18 Nov New Testament Bible Study Assignment

 

Passage: Acts 8:26-39

 

 

Instructions: 

For this assignment, you will be studying a story from the book of Acts. More specifically, you will be studying the narrative of Philip and the Ethiopian from Acts 8:26-39. You will use the template below to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in Everyday Bible Study.

 

 

I. Observation

 

   A. I have read Acts 8:26-39 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) 

and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.

 

o Yes

o No

 

B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You may list as many similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the minimum amount.

 

Similarities Differences

Both did not include verse 37 but it was added as a footnote CSB used the word chariot while NLT used carriage

In verse 30, they both ask the same question using the same words CSB The Conversion of the Ethiopian Official, NLT Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Verse 32: the passage of Scripture is word for word Verse 31: CSB uses the work guide while NLT uses the word instructs when the Ethiopian man replied if he understood what he was reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

    C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying

 

1. Main characters: (List them)

a. Philip

b. The Holy Spirit

c. Ethiopian Man 

 

 

2. Plot: (50-100 words)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Story structure: (50-100 words)

Hint: Be sure to consult the section on the narrative/story structure given in the tutorial for this assignment (found in Week 3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation. 

Remember to consult the chapter “How to Ask Key Questions” (Chapter 17) and the chapter on studying Acts (Chapter 37). This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.”

 

1. Who:

 

 

 

 

2. What:

 

 

 

 

 

3. Where:

 

 

 

 

 

4. When:

 

 

 

5. Why:

 

 

 

 

 

6. How:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. Interpretation

 

   A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you 

think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember two things. First, this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage is both showing and telling us something. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us, and “Our” are application words and not interpretation words. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.” We were not there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the application or how we will respond to God’s Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able 

to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

III. Correlation

 

   A. How does this passage from Acts fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State that type of 

story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   B. How does your principle from Acts 8:26-39 fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle 

is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in this New Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   C. How does this passage from Acts 8:26-39 reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? 

State and explain at least one way that the principle of this passage identifies something of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. Application

 

What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.  

 

 

   A. The question of duty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   B. The question of character

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   C. The question of goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   D. The question of discernment