Page 80 - Biblical Ethics Course
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IV. Practical Tips
A. Remember that God’s Word is a priceless treasure. It is an inerrant guide to life which must be
revered and applied.
B. Observe passages of Scripture through inquiry. Ask questions about the text: who? what? why?
when? where? how many? Also observe repetition, comparisons, and contrasts.
It’s what’s in the text and what isn’t there. How might he have said it?
C. Listen closely to preaching. What is the preacher’s main point? His subpoints?
It is a discipline to do sermon listening. They know more on that passage than I know.
D. Set goals for how often you will read the Bible and how much you want to cover the remainder of the
year.
E. When memorizing Scripture, work on one phrase at a time, mulling it over and over. Build the verse
gradually.
Biblical Ethics involves Applying the Bible to yourself
I. Definition: The practice of studying Scripture with the major emphases on personal application, and on
interaction with God about that application.
II. Scriptural Support
A. Ezra 7:10
B. Philippians 4:9
C. Hebrews 5:11-14
D. James 1:22-25
III. Insights from Spiritual Leaders
A. “Devotional study is not so much a technique as a spirit. It is the spirit of eagerness which seeks the
mind of God; it is the spirit of humility which listens readily to the voice of God; it is the spirit of
adventure which pursues earnestly the will of God; it is the spirit of adoration which rests in the
presence of God.” (Merill C. Tenney, Galatians, p. 189-190)
B. “It is the pursuance of this method that Satan will raise his greatest opposition. He may not be too
concerned when the believer endeavors to study the Bible from the scientific philosophical, or
psychological standpoint; but when he starts to apply the Word to his personal life in order to have a
more victorious life and thereby to present a more effective witness, the story is quite different. The
Evil One will do all in his power to prevent such an eventuality, and the believer will soon discover
increasing temptation coming his way to spend his time on things other than personal Bible study.”
(Howard F. Vos, Effective Bible Study, pp. 172-173)
C. “Unless we apply what we have learned, our study has not accomplished its primary purpose, even
though we may have gained much intellectual knowledge... In fact, it is a very dangerous thing to
study the Bible and not be open to its message. The Word of God is power. It either penetrates
hearts or hardens hearts. The person who is not open to the Holy spirit as he speaks through the
Word can consciously or unconsciously be rejecting its truth, and in the process harden his heart.”
(Oletta Wald, The Joy of Discovery, p. 89)
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