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Name:
B
IBLE
S
TUDY
P
ROJECT
: O
BSERVATION
A
SSIGNMENT
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 – NLT He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the
widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. NKJ Then he gave
her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he
presented her alive.
2. Similarity – NLT But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then, he knelt and
prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” NKJ But Peter put
them all out and knelt and prayed. And turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.”
3. Difference – NLT She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
NKJ This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds, which she did.
4. Difference - NLT The room was filled with widows who were weeping and
showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. NKJ And all
the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas
had made while she was with them.
5. Difference – NLT But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so
they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!” NKJ And since
Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent
two men to him, imploring him not to delay coming to them.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
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1. Main characters: (List them)
Tabitha, the two men, Peter
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
There was a woman in Joppa named Tabitha. She was a believer and always did
good things for the community and the people around her. Unfortunately, she became ill
and passed away. When the town found out that Peter was in a nearby village, they sent
two men to go out and beg him to come. Peter agrees to go, and when he arrives, he asks
the weeping widows to leave; he then prays and says to the body, "Tabitha, arise." Once
Tabitha realized it was Peter, she sat up, and Peter helped her downstairs and presented
her to the town's people. More people believed in the lord when the news got around to
the rest of the town.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Note: Plot and Story Structure are not the same thing (see the tutorial and student example)
Introduction: A woman in Joppa died and was laid in an upstairs room.
Inciting Incident: Two men plead with Peter in Lydda to come.
Rising Action: Peter visits the woman, and upon seeing her, he drops to his knees and
begins to pray.
Climax: The moment Tabitha opens her eyes and sees Peter, she sits up.
Falling Action: Peter brings Tabitha to her feet and shows her to the widows and
believers as alive.
Resolution: The news spreads across the town, increasing the number of believers.
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 the believer in Joppa who died
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•
The two men that were sent to Lydda to get Peter
•
Peter the man that prayed over Tabitha
2. What:
There was a woman named Tabitha in Joppa. She was a devout Christian who
constantly did well for the community and those around her. Unfortunately, she fell
unwell and ultimately passed away. When the community learned that Peter was in a
nearby village, they dispatched two men to implore him to return. Peter decides to go,
and when he arrives, he begs the widows to leave; he then prays and tells Tabitha's body,
"Arise!" Once Tabitha recognized Peter, she sat up, and Peter assisted her down the stairs
and introduced her to the town's inhabitants. As the word spread throughout the town,
more people came to trust in the lord.
3. Where: Joppa
4. When: Chapter 60: Peter Brings Tabitha Back to Life
5. Why: To bring Tabitha back to life and increase the number of people who believe in
this community. To spread the news of Jesus' life and teachings
6. How: Through prayer and the resurrection of Tabitha after being pronounced dead.
Bibliography
Acts 9:36-43 New Living Translation. Acts 9:36-43 NLT - - bible gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved May
22, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2B9%3A36-
43&version=NLT
Bible gateway passage: Acts 9:36-43 - new king James Version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved
May 22, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A36-
43&version=NKJV
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