Intersections of Problem-Based Learning
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 Gather
and Share Information
Gather Information…
…from your notes.
Back at intersection  you
made a list of what you know and what you need to know about your problem.
Return to that list as you begin to gather and share the information
you need in order to generate possible solutions to your problem.
…from the Bible.
Into the New Testament problems are designed
to get you reading the Bible, but in ways that are different from what
you may be used to. So when you read the primary text for your problem,
read it with the help of:
Multiple translations & the Greek text,
if you read Greek. Comparing
translations will point out places where translators have seen different
things while reading the same text.
A synopsis of the four gospels, if your text
is from the gospels. How do Matthew, Mark & Luke
each tell the story? Does John have a similar text? You are still
reading just the Bible, but the arrangement of the synopsis will
help you bring the text's details into sharper focus.
A concordance. You are still reading
just the Bible, but now with the help of a concordance. The concordance
points you to texts in the Bible that are related to yours since they
contain some of the same words. Let's say, for instance, that you notice
Joseph is called "a
righteous man," in
Matt 1:19. Looking up the Greek word for righteous in a concordance
will point you to all those places in Matthew where anyone is called
righteous and you can gather information about the sort of narrative
company Joseph is keeping.
…from other sources.
Pep Talk: You Can Read—Really!
Commentary (and website) authors are not authority figures in
whose presence you must be silent. Instead, these other exegetes are
co-readers with you.
Like any readers, they will know things you do not know and see
things you have missed in the text. It is good to consider
carefully what others are saying. However, you also know
things they do not know and will see things they have missed.
You may want to gather information from online or print resources such
as a Bible dictionary, commentaries on the New Testament book you are
reading, or an introduction to the New Testament like Luke Timothy Johnson's The
Writings of the New Testament. Where Johnson's introduction has material
relevant to the problem you are working on, Into
the New Testament will point you to the relevant pages.
Reading what other people think about your text is not a bad thing unless
you use it as a substitute either for (1) reading the Bible or for (2)
figuring out what you think about your text. How do you keep from depending
on other "professional readers" for insight into the text? Refraining
from reading other sources until late in your information-gathering process
will help you guard against giving those sources more authority than
they deserve. Study the text on your own before you turn to the
commentaries.
Go to What You Need for
bibliography on reference books mentioned on this page. Share Information
Problem-based learning is a team sport. At every step of the way, other
people are sure to see things that you have
missed.
Tips for Sharing Information
Think of ways to consult with others as you work on Into
the New Testament's problems. Here are a few ideas to get you
started.
Read with others. | Unless you are in
a class with a teacher who thinks this is a bad idea, split up the tasks
of reading. One person reads multiple translations, another uses a concordance
to check out key words, someone else outlines the text: all
as a way of gathering information in order to generate possible solutions
to a problem you are working on together. After gathering information
individually, you meet to share it and follow up on questions that surface
for the group.
NT1210 students: your online group can be a resource as you work on Into
the New Testament's problems.
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