Welcome to the Chapter Analysis Method: (Peter Rhebergen):
This Bible study method, accompanied by resources, will allow you to do a Bible study in your
own way. It is an example of some of the most effective Bible study methods found and discussed
more fully in the following book, which is unfortunately now out of print:
Warren, Richard, with William A. Shell, 12 Dynamic Bible Study Methods,
Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1987.
All the material that follows has been taken exclusively from this book and summarized for
this course. I had the privilege of studying this material under William (Bill) Shell in a class
on Biblical Interpretation at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1988 – 1989
and found both him and his teaching very beneficial as his heart was dedicated to the equipping
of the saints. If there is any copyright infringement I am solely to blame and plead the excuse
that this material is simply too valuable not to share with others.
In each method described here, a basic outline of the method will be given and some useful
tools for this method will be listed. The studies begin with the basic method types and progress
toward studies that are more in depth and require greater allocations of time but which will also
yield greater results. Each method of Bible study presented here is accompanied by a chart, which
has been reproduced from the above book.
-- Peter Rhebergen
The Chapter Analysis Method of Bible study picks up where the
Book Survey Method of Bible study leaves off. You
now have a reasonable grasp of the overall picture of the book, what it means, why it was
written, etc. and you are now able to begin to examine the individual items making up the
book. The best way of subdividing a book of the Bible is to use the chapter divisions,
since these are generally accurate, and to study each chapter in detail. You will examine
each paragraph, sentence, and word in a detailed and systematic manner.
The Chapter Analysis Method of Bible study is the second of three methods of Bible study
that, together, will give you an extremely comprehensive view of each book of the Bible.
These three methods will require the greatest effort on your part but will ultimately yield
the best results. Each of the three emphasizes a different aspect of one overall process
of study:
Survey (Method 9 - Book Survey Method)
- obtain a detailed overview of a particular book of the Bible.
Analysis (Method 10 - Chapter Analysis Method)
- study each chapter of the book in great detail.
Synthesis (Method 11 - Book Synthesis Method)
- take what you learned in the previous two study stages and put it all back together, drawing
conclusions as you go and gaining an appreciation of the whole of the book.
10.1 - Tools
10.1.1 - Bible and several additional modern translations
10.1.2 - Bible dictionary and/or Bible encyclopedia
10.1.3 - Bible handbook, such as Unger's or Halley's
10.1.4 - Old and New Testament surveys
10.1.5 - Cultural contextualization tools
10.2 - Steps
Step 1 - Create a chapter summary. First read the chapter several times over,
making some general observations on the chapter as a whole. Once you have completed this process
describe the content of the chapter, summarizing it in one of the following ways:
10.2.1 - Paraphrase the chapter, rephrasing it in your own words in such a way
that you could read it to another person in a way that they would understand.
10.2.2 - Outline the chapter, following the internal paragraph divisions of
the chapter. Give each paragraph a heading and place the subpoints of the paragraph beneath.
10.2.3 - Rewrite the chapter leaving out all modifying clauses and phrases.
You would write out the chapter using just the subjects, verbs, and objects.
Step 2 - Note your observations and insights. Look at every detail of the
chapter, examining each sentence and word, and writing down everything you see. Refer to the
section on the OICA approach to Bible study involving
observation for some assistance in this step. On the following page you will also find a list
of things to look for in a Bible passage.
Step 3 - Ask detailed questions of the chapter. Write upon the form each
question you ask even if you cannot find an answer for it now. The time may come when you do
find an answer to the question in another study and be able then to place it here as well. Be
sure to note any difficulties you have with the passage so that you can research them in the
future. Refer to the list below to help you find answers to your questions:
10.2.3.1 - Observe the context of the passage, refer to step two of the Book
Survey Method of Bible study for assistance here.
10.2.3.2 - Define the words and phrases used so that you have the correct
meaning of the structural components of the passage.
10.2.3.3 - The structure and grammar of a passage is of benefit to help you
to understand the flow of ideas and concepts within the passage so that you can see them in
relation to each other.
10.2.3.4 - Use other translations to see if their use of English is more
understandable.
10.2.3.5 - Try to view the passage against its background (historic,
cultural, geographic, economic, social, current events, etc.). Use your Bible dictionary or
encyclopedia to obtain this information.
10.2.3.6 - See what other passages in the Bible say about the concepts
covered within this chapter. This is actually done more thoroughly in step four.
10.2.3.7 - If all other means have failed refer to a commentary and compare
your interpretation of the passage with that of the commentator.
Step 4 - Correlate your chapter with other Bible passages. See step seven
of the Chapter Summary Method of Bible study for help on using cross references.
Step 5 - Make a list of some possible applications. You will not be
attempting to apply all that you write here, you are making a list for future reference and
from which, in step seven, you will choose one application to work into your life.
Step 6 - Formulate and make note of some conclusions. After reviewing the
first five steps of this study write down your conclusions on the chapter. You may discover
additional information during this step which you should also note.
Step 7 - Write out one application from the list you compiled in step five.
Be sure that it is practical and that it is applicable to your life. Remember to return to
your written application in the near future so that you can evaluate your progress.
What to Look for in a Chapter Analysis Study
Listed here in brief form are 30 items to look for in your observation part of the Chapter
Analysis Method of Bible study:
1. Ask the six vital observation questions: What? Who?
Where? When? Why? How? |
16. Look for lists of things. |
2. Look for key words. |
17. Look for results. |
3. Look for repeated words and phrases. |
18. Look for advice, admonitions, and attitudes. |
4. Look for questions being asked. |
19. Look for the tone of the passage - emotional
atmosphere. |
5. Look for answers being given. |
20. Look for connectives, articles, and prepositions. |
6. Look for commands. |
21. Look for explanations. |
7. Look for warnings. |
22. Look for Old Testament quotes in the New
Testament. |
8. Look for comparisons - things that are alike. |
23. Look for the literary form. |
9. Look for contrasts - things that are different. |
24. Look for paradoxes. |
10. Look for illustrations. |
25. Look for emphasis through the use of space -
proportion. |
11. Look for causes and effects and reasons for doing
things. |
26. Look for planned exaggerations or hyperboles. |
12. Look for promises and their conditions for fulfillment. |
27. Look at the grammatical construction of each
sentence. |
13. Look for progression from the general to the specific. |
28. Look for the use of the current events of the times. |
14. Look for progression from the specific to the general. |
29. Look for the force of the verbs. |
15. Look for steps of progression in a narrative or
biography. |
30. Look for anything unusual or unexpected. |
Chart for the Chapter Analysis Method of Bible study
Chapter: |
Chapter Title: |
1. Chapter Summary:
|
2. Observation:
|
3. Interpretation:
|
4. Correlation:
|
5. Application
|
6. Conclusions:
|
7: Personal Application / Evaluation:
|
Peter Rhebergen, was raised in a Christian home and currently
attends Westney Heights Baptist Church with his family. He is a volunteer in several of its
ministries and has served as assistant pastor, youth leader, adult Sunday School teacher and as
pulpit supply at various churches and Bible Camps in Southern Ontario. He has been married since
1989 and together with his wife has three wonderful children who have introduced them to horses,
hermit crabs and numerous other creatures they would not otherwise have met. He is an avid
photographer and poet and has held a life-long interest in astronomy thanks to Psalm 19 and an
uncle. You can visit's Peters website at
www.EachNewDay.com.
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