1 2 Timothy 2 15 NKJV 15 Be

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 Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

2 Some Things That Hinder Character Issues è A love for the world – 1 John 2: 15 -17; Prov. 23: 23 è A love for unrighteousness – 2 Thes 2: 9 -12; Ps 119: 97 -104 è Pride and a lack of respect for God’s word – Isa. 66: 2; Prov. 1: 7 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

3 Some Things That Hinder Approach Issues è Thinking that we can’t – (For clergy only; mysticism; have to have Holy Spirit to help) - Eph. 3: 3 -5; 5: 17 è Preconceived ideas – (To defend what we already believe) - Mat 15: 79; Rom 10: 1 -3 è Ignoring Context – (many false doctrines) – John 3: 16; 6: 44, 45; 1 Cor. 1: 17; Rev. 20: 4 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

4 Some Things That Hinder Approach Issues è Ignoring the type of language used – (Literal or figurative? Apocalyptic literature) – Gen. 1, 2; Rev 1: 1 è 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 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

5 Some Things Necessary Character Issues è Right attitude – (Isa. 66: 2; Prov. 1: 7) è Love for truth – (2 Thes 2: 1012) è Honesty – (Luke 8: 15; Acts 17: 11, 12) Don Mc. Clain è Common sense – (Eph 5: 17) W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

6 Some Things Necessary Approach Issues è Trust – (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; John 17: 17) Psalm 119: 97 -104 è Hunger – (Mat 5: 6; 1 Pet 2: 2) Proverbs 2: 1 -7 è Expectation – (Eph 3: 3 -5) è A desire to obey it – (John 7: 17) Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

7 Some Things Necessary Approach Issues Don Mc. Clain è Open minded – (Acts 8: 34; 17: 11, 12; James 1: 21) è Examine context – (Psalm 119: 160; Prov. 30: 5; 2 Tim. 3: 16) è Understanding the terms as they are used in the context – (Eph 3: 3 -5) è Recognizing the difference between figurative and literal language – (Rev. 1: 1; Gen. 1, 2) W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

8 Some Things Necessary Approach Issues è Recognizing that the Bible doesn’t deal with everything specifically – è 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) è Knowledge of historical circumstances and customs – (John 13: 14; 1 Thes 5: 26) Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

9 Some Things Necessary Approach Issues è Using accurate translations – è Using commentaries – è Using Lexicons and dictionaries – è Using concordances è Using cross references Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

10 Some Things Necessary Approach Issues è It is not always easy to come to the correct understanding of a passage or passages – (parables, revelation, some writings of Paul, etc. ) è “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 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

11 Easy Yet Difficult Simple Yet Complex è What must I do to be saved? è What things are sinful? è How do I worship God? è How should the church be organized? è What is the work of the church? Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th 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 Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009

13 Don Mc. Clain W. 65 th St church of Christ / September 27, 2009