Class 2 - Asking the right Questions

Ground Rules

Be Humble - We will not agree on everything.

Be Teachable - We all need to grow & no one is right on everything

Be Reasonable - Not everything is worth dying over

Be Worshipful - Every truth is meant to cultivate deep affections for God

Homework

Consider Ephesians 4:12 and answer:

the Question of Content (3 fors/1 to and 2 fors)

the Question of Relationship (series or purpose/result)

the Question of Intent

Series - wants pastors to accomplish more and gives subsequent responsibilities for a pastor alone

Purpose/Result - wants pastors to hit a specific goal & wants the body of Christ to accomplish more

the Question of Implication

Series - Pastors must work harder (only ones doing this), body must depend on pastors to accomplish ministry and edify the body, the body must have a pastor present anytime ministry and edifying is needed

Purpose/Result - Pastors must aim at equipping, body must receive equipping, Both must work intentionally (not just more ministry, but accomplishing the result), the body should expect to pour out and not just be poured into, the pastor should delight in the body making a hospital visit, the body should receive someone from the body making a hospital visit

Read Chapter 4 - Observation (context through implication)

Review Chapter 3 - Comparing Bible Translations

Be ready to share something you found helpful

Example of Observation

Ephesians 4:12 ESV

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:12 KJV 1900

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Chapter 4 - Asking the Right Questions of the Text

Four kinds of questions

Questions of background

Background includes what you see, but it also includes words you already saw

Specific Questions

Am I in the OT or NT?

What kind of Bible literature is this? (Narrative, Law, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophetic, Gospel, Epistle)

Who is the author?

Who is the audience?

What is the historical context?

Questions of content

Content is what is there but it also includes its context

It answers the basic question of “what do I see?”

Fundamentally, this is the function of reading

Bible reading (observation) is more than reading (looking), it is examining that which is living and active

No exegetical observation is a bad observation (some are more relevant)

Make a list of your observations

Don’t feel the pressure to find significance in every observation right away

There is a difference between perceived observation and exegetical observations.

Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV 1900

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

A perceived observation is “God wants us to go to church weekly.”

An exegetical observation is the use of the conjunction “but” (conjunction of contrast)

“An observation doesn’t need spiritual insight; it needs textual restraint.”

“If the text were read in another culture or century, would they see the same observation? Would they come to the same conclusion?”

Questions of relationship

Questions of intention

Questions of implication

Homework

Consider Ephesians 4:12 and answer:

the Question of Intent

the Question of Implication

Read Chapter 4 - Observation (context through implication)

Review Chapter 3 - Comparing Bible Translations

Be ready to share something you found helpful