Grow Tools

NARRATIVE: This tells a story about an event, person, or nation. These are historical accounts... things that actually happened. EXAMPLE: The story of creation in Genesis, the exodus of the Israelites in Exodus, or the life of Jesus in the gospels. LOOK FOR: How God chooses to magnify his glory.

EXPOSITION: A type of argument or explanation of an objective truth. These are timeless principles, often pulled from cultural and temporary situations. EXAMPLE: Paul's letters. LOOK FOR: The question being answered.

POETRY: Words designed to relate emotions, experiences or ideas in a powerful or imaginative way. Usually expresses deep feelings of praise, joy, pain, or grief. EXAMPLE: Psalms and Song of Solomon. LOOK FOR: The heart of the author's message.

WISDOM: Instruction given by a person with insight. This advice can range from the use of time or money, relationships with others, the value of work, how to deal with struggles, or reactions to birth and death. EXAMPLE: Proverbs & James. LOOK FOR: The tension being resolved or pondered.

PROPHECY: Words spoken directly from God through a prophet. Typically this is a reminder of God's commands and a warning to repent. EXAMPLE: Jonah. LOOK FOR: The act of faith-obedience being demanded.

APOCALYPTIC: Describes cataclysmic events about the end of the world. EXAMPLE: Revelation. LOOK FOR: The types of trials to overcome before heaven comes.

STORYLINE: Every story has a message. To determine that message, we must pay attention to the storyline. Who are the people in the story? What's the story about? What action is taking place? Is there conflict? And most importantly... what's God's part in the story?

EMPHASIS: Look for words, phrases, or ideas that are being emphasized. Pay attention to the amount of space dedicated to a specific topic or person. Sometimes you can even find a statement of purpose within that space. Also... take note of the order and placement of a topic or example. This will often point to its value and importance or lack thereof.

REPETITION: Watch for terms, characters, or incidents that are repeated. Take the time and look for patterns! What is repeated is remembered. And if the author took time to repeat something... that means it's significant and meant for us to remember.

ASSOCIATION: Pay attention to things that are contrasted or compared. These are similes: Word pictures in which two things are compared using the words "like" or "as." Metaphors: A comparison or contrast made between two things without using "like" or "as." And let's not forget the "but." This word often sits smack-dab in the middle of a contrast. TERMS: When you come across a word you don't know... don't skip over it or try to understand it in the context of the sentence. Look it up! Take the time to learn the actual definition. This will give you richer more meaningful understanding of the text.

THEREFORE: When you encounter this word, stop and ask "What's it THERE FOR?" It often connects cause and effect; questions and answers; decisions made and the consequences or results that follow. "Therefore" is a helpful indicator for us to pay closer attention to the verses just before and after the word.

CONTEXT: What did the passage mean to the original audience? To answer this question we must take into account the entire context of the passage, the "before" and "after." If you're studying a specific verse, then it's important to also read the entire chapter surrounding that verse. This will give you a bird's-eye view of what's really going on. A verse isolated from its context can often be taken to mean something it was never intended to mean. This is known as taking scripture out of context. But a verse read in context will help us discover the original meaning of the passage.

CULTURE: What are the differences between the biblical audience and us? Cultural practices and historical conditions influence what writers write. Often a more thorough understanding of ancient customs, geographical locations, and surrounding circumstances give us insight to what the writer is saying. You can find this information in study Bibles and commentaries. By understanding cultural differences, we begin to see similarities as well. These differences and similarities provide the framework for us to identify timeless truths.

COMPARISON: Is the principle you've identified from the passage in alignment with the rest of Scripture? The Bible is one cohesive document that does not contradict itself. In fact, it often repeats themes and principles throughout its entirety. So compare and consider how the rest of scripture can give meaning to the particular passage you're studying. If the principle you've pulled out of the passage is kept in context, relevant in all cultures, and lines up with the rest of scripture... chances are you've rediscovered a timeless truth!

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." -- Matthew 6:9-13

PRAISE: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." prayer gives us the chance to express how great God truly is and our gratitude for the things He provides. His goodness and loving kindness towards us should be recognized on a daily basis. In 1 Chronicles 16:34, we are commanded to "give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." The psalmist tells us in Psalm 9:1, "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." Start off by acknowledging His faithfulness, goodness, and abundant provision in your life.

REPENT: "...and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors..." Let's face it, we all sin daily whether we know it or not. Psalm 32:5 makes it very clear, "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD'-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Tell God what He already knows and unburden yourself from the debilitating effects of sin. So often we walk around with unconfessed sin that hinders our personal relationship with Him. Instead, ask God to give you the strength to repent, then humbly submit yourself to Him and ask for forgiveness. This ought to put you in a place of peace and trust that you stand before God with the righteousness of his own Son -- Jesus himself. This will allow you to continue with confidence in prayer to the next part.

ASK: "Give us this day our daily bread... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Life's circumstances change on a daily basis. In fact, things can go from good to bad to worse in a very short time. God calls us to bring our concerns to Him. In fact, Jeremiah 33:3 states, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." God wants us to call on Him so that He can answer our prayers. He also wants to share with us incredible blessings that we might otherwise have missed had we not reached out to Him through prayer. James 4:8 tells us to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." God wants us to be close to Him at all times. Ask God, with both humility and boldness.

YIELD: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." God is our great King and as such He should be in control of every aspect of our lives. We might pray a perfect prayer with perfect motives, but the decision is still up to Him, and his decision is always best. Each day we should acknowledge His proper place in our lives humbly and with a reverence reserved for such a great and awesome King who desires the very best for us. We should long for His will to be done not only in our personal lives, but in our community, our nation... on earth!