CHECK DISC Romans 5:1-5

INTRO TO "CHECK DISC"

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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

View the PowerPoint here:

Dr. Zane Hodges - 1932-2008

Our beloved Dr. Zane Hodges went home to be with the Lord today (24 November 2008). He was a pioneer for the Gospel of Grace and a major contribution to FORALLBELIEVERS.org. The following was written by Dr. Bob Wilkin from (faithalone.org):

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Zane has been like a father to me. He taught me how to exegete the Scriptures. He taught me so much about ministry and life. I am in shock.

Zane didn’t show up Sunday night at the Lord’s Supper meeting held in his office. Robert Calhoun and Mike Lii went to his apartment and found him. They think he died on Saturday night or Sunday morning. He was 76.

The funeral is set for Tuesday December 2nd at 11AM at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas (1808 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75232; phone 214.672.9100), Dr. Tony Evans, Pastor. I’ve already heard from people from as far as California, Oregon, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Colorado who plan to fly in so that they can be there to honor Zane.

There will be a viewing on Monday night from 7 to 9 PM at Eastgate Funeral Home in Garland TX (1910 Eastgate; phone 972.270.6116).

We have arranged for a block of ten rooms at a highly discounted rate at a very nice hotel in Frisco, Texas. There are still a few rooms left. If you are planning on coming to the funeral and need a hotel, you can email us at faithalone77@yahoo.com. You must do by Friday, however, as these rooms must be held in advance.

Zane was born on June 15th, 1932. He graduated from Wheaton College and then Dallas Theological Seminary. After graduating he was hired to teach Greek at DTS where he taught for 27 years until 1986. Over the last 22 years Zane devoted himself to writing and speaking. He taught for over 45 years at Victor Street Bible Chapel in Dallas. He wrote more than 10 books including The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, Grace in Eclipse, Six Secrets of the Christian Life, Harmony with God, Power to Make War, and stand-alone commentaries on James and 1-3 John. He and Dr. Art Farstad co-edited The Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text.

Zane influenced thousands of pastors and missionaries directly and hundreds of thousands by means of his writings.

Grace Evangelical Society would never have come into existence but for the influence of Zane Hodges on my life. He was on the original GES board and remained on the board for nearly 10 years. The entire 22 years of GES’s existence he has always been there for me and for GES.

Anyone who knew him would say that he was a very godly and gracious man.

Zane never married. His parents, Z.C. and Virginia Hodges, went to be with the Lord in the past decade. His brother David died of a heart attack around 1981.

While we will miss him greatly, we rejoice that he is now with the Lord and with his mom and dad and brother.

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Zane, we will not say goodbye, but see you soon. We will keep on studying hard to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed and who rightly divide the Word of Truth.