The Big Idea: Application to your daily life is the most valuable part of Bible Study.
Imagine I invite you to my house for Thanksgiving. You come hungry expecting a satisfying meal. Entering it smells inviting. I invite you inside and show you the meal all prepared. I invite you to take pictures. I ask you how it smells. I have recipes printed to give you. You help me make a side dish where I show you new techniques. By this time you are really hungry and ready for the meal. Then I usher you to the door.
“So long, it was great to have you over! Hope you find those recipes helpful!”
You depart wondering what just happened.
This is a perfect example of how we treat Bible Study skipping application. We can have the best recipe for study and a great passage chosen. The outcome can be beautiful and paint a wonderful picture. But as in my illustration, if you don’t take it and apply it, it is a pointless exercise, like cooking a meal for solely beauty and interest, not to eat.
A valid question in Bible Study is: So what? How does this passage matter to my life? Why is it in the Bible? How can it help me today? I call this the “So What” Factor. Answering this simple question moves us light years in our walk with Jesus.
The Bible, a remarkable literary tome, is not merely for pleasure or intellectual reading. The Holy Spirit of God moved writers to communicate His loving interest in mankind (2 Peter 1:21). He desires followers to have a worthwhile life focused on eternity with Him. Becoming a Christian carries no promise for an easy life. God does, however, promise a life of peace beyond human comprehension with unexplainable joy in the midst of hard times. This Word from God is packed with real life examples portraying wisdom, warnings, understanding and promises. Read and implemented it to your life. This is Bible application.
Remember the three phases of Inductive Bible Study:
God’s Word exists so we can know Him, and through His presence, we have an unbelievable peace and satisfaction within.
The "So What" Factor
A valid question in Bible Study is: So what? How does this passage matter to my life? Why is it in the Bible? How can it help me today? I call this the “So What” Factor. Answering this simple question moves us light years in our walk with Jesus.
The Bible, a remarkable literary tome, is not merely for pleasure or intellectual reading. The Holy Spirit of God moved writers to communicate His loving interest in mankind (2 Peter 1:21). He desires followers to have a worthwhile life focused on eternity with Him. Becoming a Christian carries no promise for an easy life. God does, however, promise a life of peace beyond human comprehension with unexplainable joy in the midst of hard times. This Word from God is packed with real life examples portraying wisdom, warnings, understanding and promises. Read and implemented it to your life. This is Bible application.
Remember the three phases of Inductive Bible Study:
- Observation - What does it say?
- Interpretation - What does it mean?
- Application - How does it matter?
God’s Word exists so we can know Him, and through His presence, we have an unbelievable peace and satisfaction within.
Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. James 1:22 ERV
Lets explore ways to figure out how the Bible applies to modern life. Determine the “So What” Factor.
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This is the twenty-eighth in a series called Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.
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Reflect:
1. Do you sometimes wonder how an Old Testament story can apply to your life today? Think about a story you know from the Bible that means something to you.
2. What do you think the Bible should provide for you? What would you like to know?
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