Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (66 page)

• Does this verse evoke any positive feelings for you?

• Might this verse cause less positive emotions for some people (fear, anxiety, etc.)?

What other observations can you make from this single verse?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

1 John 3:12

TIME COMMITMENT:

30 minutes

“Whenever you study any verse of Scripture, be sure to place it in its context. See it both in terms of what goes before and what follows” (p. 58).

F
irst John 3:12 should provide ample opportunity for you to practice your observation skills. Here is the verse, with space provided for your notations:

“not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”

Here are a few suggestions:

• Again, begin by using the questions on the “Observing a Passage of Scripture” sheet (p. 15). This time you should find more significance in the author, the context, and the people mentioned. (Regarding context, any time a verse begins in midsentence, you have a clear mandate to take note of what precedes it.)

• Read the story the writer refers to (Genesis 4:1–16). What new insight does this shed on the verse?