Narrative Books - Study Worksheet



Gospel - Study Worksheet

Preview

➢ Fee recommends reading Robert H. Stein’s The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teaching. Understanding Jesus’ teaching methods help us discern proper meaning. I found the book to be incredibly dry and not too helpful. At least read Chapter 4 on the “kingdom of God” – a reoccurring and crucial concept in the Gospels.

➢ Read an introduction to the Gospel you are studying. Makes notes on the general recipients of the Gospel, the author’s intended message, and any other relevant information.

➢ Read the whole book, preferably in one sitting. Write overarching observations and questions.

➢ Natural/Logical Divisions Outline:

Study

➢ Read one of the logical divisions two or more times with various translations.

➢ Make observations on surrounding events, details, and cultural aspects that help us discern the point of this narrative. Use Bible Dictionaries to research cultural aspects; Fee recommends Everett Ferguson’s Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd edition, p373-546; and Joachim Jeremias’ Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, for an overarching look into the culture.

➢ Is a parable used? If so:

• Don’t over study it. Parables function like a joke – they draw you in and deliver a punch line.

• What are the points of reference (characters & roles) and how would the listening audience understand each of these?

• What is the punch line and how would it have caught the listeners off guard?

• What is the central point of this parable? Assume only one meaning unless the Bible translates otherwise. Take the whole of Scripture into consideration when ambiguity exists.

➢ Why did the author select this story to contribute to his message about Jesus? How did the author adapt this story for his audience? Compare this passage to other gospel accounts of the event using parallels found in study Bible section headings or Kurt Alland’s Synopsis of the Four Gospels.

➢ What is the point of this narrative section? Take into account the author’s purpose for book, his selection/adaptation choices, and the pivotal time of redemption history in which these events occur.

Apply

➢ Who/what/where/when/why/ how will you apply this passage?

➢ How would you retell this story today using the “selective/adaptive” approach modeled by the gospel writers? If there was a parable, how could you change the points of reference to today’s terms yet hold the same plot?

➢ What questions do you still have?

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