A. Observation
1. Setting for the book.
2. Context before and after the passage in question.
3. Is the passage to be taken literally?
4. Grammatical-historical method.
5. Customary, social, historical and normal use of words.
6. History, geography, theology, place, time and people in the Gospel of John.
7. Old and New Testament references. Are they literal or figurative?
8. Does the passage contain figures of speech symbols, types, parables, etc.?
B. Interpretation
1. What is the overall idea of the passage?
2. What is the outline of the passage?
3. What are the sub-ideas in the passage?
4. Can the passage be compared with other prophecies?
5. Is the interpretation I believe I am arriving at, consistent with other Scriptures?
6. Are there other passages that have a similar or parallel idea?
7. Is there authoritative support from other Bible scholars?
8. Is there a difference of interpretation based on an allegorical vs. literal approach?
C. Application
1. How does the application apply to those to whom the book or passage is written?
2. How does the application apply Dispensationally?
3. How does it apply to us today?
D. Special Prophetic Elements
1. What is the unusual characteristic of this specific prophecy?
2. Is there, or will there be complete or partial fulfillment?
3. What is the time element of the prophecy, (i.e., its point of future fulfillment)?
Copyright 2004 by Ted Faust (Author & Webmaster)