Monday, March 10, 2008

IDEA: When you observe a book of the Bible, look for the people involved.

PURPOSE: To show listeners how to read a book of the Bible.

Do you like detective stories or mystery stories?

What is the fascination with a mystery story?

Do you think you'd like to be a detective?

How do detectives go about solving a crime?

They look for clues that, in turn, lead them to people.

I. In observing the text of the Bible, look for the people involved.

As you read, ask: by whom, to whom, about whom and why was this book written?

As you read, ask, "Is there anything I can learn about the writer?"

Who was he?

Where did he write?

When did he write?

What prompted him to write the book?

To whom was the book written?

What do you know about them and their situation?

What was their relationship to the author?

Are there other people involved in the book to whom the author refers?

II. To understand how this works, walk with us through the letter to Philemon.

Conclusion: In one of your readings of the book, look for the people involved. Detectives use clues to get at people. You need to read the clues about the book.