Overview of [insert book title here]
| Looking BEHIND the Text Where did it come from? | |
| Authorship Who wrote it? | |
| Date of Composition When was it written? | |
| Audience For whom was it written? | |
| Occasion What was going on? | |
| Purpose What was author aiming to accomplish? | |
| Looking AT the Text What does it say? | |
| Genre What was written? | |
| Outline & Integrity How is it structured? | |
| Literary & Rhetorical Features How does it convey its message? | |
| Content What’s it about? | |
| Living WITH the Text What does it authorize? | |
| History of Reading How has it been read? (Pre-modern, Modern, Postmodern) | |
| Reading Synthetically How does it cohere with other norms? (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience) | |
| Reading Theologically How does it inspire a biblical imagination? (God, Church, World) | |
P.S. a few Discussion Starters
- The Gathering Question – how is this text assimilating us into the biblical story?
- Is it speaking to how the person and work of God is worthy of our fear, love, and trust?
- Is it speaking to how human nature and experience are both created and fallen?
- The Gospel Question – how does it give us Jesus?
- Is it speaking to our adoption by the Father, union with Christ, and sealing with the Holy Spirit?
- Is it speaking to how Jesus is not only a teacher and example, but also and primarily a gift?
- The Sending Question – how is it sending us on a lifelong adventure of faith, hope, and love?
- How might it “equip the saints for the work of ministry,” so we can more faithfully live out our callings as priests before God, members of the church body, and witnesses to the nations?
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