Exegesis Assignment 1000wrds, due 24 hours.
Exegesis Paper: Introduction & Thesis
Lesson Objective
A detailed look at the introductory paragraph
Thesis statement: thinking about the BIG IMPRESSION
What next?
Sample Passage for Study: John 13:1 – 17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Starting at the Drawing Board
What happens in the story?
Who are the characters?
What is the setting?
What is the main lesson/takeaway?
Introductory Paragraph
1) Introductory sentence that focuses on the biblical story and connects it with the big impression
“The story of Jesus washing disciples’ feet in John 13 demonstrates that humility can allow one to…”
2) Purpose sentence that states the importance of understanding your BIG IMPRESSION:
“It is significant to study principles of humility from the Bible stories because …”
3) Thesis statement
Thesis Statement Format
[Biblical passage] demonstrates/reveals/highlights + BIG IMPRESSION + through the following events/characters: ________, ________, and ________.
Gospel of John 13:1-17 demonstrates Jesus’ humility through the following events:
What does “big impression” mean?
What is your KEY TAKEAWAY from this story?
What do you think is the MAIN IDEA/LESSON of the story?
What do you think the author of the story would want you to remember about the story?
Other Possibilities?
Sample thesis key word: “humility of Jesus”
Others:
Servant leadership
Jesus’ followers as His representatives
A Note on Events vs. Characters
Focusing on events = each body paragraph will discuss a different event that happens in the story
e.g. 1) Jesus washes the disciples’ feet 2) Peter refuses to have his feet washed…
Focusing on characters = each body paragraph focuses on a different character that is featured in the story
e.g. 1) Jesus 2) Peter 3) Other disciples…(e.g. Judas Iscariot)
Exegesis Paper Assignment Checklist (So Far)
Have you chosen your story?
Read through the story carefully and choose your big impression
Try to think of WHY you have chosen this key word – this will give you ideas about your roadmap key words
Complete Task #8