PR2314 Homiletics
W. Shannon Potter
BIBLICAL EXEGESIS WORKSHEET
Grasp the Meaning of the Text in Their Town (original meaning).
Because we are separated from the biblical world by culture and customs, language,
situation, and a vast expanse of time, we need to work hard to be sure we understand what
the text is communicating as clearly as possible. This aspect of sermon preparation can
take up to half of your total preparation time when done faithfully and well.
Use this worksheet to guide your investigation of the passage in its original context. When
completed, the worksheet will show the results of your homework which you will draw upon
later when you come to write your sermon. Be as thorough as time allows.
1. Read your text carefully in its original context. Conduct of detailed observation of the
text noting important words, lists, contrast, comparisons, pronouns, purpose
statements, figures of speech,
conjunctions, emotional terms, and so on. See
Preaching God’s Word pp. 45-50. List those observations below. You should be able to
identify 30 or more details.
2. Identify the Literary Context of the passage. This involves noting the literary form
(genre) of the passage as well as becoming familiar with what comes before and after
the passage (surrounding context). See Preaching God’s Word pp. 51, 79-81. Identify
the literary genre of your passage and list the results of your literary contextual analysis
below.
3. Use background commentaries, Biblical dictionaries, atlases, and other resources to gain
an understanding of the Historical-Cultural context of your passage. See Preaching
God’s Word pp. 52-54. Note your discoveries that shed light on your chosen text
below.
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PR2314 Homiletics
W. Shannon Potter
4. Content Analysis - do more in-depth study of the passage noting the content-related
details of semantics (the meaning of key words), and syntax (arrangement of words into
sentences and of sentences into paragraphs). See Preaching God’s Word pp. 54-56.
Note your discoveries below.
5. Consult commentaries to help confirm your findings. See Preaching God’s Word pp.5659. List the commentaries consulted here.
6. Write out your text thesis statement and text outline. What you are attempting to do
here is identify the structure that the writer uses to make their point in your chosen
preaching text.
In a complete sentence, state in what is the writer’s main idea in your passage. What
is the passage talking about? What do you think the writer would identify as the main
thing they were trying to say? What did the passage mean for the Biblical audience?
The text thesis is a one statement of the theme of the text.
Here is an example based on Ephesians 4:25-32:
Text Thesis - Paul is commanding Christians to leave their old ways and practices
and replace them with ways that bring honor to God and strengthen their relationships
with others.
Text Outline:
I. Speak the truth instead of lying (v. 25).
II. If you have anger it must be righteous instead of destructive (v. 26-27).
III. Work hard and give to those in need instead of stealing (v. 28).
IV. Build up others with the way you talk instead of using rotten speech (v. 29).
V. Do not sadden the Holy Spirit by the way you act (v. 30).
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PR2314 Homiletics
W. Shannon Potter
VI. In relationships, be kind instead of malicious (v. 31-32).
a. Write out the Text Thesis statement for your passage:
The text outline reveals how the writer makes their main argument. The points of the
outline list in complete sentences what the author is saying about their main thesis.
The number of points in a text outline will vary according to the complexity of the
writer’s argument.
b. Write out the Text Outline for your passage:
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