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Conclusion or Application?

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Conclusion or Application in Bible Lesson?“In conclusion ….”

These words, often spoken at the end of a speech or written discourse, signify the end … a summary of what’s been said, the main points the speaker wanted to get across, or perhaps an opinion of what should be done about it.

If used by a teacher or preacher, “in conclusion” often triggers a shutdown response. Students close their Bibles and start thinking about what they have to do next. The actual words in themselves can short circuitĀ a lesson but so can what follows that phrase. Even if “in conclusion” hasn’t been used, the end of the session can be nothing more than a conclusion of what’s been said.

Bible lessons must contain application, not merely a conclusion.

The end of a lesson must get beyond summarizing or reviewing the key points. Yes, we must “know” the truth which sets us free (Jn. 8:32). We must be filled “with the knowledge of His will” but it is so we “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way” (Col. 1:9-10). We aren’t going to apply the Word if we don’t “know” the Word but studying Scripture is only the starting point.

Question for Bible Teachers: How can you challenge people to take it further, to go deeper, to do something with those truths?

The end of a lesson needs to be more than rendering a verdict about what has been studied. While we want people to believe the truths presented in the lesson, we need to take it further for “even the demons believe” truths about God (James 2:19). — “make every effort to add to your faith goodness …” (2 Pet. 1:5-7) “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) “Faith without deeds is useless.” (James 2:20)

Question for Bible Teachers: How can you help students not only see the implications of truth to their lives but also understand how to apply it to everyday living?

When was the last you provided teacher training on the application of the lesson?

Resource: Application – It’s God’s Idea, Not Merely a Good Idea Worksheet

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