CHECK DISC revisited

All Scripture can be interpreted. The CHECK DISC technique makes this possible through five simple steps. The need for this tool is emerges from a disease that is spreading throughout Christendom. The majority of Christians suffer from “RTC syndrome;” They find themselves “Running to Commentaries.” Bibles now come with an abundant amount of footnotes to explain the text for the reader. Although footnotes may be helpful, they may produce laziness. There is no substitute for spending time in the Word in order to find the intended meaning of a particular passage.

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 method forces the individual to stick with the text only. That means, one cannot add any of foreign thoughts, ideas or theology into the text. The CHECK DISC formula leaves no room for eisegesis (i.e. reading ones own thoughts into the text). CHECK DISC is a safeguard against textual abuse.

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 a “big idea(s)” of the passage is discovered (i.e. the subject and complement) stop exegeting.

Many times during my sermon prep I have spent time exegeting up until Sunday morning. This is a terrible feeling. My exegesis should have been completed days prior to sermon time. The CHECK DISC method is a tool that guards teachers’ time, energy and stress. Without the right tools, the task of preparing a sermon can take twice the amount of time. For instance, if the goal is not set at capturing the big idea(s), all of the side issues can serve as distractions, which will eventually spill over into the sermon. In such cases, the congregation walks away from Church saying, “Wow. That was a great message” when in reality they could not recall the big idea of the message because there was never a big idea or thought to capture.

Once the exegetical idea (i.e. the subject-complement package) is in the “bag” then seek to contemporize the idea and communicate/apply it to the people today. To contemporize the texts means to connect what the text meant (Original Century) with what it means (21st Century). 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, they may remain enslaved to that problem/struggle.

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!

Semper Christus Primorus,
Ryan