Module 4 · Reading Each Genre · Week 9

Why Genre Matters — You Already Know This

You already read different types of writing differently. You don't read a recipe the same way you read a love letter. The Bible works the same way — recognizing the genre is one of the most important interpretation skills.

~20 min watch + read Video + podcast companion PDF handout included Taught by Andrew Ramirez Completed

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Section 01

Key Terms

Genre — The type or category of literature — like narrative, poetry, law, prophecy, or letter. Each genre has its own conventions.

Literary Conventions — The built-in rules of a genre — the expectations that both the author and original readers shared about how that type of writing works.

Section 02

Key Concepts

01Variety

Different types of writing communicate differently.

A psalm is not a statute. A parable is not a news report. Reading each the right way is half the battle.

02Six Genres

The Bible contains multiple genres — each with its own rules.

Narrative, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, epistle. Six doorways. Six different ways in.

03Mismatch

Misidentifying genre leads to misinterpretation.

Read a proverb as a promise and you'll feel betrayed. Read poetry as prose and you'll miss the beauty.

Section 03

Scripture Focus

Each of these is a different genre — notice the shift.

Psalm 23:1 (poetry)Genesis 1:1 (narrative)Proverbs 22:6 (wisdom)

Section 04

By the End, You Will…

Explain why genre identification is essential — reading poetry as history or proverbs as promises leads to confusion.

Identify the six major biblical genres (narrative, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, epistles) and describe what makes each distinctive.

Show from familiar examples how recognizing genre changes interpretation.

Section 05

Take It With You

Lesson Handout (PDF)

Key terms, concepts, and review prompts for offline study

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Reading Bible Stories — Narrative

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