Bible Study Project: Summarize, Identify, and Check

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Bible Study Project: Interpretation Template
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
* Summarize: Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (200-400 words) explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember two things. First, this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage is both showing and telling us something. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our” are application words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be used in your answer for this question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.” We were not there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the application or how we will respond to God’s Word.
The story in Acts 9: 36-43 is about a certain woman who lived in a town called Joppa. Her name was Tabitha or Dorcas in Greek. She had a compassionate heart and was always doing good and helping the poor. She suddenly fell ill and unfortunately passed on. Subsequently, she was washed and placed in an upper room. As fate would have it, Apostle Peter was in a nearby town called Lydda. When the disciples got wind of this, they dispatched two men to bring him over. When they returned to Joppa, Peter was taken to the upstairs room where Tabitha was. He found widows who had been beneficiaries of Tabitha's charitable disposition. They stood around Peter, showing him the robes and other garments that Tabitha made for them while she lived. That quite moved Peter, and he ordered everyone to leave the room. After they left, he got down on his knees and prayed for the resurrection of Tabitha. He called her by name, and she responded by opening her eyes. He then called the believers, including the widows, and presented Tabitha to them. News about the miracle spread all over the town, and many people believed in the Lord.
The author of this passage intended to communicate several lessons to the readers. To begin with, he seeks to teach about the benefits accrued to doing goodly deeds at all times. The passage is categorical about Tabitha's good deeds, including helping the poor. She made robes and other garments and donated them to the needy. As a result, people loved her boundlessly, and her profile grew incredibly. For that reason, they sought help from Peter when she died. Clearly, had she been an unkind person, they would not have bothered. The other le...