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Name: Viktor Sviridovich
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: OBSERVATION TEMPLATE
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
A. I have read Acts 9:36-43 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. Please
use the translation provided in your digital library or found at Biblegateway.com
O Yes
O No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2
similarities and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You
may list as many similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the
minimum amount.
a. Similarity – Both translations mention that Lydda is near Joppa and two men
were sent there to Peter to urge him to come to Joppa.
b. Similarity – Both translations note that the widows stood around Peter crying and
showing him the clothing Dorcas made while she was with them.
c. Difference – The NIV version states that the two men urged Peter to ‘Please
come at once!’ while the NKJV version states that the two men implored Peter to
“not to delay in coming to them”.
d. Difference – The NKJV version broadly states that Tabitha did charitable deeds.
In contrast the NIV version specifies the charitable deeds Tabitha did which was
helping the poor.
e. Difference – The NIV version states that Peter stayed for some time in Joppa
with a tanner named Simon. The NKJV version states that Peter stayed many
days with a tanner named Simon.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main Characters: (List them)
Tabitha, Peter, two men, widows
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
In Joppa, there was a woman named Tabitha who was a believer and always did good
deeds for the people around her. She became ill and died. When the town learned that
Peter was nearby, they dispatched two men to beg him to come and help. Peter agreed
to come, and when he arrived at the place where Tabitha was being held, he asked all
the weeping widows to leave the room. When Peter was alone with Tabitha, he got down
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on his knees and began praying, telling her to get up. Tabitha opened her eyes and she
sat up when she saw it was Peter. He helped her up and presented her alive to the
believer and widows. The news spread throughout the town, inspiring more people to
believe in the Lord.
3. Story structure (50-100 words)
Introduction: In Joppa, a good woman becomes ill and dies and is laid to rest in an
upstairs room.
Inciting Incident: Two men are sent out to Peter in Lydda and beg him to come with
them.
Rising Action: Peter visits the dead woman and gets on his knees to pray over her.
Climax: Tabitha opens her eyes and sits up the moment she sees it is Peter.
Falling Action: Peter assists Tabitha in getting up and presents her alive to all the
widows and believers.
Resolution: The news spreads across the whole town resulting in many people
believing in the Lord and Peter ends up staying for some time in Joppa.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the Gospels in
Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,”
“when,” “why,” and “how.”
1.
Who:
●
Peter
●
Tabitha
●
Two men (sent to Peter)
●
Widows
●
Simon, Disciples and believers (not the main characters in the story)
2.
What:
When the church learns that Peter is near Lydda, they dispatch two men to persuade
him to come see what he can do. When Peter arrives in Joppa, he is taken to the house
where Tabitha is awaiting burial. All of the widows have gathered here. They are crying
and displaying the clothing that Tabitha made for the poor to Peter. Peter goes upstairs
to see where her body is. He orders everyone to leave the room and then kneels and
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prays. Finally, he says to the dead woman, "Tabitha, get up" (9:40). He takes Tabitha's
hand in his, assists her to her feet, and presents her to the others.
3.
Where:
●
Joppa – Where tabitha died
●
Lydda – Near Joppa, where Peter is known to be present
●
The upstairs room – where Tabitha is laying
4.
When:
●
AD 33-36 dated by researchers
●
The story takes place during the time “Peter traveled about the country” mentioned in
Acts 9:32 (NIV). Right after Peter heals another man named Aeneas in Lydda, he then
goes to Joppa to heal Tabitha.
5.
Why:
●
Why did the disciples send two men to Lydda to get Peter?
○
Acts 9:38 mentions that “Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard
that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him” (NIV).
○
This scripture indicates that the disciples likely heard about Peter healing sick
people in Lydda, and the town being close to Joppa they decided to send two
men out to get him.
●
Why did Peter send everyone out of the upper room?
○
Peter likely did not want to be distracted by the women weeping while he prayed
for healing over Tabitha.
●
Why did the widows show Peter the clothing that Tabitha had made?
○
They wanted to show Peter how good of a person Tabitha was and the
charitable deeds she did to help the poor.. The people valued her greatly and
Tabitha passing away was a great loss to the community.
6.
How:
●
How was Tabitha full of good works and helping the poor?
○
The widows showed Peter the robes and other clothing that she had made
before passing away as stated in the NIV version.
●
How was Peter able to revive Tabitha from her death?
○
Acts 9:40 states “He got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward
the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’” (NIV).
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●
How did Tabitha respond to Peter commanding her to get up?
○
In Acts 9:40 it says “She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat
up” (NIV).
