Observe

Published June 25, 2025
Observe

Every time we study the Bible, we first ask, “What do I see?” This is the crucial skill of observation, which lays the groundwork for the rest of your study. Your observations might identify people, places, and events, point out repeated words or key terms, and record meaningful connections between words and sentences.

Below are some observation tasks that will assist you in setting the foundation for interpretation and application. 

Observation Tasks

Mark up the passage by visually identifying the following specific elements: Underline all verbs. A verb is a word or group of words used to indicate either that an action is taking place (“we will reign with Him”) or that a state or condition exists (“we are faithless”). Verbs are often the most significant indicators of the author’s flow of thought. 

Circle key words or phrases. These are words or short phrases that are important theologically (like “gospel” in 1:6) or thematically (they set the theme or main idea for the passage), such as “approved” and “works of the law” in 3:2,5,10. 

Highlight repeated words or phrases. Also, include words and phrases that are closely related even if not exact duplicates (such as “suffer hardship” and “endure suffering”). You’ll also want to highlight things that are repeated from previous passages (such as “son” in 4:23 and 4:30)

Box connecting words. These important words indicate the logical connection between words, phrases, and clauses. Here are eight types of common connecting words to look for: 

    1. Comparison either points out similarities between two or more related ideas or simply joins like ideas. Comparison words include and, like, as, just as, also, so also, even so (e.g., “like the Gentiles” in 2:14).
    2. Contrast points out dissimilarities between ideas. Contrast words include but, rather, yet, however (e.g., “No longer I… but Christ” in 2:20). 
    3. Purpose indicates the intended goal of an idea or action, whether or not it was realized. Purpose words and phrases include that, so that, in order that (e.g., “Christ redeemed us… in order that in Christ Jesus…” in 3:13-14). 
    4. Result is similar to “purpose,” but indicates the actual consequence, whether or not it was intended. Result words and phrases include that, so that, as a result, with the result that (e.g., “The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.” in 2:13). 
    5. Cause expresses the basis or cause of an action. Cause words include because, since, and sometimes for. (e.g., “Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations,” in 3:19) 
    6. Explanation is what follows further explains the previous idea, giving reasons why it is true, why it occurred, or simply adding additional information. Look for the keyword for. (e.g., “For prior to the coming of some men from James,” in 2:12). 
    7. Inference provides a logical consequence, conclusion, or summary of the previous discussion. Inference words and phrases include therefore and for this reason. (e.g., “Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham,” in 3:7) 
    8. A condition is a condition that must occur before a certain action or conclusion can occur. The statement may or may not reflect reality (i.e., it could be hypothetical). The keyword is if. (e.g., “For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise…” in 3:18)  

List 2-3 primary themes you see in the passage each week. A primary theme is the big idea, the central truth, or command that the passage focuses on, such as “humility” in 5:16-26. After reading the passage, write your themes as single words or short phrases. Identifying these themes at the beginning of your study will help you develop a good overall grasp of the passage.  

Write two or more observations per verse. Our observations might identify people, places, or events, point out repeated words or key terms, record important connections between words and sentences, or even point out something missing that we expected to see.  

Ask your own interpretive questions. Here are a few examples:

Figurative language, as every writer knows, is one of the most powerful ways to engage an audience with your words emotionally, and to use metaphorical language. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE unexpectedly uses words and phrases to create a vivid image in a listener's mind. This image adds color to the author’s message, holds the listener’s attention, forces the listener to slow down and reflect on the idea being communicated, makes the abstract more concrete, and aids in retention of the author’s point. While there are many types of figurative language, here are the eight major types you should be looking for as you study the Bible:  

    1. Simile: compares two things by using the explicit formula like or as. “He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,” Psalm 1:3  
    2. Metaphor: compares two things but omits like or as and instead simply equates them (A is B) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” Matthew 5:14  
    3. Metonymy: one word is substituted for another word closely associated with it, such as referring to military officers as “brass.” A biblical example would be James’ use of “tongue” to refer to one’s speech (e.g. James 3:5).  
    4. Hyperbole: conscious exaggeration for the sake of effect or emphasis “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you;” 2 Corinthians 11:8  
    5. Personification: treating something non-human (and frequently inanimate) as though it were a human. Example: "And their tongue parades through the earth." Psalm 73:9 “Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun be put to shame,” Isaiah 24:23  
    6. Anthropomorphism: attributing human characteristics, even body parts, to God. Example: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1  
    7. Apostrophe: addressing a thing as if it were a person or an imaginary person as if he were present. Example: “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”  1 Corinthians 15:55  
    8. Symbol: a concrete image that points to or embodies other meanings. Examples include “light” used to represent God, goodness, truth, or blessing (such as in Psalm 27:1) and “throne” to represent power and authority (such as in Psalm 89:4 and 14). 
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