Methodical Principles
APPLYING
Methodical Principles
APPLYING
“Observing, interpreting, and summarizing facts in Biblical passages, I have gained insight into many wonderful truths. What shall I do with the truths I have learned? How shall I apply these truths to the life which I live? Have they any relationship with other Biblical truths?”
What Is the Purpose of Bible Study?
You may have gained skill in observing and interpreting the truths found in Scripture. You can teach yourself to become a profound intellectual Bible student and yet miss the ultimate purpose of all Bible study – permitting the Word of God to speak to the heart in a personal way. To observe and interpret the facts are only the first two steps in the process of Bible study. There is little value gained unless you follow the third step – personally applying the truths.
The third step can be divided into three parts: (1) Evaluation of Biblical truths discovered; (2) Application of Biblical truths to one’s personal living; (3) Correlation of the truths with other Scriptural teachings.
Although considered separately below, they are interrelated and often considered simultaneously:
(1) Evaluation
What is the value of the Biblical truths? To evaluate is to ascertain the value or appraise the worth or usefulness of something. In studying Scripture, you need to evaluate the truth before applying it. This does not mean that you set yourself up as a critical judge, but with an honest heart you should continually appraise the general validity of the Bible in relation to present‑day living. “Does the Bible have value for us today? Does it meet our needs today?” Also you should determine the relationship of individual truths to the general message. How valid is the message of the particular portion you have studied? To whom can these truths be applied; for what purposes?
Suggestions in evaluating
The following questions may help in evaluating a portion of Scripture:
What was the purpose of the author?
Did he accomplish his purpose? The worth of a passage should never be evaluated unless we do so with the author’s purpose in mind. Otherwise we are unfair to the author. Many people condemn the Bible because they say it is not scientific or historically accurate. Such an accusation is unfair because they have failed to take into consideration the purpose of Bible writers – revealing God’s message of salvation to a needy world.
For whom was the Biblical portion written?
When evaluating, we should try to understand the setting, time, location, period of history, and ethics of that day, people to whom the book was written, their level of understanding, their experience, customs, needs and background.
What are general and local truths?
Some passages of Scripture were written for a certain period of history and are therefore local in color. The Bible student must distinguish between local truths, applicable for specific periods in history, and general truths which can be applied to any age. Although James wrote his Epistle for a definite group of people, the statements he makes are equally applicable today. In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) we have some statements which cannot be applied to standards of today, but behind every local truth there is usually a general principle that can be applied in all ages.
What is the relation of truths in one passage to the whole Bible message?
No single portion should be evaluated apart from the whole message of the Bible. When considered in their own context and in relation to the whole, the basic truths of the Bible are never contradictory.
How valid is the translation?
To judge its validity, a person should read a passage in its original language. Only then can an accurate concept of the real meaning of difficult portions of Scripture be grasped. However, since most of us cannot read Greek or Hebrew, we should always compare translations in order to gain as clear a picture as possible of what the author said.
How objective are you?
Evaluations should always be as objective as possible. Beware of making snap judgments and subjective ones. Personal prejudices and pet whims should not govern your thinking.
(2) APPLICATION
What do the Biblical truths mean to me? In 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, Paul states the general purpose of Bible study: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every work.” In these words we observe the real purpose for Bible study – permitting the Word of God to teach, reprove, correct, and train us so that we may be equipped to live godly lives and serve Him. Thus, we realize that all the Bible study skills we have been discussing are only means to this end: that the Word of God may accomplish its good work in us. Unless we apply what we have learned, our study has not accomplished its primary purpose, even though we may have gained intellectual knowledge.
In fact, it is dangerous to study the Bible and not apply it to our personal lives. The Word of God is power. It either penetrates or hardens hearts. Whether willfully or through neglect, the person who does not permit the Holy Spirit to speak to him rejects the truths and in the process hardens his heart. “Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your heart” (Heb. 3:7).
Process of Application
In all the other processes of Bible study, you should be objective. In other words, study the Scriptural facts apart from personal thoughts or feelings. You are to “let the Word speak; to observe what the Word says” – The “Word” is primary. The personal pronoun “I” should stay out of the process. Whereas the process of observation and interpretation are objective in nature, the process of application is subjective – the truths should be applied to your personal life. Application is the natural outcome of methodical Bible study. As you study a portion of Scripture, write down observations, ask and answer your questions, and summarize the truths revealed, you should experience the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart. The result should be conviction of sin, confession of sin, experiences in the forgiving and saving power of Christ, growth in the Christian life, deeper understanding of the problems and needs of others, new insights into Christian relationships.
Suggestions for application
Although application is a natural outcome of Bible study, there are some specific areas to consider as you seek to make your study more personal and meaningful. The following questions could be used in applying Scriptural truths to your life:
Faith – What does the Bible passage teach me about personal faith? What do I learn about God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and my relationship to them? What specific truths should I believe; why should I believe them?
Attitudes – What do I learn about good or bad attitudes; what are the results of each? What should be my attitudes; how can I change negative ones? What do I learn about emotions? Is there help suggested for release from destructive emotions such as fear, worries, anxieties, hates, resentments, jealousies?
Actions – What should be my actions? Are there errors to avoid? Are there any actions which I need to change?
Sins – What sins are pointed out in my life? Are there some I need to forsake and confess to God; to my fellowmen?
Examples – What examples should be followed; not followed; and why?
Challenges – What are some admonitions I should make my own? How can I follow these admonitions in a concrete way: In my relationships at home; in school; work; with others; and with friends?
Promises – What promises can I claim for my own? Are there any conditions I must fulfill in order to claim these promises? Are there any specific prayer promises to claim?
(3) CORRELATION
Definition – What is the relation of Biblical truths to each other? Definition: Correlation is the association of Biblical truths found in one passage to related truths in other Bible passages. Biblical theology and a Christian philosophy of life are developed through the correlation of general Biblical truths. The process of correlation should be continuous. In other words, as you study the particulars in a passage, always relate them to general truths revealed in the Bible.
EVALUATION: Are there any statements in these chapters which cannot be applied to our day? How would you evaluate 4:1‑3 in light of present‑day strife in home, communities and among individuals? How would you evaluate 5:13‑16? Are the practices suggested by James still applicable for Christians today?
CORRELATION: Since James has definite exhortations regarding prayer, you will find value in comparing them with other Biblical statements on prayer in order to formulate some general truths the Bible teaches about prayer. Correlate the statements in James 5:13‑18 with teachings on prayer found in the following references: Matthew 6:5‑15; 21:21, 22; Mark 11:20‑26; John 14:12‑14; 16:23, 24; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8.
APPLICATION: As stated before, application is a growing process rising out of the other processes, but the degree to which we apply Scriptural truths is dependent on the time we take for meditation and prayer.
To meditate is to contemplate and ponder on some passage in a quiet, unhurried manner. In this day of hurry, fury and worry, we allow little time for real meditation. We even rush through our devotions with a little bit of reading and prayer and with very little or no time for conviction. No wonder God seems so far away and silent. We never sit still long enough for Him to have a chance to speak to us. If application is to be something other than superficially giving assent to things we ought to do (but never doing them), we need to practice meditation. Here are a few suggested things you might do:
Meditate – Slowly read chapters four or five in James. Try reading them out loud. Then choose one of the areas listed under the lesson, “Suggestions for Application.” Consider what the chapter has to say to you in this one area. Then choose another area and do the same.
Reflect – After you have thoughtfully read one of the chapters, think back on what you have read and try to answer these questions: What does God want me to believe? What does God want me to do? What does God promise He will do?
Pray – Study one of the chapters for its prayer suggestions. In what way does the content of the chapter suggest: Prayers of petition; Prayers of intercession; Prayers of thanksgiving?
Choose a verse and make it into a prayer
Re‑create – Try to capture the feelings and concern of the author. Imagine that you are sitting with him, talking to him; think of what he would be saying to you. Try to imagine Christ saying these words to you. What would be your response?
