Summing up a passage in one sentence: understanding before applying
After a reading, it is common to close the Bible with a vague impression: “That was beautiful, but what was it about?” Summing up a passage in one sentence forces you to understand what it really says. It is a simple but demanding exercise.
What it looks like in your day
Take a passage of about ten verses. Read it twice: the first time for an overview, the second to spot the important words. Then write a sentence that answers the question: “What is this text about, and what is its central point?”
A few examples of summaries:
- Luke 15:11-32 (the prodigal son): “A father welcomes with joy a son who returns, and calls the other son to do the same.”
- Mark 4:35-41 (the storm calmed): “Jesus calms the storm and asks his disciples why they are afraid.”
- Psalm 23: “God takes care of me like a shepherd, even in the darkest valley.”
A good sentence meets three criteria: it is short (twenty words, no more), it is faithful (it says nothing that isn't in the text), and it is clear (someone else could understand it).
If you don't get it on the first try, it doesn't matter: it shows that you need to reread. If you are short on time, sum up a short story. If you are a beginner, start with narrative texts rather than Paul's letters, which are denser. If you are shy, you can write your sentence and reread it in a low voice.
What the Bible says
After the resurrection, Jesus meets two downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus, and he does exactly this work of shedding light:
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
He gives them the common thread: all the Scriptures speak of him. Summing up a passage means looking for this thread. When you read an Old Testament text, you can ask yourself: “How does this prepare for the coming of Jesus?”
In the book of Nehemiah, the Levites read the law and give the people its sense (Nehemiah 8:8). It is not enough to read: we must help people understand. Philip asks the Ethiopian a question that can serve as a compass:
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”
“Understandest thou what thou readest?” This is exactly the purpose of the one-sentence summary. And the Ethiopian's answer is honest: “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Don't be afraid to look for help: a commentary, a note, a more advanced friend.
Pitfalls to avoid
Summing up what you would like to find there. We all have preconceived ideas. Reread your summary and ask yourself: is this really what the text says, or what I thought it would say?
Staying too vague. “God is good” is not a summary: it could apply to any passage. Look for what is specific to this one.
Ignoring the context. A passage must be read in its place: who is speaking, to whom, in what situation? An isolated verse can say something different from the whole passage.
Rushing to the application. We often want to jump straight to “What do I do?” Take the time to understand first. The application will be more accurate.
Getting discouraged. Some passages are hard, even for specialists. Do what you can, and come back later.
Today, read a passage and sum it up in a sentence of twenty words at most. Reread it, then correct it if necessary.