[BACK TO THE BOOK]2 Timothy 2.15                                                09.08.2019

CFA | Pastor Tracy Cook

 

“Defend the Bible? I would just as soon defend a lion. Just turn the Bible loose. It will defend itself.” – Charles Spurgeon

 

2 Timothy 2.15KJVStudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

ESVDo 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.

“Rightly dividing” / rightly, correctly, or accurately handling; literally, “to cut straight”.

  • APPROACHING THE BIBLE

Why read the Bible, and what is the goal? What is your mindset as you approach God’s Word?

  • Guilt from neglect: I should have been reading more. God is disappointed in me. There’s no way I can make up for lost time.
  • Insecurity about Biblical ignorance: Are you biblically illiterate? You’re not alone.
  • Mechanical routine:Rigidly following a prescribed Bible reading plan.

 

  • ABSORBING THE BIBLE

John 16.13-14 ESV 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

  • APPLYING THE BIBLE:

6 Principles for Applying the Bible, adapted from Radio Bible Class

  1. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit. Combine Bible reading and prayer.
  2. Interpret the Bible as literally as contextually possible.
  3. Consider the immediate context. Remember the original readers. “A text without context is just a pretext for a proof text.”
  4. Keep the whole Bible in mind. Get the big picture first.
  5. Concentrate on essential truths.
  6. Enjoy Biblical imagery: word pictures, metaphors, similes, figures of speech; style and genre.

Colossians 3.16-17