissoove-

whelmedbywhatGodhasdonefousthathespontaneouslypays.Ineed

tomeditateonwhatGodhasdonefomeandsoespondbacktohimwitha

payeofadoationandpaiseaswell.

Toimplementthis,IwilleeadEphesians1fivetimes,substitutingIand

mefotheponounsinthechapteandthenspendtimepayingwithout

askinganythingfomyself,butdiectingallmyequeststowadGodandhis

gloy.


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chapter

chapter title

1. chapter SuMMary


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2. OBServatiOn 3. interpretatiOn

wa dos say? wa dos ma?

Vese Vese



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4. cOrrelatiOn 5. applicatiOn

w ls s lad? wa ll i do abo ?

Vese



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6. cOncluSiOnS

7. a perSOnal applicatiOn

Chapter Anaysis Method

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