Questions to Ask as You Exegete Scripture and Life

For the last 4 years at CPC it's been my practice to write in-depth study guides on the books of the Bible that I preach through. That model has worked great here. But for the last few months in Genesis I thought it wise to mix things up a bit, to spend a season training people to ask the same set of questions as they come at a new biblical text each week. We've been calling this RENEW.This has been a great change of pace for us. I've found that these questions are giving people a helpful paradigm for exegeting Scripture and life. Below is a cut and paste of one week's lesson (Taken from this pdf booklet Spring_2010_20s). I tip my hat to many different sources who have influenced me in shaping these questions (Tim Keller, Jonathan Dodson, ESV Study Bible, David Powlison, and others).January 14 2010 Genesis 10:1–11:26 CityRead this week’s text (try to read it out loud) with 3 horizons/questions in mind: what did this text mean in its original context; how does this text fit in the larger biblical story of redemption; what does this text mean for us today? After your reading, summarize the message of this text in 2–3 sentences:GOSPEL Disciples of JesusWhat does this text say about God (Father, Son, Spirit)? What does it say about what the holy team has done, is doing, or will do? How can you praise God for this?If God is really like this, what difference can this truth make to how you live today? What sinful behavior, negative emotions, or false beliefs result when you forget that God is like this? Let this text humble you, expose your idols, and lead you to fresh repentance: what have you been desiring more than anything else; thinking and talking about most often; fearing; loving; trusting; worrying about; worshiping and believing—who have you been a disciple of instead of Jesus?How have you been preaching the gospel to yourself this week? What stirs your affections for Jesus Christ and what robs you of those affections? How can this text help define and deepen your belief in the gospel and your enjoyment of God?COMMUNITY Disciples TogetherWhat does this text say about how to live life together? How would your family, roommates, friends, church, neighborhood be different if they lived by the message of this text?Does this text have anything to say about what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman?What is this text calling you to do in your relationships/your community group? Is there somebody you need to encourage and remind of the gospel; somebody you need to comfort, confront, celebrate, or counsel with the gospel? Is there something you need to confess or somebody you need to forgive; is there help you need to ask for?MISSION Disciples for OthersWhat does this text reveal about the kind of world and story we live in, both its goodness and its corruption? What hope or challenge does this text give for life in the Bay Area?As you go about your ordinary life this week, how can this text help you take action to speak the gospel to others; make disciples of others; shine as a light in a dark world? How can this text help you in the work God has called you to do—how can you use your unique talents and strengths to advance God’s kingdom?PRAYMeditate on what you’ve learned from this text. Adore and praise God for what you’ve learned. Repent before God. Ask God for help to more deeply believe his Word, live his Word in community, and communicate his Word to this world.