Center for Pioneer Church Planting

September 3-6
Schedule

Schedule
Introduction to Exposition

We want to become skillful, diligent students of Gods
Word.
We want to know and believe The WORD in His Word.
We want to effectively communicate Gods Word, the
way Gods Word intends for us.
We want to disciple ourselves and others toward
maturity and completion in Christ through the Word.
We want to disciple ourselves and others toward life
transformation effected by the Spirit through the Word.


Why study the Bible?

The CPCP prizes getting the Word right so that the Word can do its
regenerative work of kingdom expansion through preaching and
teaching.
The Word, produced by The WORD who created all things, is objective and
authoritative as the New Covenant document producing kingdom expansion.
Christ redeems for himself a learning community among the unreached through
sacred writings that make the church wise unto salvation.
Mission is accomplished through expository preaching and teaching, because it
is through what the Word actually says that the Spirit multiplies churches in
kingdom expansion.
Expository preaching and teaching proclaims only what the Scriptures proclaim,
allowing the Word to authoritatively control the content of the message
proclaimed in mission.
It is through expositional and inductive study of the Word that new disciple-
makers are trained to be competent with the Word, equipped for every good
work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17, 1 Peter 1:23-25

Exposition

Expository preaching/teaching emerges directly and
demonstrably from a passage or passages of Scripture. (Carson)
Expository preaching/teaching exposes what a specific text is
saying by unpacking the text word for word, paragraph by
paragraph.
Expository preaching/teaching binds the preacher/teacher to
the text, seeking only to proclaim that which the Scriptures
proclaim. (Greidanus) This includes the application of the text.
Expository preaching/teaching allows the text to dictate and
control the content of the message/lesson. (Stott)
In expository preaching/teaching, the structure and thought
are derived from a biblical text (Chapell) in such a manner that
the main point of the text being considered becomes the main
point of the sermon being preached. (Dever/Gilbert)
Exposition

Expository preaching/teaching seeks to answer three
fundamental questions:
What did the author intend for the text to mean?
What did this passage mean to the original audience?
What does this passage mean for us today?

Exposition

Expository preaching/teaching presumes:
God speaks through His Word
Christ, THE WORD, has invested himself in His Word
Being tethered closely to the text means the preacher speaks
the Word of Christ on behalf of Christ to the people.
The text is authoritative.
The proclamation event occurs in salvation history as a
redemptive event. The sermon is coram deo, before the face
of God who is Himself not only in the audience of the
sermon/lesson but speaking through His text.
Scripture obligates the preacher of the sermon/teacher of
the lesson to help the gathering of Gods people understand
what God is saying in His text.
Exposition
What to expect

Three-legged stool

Three-legged stool

Expository preaching/teaching seeks to answer two
fundamental questions:
What did this passage mean to the original audience?
What does this passage mean for us today?
1 Main Demonstration Session: Matthew 5:2-12
4 Devotional demonstrations:
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 8:1-17
Matthew 10:1-15
Matthew 28:11-15




Demonstrate

Three-legged stool

Teacher
Teach DIG tools (basic hermeneutical instructions)
given
Teach how to use DIG tools (by using them)
Student:
DISCOVER Matthews message
Clearly unpack Matthews message for others
Dig-Discover

Three-legged stool

Become a better expository preacher/teacher of the
Word of God through:
Doing it
Mentoring
5 sessions
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 9:35-38
Matthew 16:13-20
Matthew 25:1-15
Matthew 28:16-20

Do
Pre-assignment study

Read the book of Matthew at least once.
From your reading alone (do not consult commentaries or other Bible
study aids) answer the following questions. Be sure to write down verse
references.
Who are the main characters in the book of Matthew?
What words or concepts are repeated throughout the book?
What important comparisons and/or contrasts do you find in the book of
Matthew?
What questions do you have for the text? Write down at least fifteen.
What questions are found in the text of Matthew itself?
Where is the climax of the book? How do you know?
Is there a key verse that sums up the book?
Where do the major shifts or transitions occur in the book?
What is the melodic line or overarching theme that runs through the book (Hint:
look at the beginning and end of the book)? Try to state it in a sentence.
How does the book of Matthew fit into the larger story of the Bible?


Pre-assignment study

11 more questions to ask of your study of the text (from
Douglas ODonnell):
Did you take at least half a day to make your own
observations on the text?
Did you find the skeletal structure of the text?
Did you seek to understand how the original audience
understood Gods Word to them before you applied it to
your hearers?
Did you interpret Scripture with Scripture (i.e., the analogy
of faith), the unclear by the clear, and implicit by the
explicit?
Did you examine the texts context its immediate context,
the books context, historical context (when and by whom it
was written, if known), and literary context (genre)?

Pre-assignment study

11 more questions to ask of your study of the text (from Douglas
ODonnell):
Did you examine the text in light of the main message of the book?
Did you examine the text in light of the main message of The Book?
That is, did you relate the text to the centerpiece of the canon the
person and work of Christ?
Did you, without straying from the historical Christian orthodoxy (i.e.,
the rule of faith), allow the text to shape and change, if needed, your
theological framework?
Did you read solid commentaries to help with difficult issues, correct
your interpretation, and add exegetical insights?
Did your applications come from the text itself, or did you add your
own legalisms or liberalisms to the Bible?
Did you take another half day to make more of your own observations
of the text (see first question, repeat)?

Pre-assignment study
Inductive Study of the Bible

A Basic Approach to Inductive Bible Study
Observation
Interpretation
Application
Exposition through
Inductive Bible Study

Authority of the Word
Objectivity of the Word
The life-giving generation and sustenance of the
Word
The life-transforming power of the Word
Why Inductive Study of
the Bible is important

Sermon-building and lesson-building begin with the
presupposition that the study of the Bible must be
characterized by inductive study.
Inductive study means to begin with the facts and let
those pieces of evidence lead one to a conclusion.
Inductive study begins with what the Bible actually says
and lets it form our conclusions and shape our thinking
(and behavior).
Deduction begins with a conclusion and uses the
conclusion to explain the facts.
Bible study is not completely devoid of deduction (such
as when later parts of revelation interpret earlier parts of
revelation).
Inductive Study

Draws out the meaning that is already there.
Begins with the Bible. The Bible is the presupposition
because Christ is the starting point for interpretation
and understanding.
Approaches the Bible on its own terms.
Proclaims the Bibles message and not our own.
God speaks; we listen.
Inductive Study
Essential Literal Translation

Inductive study necessitates use of an essentially literal
translation of the Bible (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, HCSB).
An essentially literal translation of the Bible strives to
translate the exact words of the original language text.
(Ryken)
Essentially literal translations presume the original text
is inspired, in which a Divine Author superintended
divine revelation through human authors.
Essentially literal translations put a premium on the
text as what God said.
Inductive Study

Essentially literal translations presume what the
text says is necessary to properly understand what
the text means.
Essentially literal translations presume meaning
originates in and comes from the text itself.
Essentially literal translations place the preacher,
teacher, and audience in closest proximity to the
inspired text.


Inductive Study

Essentially literal translations give the preacher/teacher
confidence that the text they are reading:
Accurately translates the original text and therefore is what
God said.
Preserves the ability to accurately interpret potential of the
original text of the Bible, especially as it protects the original
words and intent of both the Divine Author and human author.
Preserves the words, structure, form, and organic progress of
revelation necessary to rightly interpret meaning in the text.
Gives greater access to the original world of the original
authors, their audiences, and the events, characters, and
viewpoints being revealed in the text. This makes it more likely
the preacher/teacher will be able to place his audience into the
text.
Inductive Study
Observation

The three stages of inductive study:
Observation
Interpretation
Application
Inductive study begins with Observation.
Observation asks: what does the text say?
Clear and accurate observations are necessary for
effective Bible study and exegesis
Inductive Study

Specific things to look for in observation:
Key words:
Biblical or Theological Words
Transition Words
People
Places
Events
Sentence structure
Paragraph structure
Repetitions
Surprises
Comparisons/Contrasts
Context
A Key Verse



Inductive Study

Basic questions in observation:
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
How?
Observation simply wants to find out what is there.
Interpretation is making sense of what is there. Its
important to understand the difference between the two.
Too often, observation is missed because we jump right to
interpretation.


Inductive Study

Write down 10 observations from your passage.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Inductive Study

Look again at your passage. Write down 10 more observations
that seek to answer the question, What does the Bible say?
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Inductive Study
Interpretation

Inductive study involves Interpretation
Interpretation takes the facts observed and works to
understanding their connection and meaning.
Interpretation asks, What does it mean?
Interpretation asks, Why?

Inductive Study

Interpret a text from the Bible
Sensitive to its genre (narrative, poetry, discourse, etc.).
Understanding its historical background.
Using the proper rules of grammar.
Within its immediate context.
Aware of its place within its section or book.
According to the authors intended purpose.
Looking to see how it might prepare the way for or speak
of Christ.

Interpretation

Interpret a text from the Bible
The first question to ask: Why?
Why is this text here?
Why did the author write it this way? Why did he choose the
words that he chose, and why did he choose the structure he
used?
Why do the events unfold in the manner they do?
Why do the characters say the things they say and ask the
questions they ask?
The second question: What does the text mean?
What was the intention of the original author in writing the
particular text? What did he expect the original audience to
understand?
How did the original audience interpret this text?

Interpretation

Interpret a text from the Bible
The third question to ask: What is the structure of the
text? How is it structured?
Is there an obvious beginning and end to the passage?
Are there repetitions (words, phrases, thoughts)?
Are there parallels?
Who is talking and what are they saying? Are there
questions being asked? What is the flow of the
conversation?
Is there anything unusual about the structure?
Is there an obvious progression of thought?
What are the geo-spacial considerations?


Interpretation

Basic questions of interpretation:
What is the passage saying as a whole? What is the
main thought or big idea?
What does this (word, phrase, or idea) mean in light of
the rest of the passage or the whole book?
How does the big picture of the rest of the passage
help us to understand the meaning of a smaller part?
Questions to ask of the text

Basic questions of interpretation:
What is the significance of this entire passage in light of the
rest of the book?
What is the storyline of the book and how does this passage
further that storyline along?
What is the unique contribution of the passage to the
storyline of the book?
How would the original audience have understood this
text?
Why is this passage here? Why does it occur where it does
in the book instead of someplace else?
Why does the author say these things in this way here?
What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
Questions to ask of the text

Basic questions of interpretation (continued):
How does this passage fit into the larger story of the Bible?
If Old Testament, how is this passage interpreted by the
New Testament?
If New Testament, what Old Testament passage is part of
the context?
How do these words point to or speak of Christ?
How does the obsolescence of the Old Covenant and the
inauguration of the New Covenant affect my interpretation?
Does my interpretation of the passage (esp. OT) pass the
synagogue test?
Questions to ask of the text

How would the original audience have understood
this text? (Theophilus principle)

Questions to ask of a
gospels text
Macrolevel 1 & 2
Text Section, Paragraph, Chapter
(Meaning is given form)
Book and Canon (Meaning is finalized)
Microlevel 2
Paragraph/Summary (Meaning is clarified)
Microlevel 1
Details, data points (Meaning begins)

Write down 10 observations from Matthew 7:24-27.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Inductive Study: Observation

Are there repetitions? Parallels? Contrasts?
What do the observations tell you about what is
being emphasized in this passage?
What do the observations begin to tell you about the
intention of the author in this passage?
How does this passage connect to the passage in
front of it? Behind it? The whole book?
What does this passage mean?

Inductive Study: Interpretation
Application

The third stage of inductive study is application.
Application asks, what does it mean for us (me)
today?
The best application flows out of the intended
purpose and application of the text. Gods Word is
constantly applying its own message.
Before we ask, what does it mean for us today?, we
must ask, what did it mean for them in their
circumstance and context? How would the original
audience have applied the passage?

Inductive Study: Application

Gods application is grounded in the indicative:
Who Christ is
What Christ has done for His people
Who His people are in Christ
What Christs people should do

Inductive Study: Application

The imperatives (commands) flow from the
Indicative(s) (statements of fact, especially regarding
the person of Christ.
The three-fold indicative (gospel) of the Christian
life:
Who Christ is: Creator, Lord, Savior
What Christ has done on behalf of, for, and to His
people in his life, death, resurrection, and exaltation
Who Christs people are *in* Him (status, position,
united to Him, sons)
Application

Application involves commands.
Application involves appeals.
Application involves instruction.
Application addresses beliefs, activities and
behaviors.
Application addresses our thoughts about God and
others.
Application is often corporate. Application, more
often than not, has its first point of contact in the
assembly of Gods people.
Inductive Study: Application

Application flowing out of interpretation places the
congregation into the text:
As a Jew (if OT)
Then as a Christian
Application flowing out of interpretation presumes that todays
community/congregation are co-participants in redemptive
history with the original audience (with an accounting for the
Christ Event if it is an OT passage).
The audience/congregation shares three realities with the
original hearers of the text:
Gods people
Same eschaton (already/not yet, if NT passage)
Fallen condition

Inductive Study: Application

Questions to ask:
What did it mean for the original audience?
How was the original audience expected to apply the text?
What application does the text expect for us as the people of God?
How is this text shaping the beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and/or
actions of the people of God?
What difference does this passage make for our lives as the people
of God?
What application does the text expect for me in my personal life?
How is this text shaping my beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and/or
actions in my personal life?
So what? The so what? factor.
Application

The best application flows directly out of the
intended purpose of the text.
Observation + interpretation = application that flows
freely from the text.
The best application detects the direct or indirect
application(s) within the text.
The Word of God is constantly applying its own
message.
We dont need to come up with our own material in
application.
Application (summary)
Summary

The three stages of inductive study:
Observation
Interpretation
Application
Inductive Study

What does it say?
How does it say it?
Why does it say it this way?
What is surprising about it?
What is it saying as a whole?
How does it point to or speak of Christ?
So what?





The art of asking questions
(any text)
Text and Context
Gospel Genre

The gospels, as a whole, are considered a genre.
The gospel genre includes:
Narrative
History
Instruction
Sermon
Parable
Apocalyptic literature
Theology
The gospel genre is centered around the person, life, and
work of Jesus Christ (making this genre slightly different
than the book of Acts).





Gospel Genre

With the death of the apostles, the gospel message was
formalized.
The second generation of believers needed the gospel
story.
The gospels explain why the death of an otherwise
marginal Jew was important.
The gospels give reasons why the early church should
continue with radical lives of discipleship.
The gospels give reasons why Jews and Gentiles in the
first century should embrace Jesus as the promised
Messiah of the OT.




Gospel Genre

The Gospels were written:
to meet liturgical needs
to settle polemical issues (either within or outside the
Christian community)
to provide information about Jesus
to instruct new converts in Christian living
to evangelize nonbelievers
The overriding concern of the gospels is to present
Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills the OT promises.

Reasons for gospel genre

Preservation of the Apostolic witness and message to
the OT-fulfilling Messiah.
Apologetic and explanation of the Gentile mission.
Explanation for the expansion of the church.
Refutation of false teaching.




Purpose of Gospel Genre

A gospel book is a proclamation of Gods salvation act in
Christs life, teaching, death, and resurrection, aimed at a
faith response.
A gospel book is the Good News that the Old Testament
promises have been fulfilled in The Messiah, Jesus Christ,
and that he has come to save His people from their sins.
A gospel book proclaims the centrality of Jesus in
revelation and salvation history AND Christs message,
the inauguration of Gods kingdom through His life,
work, death, resurrection and exaltation.
A gospel book is the proclamation of redemptive history,
chronicling real events and real people.





Characteristics of gospel books

The gospels are post-resurrection accounts, calling the church
to faith in the risen Christ.
The material in the gospels has been selected by the author to
further his purposes for writing.
The material in the gospels has been rearranged according to
the authors purposes.
Each evangelist selected material and shaped the material in
order to put forward his theological and eschatological
arguments.
The material in each gospel has been arranged for proclamation
of the Good News aimed at a faith response of the church.
Christs story in the gospels does not end at the end of the book.
Every book anticipates the future with an open end.



Characteristics of gospel books

The gospels employ the features of narrative:
Scene
Characterization
Principal character Jesus
Contrasting characters (usually Jewish leaders and those who
dont believe)
Parallel characters
Dialogue
Used to emphasize the authors intention by taking up page space
Conversation, especially questions, reveal the interests of the
intended audience of the gospel writer
Plot
Narrator


Characteristics of gospel books

Each gospel has a noted structure, moving from Christs
birth through his ministry to his resurrection.
The structure of the gospel gives up the authors intention
for writing the book and controls the interpretation of
each passage.
Each piece of the gospel text connects into the main
storyline of the book.
There is an inherent unity to the pieces of the gospel text
(narrative, parable, instruction, apocalyptic) that connect
to each other and connect to the main storyline of the
book.


Characteristics of gospel books

The gospels employ literary devices similar to Old
Testament narrative:
Repetition
Inclusion
Parallelism
Chiasm
Double meaning, especially in the use of imagery and
metaphor
Irony


Characteristics of gospel books

Surprises. What surprised you in the text? What parts of it are
surprising or even shocking?
Questions. What questions do you have for the text? What
questions are found in the text of the book itself (i.e. what
questions are asked by the characters?
Key words/ideas. Identify key words in the book. What words
or concepts get repeated?
Contrasts: Look for contrasts in the book. Words like but,
yet, however, and rather than, nevertheless, and
sometimes the word and reveal contrasts.
Problems. What problems are in the text? What dont you
understand? What theological difficulties do you encounter in
the particular book?




Observation of narrative

Write down 10 observations from Matthew 17:1-13.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Observation of gospel genre

What are repeated words or ideas?
What are the questions?
What words or phrases connect to passages before and after it?
What are some important ideas found throughout this passage?
Interpretation: Where do some of those important ideas from
the passage appear in the rest of the book?
What is the big idea of this passage?
What does a text mean in light of what comes before and after
it?
How does the big idea of the passage relate to the message of
the rest of the book?
What is a key verse in the passage? How does the literary
context shape our interpretation of that passage?

Observation of gospel genre
Text and Context
Gospel Genre: Matthew

The historical and occasional circumstances of the
original audience is known as Sitz im Leben.
It is possible to discern from the text of Matthews
gospel the circumstances of the evangelists readers.
(Graham Stanton)
Matthew is writing a gospel, not a letter


Matthew and genre

It is possible to discern from the text of Matthews gospel
the circumstances of the evangelists readers. (Graham
Stanton)
Matthew is writing a gospel, not a letter.
The literary genre chosen by Matthew indicates to his
readers or listeners the expectations they should have.
(Graham Stanton)
The story of Jesus (gospel genre) carries along Matthews
intent to present Jesus as the Christ who fulfills the
anticipation and promises of the Old Testament, saves his
people from their sins, and inaugurates His kingdom.


Matthew and genre

Matthew's references to Jerusalem and the Sadducees point to
its writing before A.D. 70 (fall of Jerusalem).
Matthews references to Jerusalem in 4:5 and 27:53 presume its
existence.
There are more warning regarding the Sadducees in Matthew
than all the other New Testament books combined, but after
A.D. 70 the Sadducees pretty much vanished off of the Jewish
religious scene.
Matthew is the first of the four gospels in our New Testament
because the early church believed Matthew was the first gospel
written.
The early church also believed that Matthew had the closest
connections to the Old Testament.
Date of Matthew

Fulfill
Son of David/king/authority
Kingdom
Disciple
Mission
Emmanuel
Mountain
Jesus saying
Unbelief/Rejection/Antagonism of Israel


Themes in Matthew
Mission in Matthew

Read Matthew 1:22, 2:15, 2:17, 2:23, 3:3, 3:15, 4:14,
5:17, 8:17, 11:13, 12:17, 13:35, 21:4, 26:56, 27:9; What
do Jesus and Matthew want us to understand about
the Son of David/Son of
Abraham/Emmanuel/Joshua? Why do you think
Matthew ends the fulfillment passages where he
does? What does fulfillment, especially the rhythm
of what was promised in the OT has been fulfilled
in Christ, have to do with Christs mission?
Mission in Matthew: OT fulfillment

Read the following: Matthew 6:32; Matthew 20:17-19;
Matthew 20:25; Mathew 24:7-9, Matthew 25:32; What
are these passages saying about the nations? How
are the nations portrayed in these verses?
Read the following: Matthew 12:18-21; Matthew
24:14, 10:18, 21:43, 28:19; And Matthew 1:1. What are
these passages saying about the nations? Reconcile
what these passages are saying with what the
previous passages are saying? What does this tell us
about the mission?
Mission in Matthew: The Nations

Read Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 10:5-6, 11:1, and 24:14. What does this tell us
about the activity of Christs mission? How do these passages relate to the
previous passages regarding the nations? fulfillment?
What does Matthew 1:21 have to do with the mission as it unfolds through
the book of Matthew?
What does Matthew 1:23 have to do with the mission as it unfolds through
the book of Matthew? Also read Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 5:17, 9:13, 10:7,34,35,
11:19, 12:28, 18:11, 21:5,9; what do these verses tell us about Christs
mission?
What is the correlation between Matthew 9:38 and Matthew 28:18? What
does this tell us about the mission?
What is the correlation between Matthew 10:5-6 and Matthew 28:19? What
are some similarities? What are some differences? What do these passages
tell us about the mission?
What do all of these passages relating to Christs mission have to do with
the mission given the disciples? What are some similarities? What is one
big difference?



Mission in Matthew: activity and origin

Read the following verses: Matthew 1:1, 2:2, 3:2, 4:23,
5:3,10,20, 6:33, 7:21,29, 8:2,9,11,27, 9:6,8,18,27,38,
10:1,7, 12:3,8,23, 13:41-43, 15:22,25, 16:19, 17:14, 19:14,
20:20,30-31, 21:5,9,15,23-27, 22:42, 24:14, 25:34, 26:29,
27:29,37, 28:18. What do these verses tell us about the
kingdom? What does the mission have to do with
the kingdom? How do all of these (mission and
kingdom passages) tie into the fulfillment passages?



Mission in Matthew: The King and his kingdom

Read Matthew 1:21, 2:6, 5:35, 10:6, 12:38-39, 15:7-9,24,
21:5,19,42-43, 22:11-12, 23:33-37, 25:10, 27:25,42. What
are these verses telling us about Israel?
Read Matthew 2:1-2, 4:15, 8:5,11, 15:22, 27:54. What
are these verses telling us about mission and
Gentiles?
How do these passages inform our understanding of
the mission of the church?
Mission in Matthew: Israel and the Gentiles

Mark and Luke do not record the prohibition of
mission to the Gentiles in the missionary discourse?
Why do you think Matthew included it? How does
this relate to our mission in Matthew 29?
Fun thought: what is the significance of Christs
choice of 12 disciples, especially as it relates to
mission?


Mission in Matthew: Israel and the Gentiles

Read Matthew 7:22, 8:12,31, 9:25,33,36,38, 10:1,6,
12:20,24,26, 21:12, 21:39, 22:13, 25:30. What do these
passages have in common? Including Matthew 11:12,
what do these passages tell us about the force of
the advancement of the mission and the kingdom?


Mission in Matthew: Ekballo
Text and Context
Gospel Genre: Mark

Read Mark 8:31-38, 9:30-37, and 10:32-45. What are the parallels?
What are the contrasts? What does Mark want his early church to
understand about the person and work of Jesus? How do these
passages relate to Mark 8:27-30?
What is the significance of Mark 1:1-11, 8:27-30 and 15:39? With
8:34? Whats the storyline of Mark?
Read Mark 8:27-30. What is before? What is after? How does Mark
8:27-30 connect the two adjacent texts?
Read Mark 1:18,20,42, 2:12, 3:6, 4:15,16,17, 5:42, 6:25,27,45,50, 54,
7:25,35, 8:10, 9:20,24, 10:52, 14:72. What do these verses have in
common? Why are they significant to the purposes of Mark? How
does this color the storyline of Mark?
Read Mark 1:14-15, 3:7-12, 6:1-6, 8:27-30, 11:1-11, 14:1-2. What do
these have in common? How do these sections move along the
storyline of Mark?
Mark

Write down 10 observations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Mark 15:21-41

Are there repetitions? Parallels? Contrasts?
What do the observations tell you about what is being emphasized
in this passage?
Is there an obvious beginning and end to the passage?
Who is talking and what are they saying? Are there questions
being asked? What is the flow of the conversation?
Is there an obvious progression of thought?
What do the observations begin to tell you about the intention of
the author in this passage?
Are there OT quotes? If so, how do they contribute to the meaning
of the passage?
How does this passage connect to the passage in front of it? Behind
it? The whole book?
What does this passage mean?

Making sense of Mark 15:21-41
Text and Context
Gospel Genre: Luke

Read Luke 1:1-4. What does Luke say his purpose is for writing
Theophilus? Compare this with Luke 10:11 and 24:34. How
does 21:32 relate to these passages?
Read Luke 24:25-27,44-49. What does Jesus say is the purposes
of these things? Compare 24:14,18,21,36,48 with Luke 1:4.
Between the Luke 1 and 24 passages above, what does Luke
want Theophilus to be certain of?
What does Jesus say his own purpose is in Luke 4:18-19? What
does he say his purpose is in Luke 19:10?
What are common words to Luke 2:49, 4:43, 13:33, 19:5, 9:22,
17:25, 22:37, 24:7, 24:44?
How do these verses correlate to 4:18-19, and 19:10? How do
these verses, including 4:18-19 and 19:10, correlate to the these
things of Luke 1 and 24?
Luke

Read Luke 1:8-10. Where does Luke begin the things?
Read Luke 24:53. Where does Luke end the things?
Read Luke 2:27, 46, 4:9, 19:45,47, 21:6. How do these
passages contribute to our understanding of Lukes
storyline?
Read 2:22,41, 4:9, 9:51, 13:22, 17:11, 18:31, 19:11, 19:28,
19:41. What is the geo-spatial movement Luke wants us to
see?
Read Luke 19:45. What is surprising about this verse in
light of the previous journey verses? Why do you think
Luke does not use the word Jerusalem? What does this
journey have to do with these things?

Luke

Write down 10 observations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Luke 24:13-49

Are there repetitions? Parallels? Contrasts?
What do the observations tell you about what is being emphasized
in this passage?
Is there an obvious beginning and end to the passage?
Who is talking and what are they saying? Are there questions
being asked? What is the flow of the conversation?
Is there an obvious progression of thought?
What do the observations begin to tell you about the intention of
the author in this passage?
Are there OT quotes? If so, how do they contribute to the meaning
of the passage?
How does this passage connect to the passage in front of it? Behind
it? The whole book?
What does this passage mean?

Making sense of Luke 24:13-49
Text and Context
Gospel Genre: John

Read John 20:30-31. What does John have to say about his
purpose for writing?
Read John 1:1-18. How does this passage contribute to our
understanding of Johns stated purpose in John 20:30-31?
What do John 1:50 and John 20:29 tell us about Johns
intention for his audience, in light of John 20:30-31 and
John 1:1-18?
Read John 2:11 and 22. What is the relationship between
sign and Johns purposes for his audience? What is the
role of Scripture and Christs statements in Johns
purposes for his audience?
What is the irony of John 7:31? Why do you think this
question was included in the book?

John

Write down 10 observations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
John 13:31-14:14

Are there repetitions? Parallels? Contrasts?
What do the observations tell you about what is being emphasized
in this passage?
Is there an obvious beginning and end to the passage?
Who is talking and what are they saying? Are there questions
being asked? What is the flow of the conversation?
Is there an obvious progression of thought?
What do the observations begin to tell you about the intention of
the author in this passage?
Are there OT quotes? If so, how do they contribute to the meaning
of the passage?
How does this passage connect to the passage in front of it? Behind
it? The whole book?
What does this passage mean?

Making sense of John 13:31-14:14