Exegetical assignment
Students are required to use gender inclusive language in their papers. For help on this topic, please visit:
Your paper must have a thesis statement. To craft a thesis statement, think about the text as
a whole. What is this text trying to teach people in its original audience? What did the text mean for the ancient world? What is the text trying to
communicate to them? How does the passage accomplish these goals? Your answer/s to these questions will form your thesis for the paper. This should
be a one-sentence statement that carefully, precisely, and succinctly makes a statement or claim about the meaning (not just the content!) of the
passage. Be careful not to make a procedural statement (e.g. The following paper will exegete the Ten Commandments.). Such a statement is implicit
and need not be stated. A thesis statement, by definition, is a claim or assertion that can be contested. Italicize this statement and place it at or near the
end of your introduction. The thesis statement should begin thus: In this paper, I will argue that . . . or The thesis of this paper is that . . . Revise this
paragraph until you achieve clarity, economy of words, and a true introduction to the content of your paper. This will usually require your revising this
paragraph at least once after you have finished the rest of the paper.
Part 2: Application and Wesleyan Quadrilateral (1 page; 20 points) Application (10
points): Write a 160-word essay about how this text applies to you and your community today. In making the leap from what the text meant to what the
text means, students are to ask the following questions: Universal level analysis: How does what I have learned from the passage affect the way I think
about God, the world/society, the church in general? Personal level analysis: How does what I have learned from the passage affect the way I live? How
does this message/s challenge or encourage me personally? Feel free to write with the first person pronoun. As you do, push yourself to go beyond I
have learned a lot. Think about how the text informs your life and unique experiences. The Application portion should not be an afterthought in your
exegetical analysis, but the culmination of it! This is where you work out how the message of the text gets traction in your life! The only caveat is that you
remain focused on what you have learned from the text itself. Be sure that your Application comments are derived directly and reasonably from the
meaning of the passage. While exegesis is primarily about determining what the text meant in its original context and to its original audience, we must not
leave the matter there. It is also important to extend the texts meaning into the contemporary world. After all, the Bible is revelation for us as it was for
them. In transitioning from the then to the now, be careful that you do not throw off the work of Observation and Research. Responsible Application
must be an outgrowth of proper Observation and Research. Wesleyan Quadrilateral (10 points): At the end of your paper, include a 160-word reflection
on how the WQ is helpful for your interpretation. This section will have two parts: 1) describe the four elements of the WQ; and 2) explain which of those
elements you were drawing from and informed by in crafting your research and application of the pericope. Style, Form, and Grammar: Please follow the
following style, format, and grammar expectations: 1. Page length: 2500-3200 words [followed by a one-page Works Cited or Bibliography page] 2.
Heading to include Name, Date, Class Name [single spaced] 3. Font: Times New Roman 12 (Times New Roman 10 for footnotes) 4. Margins = one inch 5.
Double spaced [except Heading, which is single spaced] 6. Page Numbers included 7. Grammar conforms to Chicago Manual of Style. See
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch10_o.html. 8. Footnotes conform to Chicago Manual of Style 9. Bibliography or Works Cited page conforms to Chicago Manual of Style 10. Use gender inclusive language (humanity instead of man; people . . . they instead of a person . . . he) 11.
Include a Title 12. Thesis statement is in italics 13. Cite the Bible as follows: first time only: Sample You must remain completely loyal to the LORD
your God (Deut 18:3, NRSV). NOTE:Include the version [e.g., NRSV] for exact quotes only, close quote, then in parentheses, cite book, chapter, and
verse followed by abbreviation of version, close parentheses, THEN period. You only need to give your version one time unless you are citing multiple
versions. thereafter: Sample When you draw near to a town to fight against it, offer it terms of peace (Deut 20:10). Do not footnote your Bible
verse. Final Comments = Have fun. Exegesis is intended to be an occasion for joy and excitement. Remember that God has something to teach you from
the passage. That lesson may change you forever