Methodical Bible Study Assignment

Observation

1. Chapter 4 Questions – Looking at the Whole Picture

A. After reading Matthew 6:25–34 at least 5 times in one sitting, note your initial observations/impressions in the chart below.

B. With your Bible open, reread Matthew 6:25–34 and note 15 additional and general observations/impressions.

C. Using your Bible and the 2 charts of observations/impressions you have constructed, record the major facts of the passage. For this exercise, do not consult any outside resource. You are simply writing down what you have observed in reading the verses and classifying these observations/impressions.

2. Chapter 5 Questions – Looking at the Individual Parts

A. Using the examples provided in the textbook and in the Additional Information folder, construct a structural outline of Matthew 6:25–34.

B. List and explain the principles of structure that you have observed in Matthew 6:25–34.

C. Using the examples provided in the textbook and in the Additional Information folder, construct a brief outline of Matthew 6:25–34.

3. Chapter 6 Questions – Looking at the Fine Details

Using the example of Colossians 1:24–29 and the list of details to look for from this chapter, complete the “who,” “what,” “where,” and “when” of Matthew 6:25–34. You may want to use the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook, and Holman Concise Bible Commentary in order to gather additional information for these answers. Each answer must be more detailed than the ones provided in the Chapter 4 questions.

Matthew 6:25–34
1. Who? (The Characters)
2. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
3. Where? (The Geography and Location)
4. When? (The Time Factors)

Interpretation

Chapter 8 Question

Instructions: In this assignment, you will be going back to your work in Chapter 6 to apply the principles of interpretation to some of the observations and questions you had about Matthew 6:25–34. Your assignment is to think of 1 or more questions for each category: who, what, when, where. Next, study through the steps of content, context, comparison, and consultation to come to conclusions regarding Matthew 6:25–34. Lastly, you will seek to answer the final question: why? You must approach the question of “why” somewhat differently than the questions of “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where.” When you ask “why,” you must make conclusions about the meaning of the passage based on your study up to that point. Answer the following questions about Matthew 6:25–34 based on your findings and additional research.

1. Who? (The Characters)
Description: Find out all you can about the characters, including their identities and situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them. You are not composing a detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what Matthew 6:25–34 says about each of them and how that aligns with other Scripture passages.

2. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the tone of the passage—joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in Matthew 6:25–34? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout Scripture. Identify at least 3 “what” questions.

3. Where? (The Geography and Location)
Description: Are there places in the passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering their significance outside of Matthew 6:25–34. Identify at least 1 “where” question.

4. When? (The Time Factors)
Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage. Are there lesson to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this presented first in Matthew 6:25–34 and then throughout Scripture? Identify at least 1 “when” question.

5. Why? (The Purpose of the Passage)
Description: The purpose question is two-sided—there is the need that caused the revelation to be given, and there is the author’s message that addressed that need. Here you are making conclusions based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the passage and then what is Jesus’ message and how does it address that need?

Application

Chapter 10 Question

Instructions: Using the instructions in this chapter as a guide, develop application principles from Matthew 6:25–34 based on your work in the previous chapters.

1. Identify the Universal Truth:
What universal truth is God communicating in this passage?

2. Identify Specific Points of Application:
How do I apply this universal truth to the 4 relationships of life? Your answer here must begin with 1 of the items listed under the various relationships addressed in this chapter.

3. Identify a Verse for Contemplation:
What verse from Matthew 6:25–34 should be my focus of meditation and memorization? Explain.

4. Identify How You Will Practice What You Have Learned:
What will you do this week to apply these principles to your life? Based on your study of Matthew 6:25–34, write 5 concrete actions or attitudes you can work on this week.

SAMPLE SOLUTION