Inductive Bible Study, Part 6A: Chapter Analysis

Dear Lissy,

I talked in our last letter about the choice to make before you continue your study.  I'm going to write about Chapter Analysis first and then double back to cover the Chapter Summary/Verse Analysis option.

Chapter Analysis takes several hours, so I'm going to cover the steps in a couple of letters.  First, let's get a bird's eye view of where we're headed.

Chapter Analysis

• Create a chapter summary
• Observe the passage carefully 
• View the chapter in its historical/cultural context
• Correlate the chapter with similar passages in the Bible
• List your conclusions and check with a trusted commentary
• List applications and create meditation prompts
• Create paragraph and chapter titles

The first step in chapter analysis is to create a chapter summary.

1. Read through the chapter taking notes.  Look for natural divisions.  Keep in mind you are reading a relatively modern English (Western) translation of an ancient Near Eastern document.  There will be themes that run from the beginning of the chapter to the end, and still others that are part of a larger book theme. Some will seem to plot against you by connecting two divisions. These can be frustrating to deal with, but once you understand the principle of chiastic structure they are incredibly beautiful.  It may be easier to think of sectioning a chicken for frying.  I may section it into two breasts, two legs, two thighs and use  the rest of the bits and bobs for broth. You might divide the same chicken into two breasts, two leg quarters, and four wing sections instead.  Neither one of us is "right", it's just personal preference.  The point is to divide the chapter up so it can be studied.
2. Go through the passage marking just the simple subject, verb, and objects on your worksheets.  I use the same symbols I used as a child:  underline the subject once, the predicate twice, and draw an arrow to the object.  It's sometimes useful to actually write the chapter out this way.
3. Finally, create an outline of the passage.  Remember, Eastern writing relies heavily on chiastic structure so the chapter won't usually fit neatly into an American-style outline. I outlined Psalm 19 "David Ponders God's World (1-6)" "David Ponders God's Word (7-11)", and "David Ponders His Own Heart (12-14)."  At the very end of the chapter analysis you'll use these initial thoughts to help you create paragraph and chapter titles.

In my next letter we'll get into what most students consider the "fun" part of inductive study, identifying and marking up a passage on the worksheets.

Loving you more every day,

Mom

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Sunday Night Sanctification Exam

Dear Lissy,
Every Sunday night since I married, I've faced the same thing:

The Sunday Night Sanctification Exam

While Daddy and you guys happily unwind from a long day at church, I scramble around to make snacks/supper, get everybody ready for the new week, and make sure Sunday clothes, shoes, Bibles and papers are all put safely away.

All I ever want to do is crash, alone, with a good book or music. I'm tired, and the week looms big ahead. It's the perfect set-up for some seriously snappy and selfish behavior.  Or maybe a pity party.  Sometimes both.  (After all, I'm also the one who has to be up an hour early to make sure everything is ready to leave in the morning.  How is this fair?)

I know the Devil would like nothing more than for my flesh to undo all the work the Holy Spirit has done during the day in my heart by erupting in a self-righteous hissy fit.  It's crucial at this time that I extend the same sweetness, grace, and service to my natural family as I have my spiritual family all day.

So now I study and prepare for my Sunday night exam...

• I prep school on either Friday afternoon or early Monday morning, not Sunday evening.   
• I make sure I've shopped for easy-to-make, well liked snack/supper food.  
• I direct you kids to put away your own Sunday clothes, Bibles, and papers.  Often I change to comfy-casual clothes for Sunday evening church so I don't have to change when I get home. 
• I have one of you help in the kitchen.  I make a conscious effort to sing and joke around so it's a fun time for my helper, too.
• Above all, I pray.  A lot.  The entire hour or so after church actually, I'm in constant communication with my Savior.
• Finally, after supper snacks are cleaned up (by the whole family!) and the kitchen is closed, I cheerfully and gracefully say "good night" and retreat to the sweet silence of my room to read, listen to a CD, or catch up on internet reading. 

I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it is to lay in bed that night, reviewing my day with the Lord, to be able to say, "Thank you for helping me through the most difficult hours of my week with a sweet spirit" instead of "Oh, Lord, I've messed up AGAIN!"

I hope you'll have good memories of our Sunday night routine, but somewhere deep in your neurons is the memory of many where I've failed.  Please know, dear heart, that when I succeeded it was all Christ.  I have no strength left to be "nice" or "fun" on Sunday evenings.  You may not face this exact exam, but I guarantee you'll have one of your own.  

Grateful that He's still working on me,
 Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice

Dear Lissy,
When I began taking piano as a first grader, I was taught using classical methods.  I never played a hymn until I began accompanying the children's choir in our church in seventh grade.  Transitioning from classical to hymns was difficult, but I had already mastered the basics:  chords, scales, key signatures, and the like. I was excited to finally be able to use my music for something more than a "dumb piano recital".

You are at a turning point in your inductive study.  

Modern inductive study methods end the observation portion of the study with a chapter analysis.  A typical epistle takes a couple of months to complete well.  This is the "hymnplaying" of Bible study.  Chapter analysis, while hard work, is both manageable and enjoyable.  Each time you complete a study you become more skilled, and it has immediate practical application.

Traditionally, paragraphs were carefully summarized as outline points before moving into an in depth verse-by-verse analysis.  Because this method takes a year or more to complete well, it can be daunting.  Traditional inductive study is a lot like classical training on an instrument.  It requires enormous amounts of time and effort, but delivers an incredible amount of both knowledge and skill.  There is no better way to discipline your mind, and you will learn Christ as never before.

I've done both, and enjoy both.  The choice you have to make next is important:
Do you want to spend  a year or more to do a verse-by-verse analysis, or would you prefer a broader, easier chapter analysis study?


There is not a right answer, but there is a right choice for you right now.

• Do you have a consistent, daily time that you can pursue Bible study every day?  If not, or if that time is shorter (like summers when I home educate), choose the modern chapter analysis method.  
• If you have the time, motivation, and perseverance for the traditional chapter summary/verse analysis method, however, you will reap rewards for the rest of your life.
• If you're working with a small topical passage, like the Proverbs 31 woman or the I Corinthians "love" passage, definitely choose verse analysis.

I hope that you're still excited about our study.  I'll present the methods for each of these studies in upcoming days and weeks so that you have a "how to" on both.  

Keep Digging!

Momma

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

3 Tomato Tricks For An Early, Abundant Harvest (UPDATED 8/2012)

Dear Lissy,
I received a whole flat of plant starts last night from Mrs. S. after church. We're blessed with four vigorous tomato plants:  two Romas and two Early Girls.  Because we live so far north, it's a challenge to get a good tomato harvest.  Here are three tricks I've learned that allow us to harvest early and often.

Trench Planting
When we lived in Florida we planted deep.  Now that we're back in New England, we trench plant. The plant develops a vigorous root system in warm soil and produces tomatoes several weeks earlier than deep planting.  There are two drawbacks to trench planting:  drought and root damage when cultivating. Drought is rarely an issue, and I take care when cultivating.  If you live in a drier or warmer climate, stick with deep planting.

1. Dig a trench 3-4 inches deep the length of the area you're planting and sprinkle in compost.
2. Water the tomato starts so the dirt will stay with the roots.  Remove bottom leaves if desired.
3. Lay the plants in the trench placing the top tier of leaves 18" apart.
4. Place a 4" newspaper collar to prevent cutworms around the stem.  2" should be above the soil, 2" below.  (Not pictured)
5. Replace the soil, press firmly, and place stakes or cages taking care not to sever the stem.  
6. Water heavily for the first three days, and mulch with straw after 1 month.

Semi-Circular Root Pruning

This is an old-timer's trick that amazes me every time and works in every climate.  Once your tomato has green fruit that has grown to full size, use a bread knife to cut a semicircle 6" away from the stem about 8" deep.  Be very careful to avoid the main stem if you've trench planted.  The tomatoes will ripen within a week instead of the 2-3 weeks it normally takes.  The plants continue to produce and can be "root pruned" up to 3 times.  The first time you do this, only do one or two plants so you can see the difference in how long they take to ripen.

Wrap the Cages

After placing the tomato cages, wrap black roofing felt or plastic up the first 12" and staple into place.  The additional heat and wind protection will increase the yield by about 50%.

My first BLT or Caprese salad is definitely worth the extra fuss!

Update August 2012:  I'm adding a 4th trick that made an enormous difference this year:  Epsom Salts.  Following directions on the package, work some into the soil before planting.  When the first flowers appear,  sprinkle salts around the drip edge of the plant and spray the foliage with 1 Tbsp. of salts dissolved in a quart of warm water.  Re-apply spray every 10 days throughout the harvest.  My tomato bushes are loaded -- over 40 fruits per plant!!!


 Love,
 Momma