Historical context, literary context, analysis of the passage in bullet point. 1. Historical Context– Explain the historical details relevant to understanding the passage. Include what your hearers need to know about the author, the original audience and their world in order to understand the meaning of the passage. Ask, does the language used in the passage have significance in the Ancient Near Eastern world? The goal is to list any historical or cultural detail necessary to bring light to the meaning of the passage. Example: How the plagues correspond to certain Egyptian gods? 2. Literary Context– Describe how the individual story connects with the larger story of the 2nd level and metanarrative. Pay attention to the stories that come immediately before and after your selected story. Ask, how do the surrounding stories relate to the passage that you are examining? Example: How does the story of the Queen of Sheba fit into the metanarrative? 3. Analysis of the Passage– This section represents the largest portion of your presentation. Describe the details of the story in its historical and literary contexts. Include significant elements that you discover as you investigate the passage. Explain the meaning of critical words and concepts. Lastly, synthesize your own observations with those of the commentaries. 4. Also, 1 paragraph for application of passage. This should explain how the story applies to people today. In other words, how does the author’s intended meaning of the text apply to real issues in the world today? Be as practical and realistic as possible. Take the point of the Old Testament and turn it into a living word for your peers. Ask, what does this passage mean, or what should it mean, to those with whom you rub shoulders with on a daily basis?
