DOING OBSERVATION IN BIBLE STUDY

Observation = recording of what may be seen in a selected method of Bible Study.

Act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence.

The Purpose in Bible Study :To saturate yourself to the content of the passage of the
scripture and becoming familiar as possible with all the Biblical writer is saying and
implyingO . It is very important to know the Author’s purpose of what HE WROTE
AND WHY HE WROTE IT.

1. DISCOVERING THE AUTHOR’S PUPOSE

a. Look if the author had clearly states his purpose in writing the passage. Ex.
John 20:31
b. Sometimes some statements implies the purpose of the author.1 Corinthians
1:11, 7:1 then 5;1,8:1 and 12:1
c. Read the text and find the major idea of the writer. Gal. 1:6-9; 3;1-5; 5:1-6

2. DISCOVER THE AUTHOR’S PLAN .

Main idea of the Passage.
Determine the progression of the idea presented.
Outline the development of the idea presented.

3. EXAMINING THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. OF THE PASSAGE.

a. Historical Background. Daniel 5:16
b. Geographical Background John 4:4
c. Cultural Bacground……… Matt. 8:21

STEPS TO DO .

1. Use the six basic questions.

Who = look at the people involved in the passage The speaker and the
audience., the writer and the recipient. If not mention find the pronouns.
What = event, ideas, results, situation etc.
Where= Geographical setting., location of the event etc. Consult the
dictionary or bible encyclopedia.
When = When did this take place? What was the historical background?
Why = Why it is written? Why it has been said? Discover the purpose of
the writer or speaker.
How = How are things done? How it has been presented. How he said it?

2. Discover the Form or structure of the Passage.

1. Literary Genre =Poetry, narrative, parable, logical argument, discourse,
practical advice, history, drama, etc.
2. Some other things to look in the structure.
 a. The use of cause and effect.
b. The movement from general to particular or vice versa.
c. Use of the OT reference in the NT.
d. Use of Illustration in the text of the main arguments or
narrative. (Gal. 4)
e. Use of the current events at that time.
3. Find the Key Words. Observe the word frequently use in the passage. Repeated
words ( find the meaning in the dictionary, Bible dictionary and its usage.
4. Consider the Comparison and Contrast.
Comparison …, even so…as…and likewise. If you see this words spend
time thinking through the things being compared.
Contrast … it may be hard to discover the contrast . observed the word
but, nor, not.
5. Note the progression of an Ideas or thoughts. The progress of the thoughts of
the speaker or writer.
6. Be alert for proportion . The subject , time element.
7. Visualize the verbs. Underline them ( active verd, or passive.)
8. Picture the illustration. This might be story,
9. Examine the explanations. Rom. 3:28 then 4:1-8.
10. Be sensitive to the connecting words and conjunctions.
If = state conditions.
Therefore= introduce summary or conclusion.
Because, for , then= words that introduce, reason or results.
But = contrast that follows.
In order that = state purpose.