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Name: Joshua Fouse
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.
1. Similarity – Both ESV and NIV translations make it clear that Tabitha was also
known as Dorcas.
2. Similarity – Both ESV and NIV translations make it clear that after Tabitha’s death,
two men were sent by the disciples for Peter in Lydda.
3. Difference – One difference I noticed was that in verse 38 of the ESV version it
says, “hearing” while in verse 38 of the NIV version it says, “heard”. The ESV ends
with “ing” a gerund, while the NIV ends in “ed”.
4. Difference – The ESV version has a title for the story, “Dorcas Restored to Life”
between Acts 9 verse 35 and 36 while the NIV version just jumps right into the
story with no title.
5. Difference - The ESV version in verse 39 says, “Peter rose and went with them.”
While the NIV just says, “Peter went with them,”
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
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1. Main characters: (List them)
Tabitha and Peter
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
A women named Tabitha had been doing a lot of good things. Tabitha soon becomes ill
and died, she was washed and taken into the upper room. This was in Joppa which is
close Lydda where Peter was. The disciples sent two men to find Peter and bring him to
Tabitha. Peter was taken to the room where he prayed over Tabitha’s body and told her to
arise. Peter then presented Tabitha alive and well to the widows and believers, this story
became known and inspired many to believe in God.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Note: Plot and Story Structure are not the same thing (see the tutorial and student example)
Introduction: Tabitha a woman who lived in Joppa did good works.
Inciting Incident: Tabitha died from a sickness.
Rising Action: Men were sent for Peter in Lydda to tell him come to Tabitha.
Climax: Peter prays and tells Tabitha to “arise”
Falling Action: Tabitha was shown alive and well to the widows.
Resolution: This becomes known over Joppa and many believed in God because of it.
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.” Please be detailed and specific.
1. Who:
•
Luke (Author)
•
Tabitha
•
Peter
•
Disciples (Not main characters)
•
Widows (Not main characters)
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2. What:
Tabitha a woman who did many good works dies. She’s washed and taken to the upper room in
Joppa.
Peter is in a nearby town, Lydda, when two men are sent to bring him to Tabitha. When he
arrived all the widows were around mourning and crying, showing the significance of her death
in the town. The widows were showing Peter the clothes Tabitha had made, communicating the
good things she had done with her time.
Peter sent the widows out of the room and prayed on his knees; this shows that he is bowing
down before the Lord asking Him to do this work in Tabitha. Putting himself before God, Peter
then told Tabitha to “get up”. He helped Tabitha get up showing the significance that she couldn’t
do it on her own.
Peter then called for believers including the weeping widows to come and see Tabitha alive.
Because of this miracle the word spread throughout the town, and many believed in God.
3. Where:
Near Jerusalem, in the towns of Lydda and Joppa.
4. When:
Acts 9 took place around 34 AD this was after the ascension of Jesus.
5. Why:
•
Why was Peter in Lydda?
o Acts 9:32 – “Peter was travelling all around, and he came down to visit the holy
people who lived in Lydda.”
o This verse clearly describes why Peter was in Lydda at this time.
•
Why were the widows so sad Tabitha had died?
o Acts 9:39, “…crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas
had made while she was still with them.”
o They showed Peter all the clothes that she had made, it seems they were thankful
of all the great things Tabitha did during her life and were sad she was taken away
so abruptly.
•
Why did this story spread and save so many people.
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o Someone dying from an illness and being brought back to life would cause many
people to question what happened and how it happened. When they found out that
a prayer brought her back to life, there was no answer except God.
6. How:
•
How was Tabitha a good person?
o Acts 9:36 says, “she was always doing good and helping the poor.”
o Acts 9:39 makes it clear that one of the good things Tabitha did was make lots of
clothes most likely for the poor, “All the widows stood around him, crying and
showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was
still with them.
•
How was Tabitha saved?
o Peter prayed and God working in Tabitha brought her back to life. Acts 9:40, “…
then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead women, he
said: “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, seeing Peter she sat up.”
•
How did Peter respond to this miracle?
o Not by taking credit, but by simply showing Tabitha alive to the believers and
letting them decide who truly saved her.
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