W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
1
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
2
Some Things That Hinder
Character Issues A love for the world – 1
John 2:15-17; Prov. 23:23 A love for
unrighteousness – 2 Thes 2:9-12; Ps 119:97-104
Pride and a lack of respect for God’s word – Isa. 66:2; Prov. 1:7Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
3
Approach Issues Thinking that we can’t – (For
clergy only; mysticism; have to have Holy Spirit to help) - Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17
Preconceived ideas – (To defend what we already believe) - Mat 15:7-9; Rom 10:1-3
Ignoring Context – (many false doctrines) – John 3:16; 6:44,45; 1 Cor. 1:17; Rev. 20:4
Some Things That Hinder
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
4
Approach Issues Ignoring the type of language
used – (Literal or figurative? Apocalyptic literature) – Gen. 1,2; Rev 1:1
Ignoring the different ways terms are used – (spirit; soul; one; baptism) – Gen. 1:20,30; Num. 31:28; Mark 12:29-31; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 8:16
Some Things That Hinder
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
5
Character Issues Right attitude – (Isa.
66:2; Prov. 1:7) Love for truth – (2 Thes
2:10-12) Honesty – (Luke 8:15;
Acts 17:11,12) Common sense – (Eph
5:17)
Some Things Necessary
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
6
Approach Issues Trust – (2 Tim. 3:16,17;
John 17:17) Hunger – (Mat 5:6; 1 Pet
2:2) Expectation – (Eph 3:3-5) A desire to obey it –
(John 7:17)
Some Things Necessary
Psalm 119:97-104Proverbs 2:1-7
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
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Approach Issues Open minded – (Acts 8:34;
17:11,12; James 1:21) Examine context – (Psalm
119:160; Prov. 30:5; 2 Tim. 3:16)
Understanding the terms as they are used in the context – (Eph 3:3-5)
Recognizing the difference between figurative and literal language – (Rev. 1:1; Gen. 1,2)
Some Things Necessary
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
8
Approach Issues Recognizing that the Bible
doesn’t deal with everything specifically –
However, the scriptures provide the principles where every important question can be answered – (1 Tim. 3:16,17; Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Pet 3:16)
Knowledge of historical circumstances and customs – (John 13:14; 1 Thes 5:26)
Some Things Necessary
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
9
Approach Issues Using accurate
translations – Using commentaries – Using Lexicons and
dictionaries – Using concordances Using cross references -
Some Things Necessary
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
10
Approach Issues It is not always easy to come to
the correct understanding of a passage or passages – (parables, revelation, some writings of Paul, etc.)
“The first and governing maxim in the interpretation of a statute is to discover the meaning of those who made it." --James Wilson, Of the Study of Law in the United States, 1790
Some Things Necessary
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
11
Simple Yet Complex
What must I do to be saved?
What things are sinful? How do I worship God? How should the church be
organized? What is the work of the
church?
Easy Yet Difficult
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
12
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth. Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009
13
Don McClain