#162 | What to Look for in Observations

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?
• Key words.
• Key places.
• Key people.
• Vital statistics.
• Figurative language.
• Literary genre.
• Diagnostic questions.
• Circles of context.
• Cross-references.
• Passage structure.
• Rhetorical functions.
• What's not stated.
• Dominating theme.
• Authorial intent.
• Gospel focus.
• Practical implications.
• Sanctified brainstorming.
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