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Narrative Passage Paper (Interpretive Guidelines)
Select a key passage, approximately two to five verses—from a larger “resurrection” passage in the
Gospel: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, or John 20-21. Follow the guidelines below in gathering
observational information and research for your paper. (Know that it is appropriate at first to gather
more information than fits in a five page paper, but this gathering of observation and research allows for
reducing and editing that makes for a well written paper—succinct, clear, and cohesive.)
I. General Steps (Passage)
A. Based on the author’s style and arrangement of thought, define the limits of the overall passage
to be considered.
B. Read the passage several times, jotting down observations and questions (about the author,
audience, purpose, tone, key words, difficulties, etc.—when reading, use different translations
and available Bible study tools in determining the significant words and phrases of the passage).
C. Divide the passage into its “units of thought” (similar to contemporary paragraphs).
D. Decide which of these “units of thought” (sections) of the passage will be the primary focus of
the paper (two to five verses–for a 4-5 page paper, the subject needs to be narrowed).
II. Specific Steps
A. Consider how the chosen passage fits within the overall flow of the book.
o Analyze the relationship of the chosen passage to the preceding and following
passages (“What part does this passage have in the overall narrative?” In other
words, “What purpose does the author have in placing this passage here in this part
of his Gospel?”).
o Analyze the relationship of the chosen passage to the rest of the Gospel (“How does
this passage fit in the overall context of the Gospel?”).
B. Research the cultural-historical background of the passage (“What is happening in this passage
that is unique to the first century context—concerning religious, political, or social customs and
context—that would help the reader better understand the meaning of the passage ‘then’?”).
C. Make note of any literary devices and their function in the passage.
D. [Analyze key sentences—grammar and function—of the passage (consult exegetical
commentaries).]
E. Analyze key words–determine the range of meaning that the author may have intended.
o Determine the possible meanings of this word in the passage (consult other
translations and a quality lexicon) and in other sections of the Gospel [use a
concordance or Greek Lexicon; optional: consider how this word is used in other
books of the New Testament, Old Testament, and Greco-Roman culture (“culture
determines meaning”].
o Decide on authorial intent and meaning for the significant word(s) and phrase(s).
F. Paraphrase the passage in your own words.
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III. Broader Theological Steps (in relation to biblical and theological teaching).
A. Determine one or two key theological truths from this passage (specifically that the author
intends).
B. Acknowledge and consult other passages in this Gospel which might add to the theological
significance of the passage.
C. [For this size of a paper, the following is not needed, but relevant for future papers:
Acknowledge and consult other New Testament and Old Testament passages which might add
to the theological significance of the passage.]
III. Application for Christian Ministry
A. Draw out one or two key principles from the passage.
B. Make an application for today based on your work.
Writing Instructions:
• After writing the body of the paper, write a brief introductory paragraph (Introduction)
which gains relevant attention and leads directly into a clear one-sentence thesis at the
end of this first paragraph. Also at the end of the paper, include a brief paragraph
(Conclusion) which restates the main points of the paper—without adding new
information.
• Due to the short length of the paper, limit verbatim quotations to a phrase or sentence:
place Scriptural address in parenthesis, such as (24:3-5).
• Use footnotes (10 point font) or parenthetical references (Turabian).
• Recommended: arrange the “Body” of the paper in four relevant sections with
appropriate length–something like:
o “Background of the Key Passage” (1 page double spaced, New Times Roman, 12
point font);
o “Meaning of the Passage ‘Then,’” (2 pages);
o “Theological Truth” (1/2 to 1 page)
o “Application for Today” (1/2 to 1 page).
• Use at least two exegetical commentaries for the second section (when determining the
meaning “then”), and use at least four total scholarly sources for the paper.
• See rubric for grading criteria
Grading Criteria
• 70% Content and Analysis—interpretive steps are completed with quality research, appropriate
detail and relevance.
• 15% Organization and Style—paper is well organized (Introduction, thesis, Conclusion, cohesive
paragraphs, and transitions) and is written in a formal tone.
• 15% Format and Grammar—paper is free of grammatical errors and cites sources properlyincluding a bibliography with at least four quality sources).
Please cite page numbers of source.
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