GGW, chap 4 paragraphs

HOW TO READ THE BOOK—PARAGRAPHS

Things to Look for in Paragraphs

1. General and Specific

The author begins with a general statement, which is followed by the specifics that explain this general thought.


“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Romans 12:1

The General Statement


“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your

The Specific Details


spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13

The Specific Details


1. General and Specific• What is the overview/summary/general

statement?• What are the specifics that support the

general statement?


2. Questions and Answers


Questions“Who can forgive sin but God alone?”

Mark 2:7

Answers“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. So he said to the man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Mark 2:10


2. Questions and Answers• Is the question rhetorical?• Who asked the question? • Was the question answered?


3. Dialogue


Dialogue Partner 1“How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?


Dialogue Partner 1Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”

Habakkuk 1:2-4


Dialogue Partner 2"Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people,


Dialogue Partner 2who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor.


Dialogue Partner 2Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence. Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand.


Dialogue Partner 2They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities; they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty men, whose own strength is their god.”

Habakkuk 1:5-11


3. Dialogue• Who are the participants?• What is the setting? • Is the setting public or private?• What is the spirit of the dialogue

(argument, lecture, discussion)?• What is the objective of the dialogue?


4. Purpose/Result Statements

These phrases or sentences describe the reason, the result, or the consequences of some action.


“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

Ephesians 2:10

Questions: 1) Identify the

purpose/result statement.


“Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Deuteronomy 6:3

Questions: 1) Identify the two

purpose/result statements.


4. Purpose/Result Statements• Key Words: that, so that, in order that, or

an infinitive


5. Means

When an action, a result, or purpose is stated, look for the means that brings about that action, result or purpose.


“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”

Psalm 119:9

Questions: 1) What is the means by

which a young person “stay on the path of purity”?


5. Means• Answers the question: what is the means

by which something is accomplished?• Identify the person or object that

accomplishes an action, result, or purpose.


6. Conditional Clauses

These clauses present the conditions whereby some action, consequence, reality, or result will happen.


Conditional Clauses“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

I John 1:6


Conditional ClausesCondition: If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness

Result: we lie and do not live out the truth.


Conditional Clauses“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.”

2 Corinthians 5:17


Conditional ClausesCondition: if anyone is in Christ

Result: the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.


6. Conditional Clauses• What is the conditional clause (if)?• What is the result clause (then)?


7. The Actions/Roles of People The Actions/Roles of God


“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2

Questions: 1) What are the

actions/roles of people?

2) What are the actions/roles of God?


7. The Actions/Roles of People The Actions/Roles of God• What is the relationship between what God

action/role and the action/role of people?


8. Emotional Terms

Make sure to note words in a biblical text that convey feeling and emotion.


Emotional Terms“I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.”

Galatians 4:12-14a


Emotional Terms“I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn.”

Galatians 4:12-14a


8. Emotional Terms• What words have emotional overtones? • What words are relational?


9. Tone


Tone“I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.


ToneHe has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

Lamentations 3:1-6


9. Tone• Take into consideration the observations

you have made, especially the emotional terms, and identify the tone.


HOW TO READ THE BOOK—PARAGRAPHS

Documents

GGW, chap 4 paragraphs