The Study of a Chapter

NOTE:  There are no notes for the first half of this course.

1. APPLY THE EARLIER PRINCIPLES
1. Apply the Principles for Studying a Word.
2. Apply the Principles for Studying a Phrase.
3. Apply the Principles for Studying a Verse.
2. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE CHAPTER
1. Read the Chapter Several Times.
2. Write a One-Paragraph Summary.
3. BREAKDOWN OF THE CHAPTER
1. Organize the Chapter.
1. Divide the chapter into paragraphs and give each paragraph a title.
1. Determine paragraphs according to content. This involves subjective decisions and you need not worry about being perfectly correct.
2. Titles should be close to the same length; not exact.
3. If one title is a phrase, then they should all be a phrase. If one is a sentence, then that should be the form of all.
4. Make the titles parallel in thought so that when read together they make sense to the reader. They need to logically take you through the chapter.
2. Give the chapter a title. Make it one that points to the main theme of the chapter and ties in to the paragraph titles.
1. It is important that the chapter title ties in with the paragraph titles. This brings the entire chapter together.
2. Some chapters change subjects quite a bit and are difficult to give a title. Some of the chapters in the gospels are like this. Sometimes in these cases it is best to keep the title very general, for instance, Christ’s Further Work in Galilee. Then, the paragraph titles can tell what that further work is.
3. Write out the theme of this chapter. Your theme should be one sentence that describes the main idea of the chapter and its relationship to the major parts.
4. Look for natural divisions in the text.
1. This can be shown by repeated words or phrases (Psalm 107; Amos 1-2; Genesis 1).
2. This can be done by variation in wording (Psalm 62).
1. My soul waiteth upon God (Psalm 62:1Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
   See All...) versus My soul, wait thou only upon God (Psalm 62:5My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
   See All...).
2. I shall not be greatly moved (Psalm 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
   See All...) versus I shall not be moved (Psalm 62:6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
   See All...).
3. This can be shown by a change of subject (Mark 5).
4. This can be done by change in people, places or chronology.
1. Genesis 19
1. At even (Genesis 19:1And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
   See All...)
2. Before they lay down (Genesis 19:4But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
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3. When the morning arose (Genesis 19:15And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
   See All...)
2. Numbers 28-29
1. Day by day (Numbers 28:3And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
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2. Sabbath day (Numbers 28:9And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
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3. Beginnings of your months (Numbers 28:11And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
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4. First month (Numbers 28:16-17 [16] And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. [17] And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.
   See All...)
5. Seventh month
1. First day (Numbers 29:1And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
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2. Tenth day (Numbers 29:7And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
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3. Fifteenth day (Numbers 29:12And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
   See All...)
5. Look for natural unity in the text.
1. This can be shown by repetition of words or phrases (Psalm 29).
1. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters (Psalm 29:3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
   See All...).
2. The voice of the Lord is powerful (Psalm 29:4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
   See All...).
3. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty (Psalm 29:4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
   See All...).
4. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars (Psalm 29:5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
   See All...).
5. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire (Psalm 29:7The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
   See All...).
6. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness (Psalm 29:8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
   See All...).
7. The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve (Psalm 29:9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
   See All...).
8. Notice also the connection between the voice of the Lord and the Lord Himself (Psalm 29:3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
   See All..., 5, 8; see Genesis 3:8And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
   See All...; see John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   See All...).
2. Are the divisions part of a larger unity (Mark 5)?
1. A man without hope because of devils (Mark 5:1-20 [1] And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. [2] And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, [3] Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: [4] Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. [5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. [6] But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, [7] And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. [8] For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. [9] And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. [10] And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. [11] Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. [12] And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. [13] And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. [14] And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. [15] And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. [16] And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. [17] And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. [18] And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. [19] Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. [20] And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
   See All...)
2. A woman without hope because of disease (Mark 5:25-34 [25] And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, [26] And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, [27] When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. [28] For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. [29] And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. [30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? [31] And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? [32] And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. [33] But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. [34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
   See All...)
3. A family without hope because of death (Mark 5:22-24 [22] And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, [23] And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. [24] And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
   See All...; 35-43)
3. Look for a stated purpose (Psalm 107).
6. Look at the surrounding chapter(s) to see if there is a significance for the chapter’s location (Isaiah 28-31).
7. In the case of an event, check the parallel passages for variations of the text. (Mark 5:1-5 [1] And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. [2] And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, [3] Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: [4] Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. [5] And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
   See All...; Matthew 8:28And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
   See All...; Luke 8:26-27 [26] And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. [27] And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
   See All...)
2. List Important Items in the Chapter.
1. List the people who play roles in this chapter. Briefly describe the part each person plays in this chapter.  If there are long lists of names in a chapter, only list those who play a major role.
2. List the places found in this chapter. Briefly describe their part in the chapter.  If there are long lists of places, limit your listing to the most important ones.
3. What objects play a special part in this chapter? Comment on their importance in the chapter.
4. What are the major relationships in this chapter? They may be sequential, logical, chronological, cause-effect, etc. Describe each major relationship and comment on its importance to the theme and content of the chapter.
5. What types or figures are found in this chapter? Explain their importance.
3. List the Keys to the Chapter.
1. Choose one or two verses in the chapter that you believe to be the key verse(s). Defend your choice. Why do believe this verse(s) to be the key verse(s)?
2. List key words or phrases that you find in the chapter. These are words or phrases that play a key role in the development of the chapter. Usually, they occur more than once in the chapter.
4. FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE STUDY OF A CHAPTER
1. What Does It Say?
1. Interpretation must take into account the actual words of the passage including vocabulary, grammar and immediate context.
2. Define any unfamiliar words or words that are often misunderstood.
2. What Does It Mean?
1. Doctrinal application
1. Any doctrinal passage must be studied as it relates to those same doctrines as taught throughout the entire Bible.
2. This involves scriptural comparison, doctrinal development and dispensational differences.
3. What titles or descriptions of God are found in this chapter? What does this chapter teach you about God?
4. The entire Bible leads to Christ and the gospel. Show how this chapter leads to Christ and/or the gospel.
5. What are the major doctrinal teachings found in this chapter? What does this chapter add to our understanding of these doctrines?
6. Does this chapter contain any prophecies? If so, describe them.
2. Historical application
1. Scripture must be studied in the context of its relationship to history, geography and customs.
2. Does this chapter deal with the history of an individual, a nation or a place?
3. Does this passage teach us about a custom of the people during Bible times?  For example, does the passage teach about hospitality or agriculture?
3. What Does It Mean to Me?
1. What actions taken by people in this chapter can be used as good examples? How and in what ways should we follow them?
2. What bad examples can be found in this chapter? In what ways should we avoid following their example?
3. How can we apply the doctrinal lessons from the chapter to make changes in our practice?
5. PUTTING IT TO USE
1. Outline the Chapter.
1. Include verse references with your points.
2. Go to at least the third level of subdivision (i.e., Roman Numerals, Capital Letters and Arabic Numerals).
2. Sermon or Lesson Ideas
1. Find at least three sermon or lesson ideas in the chapter.
2. Write a paragraph describing each idea.