Focus on the Message © John Stevenson, 2012

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. What is the primary action commanded in this verse?

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

My own ideas

What does it say? What does it mean? What is the big idea? What difference does it make? What must I change? Richards & Bredfeldt

What does it say? What does it mean? What is the big idea? What difference does it make? What must I change? Richards & Bredfeldt Then&there Bridge Here&now Specific application Deductive application General principle Inductive study Specific details

“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Use the questions in pages of Richards & Bredfeldt’s book

Author And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon (Genesis 15:9). Recipients

Author And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not (Genesis 15:10). Recipients

AuthorRecipients And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces (Genesis 15:17).

Synopsis Whole Parts Whole AnalysisSummary

Vision of Jesus and Seven letters to seven churches Throne of God & Scroll with seven seals 8-11 Seven trumpets Christ, the Dragon & the Seven Bowls The Harlot on Seven Hills & the Bride 20 The King reigns New Heaven & New Earth Each ends with a promise of Christ Coming Christ wipes away every tear (7:17) Christ will reign forever & ever (11:15) Fall of the nations “It is done” (16:17) Rider on the White Horse (19:16) Judge & Lake of Fire I am coming quickly (22:20)

What does it mean? Rule #1: Continuity of the messageRule #1: Continuity of the message The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

What does it mean? Rule #1: Continuity of the messageRule #1: Continuity of the message Rule #2: Context of the materialRule #2: Context of the material Rule #3: Customary meaningRule #3: Customary meaning

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27).

What is the big idea?

What does it mean… to me?

What do I do now?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Going therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

What is the meaning? Do other passages support or clarify the meaning? What do Scriptures say about the nations?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Going therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). What is the big idea of the text? How do we make disciples? What does this entail?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Going therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). How does this text relate to me? What does it call me to do? How do I do this?

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Going therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20). What are some ways in which I can be a part of the disciple- making process?

Do an inductive study from one of the assigned passages and prepare a 5 minute report. Daniel 6 Matthew 10: Timothy 4:1-5 Revelation 2: minutes