Other Related Pages
Observation: Paragraph Titles, Charting, Background, Style, Structure, Integration of Style & Structure, Conjunctions, Structural Laws, Analytical Diagram & Observation Chart, Word Studies, Figures of Speech, Parallelisms
Interpretation: History, Interpretative Phrases
PARAGRAPH TITLES
Observation is the first step of Bible study. Extensive observations of the text are made. Some of the things that are observed are style, structure, conjunctions, word meanings, figures of speech, and parallelisms. In the observation step, the question, "What do I see?" is answered.
The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is a good English Bible to use in this type of study because it is a literal version of the manuscripts. This keeps you closer to the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic in which the Bible was written. Click here, http://www.gospelcom.net/ibs/bibles/translations/index.php, for a page comparing contemporary English versions.* Use an edition of the NASB without notes and paragraph titles.
The student should begin his study by becoming thoroughly familiar with his passage. As he reads through the passage several times, he should pretend that he has never read it before. He should try to put himself into the shoes of the first recipients of the passage. He should challenge himself to be sensitive to observe each detail and every time he reads the passage he should try to observe even more.
During one of his initial readings, the student should assign a title to each paragraph. In the NASB, a bold verse number indicates the beginning of each paragraph. The titles should have the following characteristics:
This activity will help the student see each paragraph in the flow of its context and will help him to focus on detail (based on a presentation by Howard G. Hendricks).
The following are possible paragraph titles for Habakkuk:
Paragraph |
Title |
1:1 |
Who? |
1:2-4 |
Habakkuk's Complaint |
1:5-11 |
God's Not Dead |
1:12-17 |
Woops! Try Again |
2:1-3 |
Turning to God |
2:4-5 |
Pride |
2:6-8 |
Bankrupt |
2:9-11 |
Covetous |
2:12-14 |
Violent and Unjust |
2:15-17 |
Amoral |
2:18-20 |
Idolater |
3:1 |
Habakkuk's Prayer |
3:2 |
Awe and Mercy |
3:3-7 |
Coming of God |
3:8-15 |
Judgment of God |
3:16-19 |
Hope |
Observations should be recorded in a chart. Each of the slots on the suggested blank chart corresponds to a paragraph. Paragraph references are recorded at the base of the slots. Titles are recorded at the top of each slot. More information will be added to the chart as other topics under observation are covered.
Click here for a blank chart that you can print and use for your study. Trim several and tape them together for longer passages.
The following is a chart of the first few paragraphs of Habakkuk that includes paragraph titles and references:
HABAKKUK 1:1-2:8
For more informtion on the Book of Habakkuk, click here.
*The Spiritual Insights Page does not agree with the chart's critique of ancient manuscripts. But this problem is beyond the current discussion.
Using the paragraphs in a NASB Bible, prepare a chart for the Book of Ephesians. When your assignment is complete, compare your titles with these.
© 2001-2002, Ken Bowles - September 30, 2010, Edition
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