Our Study of a Scriptural Text

The systematic study of Scriptures should be distinguished from a devotional reading of it, such as the Lectio Divina. But given the nature of Scriptures as divinely inspired and depending on the disposition of the one reading it, study can become lectio. Our study of the Scriptures admits such a possibility and our study sessions can also become an occassion for a communal experience of the Word of God addressing itself to us.

The study of Scriptures itself can take many forms. It can be a lectio cursiva, a reading of a book of Scriptures from beginning to end. Or, as we are currently doing it, the advanced study of texts that are offered in the liturgy. Participants, however, are encouraged to make a continuous reading of the book currently offered in the Mass, especially those parts which are not selected for Sunday reading. The aim of such a reading is not so much a greater knowledge of the Scriptures, as keeping the Lord’s memory constantly before us.

From Study to Application

Observing the Text. Whenever we study a passage selected in the liturgy, we first observe the text. Are there elements in the selection that make it part of a larger story or account? This is particularly true of passages such as Matthew 13:1-23; 24-43 and 44-52. Each of these selections are given on three separate Sundays of Year A, yet they belong to just one section Matthew’s gospel, "the Parables of the Kingdom." The same thing is also true of Matthew 14:13-21, the Feeding of the Multitudes, and Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus Walking on the Sea. We check the surrounding passages to make sure that the message we draw from the text under study does not end up becoming a distortion of a text that has been interpreted out of context.

Creating A Sentence Flow. A "sentence flow" is basically a copy of the text under study done in such a way as to highlight the parts of the sentences that make it up. Making a sentence flow trains one’s eyes to see relationships in sentences. A sentence flow based on Mark 1:29-31 would look like the following:

(29) On leaving the synagogue,
	he (Jesus) went with James and John
		straight to
			the house of Simon and Andrew.
(30) Now Simon's mother-in-law
	had gone to bed with fever
	and they told him about her straightaway.
(31) He went to her,
took her by the hand
and helped her up.
And the fever
	left her
	and she began to wait
		on them.

By isolating the components of a text, one can immediately see who the actors of the story are, the actions involved and the time frame in which the actions are carried out.

When the sentence flow is done well, it can also become the basis for later more advanced studies.

Analysis of the Text. The English word "analysis" is taken from a greek word which basically means "to untie". The text under study is like a piece of long string that has been tied up in parts. In analysing a text, we "untie" its components, separating them for a closer look so that we can put them together later. Given the fact that we are using translations, we can only limit ourselves to word studies, using dictionaries and concordances. Where these are not available, the marginal notes and footnotes given in our modern translations can be of help. Sometimes, the comparison of translations are a big help. In the above example, some readers may no longer understand the phrase "she began to wait on them". Comparing it to another translation, may give one the synonimous and more understandable expression "and she began to serve them."

Applying The Text. The last part of our study is the application of the text. This is the moment when we discern the meaning of the text for our lives. In other owrds, this is the moment when we draw the spiritual sense of the text that has been analyzed and studied.

Building Up One’s Stock Knowledge

Each time we sit down to study a text, we also build up our stock knowledge of the Scriptures. This "stock knowledge" can also become a reference for future study later on. People tend to rely on their memories for storing knowledge of the Scriptures acquired in our study sessions. It is best however to be equipped with a notebook and a folder into which word studies and sentence flows can be collected. A dossier or a bible knowledge base, can become like "external hard drives" the supplement the storing capacity of one’s memory. These notes can also be used later on when one "graduates" from our bible study lessons and begin work as a catechist or a BEC leader.