Final Paper Spring 2015 – New Testament Exegesis Instructions

This PPT is posted on the Edlio site.

Due Dates NT Exegesis Topic Due by Tuesday April 28 th – 20 points First Draft Due Tuesday May 5 th – 50 points Final Draft Due Tuesday May 26 th – 150 points

Decision Point Choose 7 verses from the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John that you wish to study. You are the only person that will be able to study your passage so first come, first served.

Pages of the Exegesis Paper - notes Page 1. Title Page Select a title which clearly and concisely describes the content of your paper and catches a reader's interest.

Page 2. Table of Contents Gives an overview of the sections you are using. I. Introduction II. Main Body III. Summary & Conclusion IV. Bibliography

Page 3. Introduction Background Statement - Open your paper with a brief discussion relating to your passage. Include what research has been done on it before.

Problem Statement - This is the reason you are wanting to write a paper on this specific passage. It might be that nobody has dealt with this verse before or you are curious as to its deeper meaning. State the reason for your choice in 1-3 sentences.

Purpose of the Study – ask significant questions of what you hope to achieve by undertaking this research.

Pages 4-6 (can be additional pages) Main Body of the Paper - Everything you include in this section of the paper should directly address your problem statement. If it doesn't, don't put it in your paper.

Greek/ English Translation - Find the Greek of your passage online and copy & paste it into your paper. Find 3 different English versions of your text and copy them into your paper. E.G. New American Bible, King James’ Version, and the New International Version.

Greek Version Website linear-bible/

Background This will help you identify the structure, key words and phrases of the passage.

Historical Context – discuss aspects of the authorship, main persons, events, places, dates.

Literary Genre - identify the genre of the text (narrative, prophecy, law, genealogy, parable, prayer, dialogue or conversation, speech, etc.).

Grammatical Study – do mini word studies of the most important key terms and recognize unique vocabulary, syntax, play words, allusions, rhythm, accents, rhetoric, etc.

Most Important Section! The New Testament Reveals the Old Testament – identify how the chosen text fulfills what was written in the Old Testament. Use 3 specific examples from the Old Testament to show how Jesus fulfills what was written before Him.

Example For example, if you choose the passage on the Last Supper, you will show in 3 different passages in the Old Testament how the Passover was preparation for the Last Supper in the New Testament.

Theology and Message – identify the main ideas and issues raised and solved by the text. How does the deep meaning of your passage lead us closer to each person in the Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Final and Last Page Summary and Conclusion - Needs to match the introduction. Provide a summary of the main findings of the study and give clear answers to the Statement of the Problem.

Bibliography Provide data relating to ALL the books and articles used in your research, not just those you cited in your paper. You should also include resources used from the internet or other electronic resources.

Footnotes / Quotations

Preparation/Research Step 1: Passage Familiarization -- Read your chosen passage in English (in three different versions) and then in Greek. This will help you identify the structure, key words and phrases of the passage.

Make a list of your preconceived ideas and what you have been previously told about the text. Being aware of any preconceived ideas you may hold regarding a text will help you consciously test them when you make your interpretation.

Make a list of the key words and phrases in the passage.

Do a word study of the most crucial word(s) or phrase(s). This involves identifying other occurrences of this word in the Bible, its definition and the various ranges of meaning this word may have.

Step 2: Historical Context Note the immediate and the general background of the text, and give estimated dates for any event(s) or person(s) in the passage. Note words, ideas, events that allude or refer to that historical background.

Note the social, geographical and archaeological setting of the text

Step 3: Literary Context and Features Situate your text within the literary structure of the book and identify the literary genre of the text (narrative, prophecy, law, genealogy, parable, prayer, dialogue or conversation, speech, etc.).

Note the patterns (repetition of words, ideas, sounds).

Outline the passage and establish its delimitations (where the passage logically begins and ends).

Step 4: Biblical Context (Intertextuality) Search the Old Testament for passages which refer to or allude to your New Testament passage. Justify your connection: note any parallels or echoes. Analyze how your text is interpreted by the other texts.

You can do it with God’s grace.

Jesus is the Word of God so He completely has your back.

I am praying for you!!