Advanced Field Tool 89
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Discover

Grasp the Flow

Following the Flow of Thought — Part 2

Worked Examples

Read from left to right: main ideas first, supporting ideas beneath them.

Worked Example 1

Ephesians 2:8–9

Doctrine supported by basis, means, contrast, and purpose.

Reason For
Basis by grace
Main assertion you have been saved
Means through faith,
Explanation and this is not your own doing;
Explanation it is the gift of God,
Contrast not a result of works,
Purpose so that no one may boast.

What the Outline Reveals

See the Argument Clearly

Main Assertion

Believers have been saved.

Basis and Means

Grace is the basis; faith is the means of reception.

Contrast

Salvation is explicitly distinguished from human works.

Purpose

The stated purpose is to exclude human boasting.

D.I.G.G.E.R. Field Journal Following the Flow of Thought 89A
Advanced Field Tool 89
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Grasp the Flow

Following the Flow of Thought — Continued

Philippians 2:3–4

Parallel commands shaped by contrast, manner, and addition.

Command Do nothing
Motive from selfish ambition or conceit,
Contrast but
Manner in humility
Command count others more significant than yourselves.
Command Let each of you look
Contrast not only to his own interests,
Addition but also to the interests of others.

What the Outline Reveals

Parallel Commands Reinforce the Point

Two Commands

The passage contains two primary imperatives.

Manner

Humility describes the manner of the first command.

Contrast

Both commands are sharpened by contrasting self-interest with concern for others.

Parallel Force

The parallel structure reinforces selfless concern for others.

D.I.G.G.E.R. Field Journal Following the Flow of Thought 89B
Advanced Field Tool 89
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Grasp the Flow

Following the Flow of Thought — Continued

Practice: Colossians 3:12–13

Begin with the main commands, then indent descriptions, manner phrases, and reasons.

The Passage

Read Before You Arrange

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Colossians 3:12–13

Before Outlining

Identify the Building Blocks

1

Underline the main commands.

2

Circle descriptions of the readers.

3

Mark manner and participial phrases.

4

Identify the comparison or ground for forgiveness.

Your Outline

Arrange the Flow of Thought

Use the vertical guides to show dependence.

D.I.G.G.E.R. Field Journal Following the Flow of Thought 89E
Advanced Field Tool 89
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Grasp the Flow

Following the Flow of Thought — Continued

Compare the Examples

Different passages may have different shapes while still yielding to the same outlining method.

Side by Side

Different Texts, Same Method

Ephesians 2:8–9

One central assertion surrounded by explanatory support.

  • Grace supplies the basis.
  • Faith identifies the means.
  • Works provide the contrast.
  • Excluding boasting gives the purpose.

Philippians 2:3–4

Parallel commands sharpened by contrast and manner.

  • Two commands govern the paragraph.
  • Humility describes manner.
  • Self-interest is contrasted with concern for others.
  • Parallel structure reinforces the ethical appeal.

Lessons to Carry Forward

What Both Examples Teach

1

Find the governing line

Do not let explanatory phrases obscure the main assertion or command.

2

Indent only with a reason

Every indentation should express a clear relationship of dependence.

3

Let the passage determine the shape

Some texts center on one claim; others unfold through parallel commands.

4

Use labels sparingly

Relationship labels should clarify the outline rather than dominate it.

D.I.G.G.E.R. Field Journal Following the Flow of Thought 89C
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Grasp the Flow

Following the Flow of Thought — Continued

Review and Refine

A good outline serves the passage rather than forcing the passage to serve the outline.

Common Mistakes

What to Avoid

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Indenting every phrase equally.

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Separating words that naturally belong together.

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Ignoring logical connectives.

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Forcing the text into a preferred outline.

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Focusing on grammar while missing the message.

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Making the diagram more important than the text.

A Repeatable Practice

How to Use This Tool

  1. 1

    Begin with one paragraph, not an entire chapter.

  2. 2

    Work from the main clause outward.

  3. 3

    Use indentation consistently.

  4. 4

    Label only relationships you can explain.

  5. 5

    Revise the outline as your understanding improves.

Final Check

Can You Defend the Structure?

  • Can each main line stand as a complete assertion or command?
  • Does every indented line clearly support a line above it?
  • Have you preserved the author’s original order?
  • Can you explain why each relationship label is appropriate?
  • Does the outline make the author’s message easier to see?