Personal Application

"If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”[1]

 

1.  Define the truth to be applied.

-          Observe Carefully

-          Interpret Accurately

-          Identify the application as understood by the original readers of the text.[2]

 

Was there an example to imitate?

Was there a principle to apply?

Was there a command to obey?

Was there an error to avoid?

Was there a sin to forsake?

Was there a promise to claim?

Was there any new thought about God Himself? [3]

 

2.  Identify the specific application of this truth to your life.

-          Translate the original application into your current circumstances, time, and place. (Example:  1st century Palestine vs. 21st Century Eugene)[4]

-          Make it specific.  What do you need to add, change, or delete?

-          Make it personal.  What do you need to add, change, or delete?

 

3.  Plan to apply this truth to your life.

-          What actions steps will you take?  If there are several, list them in order.

-          When will you start?

-          How will you measure progress?

-          Who will keep you accountable?

-          How will they do it?

-          When will they do it?

 

 

“For in the last analysis one of the primary secrets of Scriptural application is the kind of abandon which causes one who has discovered a truth to follow it to its logical outcome, even if the road be hard and the tangible rewards few.”[5]

 

 



[1] Jesus, John 13:17 (NASB-U)

[2] “Only after we comprehend what (the author) meant in his own terms and to his own times can we clarify what difference that should make in life today”, Robinson, Haddon W, “Biblical Preaching”, Baker Academic, 2001, pg 87. 

[3] Henrichsen, Walter A., “A Layman’s Guide to Interpreting the Bible”, Zondervan, 1978, pg 217

[4] Traina, Robert, “Methodical Bible Study”, Ashbury Theological Seminary, 1952, pg.214

[5] Traina, pg. 217-18