Lists & Charts
	The chart is an incredibly useful tool in Bible study, but keep in mind that it is only a means to an end. Your ultimate goal in studying God's Word is not to produce a chart but to produce change in your life. -Howard Hendricks

Lists & Charts

As we study the word, we may have a need to summarize some of the information that we have observed, or we may need a tool that can help bring out additional observations. Charts and lists are a good way to visually represent the flow of a book. They can help to bring out things you may not have noticed before, and they can help show points of transition or emphasis.

Lists

In a previous part of this class we discussed how to print out and mark up passages of scripture. The mar-ups and scribbles etc were a very rough work designed to help us notice certain things in the text. As we progress in our observation we may begin to make lists and charts which will be a cleaner version of our observations. For instance, we may have read through 2 Timothy and highlighted every word that refered to the author of the book (e.g. I, me, mine, myself, etc). We may now want to create a person list of that same information. On a separate piece of paper write out each occurance of the author as it appears in context. When making lists, it is a good idea to use the actual words of scripture and not paraphrase (see class exercise). For example

Chapter 1 Verse 1: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus Verse 2: Timothy, my beloved son: Verse 3: I thank God I serve [God] with a clear conscience Verse 4: .......

In this way we will list all the facts about The author of the book (by the way, there are a few things about Paul that I skipped in just these 3 verses, can you find them?).

Charts

Charts must be built on observations, and often times lists. Here are a couple examples of charts:

Genesis

Acts

Technically charts are a tool for use in later in the observation process, but it is good to be exposed to them now. Consider now making a list of people as they occur in Acts. As you make this list you notice that Peter is the primary figure in the first 12 chapters of Acts, and Paul is the primary figure in the last 15 chapters. Thus, that observation (along with many others) could then be captured in a chart like the ones above.

Class Exercise

List of Commands from 2 Timothy

Chapter 1

6. kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you

8. do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...join with me in suffering for the gospel

13. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me

14. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Chapter 2

1. be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2. entrust [the things which you have heard from me] to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

3. Suffer hardship with me

7. Consider what I say,

8. Remember Jesus Christ

14. Remind them of these things...solemnly charge them in the presence of God

15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

16. avoid worldly and empty chatter

22. flee from youthful lusts...pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

23. refuse foolish and ignorant speculations

24. must not be quarrelsome... be kind to all...[be] able to teach ...[be] patient when wronged

25. correcting those who are in opposition

Chapter 3

1. realize this…

10-11. followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings

14. continue in the things you have learned

Chapter 4

2. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction

5. be sober in all things, endure hardship do the work of an evangelist fulfill your ministry

9. Make every effort to come to me soon

11. pick up Mark and bring him with you

13. bring the cloak … and the books, especially the parchments.

15. Be on guard against him

19. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus

21. Make every effort to come before winter

Homework

1. Attempt a list or chart of your own in a book that you may be going through in a small group or SS class.
2. If you are not involved in a bible study already, work through 2 Timothy again and list everything you can about the author of 2 Timothy.