A Short Plan for Study Bible Passages

(研讀聖經之簡要步驟)

1.   What is the Bible passage you want to examine?
(你要查考哪一段經文)


2.   Read the passage carefully, word-for-word. Jot down any words or phrases that ca tc h your eye as potential key to what the passage is saying. Make a note of terms that are new to you.
(逐字研讀這段經文，並記錄下引起你注意且有助於瞭解此段經文之字詞。對於新辭彙也要做筆記。)

3.   Look up the key terms in a theological wordbook or a dictionary of the Bible. Keep a record of what you find.
(關鍵字詞要查閱神學辭彙書籍或聖經字典並記錄下所查到的資料。)

4.   Clarify the literary context of the passage. What biblical material immediately precedes and follows the passage you are studying?
(弄清楚這段經文的文學情境，也就是清楚上下文之文法結構與文章體裁。哪些聖經材料是在我們所研讀經文之前和之後?)

5.   Clarify the canonical context. Where is this passage located in the Bible as a whole? What connections does the passage have to other parts of the Bible?
（弄清楚正典之背景，這段經文位於整本聖經哪個部分？這段經文與聖經其他部分有何關聯？）
6.   Clarify the historical and geographical context. What was going on at the time the passage was written？ Write what you find out about the author, date of writing, place of origin or destination, historical events, issues, and problems.
（弄清楚歷史及地理之背景，經文撰寫之時發生了何事？寫下你所發現有關於作者的事蹟、寫作時間、原始或預定之地點、歷史事件、論點何問題。）
7.   State the original meaning of the passage.
（陳述這段經文之原意）
8.   Explain what the passage means for Christian readers today.
(解釋這段經文對現代基督徒之意義。)