The Idea of Applications

I had a (brillant) professor introduce the idea of applications to a class a year ago. The idea of faith applications seems to really be rooted in common sense. However, as humans, let's just be honest, we suck at common sense sometimes.

Basically, you take a passage (i.e. 1 Peter 1:13-25)

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a]

17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For, "All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever."[c]
And this is the word that was preached to you.

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This particular professor argues that though there is some value in reading the Bible for the sake of reading the Bible, but he considers scripture reading a means to an end. I would say that I agree with him on that point. Knowledge for knowledge's sake is not really valuable unless it's put into action.

So from that passage, you identify a certain piece of the passage that you would take and apply to your own life. For example, verse 22 would be a good choice if I maybe did not tell someone I loved them enough.

Then from there, one can identify the who, what, why, where, when, and how pieces of the application.

Who: My roommate
What: Tell her that I appreciate her as a friend and that I love her.
Why: I don't tell her enough that I am grateful for her.
Where: In our apartment/living room... anywhere I can appropriately tell her.
When: Whenever I can do it.
How: Pray before I do it. Then, tell her.

Generally, it would be much more detailed than this. I have found great value in intentionally applying passages of the Bible to my life in real tangible ways. It allows us in a way to hold ourselves accountable for our own growth.

yac