Step #1: Observation
November 22, 2021
This month we are learning how to be better students of the Word. I hear so many women tell me that they read Scripture and don’t understand what it’s saying or see its relevance, which is why I’m passionate about making it easy for not just women, but for anyone. In order to learn how to do it well though, we had to discuss some of the ways we’ve done it poorly in the past. If you need a refresher on that, you can click here and go back to that post before we begin.
Now let’s get going on our 1st step…
Our 1st foundational step is called “Observation.” Often when we open up to a passage, we begin by asking, “What does it mean?” or “How does this apply to my life?” We’ve all been guilty of it, but I beg you, do not let those be the first questions you ask. Those are for later. It’ll take work to get out of the habit, but you can do it.
The question we ask here in the Observation stage is, “What does the text say?” During observation, we want to read the text thoughtfully, sit with it, inspect it, and look deeply. You want to become saturated with the text during this step, because you will have read it so many times and picked it apart line by line, or word by word. I always say you should spend the longest time on this step. If we don’t take our time here, then our other steps will be at risk and our time in the Word could lead to faulty interpretation or we could miss the author’s intent of the passage.
This is also the step that my Literature and Grammar class lovers will enjoy, and you’ll see why in a minute! You will do this step completely on your own. I don’t want you to use any study tools or Google. It’s just you and your good ole Bible.
First off, if you don’t know the 5 W’s about the passage from whatever book you are reading, then let’s start there. You should answer the following:
Who wrote the book?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
Where was it written?
What was happening at that time in history?
Now these are more difficult to know just on your own, so if you need to Google you can, or often you can find these answers in the beginning of each book in the Bible, especially if you have a Study Bible. This will help put your book into context with the rest of the Bible and it’s timeline in history.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll pick your passage that you want to observe. I recommend starting with something smaller. Maybe not more than 3-5 verses for now. Once you have your passage, you are ready to begin.
Read the passage
Repeatedly
Slowly
Aloud
Verse by Verse
In context (the verses around it)
Make notes
Observe significant words
Observe major themes
Observe emotion
Observe flow of thought
Observe change in direction
Observe the context
Question
Who are the people in the passage?
What was happening during the passage?
Why was it happening?
When was it happening?
Where was it happening?
Grammar
Subject, Verb, Object, Modifiers, Conjunctions
Structure
Observe paragraphs
Observe topic changes
Observe cause and effect
Observe lists
Observe why and hows
Observe illustrations
Observe comparisons and contrasts
So I know that seems like a lot, and I will say you don’t have to do every single thing on here like a checklist. I’m trying to give you a wide range of things to be looking for in different passages. Remember this will take time and effort, but it’ll be well worth it. It may seem like this would take forever if you did this every time you sat down, but I promise it’ll become easier and quicker over time.
Now let’s practice on a passage:
Read Philipians 4:10-13
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Now let’s take some observational notes about what we see using some of the questions I listed above:
I is the pronoun being used
Written in past tense in beginning
Opposites are used: in need and content, low and abound, plenty and hunger, abundance and need
Speaking to the Philippians
Determiners are used: All, Every, Whatever
He has learned it; it’s not something he just knew
He has strength
God strengthens Him
No reason to be concerned
Ending is written in present tense
So that’s a start and I’m sure if we were all together, we could find more. Just when you think you are done observing, you’ll see something else. Remember, I don’t want you to think about what Paul is trying to say or what you think Paul means, or how this is your favorite verse and how it applies to your life. I just want you to look and observe things in the passage. Think of yourself as a detective looking for all the clues in the passage.
You did a great job on our 1st step. Over the next week, we’ll learn Steps 2 and 3. Maybe this week, you just want to get better at becoming an Observer. Here are some passages that you can practice with:
John 1:1-5
Psalm 1:1-3
Galatians 5:16-23
Matthew 5:13-16
Until next time….Happy Observing! I can’t wait to hear what you find!
