Rules for Handling Scripture

They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. (Nehemiah 8:8)

How about five simple rules for accurately handling Scripture? Each includes a different word—what, who, why, where, and when.

1. WHAT. Never forget what you are handling. And what is that? It is the Word of God. God’s Book—God’s voice. That will keep you sensitive.
2. WHO. Always remember who has the authority. That’s the Lord Himself. That’ll keep you humble. Confidence is essential, but proud arrogance has no place whatsoever in Bible teaching. When I hear an arrogant teacher, I realise I’m listening to a person who has forgotten who has the authority. Those who remember who has the authority don’t have a big battle with pride.
3. WHY. Keep in mind why you are teaching. This will keep you accurate. Why study? Why teach? To capture the original meaning and then today’s application of Scriptures. Would it help if I drilled it home with a couple of “nots” or negatives?

First, your desire is not to impress. Don’t try to “wow” others with your scholarship. If you’ve got it, they will notice it and be impressed on their own. No reason to toss in Hebrew or Greek                words unless they really help clarify the subject. If it doesn’t really help your case, forget the original language barrage. Refer to it sparingly. It confuses an English audience to wade through              a lot of Greek or Hebrew verbiage dangled in front of them in rapid-fire fashion.

Second, try not to ride a hobby horse. Now I realise everybody has a few. I’ve got ‘em. You’ve got ‘em. Sometimes I get on ‘em, I confess. But when I do I realise later that I rode away from my           point rather than toward it.

Try to remember those two negatives as you keep in mind why you are teaching. Accuracy is always the underlying goal of Bible study and Bible teaching.

4. WHERE. Think about where people are. That’ll keep you interesting. If you’re dealing with folks in a situation where there’s very little knowledge of Scripture, your presentation will be more              interesting if you’ll remember where they are. They’re not as far along as others in another circle. To keep it interesting, remember where people are.

5. WHEN. Focus on when the teaching ends. That’ll keep you practical. When the teaching is all over, when the Bible study that you’ve been involved in is history, what difference will it make?