#162 | What to Look for in Observations

On Preaching with H.B. Charles Jr.

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

The sermon preparation is a twofold process of getting the text right and getting the truth across.

In terms of biblical exegesis (getting the text across), I commend to you the inductive Bible study process:

• Observation: What does the text say?
• Interpretation: What does the text mean?
• Application: How does the text apply?
• Correlation: How does the text relate?

In this episode, H.B. focuses on doing observations. The tools you need for this part of your word work are a Bible, something to take on, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

What should you look for in observations?

1. Key words.
2. Key places.
3. Key people.
4. Vital statistics.
5. Figurative language.
6. Literary genre.
7. Diagnostic questions.
8. Circles of context.
9. Cross-references.
10. Passage structure.
11. Rhetorical functions.
12. What's not stated.
13. Dominating theme.
14. Authorial intent.
15. Gospel focus.
16. Practical implications.
17. Sanctified brainstorming.

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