BIBL 350

CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT 2 TEMPLATE

Name: John Shisler

Liberty University Email Address: jmshisler@liberty.edu

Assignment 6-4: Cultural Context. (p.136) (15 points)

Read the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman recorded in John 4:1-39. Then
read an article on Samaria or Samaritan in a Bible dictionary or encyclopedia and make a list
of all the ways the article helps you understand the conversation between Jesus and the woman.
1.

Samaria is a city and a territory (province)

2.

Separation seems to be more political than religious.

3.

Served the Lord while also serving other gods.

4.

There was animosity between territory of Samaria and Judea.

5.

Herod built a temple for Augustus so that he could be worshipped as a god.

6.

Intermarriage was common within Samaria.

7.

The southern half of Samaria remained faithful while northern half was almost entirely
pagan.

8.

Populated by those returning from exile and those who remained during exile period

9.

Samaritan food was considered unclean

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Assignment 6-5: Context (p.136) (15 points)

Use the dictionary or encyclopedia to answer the following questions about the book of
Nehemiah:
1. How much time passes between the month of Kislev (or Chislev) in Nehemiah 1:1 and
the month of Nisan in Nehemiah 2:1?
4 Months
2. Where is Susa (Nehemiah 1:1)?
Susa is located in modern day Iran, at
the site of the current town of Shush
3. For which empire did Susa serve as one of three royal cities?
Persian

4. What other biblical character lived in Susa?

Esther
5. Did this character live before Nehemiah or after?
Before
6. Which empire did King Artaxerxes rule over and when (Neh.2:1)?
Persian Empire from 465 BCE until 424 BCE
7. What was a cupbearers (Neh.1:11) status in the royal court?
High ranked officer who served drinks to the royals. Cupbearer
was to guard royals against poison.

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Assignment 8-1: The Surrounding Textual Context (p.162) (20 Points)

Write a paragraph describing the passages surrounding context of the following passages: Acts
1:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.
In order to complete this assignment, you will need to go back and reflect on the steps listed on
textbook pages 156-161 and then do the following: (even though you are not being asked in this
assignment to examine the entire book of Acts and 1 Corinthians, these principles will still help
guide you in completing assignment 8-1).

Determine the major textual unit that is before and the major textual unit that is after in
regards to both Acts 1:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.

Write a summary statement for each of the four textual units.

Write two paragraphs. The first paragraph should explain how Acts 1:7-8 relates to the
two textual units surrounding it. The second paragraph should explain how 1 Corinthians
11:27-32 relates to the two textual units surrounding it.

By completing items 1-10 below, you will accomplish what is listed above.
What is the textual unit (i.e., Scripture passage, just the reference) previous to Acts 1:7-8:
Acts 1:1-6

Write a summary statement of the passage you listed in #1:

Luke is writing to Theophilus, reiterating what he had previously written about the life of
Jesus (my former book); explaining how Jesus came to the disciples to prove He was
alive, stayed with them for 40 days, and spoke about the kingdom of heaven

What is the textual unit (i.e., Scripture passage, just the reference) after Acts 1:7-8:
Acts 1:9-11

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Write a summary statement of the passage you listed in #3:

Luke is describing the ascension of Jesus and the angels
that told the disciples Jesus would return the same way He
left.

Write a complete paragraph describing how Acts 1:7-8 relates to the passages listed in #1
and #3 above (remember to incorporate all relevant material from your summary
statements [i.e., #2 and #4] respectively). The important thing here is to note the
connection with the paragraph preceding and following Acts 1:7-8.
Verses 1-6 focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, signs that Jesus had risen
from the dead, his ascension, and Jesuss instructions to disciples regarding the
Holy Spirit. The disciples become scared because up until now there was no need
for a spirit to dwell in them. They have always had Jesus to teach them. In
verse 7, Jesus answers the question the disciples ask in verse 5 about restoring
Israel. The disciples only comprehend the earthly kingdom and dont realize the
bigger picture of the kingdom of heaven. Verse 8 refers back to verses 4 and 5
telling the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Verses 7-8
also focus on the power the people will receive to be witnesses to the ends of the
earth. Until now, they had not needed a spirit inside them because Jesus was
physically with them. It also discusses that no one knows when Jesus will return.
Verses 9-11 discuss Jesuss ascension to heaven.

What is the textual unit (i.e., Scripture passage, just the reference) previous to 1
Corinthians 11:27-32:

1 Corinthians 11:17-26

Write a summary statement of the passage you listed in #6:

The poor were not being allowed to eat with the rich after
communion. The rich were eating well and getting drunk while the
poor were starving.

What is the textual unit (i.e., Scripture passage, just the reference) after to 1 Corinthians
11:27-32:

1 Corinthians 11:33-34

Write a summary statement of the passage you listed in #8:

Paul is discussing that all believers should eat together, no matter
their background or wealth. He also advises that when he arrives,
he will give further instructions.

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10

Write a complete paragraph describing how 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 relates to the

passages listed in #6 and #8 above (remember to incorporate all relevant material from
your summary statements [i.e., #7 and #9] respectively). The important thing here is to
note the connection with the paragraph preceding and following 1Corinthians 11:27-32
Paul criticizes how the church is celebrating communion. Paul reminds them that
the bread and wine are to represent the body and blood of Christ until His return.
Paul reminds them that all should be included in communion as well as the meal
afterwards. God does not bless based on wealth or background, as long as you
believe in Him. He reminds them that if they are not honoring God with the way
they are partaking communion and celebrating Jesus, then their celebration is not
as blessed. He reminds them again to all come together as believers to celebrate
Jesus and that he will give further instructions to them when he gets to their
church.

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Assignment 9-1: Concordance Exercise (pp.184-185) (20 Points)

1. Use the concordance (The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance) to answer the
following questions about Acts 1:8.

Write out the English transliterated (not translated) form of the word translated
power in Acts 1:8. (7 points)
Dunamis

How many times does the word occur in the New Testament?

121

List the passages in Acts that translate this word as power.

Acts 1:8, 3:12, 4:7, 4:33, 6:8, 8:10, 10:38

List the passages in Acts that translate this word as miracles.

Acts 2:22, 8:13, 19:11

2. Use the concordance to answer the following questions about Exodus 4:21. (4 points)

Write out the English transliterated (not translated) form of the word translated
power in Exodus 4:21.

Yad

How many times does this word occur in the Old Testament?

44

List the passages in Exodus that translate the word as power.

Exodus 3:8, 4:21, 14:31

3. The NASB uses the word examined in 1 Corinthians 4:3, judgment in 1Cor.4:5, and
decide in 1Cor.6:5. Are these the same Greek words? Bold either Yes or No. Write
out the English transliteration (not translation) of the three Greek words translated as
examined judgment and decide in these three passages. (4 points)
Examined
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1st Word

2nd Word

Judgment

3rd Word

Decide

4. Use the concordance to answer the following questions about the word hope. (5 points)

Paul uses this word in Romans 4:18. How many times total does he use this same
word in his letters?

13

How many times is the word used in Matthew, Mark, and Luke?

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Is this the same word for hope that is used in 1 Corinthians 13:13?Assignment 9-2:
Yes
Concordance Exercise / Word Study. (pp.185-186) (30 Points)

You are studying the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and the word worried in chapter 6
catches your eye. You decide to study the word worried more in depth.
1. Use your concordance (The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance) to find the Greek
word that is translated worried in Matthew 6:25. Do this by looking up worried in the
first part of the concordance. Then find Mt 6:25 in the left column and look to the right
to find the Strongs number. What is the Strongs number of the word translated
worried in Matthew 6:25? (1 point)

3309

2. Now turn to that number in the Greek to English Dictionary and Index in the back of
the concordance. Remember, we use the Hebrew to English Dictionary and Index for
Old Testament words and the Greek to English Dictionary and Index for New
Testament words. What is the Greek word that is beside that number? Write out the word
in transliterated (not translated) English form. (Dont worry about spelling.) (2 points)
Merimnao
How many times is it used in the New Testament?

19

3. While you are looking at the Greek word in the Greek to English Dictionary and Index,
make a list of the different ways the NASB translates this particular Greek word: (7
points)

Anxious

(1 time)

Care

(1 time)

concerned

(5 times)

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Havecare

(1 time)

Worried

(4 times)

Worry

(6 times)

Worrying

(1 time)

4. Next, look up each translation you listed above in the first part of your concordance and
find the chapter and verse where the Greek word is used. For example, the NASB
translates the Greek word as worried four times. As you look up worried in the first
part of your concordance, you need to make sure that the word is in bold print and that
the number to the right is the same one that you have already identified. You will discover
that the Greek word is translated worried by the NASB in Matthew 6:25, 27, 28; Luke
10:41 (4 times). Now complete the chart below by looking up each translation: (7 points)

4 times Matthew 6:25, 27, 28; Luke 10:41

1 time

1 time

Matt 6:34; 1Cor 12:25 - Care

5 times

1Cor 7:32, 33, 34(x2); Phil 2:20 - Concerned

1 time

6 times

1 time

Phil 4:6 - Anxious

1 Cor 12:25 Havecare

Matt 6:31, 34, 10:19; Luke 12:11, 22, 26 - Worry
Luke 12:29 - Worrying

5. Now that you know how the NASB translates the word and where it is found in the New
Testament, examine each occurrence in context as a means of identifying the words
range of meaning. All this is part of determining what the word could mean before you
decide what is does mean in Matthew 6:25. This step is probably the most important, but

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also the most difficult. There is an art to identifying a words semantic range. Dont give
up. Keep working at it and youll find that it gets easier with practice. Answer the
following questions about how the word is used in each context as a way of getting at its
range of meaning: (7 points)
a) What things are we told not to worry about in Matthew 6:25, 27, 28, 31, 34; Luke
12:22, 25, 26?
Your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, for your body,
what you will put on, tomorrow, life, and other matters

b) What is the context in Matthew 10:19 and Luke 12:11? Is this a different kind of
worry than that prohibited in Matthew 6:25?
The context of both is public defense. The worry, however, is
different even though the word used is the same.

c) What stands in contrast to Marthas worry (Luke 10:41)?

The worries that Mary has stand in contrast to the smaller, less
important worries of Martha.

How does this contrast help to define Martha's worry?

The contrast shows that Martha is worrying about more immediate
issues and less spiritual issues. Mary is worrying more spiritually.

d) In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul uses the word four times (vv. 32, 33 and 34 two times).
Describe the context of this usage.
1Cor 7:32 --The unmarried man being concerned about pleasing
the Lord. (Spiritual worries)
1Cor 7:33 Married man concerned with immediate issues and
how to please his wife.
1Cor 7:34 (1) unmarried or virgin concerned with pleasing the
Lord. (Spiritual worries)
(2) Married woman concerned with immediate issues and how to
please husband.
e) What do the contexts of 1 Corinthians 12 and Philippians 2 have in common?
Both are concerned with the church or body of Christ

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f) What kind of worry is Paul describing in Philippians 4?

Worried about growing the church and spreading Gods Word.
(Spiritual worries)

How do you know?

Speaks about how only Philippians have helped him spread the
message of Gods love. Phil 4:16 talks about how the Philippians
sent Paul help multiple times.

6. Based on your brief study of the word as used in context, describe as best you can the
semantic range of the word. There are at least two major senses of the word and perhaps a
couple of more. (3 points)
Worry can range from immediate to spiritual. We are told to worry
more about our spirituality and spreading Gods word. God will
provide for our worldly needs so that we do not need to worry
about them. God will also provide for us if we are persecuted for
our faith.

7. Now decide what the Greek word used in Matthew 6:25 and translated worried actually
means in Matthew 6:25. Select one of the semantic-range options that you identified in
step 6 and explain why you think the word carries that meaning in Matthew 6:25. (3
points)

Concerned fits best. God will provide for us in regards to our daily
needs. We need to be concerned with our spiritual needs and the
spiritual needs of others. We need to spread His Word without
being concerned about what will be provided for us. We need to
let God take care of our daily needs and just watch to make sure
we partake in what God is providing.

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CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT 2 GRADING RUBRIC

Student:

Criteria

Points
Possible

Point
s
Earne
d

Instructors Comments

Assignment 6-4:

Answer provided notes the

historical, political, social, and
religious elements of the
Jewish/Samaritan conflict.

Answer provided is a succinct

analysis of how the historical,
political, social, and religious
elements would have impacted
Jesus encounter with the Samaritan
woman.

15

Assignment 6-5:

Answers provided for each question

reflect the use of a Bible dictionary.
Answers provided for each question
reflects a basic understanding of
Nehemiah and the corresponding
historical/cultural situation.

Assignment 8-1

15

20

Answer provided demonstrates

thoughtful analysis (considering
assumptions, observing concepts,
and analyzing implications) of the
surrounding context of the required
passages.
Answer provided is at least a
paragraph in length for each of the
specific passages.

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Assignment 9-1:

Answer provided indicates a basic

understanding of the general
functions of a concordance.
Answer provided exhibits an
understanding of the connection
between the original language and
the English language.
Answer provided reflects an ability
to analyze information gathered
from a concordance and explain its
significance.

20

Assignment 9-2:

Answer provided indicates a basic

understanding of the general
functions of a concordance.
Answer provided exhibits an
understanding of the connection
between the original language and
the English language.
Answer provided reflects an ability
to analyze information gathered
from a concordance and explain its
significance.
Total

30

100

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