Key Word Studies

I just published an article describing a lesson plan format for Principle Approach education. Within that article the parent/educator is directed to complete word studies. What follows here is a description of how to complete this task.

Within a given topic to be taught there will be certain key words that are critical to the understanding of the topic. Those words are the words to work with for this task. For example, if you are teaching fractions, an obvious key word is the word fraction--let's work with that for our example.

You will need certain materials for this task. You will need Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). This is available at www.facebookstore.com. This particular dictionary is important because it is written specifically for American English and because the dictionary was biblically researched and documented. It helps students (and their parents) to inculcate a biblical worldview. You will need and exhaustive concordance (like Strong's). A topical Bible can be helpful. You will need a Bible.

First, define the word "fraction."

Second, identify key words within the definition for fraction.
[note: choose only definitions that are appropriate for the context within which you are working}

Third, you may choose to continue identifying key words in the definitions of preceeding key words and defining them until you feel you should stop. You are the only person who can answer when this would be with God's direction (time constraint can sometimes be a valid reason for moving on to the next step).

Fourth, use the key words or synonyms of those words to find Scripture that illustrates the concept. You will use your concordance as a tool for this task. Look the word or a synonym for the word up in the concordance. Choose scripture within the context of the subject taught. This is the step where God will show you how He wants to use this concept as a parable to learn more of Him and His world. Here you will find the biblical foundation for the subject--as well as the principle for your lesson.

Fifth, write a personal paraphrase of the definition of the word from your point of view.

Lastly, write a paragraph explaining how this concepts relates to your life and what you have learned in your study.

This is the full word study. Given different subjects and lessons, you may choose to use all, or part of this study method.

Happy planning!