Applying God’s Word 2

      In part 1 of this study we discovered that 93 percent of all households in America own one or more Bibles. Yet, of this group, surprisingly, 57 percent do not read the Bible at all during the week. We further discovered that reading the Bible is only the first step to applying the Bible in our lives. The second step is understanding the principles and teaching of the Bible (Matt. 7:24, 25; Isa. 28:9, 10). The last vital step is having a plan of application.

     We can find application from the Word of God for all kinds of areas of our lives. There are relationship issues – between husbands and wives, parents and children, other relatives, friends, and co-workers. There are personal burdens that touch upon our fears, hopes, and goals. There are character weaknesses that take in issues of intemperance, dishonesty, impatience, and a lack of love. There are resource challenges that deal with time, money, and abilities. There are responsibilities you have taken upon yourself---perhaps you feel overburden. How can we find answers to these everyday issues that confront us?

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21

1.    What is the great gospel commission given to us from our Savior Jesus Christ?

2.    Why are we specifically given this commission?

 During the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, a group of leaders in the Jewish Synagogue read the word of Scripture, but they did not understand and apply them.

3.    Who were these men and what rebuke did Jesus give to these men?

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Matt. 23:2, 3; John 5:39;

4.    What example of application does Jesus give us from the Bible?

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John 5:30, 36; John 8:28-30

In John 8:31, 32 Jesus replies; “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” After giving us the example of speaking and doing only those things that His Father taught Him, Jesus tells His disciples to continue in His word until they develop the same experience.

5.    In Luke 14, Jesus taught the cost of discipleship, what principle did He lay down for us?

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Luke 14:27-30;

The very first step in application is pray. The Bible admonition to us today is; “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6 We must be prayerful because the Bible says that we are in a war (Eph 6:18, 12), and being in a war there is one step that all must take before fighting.

6.    What is the first step that Jesus tells us to take in this warfare against principalities?

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Luke 14:31-33

     The next step to application is to consider by carefully planning out the strategy of attack. If our relationships are broken down, plan, through pray how to reconstruct them. If our personal problems are weighing us down and our character defects are bring severe depression to us, plan through prayer how to reconstruct them today. The Bible has the answer to all the strains and problems of life. Even though our problems may be varied, the principle of application to resolve the problem is the same. The Servant of the Lord said: “There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest.” SC 100.

     Now let us see if we can develop a plan of application from the Bible for our problem areas of life. In the days of Nehemiah, the remnant of Israel was in great distress and affliction because of their captivity. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down the relationships, personal burdens, character weaknesses, resources, and responsibilities of the people of God were suffering. Everything relative to the peace and tranquility of the Jewish community revolved around the temple at Jerusalem. Israel was disconnected from God and the temple was decimated. Today our Jerusalem is in heaven and we are connected to it through Jesus. But if we are disconnected from God the Father the influence of Jesus is no longer felt in our family life and personal life. The plan of application that ancient Israel took to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem is a Divine plan of application of reconstruction for us today. What steps make up that plan?

7.    Having already discussed the importance of prayer in everything we do today, do we find this element of worship in the plan of application in ancient Israel? If so, describe how they did it.

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Nehemiah 1:5, 6

8.    What constitutes the next step in the area of application for ancient Israel in the construction of the walls at Jerusalem?

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Nehemiah 2:4, 5

9.    What is the next step of application we can gleam from the rebuilding of the walls at Jerusalem?

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Verses 6, 7

10.  Having made restitution and sought for reconciliation, what is the next step we must take?

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Nehemiah 2:13, 15

11.   Having now already took careful notice of the problems and saw what materials are needed in the plan of reconstruction, what is the next step we must take?

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Nehemiah 2:17, 18

12. Through are personal testimony we have strengthen the confidence in the person we are seeking reconciliation with, what is the next step we must take?

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Nehemiah 4:6

13.   Through considering the problem and giving our personal testimony or receiving the personal testimony of other that went through the same problem thus developing a mind to build, what is the next step in application?

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Nehemiah 4:9

14.   After we set a watch of concern and prayerful consultation with the Creator of life and happiness, what is the next step we must take?

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Nehemiah 4:10

15.   Having followed carefully these steps of applications what encouragement does God give us in our efforts?

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Nehemiah 4:14-23

 “The mine of truth is to be explored interestedly, diligently. How often we find Christ applying the Old Testament Scriptures, expounding their truths, showing their spiritual character, clothing them with freshness and richness and beauty the people had never beheld before. . . . The truths our Saviour reveals in His exposition are capable of constant expansion and new and richer developments. While searching the Scriptures, the mind that is led by the Holy Spirit sees their Author, and by beholding is constantly brightening while looking at the Word. Thus the intellect aspiring to reach the standard of perfection becomes elevated to comprehend it. . . . He who labors wisely sinks the shaft deeper and deeper and discovers a rich and precious lode. He finds that the field of revelation is interlaced with golden veins of precious treasures and is indeed the storehouse of the unsearchable riches of Christ--light, truth, and life.” TMK 195