This article is the third in a series of five focusing on how to write and lead Bible studies. It is based on the material used to run a workshop based on those lines at Summer Wine 2003 in Masterton. The first 3 articles focus on methods of Biblical interpretation, and the final articles will examine how these methods should be used to prepare, and then lead Bible studies.

The three parts of Biblical interpretation that will be examined are: exegesis, exposition, and application. Exegesis is looking at what the passage actually says; exposition looks and what the passage means; and the application looks at what the passage means for us today – i.e. what should we do about it.

If you haven't already, read parts one and two now.

Throughout this series of articles, I am going to be using the book of Colossians as an example of putting these principles into practice.

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Application

Application is the most important part of the process of studying the Bible. If our insights into what the Bible says, and what it actually means do not facilitate changes in our lives, then there appears to be little point to the process. The purpose of the Bible is to draw us into a relationship with God. The Bible is one of God’s ways of communicating with us. It is not simply an end in itself. Therefore, while in-depth academic study of the Bible is extremely important, the ultimate goal is changed lives. Thus the process of applying the Bible to ours lives is the most important part of this process.

Some parts of the Bible are easy to apply, however, others are considerably more difficult. This article will examine and give examples on how we can apply both.

Steps to applying Scripture

1. Determine the original application intended.
   The apostles (in particular) and other writers of the Bible did not intend that their writings be used solely for academic interest. If you consider the letters of the Apostle Paul, you will find that every one of them contains very practical commands or guidelines on how he expects his readers to live their lives.
   
   When writing each passage, the original author generally had a particular application in mind. This may be:

   1. Command to obey
   2. Example to follow or avoid
   3. Promise to claim
   4. Warning to heed
   5. Teaching to act on
   6. Truth to believe


2. Is the original application culture bound, or can it be applied in all cultures?
   In many cases the original application intended by the author is still applicable today. We can still follow the original application because it means something to us, and is relevant in today’s society. However, in some cases, the original application may be something that is totally meaningless to us now. One of the examples below is from Lev 19:9-10, which talks about what we should do when we are reaping our fields during a harvest. Most of us are not agriculturalists today, and so the vast majority of us cannot do this original application directly. Paul frequently gives instructions to slaves and masters, but since slavery is illegal today (at least in most parts of the world), we obviously cannot directly obey this either.
   
   However, this does not mean that we can ignore it entirely. In almost every case where the original application is unsuitable today, we can still find some underlying principle that is not time or culture bound. This underlying principle is the real command we should be obeying, and the specific application mentioned by the author is only one example of how it can be applied.
   
   Once the underlying principle has been identified, we then need to find appropriate applications of this principle today.
   
   The following examples list a number of verses from the Bible, identify the originally intended application, and if the original application is culture-bound, it identifies the underlying principle, and finds an appropriate application for today.

Examples of applying Scripture

Passage: Col 3:20
Text: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Application: Children should respect their parents and honour their requests.

Passage: 1 Th 5:26
Text: Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
Original Application: Greet one another with a kiss.
Timeless Principle: Greet each other warmly.
Application Today: In NZ culture, a handshake may be appropriate. In other cultures, a kiss may be alright.

Passage: Col 4:2
Text: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Application: Keep praying, watching what God is doing, and thanking him for doing it.

Passage: Lev 19:9-10
Text: When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.
Original Application: Leave some of your harvest and the grapes of your vineyard for the poor.
Timeless Principle: Use your resources to take care of the poor.
Application Today: Give money to World Vision or a similar organisation that is trying to combat poverty.

Passage: Col 2:16
Text: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Original Application: Don’t listen to those who claim that those things are necessary for salvation.
Timeless Principle: No legalism in Christ.
Application Today: Don’t listen to those who try to enforce a particular style of worship/prayer, advocated as though ‘this is the only way’.

Passage: Col 3:16
Text: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Application: Read the Word, teach each other, praise God.

Passage: Col 4:1
Text: Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Original Application: Treat your slaves fairly, as you wish to be treated.
Timeless Principle: Look after those who serve you, or who are under your protection.
Application Today: Care for your employees.

Passage: Col 3:22
Text: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Original Application: Slaves should be obedient and trustworthy, regardless of who is or isn’t watching.
Timeless Principle: Respect and obey those with authority over you.
Application Today: Obey and be trustworthy to your boss. Work hard even when they aren’t looking.


Passage: 1 Ti 2:9
Text: I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.
Application: This is a difficult one, as part of the verse is culture bound, and part is not. The first phrase is not culture bound – Paul’s desire for women to dress with modesty, decency, and propriety is not something limited to the first century. However, in the first century this meant no braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, which is probably not the case now. So this verse fits in both categories.

Principles to keep in mind when applying the Bible

1. The Bible is more a book of principles than a catelogue of specific directions.


2. Sometimes we are intended to heed the “spirit” of the command, not the “letter” of the command.
   
   For example, Mt 5:29-30 says "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."


3. We must make a distinction between what the Bible records and what it approves.
   
   For example, the Bible records many murders, rapes, incest, deceit, etc., but these are NOT examples for us to follow!


4. Express commands to individuals are usually not the will of God for us.
   
   For example, Abraham being commanded to offer up his son.

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The next article in this series will discuss how to turn the exegesis, exposition, and application that we have done into a bible study that is ready to be run.

Posted by Dave Bryant at 1:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)