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by David Odumesi.
Step 1 Observation -
Discover what it says
Begin and continue with an attitude of prayer (Ps119:18). Identify and
understand the context of the passage by reading before and after the
selected passage. Pay attention to what is obvious e.g. people, places
& events. Discover the 5 W’s & H - Who wrote
it ? Who
said it ? Who is being addressed ? Who are the major characters ? Who
are the people mentioned ? What are the main events ? What are the
major ideas ? What are the major teachings ? When was it written ? When
did this event take place ? When will it happen ? Where did the event
occur ? Why was there a need for this to be written ? Why was this
passage included ? Why was so much or little space devoted to this ?
How is it done ? How did it happen ? Asking these questions and
you’ll be mazed at what you learn. Such questions offer a
safeguard to misinterpreting and distorting the Scriptures. The style
of the book will affect it’s meaning. Is it historical
(Genesis),
biographical (Luke), Poetical (Psalms), proverbial (Proverbs), a letter
(2 Timothy, Colossians? Or is it a combination? Look for key words,
note repeated, related, emphasised, contrasted, or similar words. Find
a central verse in the chapter. This will help you understand the key
idea of the author and overall theme of the Book.
Step
2 Interpretation - Discover what
it means
After your observations note what the author is saying. Do not
contradict the context of the book, chapter or passage you are studying
Make sure you interpret the author’s meaning not your own.
Use a
Bible tool such as a Bible Dictionary to aid your understanding
Step
3 Application – Discover
How it works
This step must only be reached after steps one and two. After your
observation and interpretation ask yourself: What does the passage
teach? What truths am I to embrace? How does the meaning of this
passage apply to me? What changes should I make in my belief or life?
Prayerfully consider what God has taught you from His Word (Neh. 9:3)
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