I.  Historical Background & General Context

Written in essay form, this section gives focus to the book in which the passage is found including authorship, date, recipients, purpose, theology, etc.   Attention also is given to the context of the times and peoples, such as economic environment, political environment, religious environment, and other similar data that assists in understanding the living environment of the writer and recipients.

II.  Immediate Context

Written in essay form, this section gives focus to the place of the selected passage; how it fits in the author's framework.  Specifically, what

immediately precedes the passage, what immediately follows the passage, and how does the passage fit with or how does it connect its surrounding context?

III.   Word Study

Written as a list, this section defines terms within the passage that may have an obscure meaning, double meaning, historical meaning, etc.  What does a particular term mean in this specific passage?  Webster will not be of help here.  This study requires word helps, commentaries, lexicons, etc.  Each term selected should include verse reference number, definition, and source(s) used to define the term.

IV.  Flow of Thought

Written in paragraph form, this section should somewhat paraphrase each verse or paragraph; using major thought ideas, what is the author saying?  Verse references should be used to identify the actual verse or paragraph of each thought.

V.  Theological Affirmations

Written as a list, this section notes any theological ideas that are supported in the passage.  Each affirmation should be stated succinctly and include a verse reference. Note:  the affirmation should be universal and generic, does not necessarily have to be stated in the passage, and may include implied affirmations.

VI.  Practical Application

Written in paragraph form, this section offers two or three possible directions that a preacher might take in preparing a sermon.  The intent is not to develop a sermon, but to provide a brief overview of each idea, based on the in-depth study, that could be further developed at a later time.

VII.  Sources Consulted

Written in alphabetical listing, this section identifies the sources that served as significant helps in completing the project.  Use the hanging indent form and include the following information:

Author (last name, first name).  Title (underlined or italicized).  Publisher, date.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

Typewritten, double spaced, simple 12 point font, pages numbered, 1" margins on all sides.

Include footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical notes to reference the source for all direct quotes and major ideas.

Confer with instructor for other specific guidelines that he/she may request.