Structural Diagram

Structural Diagram Connectives

When we look at this phrase, does anything come to our minds?

My answer: For me I think about instructions, outline, and how the two can help me understand the verse I’m about to study.

If someone would read, (or turn with me to),

Leviticus 11:4-8: 4. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

5. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 6. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

7. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

And as you can see there is a lot to uncover in these verses. And it’s probable safe to state that reading and comprehending scripture can be difficult.

For as you can see there is a lot to uncover in these verses. So, because this is true there can be more times, we will find ourselves not wanting to study. Versus times there is a desire to want to study.

Let’s at look at 2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Now not to get ahead of myself but, is this verse a Suggestion or a Command?

Answer: It’s a charge to all that belongs to GOD. And the primary reason why we don’t do this. Is because for some of us we just don’t know how to study.

So, to ensure that we are obedient to this charge of GOD. We will teach six different tools that will help learn about GOD. And the first one we will teach is what we have already asked a question about.

The Structural Diagram Connective. Which, (by definition), “reveals the relationship between the ideas it links together”. In other words, if a bible verse has these connectives within them. It is for a reason.

And the structural diagram connectives will illuminate what GOD is trying to get us to understand.

Using this resource will prevent us from thinking what is being said. And move us to knowing what the verse is saying contextually to us as believers.

Now let me put out this disclaimer that GOD is and never will be so easily understood.

Meaning the singular thing we learn from a particular verse or passages of verses.

Is not the only thing there is to know. So as we grow within our relationship with Christ.

And allow the gift of faith to lead us to become more dependent on Him. We then will gain a greater understanding to what HE has revealed to us prior.

This statement is understood because we know that GOD is omniscient, (all knowing), omnipotent, (all powerful), and omnipresent, (everywhere at the same time).

And no one of the flesh with a sin nature possess these attributes. GOD desires a relationship with HIS people. And the only way this is achieved is by studying HIS word.

Oh, for clarity when we study, we do it with a literal text, (KJV), and not a translation of a literal text, (NET). Now lets’ get into the eight connectives to be used when we are studying.

1. Comparison Connectives: (shows ideas to be alike, or similar); the word clarifiers are “Like, As, Also, Too, And”

2. Contrast Connectives: (items are unlike or opposites); the word clarifiers are “But, Nevertheless, Even Though, Much More, Yet, Although, More Than”

3. Conditional Statements: (a particular condition that leads to a predictable result); the word clarifiers are “If, then”

4. Correlative Structure: (shows items related to each other reciprocally); the word clarifiers are “And…As”; “So…Also”; “So...As,” “For…As”; “Even…As”

5. Connectives of Reason: (shows one item is the reason behind another); the word clarifiers are “Because, Therefore, For This Reason, For, Since”

6. Purpose Statements: (indicates result); the word clarifiers are “That, So That, In Order That”

7. Sequence or Time Connectives:(notes the order of events); the word clarifiers are “And, Now, Until, When, After, Before, Since, While, Then”

8. Geographical Connector: (indicates location); the word clarifier is “Where”

Any questions?

So, lets’ look at some verses that will bring to light each one of the eight Structural Diagram Connectives.

Mark 7:16: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Conditional Statements

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Conditional Statement?

Answer: If

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: a particular condition that leads to a predictable result

Now there are different ways to breakdown a verse when you are studying it. But we are going teaching you just one way to do so.

And that’s by utilizing the word clarifiers within each connective.

So, just utilizing a connective how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: If any man have ears to hear,

let him hear.

Now by using the connective to breakdown the verse. You can see why this tool is called the Structural Diagram Connective. Because it provides you bracket or an outline for which you will fill in information under. So, when using study bibles or study materials you now know the information you are looking for. And how it must fit within the framework or context that the verse naturally provides.

Any questions?

Okay, let’s move on to another verse and identify which connective fits’ it.

John 17:16: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Correlative Connective

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Correlative Connective?

Answer: Even As

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: Shows ideas related to each other reciprocally, (involves two persons or groups of persons who behave in the same way towards each other or agree to help each other)

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: They are not of the world,

even as I am not of the world.

Any Questions?

Lets’ move on with another verse to identify our next connective.

Hebrews 13:13: Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Connectives of Reason

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Connective of Reason?

Answer: Therefore

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: shows one item is the reason behind another

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: Let us go forth

therefore unto him without the camp,

bearing his reproach.

Any Questions?

Lets’ move on with another verse to identify our next connective.

Acts 17:33: So Paul departed from among them.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Purpose Statement

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Purpose Statement?

Answer: So

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: indicates results

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: So Paul departed from among them.

Any Questions?

Lets’ move on with another verse to identify our next connective.

1 Corinthians 15:55: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Geographical Connector

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Geographical Connector?

Answer: Where

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: indicates location

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

Now what I have notice with this connective. Is that the location may be given prior to the word clarifier instead of after. Along with providing another nugget about that location. An example of this we see in John 1:28: These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Any Questions?

Lets’ move on with another verse to identify our next connective.

Matthew 27:44: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Comparison Connective

And what word clarifier makes this verse a

Comparison Connective?

Answer: Also

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: shows ideas to be alike or similar

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: The thieves also, which were crucified with him,

cast the same in his teeth.

Any questions?

Now lets' review another verse that will reveal our next connective.

Matthew 7:5: Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Sequence or Time Connectives

And what word clarifier makes this verse a

Sequence or Time Connective?

Answer: And, Then

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: notes the order of events

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Any questions?

Lets’ move on to another verse that provides our last connective to teach.

John 14:25: These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Which connective is associated with this verse?

Answer: Contrast Connectives

And what word clarifier makes this verse a Contrast connective?

Answer: Yet

And by its’ definition what does it say we are needing to know?

Answer: items are unlike and opposites

So, how would we breakdown this verse?

Answer: These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

Now another part of bible studying is asking questions. And we know, "if you ask the right question, GOD will reveal the correct answer". So, with that being stated.

What question or questions could one have with this verse?

My Answer: What has Jesus spoken unto them?What is meant behind the phrase, “being yet present with you”? Because historically speaking there were no phones available. So, the only way one could speak with another was in person.

Now to receive the correct answer to our questions. We just simple use our connective while reading, backwards or forwards. Until the verse or verses answers our question.

An example of this we see in; John 14:22-26: Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If, (conditional connective); a man love me, he will keep my words: and, (correlative structure), my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that, (purpose statement), loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and, (correlative structure), the word which ye hear is not mine, but, (contrast connective), the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet, (contrast connective), present with you. But, (contrast connective), the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and, (sequence or time connective), bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

So just answering my questions. First, Jesus spoke of everything of His FATHER. Second, the phrase, “yet present with you”; is in reference that He will no longer dwell amongst them physically.

Well, this concludes our teaching of the Structural Diagram Connectives. We hope by understanding it purpose. Will strengthen your desire to learn, apply, and share the Gospel of Christ.

One more thing…The Chicago Method of Bible Study by Dr. George Waddles. States that there must be at least a multiple of (12) readings of the text before studying. This is done on day one. Not all at once but throughout the day. The go is to familiarize yourself with the text. Then day two until the things we should always understand is….

• Context:

• History and Geography:

• Intent of the Author:

• Culture:

• Analysis of Words:

• Grammar:

• Other considerations:

Any Questions?