How to Study the Gospels

I have been flooded with letters about Bible study methods, offered by different students. Let me offer a suggestion that may be fun to try. The Bible is made up of several genres of literature. Rather than studying all of them, let me offer some keys that have helped me put alot together.

Read a Gospel (or an historical book like 1 Samuel). When you follow the story from beginning to end, imagine there are no verses or chapters dividing the text. Read the whole book or listen to it through on cassette. When you are listening, follow with your eyes on a Bible.

Break the text at every drama "scene change". (i.e. "The next day Jesus went...). When you are done with, for instance, the Gospel of Luke, you will see 72 scene changes. Some scenes are long (a Pharisees house from 14:1-17:10) and others are a few verses. Some are narrations of the events to get to the story (Lk. 1:1-4), and others are the story of what Jesus did and said. When you are finished, you have the basic scene frames.

Inside the scenes are smaller purpose portions (called "telics") that teach an independent lesson. Write next to each what timeless truth is communicated by that portion. When you have a string of them done, ask why one follows the other. Is there any connection between the first and the second lesson? Let me give you an example:

Lk 14:1-17:10 is set in one wealthy Pharisee's house on Sabbath evening. There is a large dining hall where the disciples, Jesus and a number of wealthy Pharisees are reclining. There is an adjacent hall (normally with three doors to an open atrium) where a large number of poor and locals are gathered to watch the banquet and listen to the discussion. This was allowed in ancient times. OK, that's the scene. Within the scene are nine events, each teaching a timeless truth. Let's look at them:

1. 14:1-6 Jesus healed a man of dropsy, the Pharisees sat silently after Jesus questioned if it would be right to do this on Sabbath, for they were ashamed by that question in 13:10 17.

2. 14:7-11 Jesus turned to the invited guests (the wealthy) who all wanted the best seats and told a parable - don't exalt yourself, but humble yourself to become truly important in the Kingdom.

3. 14:12-15 Jesus turned to the Host and told him next time NOT to call the influencial, but rather to become an INFLUENCER by calling in those who cannot repay you in this life.

4. 14:15-24 Someone called out "God is preparing a feast for (we that are) the righteous!" This prompted another lesson from Jesus saying, "When those who are called don't come, others are invited!" This veiled warning was to show that God was calling out to others, for they were hardening their hearts!

5. 14:25-35 Jesus turned to the crowd in the atrium, as they pressed into the doors to hear Him. He cautioned them, "Count the total cost of commitment to Me. Some want to listen!"

6. 15:1-32 The reponse to His hard words included some (Publicans and sinners) to draw nearer, but others (Pharisees) to back off and criticize! He heard their criticism and answered them with a three part parable. In each part, something was lost, something was found, and the person that found it had JOY (a sheep, a coin, a son). In the end of the son parable, the elder brother criticized the joy of the father that found his lost son. The elder brother was the Pharisee group that was listening and murmuring about Jesus. The theme: "When that which is lost is found, JOY should be the result!"

7. 16:1-13 Jesus then turned to his disciples in front of the Pharisees and the crowds and told them: "Don't respond to wealth like the Pharisees have! You need to learn to be as wise as the world about use of assets, but use them always to build Kingdom ends!"

8. 16:14-31 Jesus then addressed the covetous Pharisees to tell them that "Bad priorities lead to bad choices!" He attacked the choices they made concerning their lack of defense of John (16) and defended John's stand against the illegal remarriage of Herod Antipas, which they had been silent on (18)! He followed with the story of the rich man and Lazarus, to make the point that "You should know better, you have the Torah and that is all you need to make good decisions!"

9. 17:1-10 Finally, Jesus turned to His disciples and reminded them, "You must learn to be humble! Settle your differences between you (1-6) and become like servants!" (7-10). This lesson connects all the above, from beginning to end. In the end, the whole scene is to teach one godly character trait, humility. What does it look like? How does it act? That is why God gave us this story of that night at that house.

Well, that should give you an idea of how to study the Gospels, Acts is the same. If you remind me, I will respond later with how to tear apart an Epistle into a "Law and Order" episode. These are fun, and can be used with kids. I challenge you to help your children tear apart the whole Gospel of Luke. When you are done, count the basic godly character traits you find inside the account.

Luke wanted to defend the Gospel, but God wanted us to be able to learn a character that pleases Him!

R