Aim

The Aim identifies the purpose of the passage and what it seeks to communicate. While the Subject Sentence summarizes the text movement, the Aim seeks to understand why that movement exists. It helps us recognize what the writer appears to be seeking to accomplish through the passage and what response the material seems designed to encourage.

This distinction is foundational to the homiletical process. Before asking what a passage means for our lives, we first seek to understand what the inspired writer intended to communicate through it. Only after that purpose begins to emerge are we prepared to consider the passage’s implications for our own lives and for those we may eventually teach.

Guiding Principle

The Aim does not describe what we want the passage to accomplish; it identifies what the biblical writer appears to be accomplishing through the passage itself.

Role of the Aim

Many students assume the Aim is simply a lesson objective or a statement describing what they hope to accomplish while teaching. Although the Aim will eventually influence both teaching and application, it begins somewhere else. It is not first about what the leader wants to achieve but about what the passage itself appears to be trying to accomplish.

The Aim is therefore not what we want the passage to say. It is what the passage appears to be doing through its movement, emphasis, and progression. This distinction keeps us anchored to the text rather than allowing personal preferences, favorite topics, or predetermined conclusions to shape our interpretation.

Discovering the Aim

The Aim is not something we invent after reading a passage. It is something we discover through careful observation, thoughtful organization, and prayerful reflection. As observations are gathered, Content Statements are developed, Divisions are identified, and the Subject Sentence is written, the writer’s apparent purpose often begins to emerge naturally.

Our responsibility is not to assign purpose to the text but to discover the purpose the inspired writer appears to communicate.

Writing an Effective Aim

Once the writer’s apparent purpose has been discovered, the student must express it clearly. Although there is no single formula for writing an Aim, effective Aim statements are usually concise, specific, and firmly rooted in the passage.

Testing the Aim

Once an Aim has been written, it should be tested against the passage. An Aim may sound biblical, encouraging, or useful and still fail to reflect the distinctive purpose of the text being studied. Testing helps ensure that the statement arises from the passage rather than from the student’s personal interests or expectations.

Why the Aim Matters

The Aim matters because it gives direction to the remainder of the homiletical process. Once the writer’s apparent purpose has been identified, the student is better prepared to ask how the passage should affect life, what enduring truths it communicates, what it reveals about God, and what unifying message emerges from the study.

Summary

The Aim identifies the apparent purpose of a passage and serves as the bridge between structural development and deeper reflection, helping us understand not only what the text says but what it seeks to accomplish.

 

 

 

Defining Blocks of Thought

Once observations have been gathered, begin looking for the natural blocks of thought within the passage. A block of thought is a group of verses that develops a common event, conversation, action, idea, or movement. An important part of recognizing each block is identifying its verse boundaries—where the thought begins and where it concludes.

Begin with the first major block of thought. Read through the passage again and ask, Where does this thought begin? Where does it end? Identify the chapter and verse where the thought begins and the verse where it appears to conclude. Establishing these boundaries helps separate one major thought from another and begins to crystallize the thought contained within those verses.

With the boundaries established, look more closely at what happens within them. Identify the sub-thoughts that add detail and develop the major block of thought. These may include events, conversations, actions, responses, changes in setting, or important learning points. Bible Study Fellowship often approaches these as the different events, conversations, and learning points found within the passage.

These sub-thoughts can also help confirm the boundaries. As the details are examined, we may discover that a verse initially included in one block actually begins the next thought, or that a thought continues beyond the boundary first identified. The process is therefore both observational and developmental: the boundaries help crystallize the thought, while the thought helps confirm the boundaries.

After working through the first major block, move to the next. Again ask where the thought begins and where it concludes. Record the verse boundaries, identify the supporting sub-thoughts, and continue through the passage until each major block has been examined.

A good rule of thumb is to identify no more than four major blocks of thought. Some passages may naturally contain only two or three. The purpose is not to force Scripture into a predetermined number of blocks, but to recognize the larger movements already present in the passage.

Finally, return to each major block and verify its verse boundaries. Read across the point where one block ends and the next begins. Does the thought conclude naturally at that verse? Does the following verse introduce a new event, conversation, action, speaker, emphasis, or direction? Make any final adjustments to the boundaries as the passage requires.

Carefully identifying where each thought begins and concludes allows the structure of the passage to emerge more clearly. Verse boundaries help crystallize each major thought and distinguish it from the thought that follows.

Subject Sentence

A Subject Sentence keeps the entire passage in view.

The Subject Sentence summarizes the overall movement and progression of the passage, serving as a bridge between the individual divisions and the broader truths that will later be identified through the Theme and the Aim. It allows us to step back from the individual details and view the passage as a unified whole while remaining faithful to the progression already discovered within the text. Because it captures the flow of the passage in a single sentence, it becomes one of the most valuable tools in our journey of discovery, helping us remain focused on what the text is actually doing throughout the remainder of our study. A well-written Subject Sentence prevents unnecessary detours and provides a framework for identifying the Theme, Aim, Principles, applications, the Characteristic of God, and supporting observations that follow.

Characteristics of a Good Subject Sentence

A good Subject Sentence is:

·       Accurate to the text.

·       Based upon the divisions.

·       Concise and memorable.

·       Descriptive rather than interpretive.

·       Focused on the movement and progression of the passage.

Its purpose is not to function as a message title, theological statement, or commentary. Instead, it summarizes the movement of the passage as clearly and accurately as possible, allowing the structure already discovered within the text to remain in clear view.

Economy of Words

Every word should earn its place.

A Subject Sentence is not intended to explain the passage but to summarize its movement as clearly and simply as possible. Economy of words encourages clarity and helps keep our attention focused on the progression of the text rather than unnecessary detail. As students develop Subject Sentences, there is often a temptation to include more information than is necessary. While those details may be accurate, they frequently weaken the sentence by shifting it from summary to explanation.

Goal: is not to explain the passage but to summarize its movement in a way that is both accurate and memorable.

Rule of Thumb: Aim for ten words or fewer.

While some passages may require a few additional words, brevity promotes clarity and makes the Subject Sentence easier to remember throughout the study process. Every word should contribute to describing the movement of the passage.

Building a Subject Sentence

The Subject Sentence emerges naturally from the divisions of the passage. After the divisions have been identified, we examine them carefully and ask what progression is taking place, what actions connect the divisions, and how that movement can be summarized in one concise sentence. The answers to those questions often become the Subject Sentence itself.

Evaluating Your Subject Sentence

It is helpful to evaluate the Subject Sentence carefully, in doing so ask:

·       Does it accurately summarize the movement of the passage?

·       Is it tied directly to the divisions?

·       Does it avoid unnecessary detail?

·       Is it concise and memorable?

·       Does it describe rather than interpret?

·       Can any words be removed without losing meaning?

If the answer to these questions is yes, the Subject Sentence is likely serving its purpose well. Its purpose is not simply to complete an exercise but to help us remain faithful to the structure and progression God has already placed within His Word.

A Practical Validation

After evaluating your Subject Sentence against the passage itself, one additional exercise can often prove helpful.

Try entering your Subject Sentence into an internet search engine, enclosing it in quotation marks if you want to search for the exact phrase. This is not a test of biblical accuracy, nor should it replace careful observation of Scripture. Rather, it is simply a practical way to evaluate whether your Subject Sentence uniquely reflects the passage you have been studying.

Why A Subject Sentence Matters

A clear Subject Sentence functions like a roadmap, keeping the entire passage in view while guiding every step that follows. Without it, observations can become disconnected, principles may drift from the text, and the overall study can lose direction. A well-crafted Subject Sentence keeps us anchored to the passage, reminds us what the text is actually doing.

(An extract from "Walking Through God's Word")

Divisions

Divisions reveal how God has organized His message within the passage. As related observations and content statements naturally group together, divisions provide structure, reveal progression, and help us understand how each part contributes to the whole. Rather than viewing the passage as a collection of individual discoveries, we begin to see it as a unified message unfolding before us.

As observations and content statements accumulate, patterns begin to emerge. Related discoveries naturally group together, repeated emphases become more visible, and progression becomes easier to recognize. Gradually, what first appeared to be a collection of individual observations begins to reveal the structure of the passage itself.

Each step builds naturally upon the one before it.

We discover the structure God has already placed within the passage.

One of the most important principles in this process is recognizing that divisions are not imposed upon a passage. They are discovered within it.

As we observe carefully and follow the progression of thought, natural movements begin emerging. A conversation may shift in focus, a new event may occur, an emphasis may develop, or a response may follow what has already taken place. These transitions help reveal the structure that already exists within the passage. Our responsibility is not to create divisions but to recognize them.

Because divisions emerge from the text itself, different passages naturally contain different numbers of divisions. Some passages reveal two major movements, while others reveal three or four. In most cases, however, two to four divisions provide a manageable framework for understanding the progression of the passage.

Division Matter

Divisions help us see the passage as a unified message rather than a collection of individual observations. As related discoveries are organized into meaningful movements of thought, the relationships between the various parts of the passage become increasingly clear. We begin seeing not only what the passage says but also how the biblical author intentionally developed God's message from beginning to end.

Instead of becoming overwhelmed by individual details, we begin appreciating how each movement contributes to the larger message. This broader perspective prepares us for the next stages of the homiletics process.

Identifying Divisions

As observations are grouped together, we begin looking for natural transitions within the passage. Asking thoughtful questions often helps reveal where one movement ends, and another begins.

Ask yourself:

·       Does the setting change?

·       Does the speaker change?

·       Does the audience change?

·       Does the subject change?

·       Is a new event introduced?

·       Does the emphasis shift?

·       Is there a clear response to what has already occurred?

Not every transition creates a new division, but significant changes frequently reveal a new movement within the passage. These transitions help us discover the structure that God has already woven into the text.

Evaluating Divisions

Once divisions have been identified, it is helpful to evaluate them carefully. The purpose is not to produce a perfect outline but to determine whether the divisions faithfully reflect the movement of the passage.

Ask yourself:

·       Does this division accurately reflect the content of the passage?

·       Does it preserve the progression of thought?

·       Does it remain faithful to the text?

·       Does it contribute to understanding the passage as a whole?

If a division feels forced, overlaps significantly with another division, or fails to reflect the movement of the passage, further refinement may be necessary. Careful evaluation strengthens our confidence that we are recognizing the structure already present within God's Word.

Observation and Content Development

 

An extract describing our homiletics and Observation and Content (passage discovery)...

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." — Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Having learned the importance of engaging Scripture deeply, we are now ready to begin the practical process of homiletics.

Every meaningful journey through Scripture begins with careful observation.

Before interpretation, application, or proclamation can occur, we must first learn to see what is actually happening within the passage. Observation and Content Development is one of the foundational disciplines within faithful exposition because it allows progression, spiritual emphasis, and developing truth to emerge naturally from the text.

Observation and Content Development work together. Observation allows the student to see what is happening within the passage, while Content Development provides a way to capture those discoveries in a concise and organized manner. Without observation, there is little to record, and without Content Development, important discoveries can easily be forgotten or remain disconnected from one another. Together, they create the foundation upon which the remainder of the homiletics process is built.

The student must learn to slow down long enough to truly listen to the movement of Scripture rather than rushing immediately toward conclusions, outlines, or presentation.

Before asking what the passage means or how it might be taught, the student must first ask a more fundamental question: "What is happening within the passage?"

Observation seeks to answer that question.

Observation is the process of discovery. We are not creating meaning, inventing themes, or constructing conclusions, but rather discovering what God has already placed within the text. Careful observation allows the content, movement, relationships, progression, and spiritual emphasis of the passage to emerge naturally. The goal is not to force understanding upon the text, but to allow the text to reveal its own message.

We as students of the Word should seek to observe carefully, recognize repeated ideas, identify progression, notice spiritual emphasis, and allow the text itself to reveal developing truth naturally. Observation requires patience, repeated reading, thoughtful reflection, prayer, and sincere engagement with the Word of God. Often, the deepest truths emerge gradually as the expositor begins noticing repeated emphasis, spiritual progression, and subtle details intentionally woven throughout the passage.

At this stage, we in our expository discovery should resist the temptation to move immediately toward interpretation, application, lesson construction, or conclusions. Observation must come first. The immediate goal is not to determine what the passage means, but to see clearly what the passage says. Only after careful observation has established a solid foundation should we move toward interpretation and application.

Our Homiletics Observation Step

 In my homiletics book I discuss these steps in our homiletics in detail.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

 Homiletics                                                Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    29                                            Title :          Looking Back and Moving Forward

Content (List of Topics or Events)                      Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Exile & God’s Sovereignty in Judgment (Ezekiel, Daniel) Ezekiel 1.God’s glory departs the temple → judgment is real and deserved. 2.Individual responsibility before God (Ezekiel 18). 3.Promise of new heart and spirit (36:26). 4. Vision of restored temple and renewed presence → God is not finished. Daniel 1.God rules over all kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome). 2.Faithfulness in a hostile culture (Daniel in lions’ den, fiery furnace). 3.Prophetic timeline: “Son of Man” and coming eternal kingdom (Daniel 7). 4.God’s plan unfolds across history—not just Israel.

Return & Rebuilding (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) Ezra 1.Return from exile under Persian decree. 2.Rebuilding the temple. 3.Centrality of God’s Word and covenant obedience. 4.Spiritual reform is just as important as physical rebuilding. Nehemiah 1.Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls amid opposition. 2.Leadership marked by prayer, planning, and perseverance. 3.National repentance and covenant renewal (Nehemiah 9–10). 4.Ongoing struggle with sin—even after success. Esther 1.God’s name is not mentioned—but His hand is everywhere. 2.Preservation of the Jewish people through providence. 3.Courage and calling: “for such a time as this.” 4.God works even when He seems hidden.

Restoration, Awakening & Future Hope (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) Haggai 1.“Consider your ways”—people prioritized themselves over God. 2.Rebuilding the temple is a spiritual priority. 3.God promises future glory greater than the former. Zechariah 1.Rich visions of restoration and Messiah. The coming King: humble yet victorious (Zech 9:9). 2.Future cleansing, shepherd imagery, and ultimate victory of God. 3.Strong messianic and apocalyptic themes. Malachi 1.Spiritual apathy and empty religion. 2.Corrupt priests, broken covenant faithfulness. 3.Promise of a coming messenger (John the Baptist) and the “Day of the Lord.” 4.Ends with anticipation of future intervention.

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Exile & God’s Sovereignty in Judgment	Ezekiel, Daniel
Return & Rebuilding	Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Restoration, Awakening & Future Hope	Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

God’s Word reveals His enduring faithfulness and calls us to faith-filled action.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God’s Word reveals His enduring faithfulness and calls us to faith-filled action.

Application Questions

Where do you turn when things go wrong?

What challenges do you have where dependence on God is fully required?

What relationships need to be addressed to bring restoration and hope?

Principles to Remember

Even when God’s people lose everything, God has not lost control.

God restores His people, but external rebuilding must be matched by internal renewal.

Restoration has begun—but true transformation and fulfillment are still ahead.

Characteristic of God

At Work to Transform Us

Theme

God is at work with His people, reclaiming, restoring and rebuilding a covenant relationship with them.

 

 

Malachi 1-4

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    28                                                     Passage:    Malachi 1-4

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Today: Love Defiled – Priest Profane and Judah Unfaithful (Malachi 1-2) 1. Lord’s love declared (1:1-2) 2. Lord’s love for Jacob described (1:3-5) 3. Lord questions people’s honor and respect (1:6) 4. Priest’s unacceptable offerings; contemptible sacrifices brought to Lord’s table (1:7-14a) a. Bringing imperfect offerings; would Lord be pleased and accept you? b. Plead for grace for unacceptable offerings? c. Pure offerings required; Lord’s name great among nations d. Lord’s table defiled, contemptible; cheating with blemished offerings e.Lord is a great king to be feared 5. Warning to Priests of rebuke so covenant will continue with true instruction; nothing false (2:1-6) 6. Priests ought to preserve knowledge of law as messenger; teaching caused stumbling. Profaning covenant by being unfaithful (2:7-10) 7. Judah has been unfaithful by marrying women who worship foreign gods and unfaithfulness to wife (2:11-16) 8.Weary God by doing evil in God’s eyes (2:17)

A Day is Coming; Call to Listen and Return (Malachi 3:1-16) 1. Messenger of covenant will prepare the way before the Lord you are seeking (3:1) 2.  A refiner’s fire and purifier being acceptable offering before the Lord (3:2-4) 3. On trial testifying against sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those that defraud, oppress widows and orphans, deprive foreigners of justice but do not fear the Lord (3:5) 4. Consistent to descendants of Jacob requesting “return to me and I’ll return to you” (3:6-7) 5. Return by not robbing God; bring whole tithe and floodgates will be open and blessed (3:8-12) 6. Arrogant talk against Lord and ask about what you gain by carrying out the Lord’s requirements (3:13-15) 7. Those who fear the Lord, shared and Lord listened and heard and names entered on scroll of remembrance (3:16)

On That Day: Healing or Judgment (Malachi 3:17-4:6)  1. On that day those who fear Lord will be a treasured possession and, with compassion spare them (3:17-18) 2. The day coming will burn like furnace; set arrogant and evil on fire destroying them (4:1) 3. Those who revere Lord’s name the sun will rise heal and be glad (4:2) 4. You’ll trample on the wicked when the Lord acts (4:3) 5. Remember the Law given through Moses, the decrees and laws given (4:4) 6. Prophet Elijah will be sent before that great and dreadful day (4:5) 7. Hearts will be turned parents to children and children to parents or Lord comes to strike land with total destruction (4:6)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Today: Love Defiled – Priest Profane and Judah Unfaithful	Malachi 1-2
A Day is Coming; Call to Listen and Return	Malachi 3:1-16
On That Day: Healing or Judgment	Malachi 3:17-4:6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Malachi questions challenging unfaithful telling of Defining and Refining Day

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God loves His people and requires our best; the Lord is coming unfaithful will be judged and righteous will rise

Application Questions

How are you giving your best and honoring God with your finest?

Where are you faithfully speaking out for the Lord?  If not, why not?

In what ways do you see yourself as God’s treasured possession?

Principles to Remember

God is deserving of honor and praise

If we return to Him; He will return to us.

The Day of the Lord is Coming

Characteristic of God

Faithful to His Covenant

Theme

God’s call to faithfulness to Him and His kingdom, and covenant commitments to our wife. A day is coming

 

Nehemiah 11-13

 Homiletics                                                         Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    27                                                     Passage:    Nehemiah 11-13

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Jerusalem and Surrounding Settlements Settled (Nehemiah 11-12:26) 1. Leaders and others lots cast lots to occupy Jerusalem (11:1-2) 2. Provincial leaders and descendants of Solomon’s servant settle (11:3) 3. Listed descendants described   a. Judah (11:4-6) b. Benjamin (11:7-9) c. Priests (11:10-14) d. Levites (11:15-18) e. Gatekeepers (11:19) 4. Living locations identified (11:20-36) 5. Returnee groups Priest and Levites listed (12:1-26) a. Returned with Zerubbabel (1-7a) b. Leaders of priests in days of Joshua (7b-21) c. Family heads in day of Eliashib (22-26

Celebration at Jerusalem’s Wall Dedication (Nehemiah 12:27-43) 1. Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem – priests purified themselves, people, gates and wall (12:27-30) 2.  Two large choir assembled to give thanks (12:31-43) a. First choir to top of wall toward Dung Gate with teacher of Law leading procession passing David’s palace (12:31-37) b. Second choir in opposite direction stopping at Gate of the Guard (12:38-39 c. Two choirs gave thanks then took places in house of God (12:40-42) 3. God had given great joy bringing great sacrifices and great joy in Jerusalem (12:43)

Warnings of Foreign engagements, Honoring Sabbath and Foreign Family Entanglements (Nehemiah 12:44-13:31)  1. Men appointed in charge of contribution (12:44-47) 2. On that day while reading the Law they heard that Ammonite and Moabite were never to be admitted to assembly of God and they excluded foreigners (13:1-3) 3. Prior Eliashib allowed Tobiah use of storerooms (13:4-5) 4. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem learns of Tobiah’s storeroom use; they’re cleared, purified, back to use for house of God (13:6-9) 5. Portions weren’t given to Levites and house of God neglected brings rebuke and trustworthy assignments (13:10-14) 6. Sabbath desecrated at winepresses and selling goods is chastised (13:15-18) 7. Nehemiah has gates closed leaving merchants outside the gates asking God to remember (13:19-22) 8. Men of Judah married foreign women, children spoke foreign language angering Nehemiah’s strong rebuke to not allow children to marry foreigners (13:22-27) 9. Priestly office defiled is driven away; priests purified Nehemiah asking for God’s favor (13:28-31)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Jerusalem and Surrounding Settlements Settled	Nehemiah 11-12:26
Celebration at Jerusalem’s Wall Dedication	Nehemiah 12:27-43
Warnings of Foreign engagements, Honoring Sabbath and Foreign Family Entanglements	Nehemiah 12:44-13:31

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Jerusalem settled, wall dedication celebration with Nehemiah’s God Honoring corrections

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that settling with God is cause for celebration, purity alignment with His best for us. God is faithful

Application Questions

How are you living as God desires? How have you asked?

In what ways are you celebrating God’s goodness to you?

Where are you stretching the boundaries and how can you reign them in for God’s best for you?

Principles to Remember

God has a place for us

God is worthy of praise

Living pure lives is God’s best for us

Characteristic of God

Our Blessing

Theme

Nehemiah describes settling in God’s place, celebration God’s goodness and living holy lives according to God’s plan