Lesson 9 | Identify the Structure
Study Skill : Identify the Shifts
As we saw with the movie clips, transitions serve two purposes: they direct our attention to key details and they help tie the pieces together into a unified whole. So, as we read Scripture, we should not only identify the transition markers but also seek to carefully discern the details and message they illuminate.
Let’s consider five types of transition markers.
1. Change in time
The author of Hebrews makes a significant theological statement by contrasting two epochs in history. The time markers help highlight the enormity of what has changed.
Sometimes, a transition will not mark a time change but rather a point of continuity. Such is the case at Matthew 12:1. By noting the continuity, Matthew highlights the connection between what Jesus says at the end of chapter 11 and what he does at the beginning of chapter 12.
2. Change in location
The Gospels record the full scope of Jesus’s itinerant ministry. Every location is worth noting in order to gain a complete picture. Mark 7:24 marks a move to a completely new region. It begs the question: What is the significance of Jesus going away, deep into a Gentile territory?
Each example above (of both time and location) has focused on a single transition. It is important to note that sometimes the significance of changes in time and location may be seen best across several transitions within a whole narrative sequence, possibly involving more than one chapter.
3. Change in speaker
In narrative texts, we often discover the central point of the passage within the dialogue between the major participants. Such is certainly the case in 1 Samuel 17.
4. Change in subject
The structure of 1 Corinthians is readily apparent as Paul walks through a laundry list of issues. He uses a consistent transition to introduce several of these issues.
Luke 15 opens with a shift from one subject to another. This transition dramatically sets the stage for the parable that follows.
5. Rhetorical shifts
In the very next verse, Luke transitions to the parable, yet he does so in such a way as to clearly connect the parable to the Pharisees’ grumbling.
A rhetorical shift interrupts the flow of thought in order to mark a turn in the path. The example above shows how Jesus interrupts the Pharisees’ grumbling with a story. He masterfully captures their attention (and ours) and then exposes their hearts.
Let’s look at some of the various ways an author can make a rhetorical shift.
Key Conjunctions
Most lament psalms make a vital rhetorical shift—reflecting a shift in the psalmist own heart and mind. In Psalm 13, he moves from “How long, O LORD?” to “But, I have trusted in your steadfast love.”
At the beginning of Romans 5, Paul summarizes the previous three chapters in a single clause (“we have been justified by faith”) and makes a major turn in his thought flow. The word “therefore” marks the rhetorical shift.
Repeated Patterns
In Matthew 5, Jesus challenges the accepted standards for righteousness (exemplified by the Pharisees) with a barrage of case studies. He uses the same pattern to introduce each one.
Jesus repeats this pattern four more times, jolting the minds of his audience again and again. Ultimately, he leads them to his main point: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
Rhetorical Questions
The apostle Paul uses this device frequently, especially throughout Romans. He sums up the substance of a previous argument and then asks a pointed question with an obvious (or clearly stated) answer. He uses this rhetorical question to initiate a new point or make a turn in his thought flow.
Exclamations
Likewise, an author or speaker will make an exclamation to interrupt the flow and call attention to the import of what he is about to say.
Let’s now look at the Markup module’s Transitions lens, especially designed to help you identify all of these transition markers.