In 1995 I took a semester of Study Leave and went back to University.
The founding Professor of Ancient History, Edwin Judge, was still lecturing at Macquarie University and I enrolled in all his classes.
One of the extra classes available, which I didn’t think would be especially relevant, was, ‘Pottery of the Roman Era’.
The class turned out to be surprisingly interesting.
The assessment involved writing a 3000 word essay on observations of a piece of pottery, from the University’s Ancient History museum, my piece was about the size of the palm of my hand.
After about 30 minutes I had had enough of the observation but I didn’t know how I was going to fill 3000 words!
Talking to other class members about their shard I found that they had become sharper observers than me and I had to work on my powers of observation.
There are many parallels with preparing to preach, the preacher in preparing must be a keen observer.
Our church is currently preaching on Luke chapters 20-24, leading up to Easter, because of our Pastor’s leave I am doing some of the preaching.
I have a new appreciation for the introductory section of the commentary, getting to know the author, his style, the date and circumstances of writing, all very helpful.
My favourite Australian historian is Geoffrey Blainey, how good to know something of his background, interests and past writings as I read his work, so how can I know more about what makes the historian, Luke tick?
James Edwards in the Pillar series and Professor David Gooding, ‘According to Luke’, have been really helpful.
The late Professor Gooding was John Lennox’s mentor, he has lots to share about Luke in his commentaries on both Luke and Acts, ‘True to the Faith’.
These introductory matters help me to get to know the author so that I can be a more effective observer of his writing.
Then to the text, the historian Luke has told his Patron, Theophilus, that he is providing an ‘ordered account’, so context is important.
What is the flow of the Gospel, is 9:51 the turning point and what is the immediate context of my section and how does that context help my understanding of the section?
Can I recognise the key verbs, the repetitions, the placement of words?
Remember those grinding hours of learning Greek, they are now paying off!
What is the atmosphere, the emotion of the section I am studying?
How does this section contribute to Christian certainty, which is the goal of the author?
How does Luke apply his own material, he is a disciple of Jesus and he records his insights so that our lives will be impacted, in what way?
Spending time thinking about implications for your congregation is a vital part of observation, I have learned that time is a good friend of effective observation.
Press beyond the quick glance, spend the time, this will make you a more engaging teacher of the Word. What must we all do in response to this text, what must none of us do and what may some of us do? I have found these helpful questions to guide as I think about application.
This year Simon Manchester and I will be preaching on the Parables of Jesus, some from Luke’s gospel at Preaching days:
Caringbah, March 13.
Yamba, June 12.
Wahroonga, August 17.
Armidale, August 31 – September 1.
You can enrol through the Contact Form at the web site, eptrust.org.au
David Cook.