2 Timothy 2:14-15
"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Living for God’s approval means seeking to handle His word rightly.
1. Handling His Word rightly means seeking to be influenced by it.
2. Handling His Word rightly means seeking to interpret it accurately
Three things that we need to keep in mind when we interpret
(from Mark Mullery, Sr. Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church – Fairfax, VA)
A. What is the original author’s intended meaning?
1. Where does meaning come from? Not reader or text, but author
2. How can I determine an author’s meaning?
a. Examine the words and grammar of the passage
b. Examine the literary context: what happens before and after?
c. Examine the historical context: when and where did this take place? What was happening historically?
B. What is the genre?
1. Genre is a type or style of literature
a. Ex: National Geographic, junk-mail, bill from the utility company or a letter from your parents
2. Genres in the Bible
a. Poetry – about 30% of the Bible
b. Narratives – about 1/2 of the Bible
c. Parables – harder than they look. Look for one point, don’t allegorize
d. Letters – probably most comfortable here
e. Prophecy – same rules as everything else: authorial intent
f. Proverbs – pithy observations or instructions showing the way to wisdom
g. Lamentation
h. Laws
C. Where is Christ?
1. Scripture tells a 4 part story
a. Creation
b. Fall
c. Redemption
d. New Creation
2. Scripture centers on the person and work of Christ
Luke 24:44 Then [Jesus] said to [his disciples], "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
Ephesians 1:9-10 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
b. The overall storyline of the Bible is: God sent His Son into the world to redeem sinners
3. Finding Christ
a. How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?
b. How does this passage reveal man’s need for a Savior?
c. How does this passage reveal God's disposition to provide a Savior?
d. How does this passage predict, point to, or reflect on Jesus Christ?
DANGER: We need to avoid the dangers of Relativism, Allegorizing, Moralism and Pride when approaching God’s Word.
3. Handling His Word rightly means seeking to live by it.
Caregroup Application Questions:
1. How does knowing that scripture is God-breathed affect the way we approach the Bible?
2. How can we practically seek to be mastered (influenced) by the Word personally?
3. What do you need to change about the way you read and interpret your Bible?
4. How can you apply God’s Word from the Sunday messages more effectively?
