THE “CHECK D.I.S.C.” TECHNIQUE

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There is no passage in all of Scripture that cannot be interpreted for today. The CHECK DISC technique makes this possible in five easy steps. The need for this hermeneutical tool is based on the fact that the majority of contemporary Christians who study the Bible are guilty of “RTC syndrome;” They find themselves “Running to Commentaries.” Bibles now come with an abundant amount of footnotes that seek to explain the text. There is no substitute for spending time in the Word in order to extrapolate the intended meaning. Although footnotes may be helpful, they may produce laziness.

CHECK DISC is the simplest approach to Bible study. CHECK DISC is the art of interpreting the text in it’s original context using only the original words and surrounding text to establish the basis for a contemporary meaning. Furthermore, the CHECK DISC technique forces the interpreter to stick with the text only. That means, one cannot add any of foreign thoughts, ideas and theology into the text. With the CHECK DISC formula, there is no room for eisegesis (i.e. reading ones own thoughts into the text).

Step 1 – CHECK yourself (i.e. confess your sins – 1 John 1:9 and restore fellowship with God).
Step 2 – DISCOVER the context of the passage (i.e. surrounding verses, chapter, book, genre, etc.).
Step 3 – IDENTIFY the key words, which capture the big idea of the author (i.e. what is he getting at?).
Step 4 – SUBJECT – Create a question that captures the big idea of the passage.
Step 5 – COMPLEMENT – Answer the question using the text/context only mentioning the original audience, author and situation (i.e. dead people only!).

The key progression in CHECK DISC is observation → interpretation → application. Prior to interpreting the text for today, one must concentrate on observation (exegesis) and once the “big idea” of the passage is captured (i.e. the subject and complement) stop exegeting!

Many Pastors and Teachers spend most of their time exegeting the text and in worst cases they are exegeting until Sunday morning! This is a terrible feeling. The Subject-Complement method is the tool that saves time, energy and stress. Without the right tools, the job takes twice the amount of time. For instance, if the goal is not set at capturing the big idea, all of the side issues serve as distractions and the message becomes unclear. A lot of people walk away from Church saying, “Wow. That was a great message.” Ironically, they could not tell you the big idea of the message.

Once the exegetical idea (subject-complement) is in the “bag” then contemporize the idea and communicate/apply it to the people today. This is connecting what it meant with what it means. STAY FAITHFUL TO THE TEXT!

There is more to this 5-step process, but that is it in a nutshell. This notion cuts bible study prep time in half and allows for ample time of contemporizing the message. If believers cannot apply the Word to today’s problems, they remain in defeat.

As a rule of thumb, remember that the more time spent in Observation, the less time is needed for interpretation. Have fun CHECK DISCing through the Scriptures!

Watch the video here: Check DISC Hermeneutic

Download the mp3 here: Check DISC Hermeneutic mp3

The Doctrine of Angels

Angels are seen almost everywhere - on TV, the web and in stores. What the Bible says is noticeably different than what is seen. Watch the Doctrine of Angels in 10 minutes .

The Doctrine of Halloween

Paul and Barnabas' Disagreement - Acts 13:13

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:37-41

After our discussion on "Figuring out the Figurative" we focused our attention on the above passage.

The Greek word for contention is informative at this point. In the Greek it has the idea of stirring up, irritation (being an irritant), or sharp disagreement. At this point Paul and Barnabas were borderline arguing.

Why the disagreement? John Mark had previously abandoned them (see Acts. 13:13) while the pressure was great. We all know how it is to be let down and this is why Paul did not want to bring John Mark.

What are we to make out of this incident? Here are some options:

1. Believers can and will disagree
2. Paul was not willing to extend grace to John Mark
3. Barnabas was willing to extend grace
4. John Mark should have followed through and helped out
5. Regardless of what happens when believers are divided ministry will continue

Which of the above is true? All of them. When we are discussing application on a personal level they all apply. If we are talking interpretation, there is ONLY one meaning. But within the one meaning flows several applications as can be seen in our options listed.

What is the one meaning? Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed regarding taking John Mark with them to visit the cities they use to preach at. They split up (Barnabas taking John Mark and Paul taking Silas) and went their ways to strengthen the churches.

How can you use this passage practically speaking?

1. You can remind believers that they will not always see eye to eye

2. Within the church there are people who are like Paul wanting 100% commitment. They get things done and are the "movers" in the ministry. If you slack off they'll write you off. When sufficient time has passed (see 2 Timothy 4:11) they'll extend grace and give you another opportunity to serve. Those not akin to Paul's approach can be shown in this passage that they still are still a vital part of the ministry.

3. There are those who identify more with Barnabas in that they are always willing to extend grace when a person has dropped the ball. Those not akin to Barnabas can be shown in this passage that they are still a vital part of the ministry.

4. Those who are like John Mark should be challenged and shown how their behavior can cause a riff among the brethren. They should be reminded to be a man/woman of integrity.

5. Ministry must continue regardless of the division within the church as clearly seen in this passage.

You can listen to the entire session on your mp3 player or computer.

Hermeneutics Class (the Figurative).mp3

The Kalam Cosmological Argument

The Kalam Cosmologial Argument is this: the Universe had a beginning, and that beginning was caused by someone who was a person. The strength in this argument lies in the fact that it keeps the recipient thinking and engaged for he or she must make a decision at each of the three "forks" in the road. If that individual makes the most logical decision at that fork, he or she will end up with the conclusion that a supernatural being - outside of space and time caused the universe to come into being in the beginning of time.
One of the illustrations used today was the "Fast-N-Furious Freddy vs. Ron Race" illustration. If Freddy and Ron engaged in a car race, but Ron's start line went back for an infinite length backwards, he could not even begin the race let alone win the race. The POINT: Infinity cannot be crossed. Therefore, if the past is an infinite amount of time, we could have never reached the present moment. Therefore, the past must be a finite amount of time (i.e. a beginning in time).

Download -> The Kalam Cosmological Argument.mp3
Watch -> THE KALAM COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT (FULL VERSION) on YOUTUBE.com

Thursday Hermeneutics Bible Class

Join us every Thursday night for our Hermeneutics Bible class. Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting the Bible. We are currently going through the book by Professor Howard Hendricks - "Living by the Book." You must come with pen, paper and an open mind. See you there!

We discussed what it takes in order for a person to be saved. Though not everyone was in agreement we all agreed it was engaging!

Get the entire audio session and listen closely.

Hermeneutics Bible Class (Jesus and Martha).mp3

The Doctrine of Dispensations

It is nearly impossible to interpret the Bible in it's normal, literal sense without realizing that there are different ages/dispensations.  The Doctrine of Dispensations is important because it recognizes the different ways in which God dealt with people since the beginning of time.  One key aspect of "Dispensational" theology is the distinction between Israel and the Church.  For example, since believers in Jesus Christ fall under the "Church" they no longer have to make animal sacrifices (sin offering) to make atonement for their sins.  Church age believers must confess their sins (1 John 1:9) in order to receive forgiveness.   There is a future for Israel, which will come at the millennial kingdom, which Christ will establish after the 7 year tribulation period is finished.  All in all, the doctrine of dispensations refers to the dividing of ages since from the beginning of time to the eternal state in the future.watch in high quality