Inductive Study: Epistles

Inductive Studies in Galatians
with Chris Lang

Inductive Study: Epistles

Overview Summary:

Situation and identity of author, audience, and third parties

Chart historical situation and relationships between author, audience and third parties

Major themes – note repeated ideas and terms

Summarize themes

Summarize: why is the letter written?

Paragraph study:

Structure (skeleton): Goal: clarify thought or argument development

Main point (claim)— identify the author’s main point in the paragraph

Hints:

Imperatives

Connective words such as: thus, so, therefore, then…

Overarching, controlling idea—big picture statement, context, repeated terms, indicative

Independent clause expressing a complete thought

Note: Sometimes more than one main point

Supporting points—the bases for the main claim: why it’s true or why we should do what it says or sometimes answers how we should do the main point – list as individual summary phrases (with verse number),

Hints:

Indicative statements

Connective words: since, because, for, if…

Dependent clauses

Illustration, example, or scripture quotation

Literary/theological context—what is the main point of paragraph before and after?

State how the paragraph fits into the argument of the section.

Theology (muscle) – Understand the content of the paragraph.

Identify and define unfamiliar, historically significant, and key words; use of Old Testament.
State the meaning of claim and supporting points, including how the supporting points relate to the main claim.
What other passages might bear on your interpretation?

Application (skin)— So what?

How is the argument of the paragraph intended to affect the original audience in terms of actions, attitudes, convictions?
How is the argument of this passage relevant to me/my group?