Reading and Thinking about the Text
During this stage of the Bible study process, the Bible student will need to read, re-read, meditate, THINK, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance about the text in a more literal (or formal) translation in an effort to answer or respond to questions that pertain to the text, the sentences, the phrases, and the words. Although over sixty-five more detailed primary questions are in the expanded PDF version (link: https://stevebelsheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/STAGE-FIVE-PDF-VErsion-Detailed-Analysis-Part-1-Rev-1.pdf ), a sampling of the questions are below.
A Sampling of Primary Questions about the Text
In order to be understandable, does the text have a presupposition (i. e, requires an antecedent in logic or fact)? If so, identify the presupposition.
Does the text have major parts? If so, identify the major parts.
Do any of the major parts of the text have any smaller parts (i.e., subparts)? If so, identify the subparts.
Describe the relationships between the major parts and subparts?
Are there patterns between major parts and the subparts? If so, describe these patterns.
A Sampling of Primary Questions to Consider about the Sentences
Identify the sentences in the text.
OPTIONAL: Identify the Greek sentences for NT texts.
How closely tied together are the sentences?
Does the sentence use connectors (e.g., “and”)? If so, how are they used?
Does each sentence build on one another? If so, does it do so?
Does the sentence form a part of an argument? If so, what is the argument?
A Sampling of Primary Questions to Consider about the Phrases
Identify the prepositional phrases (Greek or English). What does each propositional phrase modify?
What is the point of the phrase?
Is the phrase qualified? If so, how is it qualified?
Is there anything “striking” about the phrase? If so, how is it striking?
Does the phrase refer to salvation? If so, how does it do so?
Does the phrase refer to repentance? If so, how does it do so?
A Sampling of Primary Questions to Consider about the Words
Does the word contain a message? Is, describe the message.
Is the translation of the original word crucial? If so, describe how the translation is crucial. Please note that details about how to conduct a word study are in a later stage.
Are any of the words names or titles? If so, what are they? Describe any significance they have in this Bible study exercise.
Is there a usage of a metaphor? If so, describe the usage.
Conclusion
Once the Bible student completes their considerations of these questions (especially in the PDF version) about the text, the sentences, the phrases, and the words, they should have a good understanding of the text and relationships between the pieces and parts that comprise the text.
If you are not a Christian,
it is critical that you click on and read about God’s Plan of Salvation and respond accordingly. Link: https://stevebelsheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/BLOG-IF-YOU-ARE-NOT-A-CHRISTIAN-REV-1-426.pdf