Questions for preparation for preaching

Before a preacher preaches, he must make observations of the text. The following questions may be used by preachers in their study to help them become aware of what they see. Preachers don't want to overlook the wealth of truth in the scripture.

This list of questions have beeen developed from notes given in a lecture on preaching by Dr. Robert Vogel of Southern Seminary.

Questions for Observation and Interpretation

Terms - a word as it is used in a given context
Are there any recurring terms?
Are there any unusual (non-routine) terms?
Are there any profound terms?
Are there any forms of words that should be noted (e.g., the tense and mood of verbs)?

Syntax - the relations and interrelations between terms, or structure
How do various phrases, clauses, sentences, and paragraphs relate to one another?
What are the implications of the conjunctions in the passage?
What is the significance of any repeated expressions?
Are there comparisons and contrasts in the context?
What is the relationship of the subject to verb?
What is the relationship of the verb to the complete predicate?
What is the relationship of the modifier to the modified?
What is the relationship of preposition to object?
What is the relationship of pronoun to antecedent?
What is the relationship of clauses to one another?

General literary form or forms
If the text is a narrative, how does that inform the interpretation?
If the text is poetry, how does that inform the interpretation?
If the text is law, how does that inform the interpretation?
If the text is an epistle, how does that inform the interpretation?
If the text is a parable, how does that inform the interpretation?
If the text is apocalyptic, how does that inform the interpretation?
Does the text include figures of speech and if so, how does that inform the interpretation?

Historical or cultural phenomena
Are there practices mentioned in the text that need to be researched?

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These observations should prompt interpretive questions. The answers to these questions will be found in further study. Vogel says, "Anything you don't understand about the passage, question!" The preacher at this point is seeking to get at what the passage means by what it says.