CHAPTER THREE

HOW SERMONS WORK: INTERROGATION

Interrogation
Introduction
Once you have selected your text, the next step is to interrogate it – ask it questions from different
angles to help you reach its full meaning. This chapter will propose a series of questions to ask of
your text

1. Is your text in the Old Testament or the New Testament?

This is an important question to ask because the meaning of words and concepts may vary
depending on whether the text is under the “Old Covenant” or under the “New Covenant”
dispensation.

Example: The ceremonial laws requiring various

sacrifices under the “Old Covenant” have been abolished
by the final and full sacrifice of Jesus Christ under the
“New Covenant.” So, any sermon on these laws would
have to emphasize their practical abolition, but also their
continued theological significance.

2. What book does your text appear in?

If the previous question will help you place Example: While God’s use of the plural “let us
your text in its covenantal context, this make” in Genesis 1 allows for the later doctrine of the
question will help you set it in its canonical trinity, it is not certain that the original readers
context. By identifying the book’s place in interpreted this as a plurality of persons in the
God’s progressive revelation of himself, you Godhead. It is only later, when God had established
monotheism in His people, that it was safe to reveal
will more safely arrive at its original
that that one God was three persons.
meaning and avoid importing later
revelations of God into your interpretation.

3. What is the historical background?

By identifying when the events of the text took place, you will Example: Further light can
be able to refer to other passages of Scripture which bear be shed on Ezra and Nehemiah
upon that time. You will also be able to discover if there are when you discover that the
prophets Haggai, Zechariah
any significant links with events which came before or after. It and Malachi were ministering
is important to work on educating your congregation in during the same period.
biblical chronology.

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Most churchgoers know few dates. They usually

aren’t sure whether Esther comes before or after Abraham,
or in what century to locate any of them. The more often
you take the time to explain the dates related to a passage (it
need not take very long, after all), the more clear the
interrelationships of people, books, and events will become
to your congregation. God’s revelation to us is a historical
one – do not neglect chronology.
- Douglas Stuart

4. What is the geographical setting?

A spatial awareness of where each biblical nation and
region are located will help you understand the various Example: Describing the
geographical cul-de-sac – mountains,
threats and alliances which Israel passed through. An desert, sea – which Israel ended up
ability to describe the terrain and physical features of in at the Red Sea underlines the
an area will help listeners to paint the picture of the humanly impossible situation they
setting in their own minds. You will want to have a were in.
good set of Biblical maps to refer to.

Many preachers report that the results of this part

of the process especially produce the sorts of remarks in a
sermon that cause members of a congregation to say that
they felt like they were ‘right there,’ i.e., able to imagine
themselves in something of the same relationship to the
biblical material that the original audience presumably was.
- Douglas Stuart

5. What kind of literature is it?

The nature of the literature will affect the nature Example: If you are preaching from
of your interpretation. Different literary Daniel, you will interpret the historical
categories are prose, song, wisdom, apocalyptic, narrative sections in a way quite different
from the apocalyptic, or visionary parts.
biography, narrative, prophecy, legal code, etc.

6. Are there any cultural references?

Example: The necessity of building a
By identifying practices unique to Israelite fence around the roof of one’s home was
culture, you will avoid making wrong only relevant to a flat-roofed culture in
applications of culturally specific practices to which the roof was often used for
other cultures. Use a Bible dictionary or practical and social reasons. However,
Encyclopedia here. note that there is a transferable principle
of taking responsibility for other’s safety
while on our property which is not
culturally bound.

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 CHAPTER THREE HOW SERMONS WORK: INTERROGATION

7. What doctrines are involved?

Example: “And he [Abraham] believed
The highlighting of certain explicit or implicit in the LORD and it was counted to him
doctrines will alert you to the need for studying for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). This verse
these particular doctrines to discover their would require you to consider the
doctrine of justification by faith and
importance and consequences in your text. imputed righteousness.

8. Are there any cross-references?

From your knowledge of Scripture you should
know if it is quoted, alluded to, interpreted or Example: If you take Genesis 16:6
developed in other parts of Scripture. You will again, you will find that it is referred to in
Romans 4, Galatians 3, and James 2.
also want to use a thorough cross-reference
resource like the Thomson Chain Reference
Bible.

9. How is your text connected with the Example: Notice the connections
surrounding verses, chapters, or even books? between the various books of the
Pentateuch. Also, notice that the Ten
There are certain connecting words to look out Commandments are preceded with a
for: “and...therefore...however...but... statement of redemption (Ex.20:2), and
nevertheless... then, etc.” This should highlight concluded with a reference to sacrifice.
the need to connect your text with what goes Making these connections will prevent
you preaching legalistic sermons on the
before or after. commandments.

10. Is there selectivity? Example: The books of Kings and

Some books repeat what is told in other books. Chronicles cover many of the same
events. However, Kings was written
However, they usually present the same events before the Babylonian captivity and
in a different way. The writer is inspired to highlights the sins of the kings which
select the facts which will best serve his overall caused the captivity. Chronicles was
purpose. By understanding this selectivity you written after the nation had been taken
will gain clues to the overall purpose of the captive to Babylon and presents the line
writer. of David in a more positive light in order
to re-kindle hope of a restoration of the
Davidic kingdom and the Messianic
hope.

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11. Who is the author?

Sometimes this is not explicitly stated. However, even if the name cannot be stated with 100%
certainty, the character of the author will often shine through.

Example: When preaching

To a listener, a passage of
from the Psalms written by
Scripture often seems more ‘real’ if its
David, it is helpful to try and
author has been identified and the
relate the sentiments in the
general character of his writing has
Psalm to David’s character and
been described just a bit.
life.
- Douglas Stuart

12. When was it written?

This may be different from the answer to the question Example: Genesis was written by
regarding when did the events narrated take place. Moses, which means that it was
The text or the book may yield clues to when it was written many years after the events
written. Knowledge of who wrote, when he wrote, narrated in the book. It appears that
and to whom he wrote may have an impact on what Moses was using Israel’s ancient
events in the history were highlighted and why. history to guide the nation regarding
its present duty to leave Egypt behind
and press on into the Promised Land.

13. What are the main words in the text?

Example: “In those days, and in that time,
You should make a list of all the important verbs, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall
nouns and adjectives. This will help in come, they and the children of Judah
together, GOING and WEEPING: they
performing word studies and also in structuring shall GO, and SEEK the Lord” (Jer. 50:4).
your sermon. Notice especially if any words are The key verbs here may also provide your
used repeatedly. sermon headings.

14. What are the most important places or personalities?

Again this can prove a suitable source of further research and also of sermon headings.

Example: : A sermon on Genesis 16 might

look at events from four different
perspectives based on the main personalities:
Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael.

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15. How do other versions translate the text?

Obviously it is best if you can study the Scriptures in the original languages. However if you
can’t, and even if you can, you will often get light on your text by comparing how other
versions translate it.

Example: Notice the extra light which the NKJV throws

on the underlined phrase below.
“For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:
thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head” (Ps.21:3 KJV)
“For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set
a crown of pure gold upon his head” (Ps.21:3 NKJV)

16. How is the text structured?

This is especially relevant if you are considering more
than one verse. If it is a narrative, is there a beginning, Example: Look at the structure of
Psalm 57. There is a cry to God for help
middle, and end? If it is a Psalm, does the Psalmist move
(v. 1-5), a report of deliverance (v. 6),
from despair to hope, or from praise to practice? If it is a then praise to God for his help (v. 7-11).
proverb, is there evidence of parallel statements – the
same truth expressed twice, though in different ways.

17. What are the applications in the areas of faith and action?
Who is the text speaking to – Christians or unbelievers,
young or old, male or female, rich or poor, successful or Example: Psalm 57 is a suitable
failing, Jew or Gentile? Is there a doctrine to be believed model of faith and practice for those in
or a duty to be performed? Is there an obvious command trouble.
or exhortation? Is there a rebuke or a consolation to be
administered?

18. Is there anything controversial in the text?

Example: The prophecies of Ezekiel
There may be something in the text which Christians 40-48 regarding a rebuilt temple in
have disagreed upon. You should attempt to understand Jerusalem have been taken literally by
some Christians and symbolically by
each view’s strengths and weaknesses and defend the others.
view you support.

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19. What do commentators say?

You should build up a resource of reliable commentators
Example: You may want to consult a
on the text. As our financial resources are limited, you commentary if you are uncertain as to
will be best to start with reliable practical commentaries how to apply the text to your hearers.
on the whole Bible (e.g. Matthew Henry; Matthew Matthew Henry and Arthur Pink are
Poole; Jamieson, Faucett and Brown, etc.). It is good to masters of this art.
read the mature conclusions of others in order to check
our own conclusions.

20. What is central and what is peripheral?

Example: When preaching on the
Learn to distinguish between what is of primary and Red Sea crossing don’t get diverted by
what is of secondary importance in a text. You cannot all the speculation about what and
say everything possible about every text in every sermon. where the Red Sea actually was. The
Neither would you want to. Major on the majors and most important point is the divine
minor on the minors. miracle of the crossing.

Conclusion

Learn to interrogate your text with patience, submission and a listening ear. Collate
your answers and meditate upon them. Pray for light on unanswered questions.

References
Douglas Stuart, Old Testament Exegesis (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001), 75, 74

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