Step 3. Outline the structure of the text.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method (Third, Outline the Structure of the Text)

We first need to probe below the text’s surface meaning in order to discover and expose its structure. If the text is a narrative, we need to trace the story or plot line. Specific questions to ask are: What was the setting? What generated the conflict? What intensified the conflict? Where does the conflict reach its climax? When and how is the conflict finally resolved? And what is the outcome or conclusion? We should seek to answer all these questions and note the appropriate verse references.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method Third, Outline the Structure of the Text

Outlining the structure of the text has several advantages: we begin to assimilate the text; we begin to understand the textual flow in its parts and the whole; and we may be able to use this outline later for the sermon outline.

Note the major affirmations, clausal flow, plot line, scenes, or literary structures. Mark major units with headings and verse references.

Note narrative section/plot markers, like change in time/character/place, beginning/end of dialogue, grammar/syntax.

“After these things...” (v. 1)

“He said...” (v. 2) - God’s words

“So...” (v. 3-8)

“When they came...” (v. 9)

“Then Abraham...” (v. 10)

“But the angel of the Lord...” (v. 11)

God (vv. 11-12)

Abraham (vv. 13-14)

God’s speech (vv. 15-18)

“So Abraham…” (v. 19)

Specify kinds of conflict: physical or relationship of man/man, man/God, or moral/spiritual.

moral/spiritual

God’s command to Abraham?

Abraham and Isaac?

Narrative Plot

Setting/Action begins/Preliminary incidents (v. 1): God calling Abraham to test him.

Conflict generated/Occasioning incident (v. 2): God commanding Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

Complications/Rising tension (vv. 3-8): Abraham’s journey to the mountain (place of sacrifice, Moriah) with Isaac.

Climax (vv. 9-10): Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac on the altar.

Resolution (vv. 11-12): The Lord intervened, stopped Abraham from killing his son.

Conflict resolved (vv. 13-14): Abraham found lamb/ram to offer as burned offering in place of Isaac.

Outcome (vv. 15-18): God reiterating his covenant promise to Abraham.

Action ends/Conclusion (v. 19): Abraham returned home with son.