Welcome back! This week I’m writing about my answers to Question 1 and 2 in this study. Remember, if you also answered these questions and your work differs from mine, it’s not a problem! If we’re working with the Spirit and sticking closely to the actual text of the passage, we’re on the right track. Later we’ll have a chance to interpret these verses, but right now we’re just seeing what Matthew wrote—what’s there in print and nothing more.
In your study, I hope you found some things you want to dig more deeply into. Above, I marked details I want to research (double-underlined in red). I felt the Spirit moving me to learn more about them as this study unfolds. I’m interested in the location (Capernaum) and the miracle requestor (a centurion). I also want to examine the words translated marveled (not something I’ve seen Jesus do a lot in Scripture!) and outer darkness; as well as the statement Many will come from east and west to dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
I also believe the Spirit has more to reveal to me about
Jesus’s willingness to go to the ailing servant (v7)
the centurion’s statement of faith in Jesus (v8)
Jesus’ observation that no one in Israel had such faith (v10)
Jesus’ statement, “let it be done… as you have believed” (v13)
I’m really looking forward to this dig into Scripture!
Question 2 (Types of Writing?)
True to the other studies in this series, the overall writing type here is also biographical narrative. I also found what I think is prophecy in vv11-12, since it’s set in the future and talks about what sounds like punishment to me… More to come on that for sure!
Dig In Challenges
This week, let’s examine the next three questions. Don’t forget to pray first, and then
Next, respond to Question 4 Where does the action happen? by triple-underlining the location(s) with a brown pen, pencil, or crayon on your Scripture-study sheets.
And finally, consider Question 5 When does the action happen? and record these answers on your study sheets by marking phrases indicating time, date, sequence, or circumstances with a light brown clockface and underline.
I can’t wait to share my findings—I hope you’ll check back in with me next week!
If this is your first DISO study, let me extend a special welcome! When you’re done, you’ll have a new perspective on this passage, and you’ll have sampled the necessary skills to effectively dig into any section of Scripture on your own.
If you’ve studied with me using DISO before, welcome back! If it’s been a while, things have changed a bit, but we’re still answering questions that lead us through the inductive study process. Full disclosure: more changes are coming, but they won’t be finalized for a while, so in the meantime, Iet’s keep digging!
As always, I encourage you to share your ideas and questions with me by commenting below this or any post in the series, using mycontact form, or emailing me at [email protected].
How It Works
In this study, we’ll use the Digging into Scripture Ourselves approach to explore Matthew 8:5-13 over the next nine weeks.
You can choose to:
Read Matthew 8:5-13 and my posts (and linked materials) here each week, thinking and praying through the passage with me; OR
Work through some or all the phases on your own and compare what you find to my answers in the blog each week.
Either approach is fine: the first is better if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, or if you want to see how the process works before “digging in” on your own. Of course, I encourage you to work along with me because then you’ll get the full benefit of the Holy Spirit using this passage to change your life!
Study Materials
All you need is:
Internet access, so you can follow this blog each week and access the free Bible study tools you’ll need to practice along with me.
Your favorite Bible translation of the study text. I like to copy the text into a new document and format it with lots of room for notes like this, but you can just use a bound Bible if you like.
The questions and how to answer them, which I’ll share with you in the Dig In Challenges section of my posts, starting with this one.
A study journal for personal notetaking.
Putting It All Together
Every week beginning next Tuesday (no later than 6pm Eastern time), I’ll post a new message containing these features:
Last Week’s Work, summarizing what I discovered as I worked on the assigned questions, with links to my notes and other reference materials so you can see exactly how I arrived at my answers. NOTE: One of the best parts of this study method is you and I can study the same Scripture with the same questions at the same time and discover different insights. If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our study and stay aligned with the whole message of God’s Word, we know we’re on the right track even when our individual results vary.
Dig In Challenges, where I’ll preview what I’ll be working on during the upcoming week, along with helpful links if you want to work on it, too.
I hope you’ll join me in this study—I know it will be worth your while! If you decide to work through the process too, don’t forget to start and end your study sessions with prayer. And know that I’m praying with you and for you, as well.
Dig In Challenges
So, this week,
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance in your study.
Read through the passage a couple of times, then answer Question 1: What’s the Passage About? by summarizing the events or topics in your study journal and highlighting one or two items that stand out to you.
Finally, answer Question 2: What Types of Writing did the Author use? by taking note of how the author recorded this information: is it a letter, or a narrative? Does it contain law, instruction, poetry, and/or prophecy? HINT: more than one of these may apply to this passage.
I hope you’ll join me next week to see how I answered these prompts and to keep digging into this Scripture with me!
