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Personalize the Application

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John the Baptist's ApplicationThe application of truth does not always look the same for everyone. We see a good example of this in Luke 3:7-14 where John the Baptist was preaching a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He admonished the crowd to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Lk. 3:8).

Here’s what Bible teachers can learn from this account:

The Broad Application Applies to Everyone

There was a part of John’s message that every single person needed to apply to their lives.

Everyone needed to repent so their sins could be forgiven. They all had a need to turn from their old ways to God which began with a change of mind, acknowledging that their ways were not God’s ways.

Everyone also needed to bear fruit that reflected their repentance. If they truly repented in their hearts and minds, their behavior would change. They would not stay the same.

In Bible teaching, there will usually be a broad application of the lesson that applies to all students. Maybe it will be to repent or maybe it will be to show love for God, or to love others, or to trust God, or to serve God, or to worship God, or to be a witness, or to share with others, etc. Those are broad responses that every student should put into practice. But, because each person’s circumstances vary, the specific outworking might vary.

The Specifics of the Application Need to be Personalized

For many in John the Baptist’s audience, the specific application was the same. When told to produce fruit in keeping with the broad application of his message … repentance … the crowd asked “What should we do then?”

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

But there were some for whom the application was even more personalized due to their occupations.

To the tax collectors he said, “Don’t collect any more than you are required to” (Lk. 3:13).

To the soldiers he said, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay” (Lk. 3:14).

Bible teachers must recognize that though the broad application of the lessons fits everyone, the specific ways of carrying it out might not be the same due to a person’s background, occupation or other circumstances. If the struggles, temptations, and opportunities faced by students varies, it would only stand to reason that the specifics of the application would as well. What purpose does it serve to ask a student who does not struggle with sharing to share? Maybe the person who already shares does so begrudgingly. Wouldn’t it be better to address heart attitudes with this person? Or perhaps the student shares only when it is convenient or comfortable. Wouldn’t it be better to deal with the sacrificial aspect of sharing with that person?

Tap into the specifics of students’ lives and they will be more likely to apply the truth. If teachers do not guide students to personalize the lesson to their lives, application is less likely.

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