51 Questions to Ask in Observations

<p>Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better. </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, H.B. discusses fifty-one questions you should ask in the observations phase of your sermon preparation. The questions are as follow: </p><p><br></p><p>1.     Who wrote this passage? </p><p>2.     Who is the intended audience? </p><p>3.     What is the book about? </p><p>4.     What style of writing is this text? </p><p>5.     What is the immediate context of this passage? </p><p>6.     How does this text fit into the Bible’s storyline? </p><p>7.     Are there any words in the text I don’t understand? </p><p>8.     What is the historical background of the text? </p><p>9.     What happens in this text? </p><p>10.  Should I diagram this passage? </p><p>11.  What is the author saying and doing? </p><p>12.  What are the key terms in the text? </p><p>13.  Who are the key people in the text? </p><p>14.  What are the key places in the text? </p><p>15.  What is (are) the main verb(s)? </p><p>16.  What are the time references in this text? </p><p>17.  Are there idioms or figures of speech?</p><p>18.  Are there cultural assumptions in the text? </p><p>19.  Is there a cause and effect in the text? </p><p>20.  What is the structure of the text? </p><p>21.  What are the logical connections of the text? </p><p>22.  What is the order or progression of the text? </p><p>23.  What relationships are mentioned in the text? </p><p>24.  Is the reason for anything explained? </p><p>25.  Does the passage draw any conclusions?</p><p>26.  Is there a purpose statement in the text? </p><p>27.  What is the dominant theme of the text? </p><p>28.  What is the means by which things happen? </p><p>29.  How does this text point to Jesus Christ? </p><p>30.  What does God the Father do in this text? </p><p>31.  How is God’s character revealed in this text? </p><p>32.  Are any consequences of the Fall mentioned? </p><p>33.  What are the gospel implications of the text? </p><p>34.  What does this text command? </p><p>35.  Are any other Bible passages quoted? </p><p>36.  Does the text use any hyperbole or exaggeration? </p><p>37.  How does the text affect your senses? </p><p>38.  Are there any questions or answers? </p><p>39.  Are there any promises in this passage? </p><p>40.  Are there any technical terms in the text? </p><p>41.  Are there any emotional terms in the text? </p><p>42.  Does the text compare or contrast anything? </p><p>43.  Are there any lists given? </p><p>44.  What words are repeated in this text? </p><p>45.  Are there any parallel terms or phrases? </p><p>46.  Are there any reasons or purpose statements? </p><p>47.  What is the tone or mood of the text? </p><p>48.  What do related texts teach about this subject? </p><p>49.  What pushback would an unbeliever give this text? </p><p>50.  What error does this text confront or refute? </p><p>51.  What is the theological message of the text? </p><p><br></p><p>For contact, resources, or information, visit hbcharlesjr.com. </p>