Lesson 3 of 4
Recognise the kind of writing
Read
Study objective: Learn to read different genres (story, law, poetry, proverb, prophecy, parable, letter) in the way each asks to be read.
Reading: Proverbs 26:4–5Psalm 13:1–6Luke 15:3–7
Proverbs 26:4–5 WEB
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Psalm 13:1–6 WEB
1How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? 3Behold, and answer me, LORD, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; 4lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall. 5But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. 6I will sing to the LORD, because he has been good to me.
Luke 15:3–7 WEB
3He told them this parable: 4“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
Background and context
The Bible contains many kinds of writing. Proverbs are short sayings about how life usually goes; Proverbs 26:4-5 even gives opposite advice side by side. Psalms are poems and prayers, using images and emotions. Parables are stories told to make a point. Letters address real churches. Each is read in its own way.
Observe
- Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 give opposite instructions about answering a fool.
- Psalm 13 moves from complaint (“How long?”) to trust.
- The parable in Luke 15:3-7 ends with its point stated: joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Words, people and events to notice
- Proverb
- A short saying about how life generally works. It is wisdom for judgment, not a guaranteed promise.
- Lament
- A prayer that complains to God about suffering and asks for help. Psalm 13:1–2
- Parable
- A short story told to make a point, often ending with a question or a twist.
Understand
- Why might Proverbs place two opposite sayings next to each other?
- What would go wrong if you read Psalm 13 as a list of facts instead of a prayer?
- How does the parable’s setting (Luke 15:1-2) explain its point?
Connect
- Mark 4:33–34
Jesus taught in parables as people were able to hear, and explained them privately to his disciples.
Reflect
- Which kind of writing do you find hardest to read?
- How might recognising genre change how you read a passage you know well?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- Ask what kind of writing you are reading.
- Proverbs are not promises, poems use images, parables make a point.
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