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 implying.

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.