Lesson 6

How To

Study the Bible Lesson 6: Step Three Is Application: What Does The Text Mean To Me.

By Shane Scott

This week we are going to look at the final step in the Bible study process, application. Remember that our method consists of three basic steps:

STEP ONE: OBSERVATION: What does the text say?

STEP TWO: INTERPRETATION: What did the text mean to its original recipients?

STEP THREE: APPLICATION: What does the text mean to me?

The Importance of Application

It is possible to carefully observe the many nuances of Scripture and accurately interpret every verse, yet be lost How can this be? Bible study does not accomplish anything unless it is applied. The Pharisees are the most obvious example of this tragic truth. Just as the priest and Levite knew the Law but chose to ignore its demands for compassion, the Pharisees ignored God's demands for their own personal behavior (see Luke 10:25-37).

The application step asks, "What does the text mean to me?" The emphasis here is on "me." The Pharisees loved to point out what others should be doing, but they failed to personally apply the Scriptures. The Bible is to be a lamp to our feet (Ps. 119:105), not a club for beating others, or a platform to grind axes, or a medal for boastful achievement or a novel for carnal amusement.

The Bible warns us that if we know what the will of God is, and we refuse to do it we have sinned (James 4:17). Application is essential!

The Bible Was Designed for Application

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the apostle Paul explained why God took such great care in the inspiration of the Bible:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, [equipped for every good work.

Paul says the Bible was inspired to be applied in the following ways:

Teaching. This means that the Bible is the basis of all doctrine. This is what the reformers meant when they said "Sola Scripture..... Scripture Alone." No church's tradition is the foundation of doctrine; God's word, not man's, is our guide.

Reprove. To reprove is to rebuke someone of sin and bring them to absolute conviction about the matter. The Bible cuts like a sword (Heb. 4:12), and it exposes our faults--if we are honest enough to apply it to our lives.

Correction. The Bible does not simply condemn; it also shows us how to correct the mistakes for which it reproves us.

Training in righteousness. The Bible serves as our handbook for living righteously, and it contains instructions that apply to every area of life (see Colossians 3:18-4:1).

In all these ways the Bible prepares us to be God's workers, both by showing us how to live, and by equipping us to help others as well.

Application Steps

To properly apply the Bible, follow these four steps:

1) Know the text and yourself. Remember that valid applications cannot be made until you have carefully observed and interpreted the Bible. There can be many appropriate applications, but there is only one proper interpretation. It is also crucial to know yourself (1 Timothy 4:16), soberly evaluating your strengths and weaknesses (Romans 12.3). By having a good grasp of your own weaknesses you will know what you need to focus on in your applications.

2) Relate to the original context. Try to see any similarities in the situation of the recipients and your own. Of course, the context may limit the application of the text in a direct way. Some portions of the Bible were limited to that day and time. For instance, the Law of Moses was give to Israel only, and was taken away when Jesus died on the cross (Hebrews 10:9-10). Paul preferred that single people not marry, but this was limited to the time of some unknown distress in his day (1 Corinthians 7:26). The series of promises Jesus gave in John 14-16 were given only to the apostles in the upper room. So be sure to make note of such contextual limitations.

However, even though a specific text may not directly apply to you, there are usually some valuable principles you can draw from those passages. Just be sure the applications are in keeping with the entirety of Scripture. As you relate the Scriptures to your own situation, ask yourself these questions: Is there an example to follow? A sin to avoid? A promise to claim? A command to obey? An error to mark?

3) Meditate. We talked about meditation once before in connection with observation. But it is also important to meditate on the Scriptures you have been studying to reinforce the applications you have discovered. The biblical emphasis on meditation "day and night" means that the Bible should be woven into the fabric of every moment of the day (Joshua 1:8).

4) Practice. All of what we have studied in this lesson boils down to repentance, and change of mind followed by a change in action. Your study of the Scriptures is not complete until you have changed attitudes and habits that the Bible has spoken to.

Questions for Review and Discussion.

1. What did Jesus say about the Pharisees regarding application in Matthew 23:1-2?

2. What does "Sola Scripture' mean? Do you agree with it?

3. Ephesians 4:26-27 is an example of how the Bible provides "correction," in this context regarding anger. What does this text say to do in the event of anger?

4. Why is it important to know yourself when studying the Bible?

5. The Bible says a lot about eating or not eating meat offered to idols (read 1 Corinthians 8:7-13). Does this apply to us directly? If not what principle can be gained from this passage?