Digging Deeper #2

After the first step of defining the scriptures for study, the next step to digging deeper is to develop a list of content items. Here are the attributes of content items:
  • Content items boil down the Scriptures to pure facts
  • Must be personally meaningful to the studier
  • No more than 20 total
  • Try to keep the content item brief to one line - abbreviations are okay, as long as you know what they mean.
  • Content items can cover a part of a verse or multiple verses or chapters
In our example, Acts 1:1-26, I have developed 16 items:
  1. Author refers to former book about Jesus’ works, teachings, and instructions (v1-2)
  2. After Christ’s suffering, He showed Himself to many and continued teaching (v3)
  3. Once while eating: ‘don’t leave Jerusalem; wait for gift of Holy Spirit’s baptism (v4-5)
  4. Apostles asked: are you going to restore kingdom to Jerusalem? (v6)
  5. Not 4 u 2 know; rcv pwr fm Spirit, witness in Jerusalem, Judea/Samaria, ends of earth (v7-8)
  6. Jesus taken up before their eyes and they stared at His leaving (v9-10a)
  7. 2 men asked why they were staring; said Jesus would come back same way (v10b-11)
  8. They returned to Jerusalem fm Mt. Olives, went upstairs to a room (v12-13a)
  9. All apostles present with the women, Jesus’ mother & brothers; all in prayer (v13b-14)
  10. Peter spoke among them (120), referred to Scripture concerning Judas betrayer (v15-17)
  11. (Judas bought a field w/ betrayal money and died there) (v18-19)
  12. Psalms says: his place deserted, may another take his leadership place (v20)
  13. Must choose a man who’s been with us fm John’s baptism of Jesus to now (v21-22a)
  14. This man must become a witness with us of Jesus’ resurrection (v22b)
  15. 2 proposed: Barsabbas & Matthias; they prayed God choose Judas’ replacement (v23-25)
  16. They cast lots; lot fell to Matthias; he was added to the 11 apostles (v26)

Next step: divide the content items and the verses they represent into 2-4 sections in order to develop Summary Items. We'll discuss that next time.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Writer's block or the constipation of the pen?

Gentle Reader, I'm trying to figure out why I don't want to write. Seriously. It's been since June 9 - over a month! I'm reminded of a few words from that song by Pink Floyd, "Money": The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say. At the beginning of the year, I committed to write more and I did. But, I got to the end of Spring and my interest in writing had sprung. Done. Over. Nothing more to say? No, I have something to say but I'm not quite sure I want to say it here. Ever feel that way? I want to talk about Jesus, my bride, my family, the church, government, weather, complex matter and anti-matter anti-aging compounds, and a host of other things important to me... But, I'm just not sure they should be placed here. Jesus talks about not throwing your pearls before swine . Of course, in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, He seems to be warning against placing God's Word before those who will not only t...
Read more

Trip to Ngoro in the Kumi District

After arriving from Kamuli, I had the opportunity to shop for some Ugandan gifts. This is something I don't do well. In fact, this is something my bride does really well - wisely choosing the right gifts is itself a gift that she has received. After getting an email list from Sherry, I made my purchases and, because some of the articles were made by widows, I was able to help others, too. When the team travels we go in two vans with our luggage, supplies, and tools on top. Our group, piloted by Moses Magoolo, left first and landed last. In the group were Jill, Grant, Joni, Jeannie, Twyla, Heather, Cassie, and me. When we left Kampala, the plan was to go to a guest house first because we would arrive so late. En route, plans change. We went directly to the church and was welcomed by singing, dancing, yodeling women, smiles, shaking hands, and cries of "You are welcome!" If I had to imagine what a believer's reception into heaven would be like, this picture would com...
Read more