Blog Home » Teacher Skills » Lesson Prep & Structure » Whose Responsibility is Bible Application?

Whose Responsibility is Bible Application?

Share:

Previously we considered how application isn’t just a good idea but it is God’s idea. Consequently, rather than ask “if” truth should be applied to life perhaps we should look at these questions:

  • Whose responsibility is lesson application?
  • How deliberate should we be about application of truth to students’ lives?
  • What should we be aiming for in the application of truth to life?

We will start with the first question in this article. Upcoming posts looking at the next questions. (You can subscribe to receive e-mail notification of new posts.)

Whose responsibility is it for students to apply the truth they are learning to life?

We might be quick to respond to that question by saying that the individual students are the ones accountable for what they do with what they learn.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24-27)

While that might be true, we need to also consider the role of the Bible teacher, fellow students, and God Himself.

Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds
(Click to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)

The Role of Bible Teachers in Helping Students Apply Truth to Life

Hebrews 10:24 pertains to our relationships with one another in the Body of Christ. Certainly teachers have an added responsibility to make sure this happens as a result of Bible lessons. Teachers need to plan Bible lessons with application in mind. They also need to be praying for students to live in obedience to God’s Word. The Apostle Paul prayed for the people he taught that they would “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:9-10).

Worksheet: Application: It’s God’s idea
More Resources: Application Part of a Bible Lesson Teacher Training Resources

The Role of Fellow Students in Helping One Another Put What They’re Learning into Practice

The New Testament contains many “one another” commands such as the exhortation found in Hebrews 10:24 to “spur one another on to love and good deeds.” This kind of reciprocal ministry one toward another can best be accomplished in a small group setting. Bible teachers can encourage such fellowship and accountability within their classes so students remind one another throughout the week to apply what has been learned.

The Role of God Himself in Helping Students Apply His Word

Bible teachers and fellow students can only provide the encouragement for people to obey God’s Word. God alone can empower them. — “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Cor. 3:7)

The context of Hebrews 10:24 lets us know that the responsibility for Bible application goes beyond Bible teachers, the individual, and fellow students to the work God does in people’s lives. The first eighteen verses of Hebrews 10 deal with the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf so our sin could be atoned for once for all and so we can be made holy in God’s sight. Because of that, we can have such confidence and security that we not only approach Him and hold on to Him in our own lives but also “spur one another on” as well.

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published but may be used to contact you of any responses to your comment. Spam, requests for free material, and promotional info will not be posted; nor will a response be forthcoming. Required fields are marked *

*