1. What is the model for teaching Scripture? The model for teaching in an informal environment are shown by the following steps. First, as the introduction, ask the audience to think of ways to use the word "head" figuratively (not literally). Some examples are: (1) head of the line, (2) head of the class, (3) head of an organization, (4) move ahead (as in the whole person), (5) good head on shoulders, (6) something comes to a head, (7) go to one's head, (8) heads up, and (9) the head on an engine. Second, read the passage, which in this case is Psalm 3:3 ("But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."). Third, read for genre. Psalm 3 is poetry, and poetry is used to express experience. By contrast, narrative or prose tends to be more cognitive. There are 3 types of psalms: (a) praise choruses (unencumbered by illness or other hindrances), (b) lament (sorrow and disoriented because of some bad experience), and (c) psalm of protection (seeing danger on the horizon and asking God for protection).

The fourth step is to pick one question and answer it. In this example, the question is, what does "lifter up on mine head" mean, and there are 3 possible meanings. These words can refer to the emotional realm, to extend favor as to the cupbearer in Genesis 40:20, or to victory from God as seen in Psalm 27:6. The fifth step is to make the application, and there are 3 possible application. First, psalms are experiencial, so they can be open-ended for our benefit (if we are suffering, then we can read a lament psalm). Second, this passage helps us balance between Christians who think that "everything" is in God's hands and those who think that "everything" is in their own hands. The truth is somewhere in the middle, so we can pray for protection from trouble on the horizon. The final application pertains to vocabulary for prayer and shows that we can thank God for lifting up our head. Figures of speech and word pictures make Scripture more clear. The sixth step is to conclude the presentation.

2. Discuss the 6 steps for the main class project. For the class project, each student should look for a biblical passage to discuss. The project must be presented through the following 6 steps: (1) introduction (do not start with the Scripture reference but start with an illustration or story (no jokes) to get into the topic), (2) read passage (keep the passage down to 2 or 3 verses to keep the audience focused), (3) reading for genre (begin the heart of the paper and discuss the type or kind of writing (narrative or poetry - give the genre some kind of label, but it does not have to be an established name (lament can be suffering, praise can be thanksgiving); also describe one aspect of it), (4) reading for interest (pick only one critical question even if there are 10 and, then, answer it), (5) reading for application (make the application of the one point), and (6) conclusion (logically bring the presentation to a conclusion but do not leave the audience hanging).

When the assignment is complete, the student must present it to at least 3 people and have those people complete an evaluation form. A typed manuscript and the 3 evaluation forms must be sent to the school. The objective with this class is to teach skills, not just knowledge.

3. What are the 3 steps for studying the Bible? When studying the Bible, (1) establish the genre, (2) answer only one question, and (3) make the application.

4. What are the 3 parts of Bible interpretation? The 3-part process for interpreting Scripture are: (1) exegesis (going back in time and drawing out the meaning from the text), (2) application (coming forward in time and applying past truths to present-day life), and (3) communication to others. Hermeneutics is exegesis and application and can be done on an individualized basis.

5. Discuss the class research project. For the class research project, (1) be prepared to travel to a research library (this is not just a community college library or a public library) that has a good Bible research section, (2) use indexes for Old Testament studies, (3) use commentaries and journals, (4) write and submit a review about 2 commentaries, (5) write and submit an abstract about 2 journal articles, and (6) make sure that each of the 4 submissions has a discussion about the author's objectives and a summary of the good and bad points.

6. Name some related books. (1) Hermeneutics, by Virkler (how to use and teach Hermeneutics), (2) Expository Hermeneutics, by Elliott Johnson (has a section on teaching), and (3) Hermeneutics Spiral, by Osborne. The last two books are more challenging than the first.

				Tom of Bethany

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