Study Tip: Week Two

On day 5 of this week's lesson, assignment #2 tells us to find 'segment divisions' in Daniel and to record them on the 'Daniel At A Glance' chart. It tells you to consult Kay Arthur's book How To Study Your Bible (the book I told you not to buy!). Well, here's my suggestion: don't worry about doing this assignment, we'll do it together in class.

But, if you just can't stand it and feel compelled to give it a try, here's a (somewhat) simple explanation of a segment division:

After you overview a book, try looking for major divisions (segments) in a book. For example, in Daniel chapters 1-6 are chronological. They cover a large span of time. Chapter 7-12 are also chronological but they occur within the time frame of chapters 1-6. So, there is a division or 'segment' between 1-6 and 7-12 in regards to the timing layout of the book. It's very helpful to realize this when you're studying Daniel.

Let me give you some examples of segment divisions in other books. In many of Paul's letters, the 1st chapters are usually very doctrinal....and the last chapters are very practical applications. Chapters 1-11 in Romans are doctrinal, chapters 12-16 are concerned with practical application. Chapters 1-2 in Colossians are doctrinal, chapters 3-4 are very practical.

In some Old Testament history books, you can see segment divisions in the reigns of various kings....or the stories of particular people. Sometimes a book moves from 1 event to the next event....so you can segment the book according to the events.

In John, we saw a segment division between chapters 1-11 and 12-21. The 1st 11 chapters covered 3 years of Jesus' earthly ministry. Chapters 12-21 covered the last week of His ministry.

I like to think of segment divisions as ways to outline a book. In Daniel we see various people having dreams or visions in chapters 1-6 and Daniel interprets them. In chapters 7-12, who is having the dreams and who is interpreting them?

In Daniel we see various kingdoms and kings. Various chapters occur during the rule of a specific king or kingdom. So, you could list the chapters according to the kingdom that was ruling during that chapter.

As you can see, there can be more than 1 way to divide or outline a book.....in other words, more than 1 kind of segment division. In Romans, you can segment the book according to doctrine and practical application. You can also segment it into 5 divisions: sin (chapters 1-3:21), salvation (chapters 3:22-5), sanctification (chapters 6-8), sovereignty (chapters 9-11), and service (chapters 12-16). Remember our Romans' aerobics...those of you who studied Romans with us? Of course you do....whoo hoo!! We were just dividing Romans into segments.

Ok, I told you it'd be a 'relatively' simple explanation! So....if you're totally bogged down right now, skip #2 on Day 5....and remember that your salvation does not depend upon finding segment divisions in Daniel!!! Or, give it a try and see what you come up with. Call a friend in the study and brainstorm together a bit. You might have some fun with it! Besides, if you look back over this explanation, you'll find several ways to segment Daniel. But hey, you might just think of a few more!