I previously posted an entry about how important it is to study the Scriptures and rightly interpret the Bible. I wanted to give the first tool today to help us study the Scriptures appropriately. Now keep in mind there are other methods I'm sure that are good and helpful. This is not the only horse in the barn, so to speak. This is just one method that I've used. You may find it helpful, that's all.
The method, (which may be similarly used by others under different names), has three parts: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. In other words, OIA. (I wish it came out as OLE, but I just couldn't make it work that way.)
The first step we will look at today and I'll make other postings regarding Interpretation and Application. OLE! (I've decided to say OLE! throughout this blog because it will be fun).
OBSERVATION: This is the first step in studying a passage of scripture. It is basically observing what is in the text. You are answering the question, "What is going on here?" In this step of the process you are not making any decisions or trying to apply any lessons in the passage to yourself. You are just gathering information. OLE! In Observation, you are asking yourself the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How questions of the passage. Not all of the questions may apply, (how for instance does not always apply).
Who - Who is involved? Who is speaking? Who is listening? Who is this happening to?
What - What happened? What significant words were used?
Where - Where did this story take place? Was that significant? OLE!
When - What time period was it? Was this in the Old Testament, New Testament? During the Gospels or after the Gospels? What is the context of the story? *The when of the story very important in helping you understand how the passage applies to you. It's important to help you establish the context of the passage or Bible story.
Why - Why did this story/passage/letter happen? What were the circumstances that caused this to take place?
How - As I said before. This may or may not apply. OLE!
Okay, so that's step one. I'll cover Interpretation and Application in the following entries. OLE!
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