Exegesisanother way to look at it

The Exegesis Tree

1. Good observationmeans asking good questions2. Good observation means waiting on interpretation3. Good observation means multiple perspectives4. Good observation means finding structures that tie the whole passage together (think “clumps” of roots)5. Good observation means good spade work6. Good observation means charts, lists, outlines7. Good observation takes time8. Good observation makes your exegesis stand or fall

The Roots | The Text

1. A good text-driven question is driven by the text, not by you2. A good text-driven question is question not questions3. A good text-driven question is planted within a structure4. A good text-driven question is a wide trunk but not too wide & never narrow5. A good text-driven question is good to others, not just to you6. A good text-driven question helps answer a lot of other questions7. A good text-driven question makes your exegesis stand or fall

The Trunk| The Text-Driven Question

1. Good interpretation rests on the text-driven question2. Good interpretation is both science (mechanics) and art (conclusions)3. Good interpretation seeks to understand the text-driven question on the text-driven questions terms4. Good interpretation is engagement, not summary5. Good interpretation is reflective & ends with a summary of your work6. Good interpretation always points back to the text-driven question

The Branches| The Four Interpretive Steps

Caution!Just because it would be great to study doesn’t mean its one of your branches. If your branch doesn’t attach to your trunk, it’s not on your tree – flee quickly! Write your question on the top of each page and start with your question and end by reflecting on how each particular interpretive step helps answer your question.

The Branches| The Four Interpretive Steps

1. A good answer is nothing new2. A good answer engages all the work you’ve put into the tree – all branches and many roots are accounted for3. A good answer speaks of what the text “meant”4. A good answer answers5. A good answer is easy

The Tree| The Answer

1. Good application comes after a good answer2. Good application is based on good interpretation3. Good application is based on good observation4. Good application is still text-driven, not you-driven5. Good application takes you knowing your audience

The Fruit| The Application

1. Read the directions – if you tend to miss items or leave items incomplete, complete each part very mechanically2. Spade work is essential - Lists are cool, charts are even cooler3. Keep your text-driven question at the top of every section to help you maintain focus4. Summaries are summaries of your work, not summaries of the text5. Caution: re-focusing your question is more “funnel-like” than “toolbox-like”6. There is science and art to exegesis – know your strengths and then focus on your weaknesses7. Right now, the process is almost more important than the product8. Let us look over your shoulder9. Culture is important – it helps break down presuppositions10. It’s okay to disagree, it’s not okay to not substantiate11. Proofread, then have someone else proofread.12. We want you to succeed – being able to rightly handle the Bible is a gift we want everyone to be amazing at.

Exegesis| Other thoughts