The Relate Phase Process

(In four parts: Text, Context, Peritext, Epitext.)

Part 1: Text 

This is the Bible passage that you are focused on and studying. 
It includes ONLY the word of God - nothing else; no titles, notes, commentaries, etc.

Visual Observation

► Read the study passage, watching for and making note of facts prompted by questions like these:

• • Inventory the Passage

    • Who? (Questions/Statements of Identity) Who is mentioned or referred to in this passage?

      • Participants (Who’s involved with the action of the passage? What was their role? Primary or Secondary role? Protagonist or Antagonist?)

      • Persons Quoted (Who and what did they say?)

      • Persons mentioned (Who and why were they mentioned?)

      • Are they an example of someone you should follow or avoid? Why? How?

    • What? (Questions/Statements of Definition or Description) 

      • What did each person say or do?

      • Other things, Actions, or Events mentioned, defined or described.

      • What things are mentioned?

    • When? (Questions/Statements of Time and Timing)

      • When did this happen?

      • What other time periods are mentioned (precise or relative)?

    • Where? (Questions/Statements of Location)

      • Where did this happen?

      • What other locations are mentioned?

  • Interview the Passage

    • Why? (Questions/Statements of Reason or Cause) 

      • Why did God/people say or do what they said or did? (expressed or implied)

    • How? (Questions/Statements of Manner or Measure)

      • How did it start (causes)?

      • How did it happen (process)?

      • How did it End (results)?

      • How many, how long or how much?

Part 2: Context

This includes the word of God in the pericopes* before and after the study passage.
They teach you about the setting, context and flow of the study passage.

Visual Observation

► Read the pericopes before and after the study pericope, looking for information that helps you find and understand the Visual Observation facts above.

Part 3: Peritext

 Information in your Bible that is associated with the study passage, but is not part of the text or context (word of God). 

Investigation

► Use the following resources in your Bible to investigate your study passage:

Footnotes 

Usually marked with a number, asterisk or letter next to a word or verse.

Provides an alternate translation to a word or phrase, or background information, to help the reader understand the passage.

► Read the footnotes marked in the study passage to see how they can help you understand the study passage.

Cross References 

Usually marked with a letter, number or asterisk next to a word or verse.

Provides one or more references to other Bible passages that are related to the study passage.

► WARNING: Not all cross references are helpful.  Some are listed only because the same word, person or place is mentioned in both places that don't add anything to your understanding of the study passage.  

► Look up the cross references in the study passage and consider only those cross references that contribute useful information that helps you understand the study passage (not just mention or repeat the same information you already learned in the study passage).

Study Bible Notes 

Study Bibles go beyond the footnotes and cross references.  They provide study notes that explain the passage, along with helpful maps, diagrams, charts and articles.

► Read the introductory and background information about the Bible book you are studying.  Since you already have done the READ study, you'll know what information is helpful to your understanding of the study passage, and what isn't. (You usually only need to do this once when you begin your study in that book of the Bible.)

► Read the study notes associated with the study passage.  Also check to see if any of the maps, diagrams, charts or articles have information that helps you understand the study passage. (They are usually mentioned in the study notes.)

Part 4: Epitext

Information related to the study passage that is found in resources other than your Bible. 

Research

► Use the following or similar resources to research information related to your study passage:

Bible Dictionary 

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary [Amazon] [Logos]

• Look up any words, terms or concepts in the study text that you don't understand like you would use a regular dictionary.

Dictionary of Bible Themes (Martin Manser) [Amazon] [Logos]

► Use the Scripture Index to see what themes are related to your study passage, then look up those themes to see if any provide information that helps you understand the study passage.

► Look up words, terms or concepts directly like you would with the Bible Dictionary.

Bible Commentaries, Handbooks

Believer's Bible Commentary (William MacDonald) [Amazon] [Logos]

► Read the notes related to your study passage

BibleRef.com (https://www.bibleref.com)

► An online Bible commentary.

GotQuestions.org (https://www.gotquestions.org)

► An online resource for studying Bible passages and researching topics.

Talk Thru the Bible. (Wilkinson, Bruce, and Kenneth Boa)   [Amazon] [Logos]

Great overview of each book of the Bible.  Includes helpful outlines, charts and maps.

► Read the information about the book of the Bible you want to study.

Cross References 

New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Jerome Smith) [Amazon] [Logos]  (Earlier version included in the free Logos version above.)

This resources is a huge list of Bible references related to your study passage.  

► Look up each verse of your study passage in this resource and check out the verses listed there in your Bible

• REMEMBER: Not all cross references are helpful.  Some are listed only because the same word, person or place is mentioned in both places that don't add anything to your understanding of the study passage.  

• This resource also has a few notes related to the verses listed that are sometimes helpful.  Don't skep over them, but only consider those that truly help you understand your study passage.

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