Bible Study

 

At the end of our last Bible Study in June, Rev. Irwin promised (threatened?) to give us homework for the summer.  When Sunday after Sunday passed with no assignment, I thought perhaps he had forgotten.  Not so!  Last week he challenged us to study the passage quoted below using the inductive study technique, as outlined.  
   So here is the challenge, extended to all readers of this blog.  Enjoy!






Matthew 25:31-­‐46 –Inductive Study 

The Three Questions of Inductive Study

1. What does it say?
           a. Look for the unexpected
           b. Identify key words
           c. Who  / when / where / what…
2. What does it mean?
          a. Grammar: look for pronouns / persons /  names and  verbs /                    tenses
          b. …why?
          c. Look for  structure
          d. Look for parallels
          e. Look for poetry
          f. Look for synonyms and metaphors
          g. Examine context
3. What does  it matter?
         a. Look for direction
         b. Look for insight


THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

31‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepher separates the sheep from the goats.

33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?

38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing?

39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?"

40 And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

41Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."

44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?"

45 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the leastt of these, you did not do it to me."

46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'