They Read in the Book…and Gave the Sense - Neh. 8:8 (Part 2 of 2) by Carey Dillinger (dillinc@yahoo.com)
Consult Reference Works and Workbooks
Sometimes an English or Bible dictionary can be of assistance (Note: concupiscence as used in Rom. 7:8) or perhaps a modern translation of the Bible (concupiscence = evil desire, NKJ). To help understand geography a Bible Atlas is very helpful. A Bible Encyclopedia is worthwhile for studying concepts, as is a topical Bible. To get the Jewish perspective on the first century world as it pertains to the Bible lands a study of the works of Josephus might be in order.
Some students have shown an inordinate fear of reference works, especially commentaries. The careful student can and should consult commentaries (by the way, this magazine is a commentary), but the key is to be wary. Commentaries are not God's word, they are someone attempting to "give the sense" of the Word. Using anyone else's Bible materials must be done with caution. This applies to brethren's writings as well as denominational commentators.
With that disclaimer, I must say that I gain much from listening to and reading the thoughts of others. Whether from a commentary, a Bible dictionary, a sermon outline, a magazine (such as The Expository Files), or from personal correspondence, Bible scholars (living and dead, brethren and denominationalists) have many insights that a single person would not be able to glean in their lifetime. An approach that I have found helpful when using a commentary is to first come to some understanding of the passage on my own, then consult a commentary (or the preacher). Treat the commentator as someone you are having a conversation with. The nice thing about disagreeing with the commentator is you can slam down his book and get back to the Bible at any moment. (Please do not try this with the preacher!) Getting out of a conversation with a live person will take more courtesy, time, and tact.
Many of the same tactics must be used with a Bible workbook. Find out about the author, read the workbook thoroughly before presenting it to a class or student, and do not be afraid to abandon the workbook if it veers to far a field. It is important for the teacher to learn from the workbook, before presenting to the student. If the workbook is in harmony with the Bible, the teacher can absorb the points needed from the workbook and set it aside. No student I have ever known received much edification from being read to verbatim from a workbook, commentary, or even the teacher's own notes.
Use Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
Colossians 3:16 sums this point up very nicely. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Doug Yopp has prepared a series of lessons that are worth your attention (http://www.geocities.com/cdillinger.geo/hymns/phssind.htm). In this series Doug has examined 54 well-known hymns and outlined a study for each one. If we are going to use hymns for their God-given purpose, then it is imperative that we know what the hymns we are singing mean and be able to convey that meaning to those that ask (e.g.: ebon pinion, Ebenezer, etc).
Familiarize Yourself with False Doctrines
The writings of Peter, Jude, John, and Paul, along with the words of Jesus have much to say about our attitudes towards false teachers and how to combat their apostasy. In your study it may be necessary to track down and study the works of a particular false teacher or publications that preach a false doctrine to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…(1 Pet. 3:15.)
It will be impossible to answer Calvinism without some understanding of "TULIP." It will be hard to answer Humanism without some familiarity with the Humanist Manifesto. For us to answer, "I do not know what the New Age Movement is but I'm against it!" is not teaching our neighbor who asks anything beyond the scope of our own ignorance. A more effective tactic would be to say, "let's examine the teaching together and hold it up beside God's measuring stick (the Bible) and see how it fares."
Conclusion
Each one of us has the responsibility to teach the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:2). We will need to read the word distinctly and give the sense so our students can understand what they hear. Many of our listeners today are in the same situation as the children of Israel in Nehemiah and Ezra's time; they hear the words, but do not get the sense of the meaning and therefore do not understand what they hear.
Paul asked his Roman readers these questions: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14) Might we presume to ask the following: and how shall they understand if the preacher or teacher doesn't give the sense?
One last admonition from the Apostle Paul to those that would
be teachers and preachers of the word:
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue
in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them
that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:16.)
How The Word Works by Jason Moore (info@thefamilytogether.com)
"My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your
word. I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your
statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall
I meditate on Your wondrous works. My soul melts from heaviness;
strengthen me according to Your word. Remove from me the way of
lying, and grant me Your law graciously. I have chosen the way
of truth; your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your
testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! I will run the course
of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart." (Psalm
119:25-32).
Psalm 119 offers wonderful insights into what the word of God
does for honest readers. God's word enlivens hope. "Revive
me according to your word," the writer said. He clung to
the dust; his only hope was the grave. The word of God rescues
even the sinner from despair.
God's word forces introspection. "I have declared my ways,
and You answered me," said the psalmist. The Scripture forces
a man to look at himself honestly. It is a mirror for the inner
man.
God's word inspires awe. "So shall I meditate on your wondrous
works," wrote the poet. You can't read of the mighty deeds
of God without being struck by His greatness and man's smallness.
God's word fuels forbearance. It gives new motivation to the man
whose "soul melts from heaviness," who is "weary
in well-doing."
God's word produces repentance. "Remove from me the way of
lying," represents a change of heart produced by a word that
is "living and active."
God's word bestows discipline. "Your judgments I have laid
before me," said the writer. The Bible causes a man to accept
the discipline of the Lord-even to invite it-because it helps
him.
God's word brings vindication. In spite of conflict with popular
opinion, the believer says, "I cling to Your testimonies."
He trusts in the Lord to vindicate His people, to "not put
them to shame."
God's word provokes perfection. "I will run the course of
Your commandments," said the poet. He was not about to retire
from service. The word inspires us to press on to growth and perfection.
QUOTEABLE QUOTES
"Satan will use 99% truth (if necessary) to float one lie."
"The best preparation for tomorrow is to make proper use of today."
"It is a sad religion that is never strong except when its owner is sick."
"Honor is better that honors."
"Integrity means being good when nobody is looking."
"There is no right way to do a wrong thing."
"To cheer yourself up, try cheering someone else up."
"Repentance is never too soon; but it may be too late."
"When it seems hardest to pray, we must pray hardest."
"Love looks through a telescope, envy through a microscope."
"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
Monthly Bible Reading: Numbers
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members
of, and visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg,
Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com