Page 21 - The Importance of Prayer Student Textbook

3.5 Let’s Personalize This Lesson…

I am thankful for a commentary series entitled The NIV Application Commentary and their
emphasis on life application of the ancient text to today’s world. They emphasize it is not
enough to know and expound on the original meaning of the ancient text. They believe that
there must be a bridge built between the world of the Bible and the world of today. They ask
you to take what you learn about Jerusalem, Ephesus, or Corinth and apply these truths to New York,
Las Vegas, Harare, and Lusaka. In order to achieve these goals, you must do the following.

Identify contemporary situations, problems or question that are truly comparable to those faced by the
original audience. Because contemporary situations are rarely identical to those faced in the original
text you must look for analogies (a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects)
that you can make life applications to the ancient text.
Look for personal applications but think beyond private concerns and look to society and culture at
large.
Always remember that there may be several legitimate ways to make application of a passage to
contemporary life. But you will need to avoid making application in a general way which fails to bring
about change to life and the culture.

Use Jerry Falwell’s statement from above to practice this life application assignment. You will find in
churches that many people do not volunteer to serve because they feel unqualified.

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