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Name:
B
IBLE
S
TUDY
P
ROJECT
: O
BSERVATION
T
EMPLATE
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 the CSB and the NIV state that Tabitha’s Greek name was Dorcas
and that she did good works.
2. Similarity – Both the CSB and the NIV state that all the widows stood around Peter,
crying, as they showed him the cloths that Tabitha had made when she was still
alive.
3. Difference – The CSB states that the disciples sent two “people” to go get Peter,
while the NIV states that the disciples sent two “men” to go get Peter.
4. Difference – The CSB states that Peter called for “the holy people, including the
widows,” while the NIV states Peter called for “the believers, especially the
widows.”
5. Difference – The CSB states that “many put their faith in the Lord,” while the NIV
states that “many people believed in the Lord.”
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Tabitha (Dorcas) and Peter
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2. Plot:
A disciple named Tabitha in Joppa becomes extremely ill and dies. The disciples
hear that Peter is close by in Lydda and send two men after him. Peter comes to
Lydda, to the room where Tabitha’s body was laid. Peter sends everyone out the
room, kneels, prays, and tells Tabitha to “get up!” Tabitha gets up, Peter called for the
believers and widows to present her alive. The news spread and many people believed
in The Lord.
3. Story structure:
Introduction: A disciple named Tabitha dies in Joppa.
Inciting Incident: The disciples send 2 men out to go get Peter from Lydda
Rising Action: Peter arrives, send everyone out of the room, kneels, prays, and tells
Tabitha to get up.
Climax: Tabitha gets up.
Falling Action: Peter called for the believers and widows to present her alive.
Resolution: The news spread throughout Joppa and many place their faith in the
Lord.
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)
•
Theophilus and other Gentiles with largely Greek backgrounds (audience)
o “The conclusion is that Luke’s primary recipient (Theophilus), and
others beyond him, were Gentiles with largely Greek backgrounds
(Hindson and Towns, p. 373)
•
Tabitha (Dorcas)
•
Peter
•
The Disciples
•
The 2 men
•
The widows
2. What:
•
A disciple named Tabitha, who is known for her good works and compassion
for the poor, dies.
•
Tabitha’s body is washed and placed in an upstairs room.
•
The disciples send 2 men out to Lydda to get Peter.
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•
Peter goes with them and arrives in Joppa; there he enters the room where
Tabitha’s dead body is laid. The widows surround Peter, crying and showing
him the cloths Tabitha made when she was alive.
•
Peter then sends everyone out of the room, kneels and prays. He turns to
Tabitha’s dead body and tells her to get up.
•
Tabitha opens her eyes, and sits up. Peter helps her stand up and then called
for the believers and widows to present Tabitha alive to them.
•
The news about what happened spread across Joppa and many people put their
faith in The Lord.
•
Peter stays with Simon, a tanner, in Joppa.
3. Where:
•
In Joppa near Lydda
•
The upstairs room
4. When:
•
This story takes place after Jesus’ death.
•
Tabitha died while Peter was touring the whole region.
•
In Acts chapter 9 verse 32-35 it states that prior to this event Peter had gone to
Lydda to visit God’s holy people and there he healed a paralyzed man.
•
After this event in Acts chapter 10 it tells the story of Peter, Cornelius, and the
Gentiles.
5. Why:
•
Why did the disciples send for Peter?
o Peter had just healed a paralyzed man in a near by town, the disciples
most likely heard of this miracle and wanted Peter to preform a
miracle for Tabitha.
•
Why were the widows crying and showing Peter the cloths Tabitha made?
o The widows knew Tabitha was dead and were very obviously grieving
the loss of her life.
•
Why did Peter send everyone out of the room?
o Peter sent everyone out of the room so that he could come before God
in prayer to raise Tabitha from the dead.
•
Why did Peter call for the widows and believers?
o Peter called for them to present Tabitha as alive.
6. How:
•
How did the disciples send for Peter?
o The disciples sent 2 men out to go and get Peter and bring him to
Joppa.
•
How did Peter help Tabitha?
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o Peter helped Tabitha by coming in front of God in pray and after she
wakes up he gives her his hand to help her stand.
•
How did this miracle affect the people of Joppa?
o When people heard of this news, many put their faith in The Lord.
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