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.” 

AWANA is a great children’s program designed to teach children to love God’s Word and hide it in their heart. Today’s verse is the AWANA theme verse. Oh, by the way, AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. I think it is very interesting that the Greek word “ashamed” is only used right here in this verse. I wonder if AWANA knows that. 

The word means that you are not ashamed because you have taken care of any responsibilities that accomplishes what God has told you to do. In other words, you are obedient. Obedient to do what? To accurately handle the Word. And that Greek word “handling” is only used once right here. It means to cut straight. Wow! What an awesome verse. 

APPLICATION 

Take your child out to the garage or shop. Grab a board and a saw and let them whack on it a while. Tell them to cut it in half. Give them some safety tips but let them do it. Unless they have seen you do this, that board is going to be a little messed up when they get through. I seriously doubt it will be cut straight. 

Now, show them how to do it correctly. Get your angle square and draw a straight line on the board. Take your saw and cut it on the line. Then take some sandpaper and smooth of the cut edges. That’s a board you can be proud of and not ashamed. That’s how we handle the Word – with care, precision and skill. 

Do you throw out verses to just fit the occasion or do you ensure you are using them in context? You can make a verse fit just about anywhere if you shove it hard enough. That’s not how you apply Scripture. Study to show yourself approved, so you can accurately handle the Word. When you do that, our Lord is pleased. After all, it is His Word. 

Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your Word to study and learn. Help me use it in the way and manner You attend. I know it is powerful and must be handled with honor and respect.