Together, the two directions and the three spheres form a matrix of six potential areas to apply the Bible. Hands application addresses what we ought to speak or do (or avoid speaking or doing).Heart application addresses what we ought to esteem, love, or value (or avoid esteeming, loving, or valuing).Head application addresses what we ought to know, think, or believe (or avoid thinking or believing).We can also apply the Bible in three spheres: Outward application answers the question: How can I help and encourage others to change? This fulfills the Great Commission to make disciples (Matt 28:18–20).Inward application answers the question: How can I change? This fulfills the Great Commandments to love God and others (Matt 22:37–40).We can apply the Bible in two directions: The Practice of Applicationīefore we dive into our text, let me describe a model for Bible application. Therefore, this third installment of our study of Abraham will direct our attention to a crucial step in our Bible study process: application. If “those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal 3:9), 1 if those of faith are the true sons of Abraham (Gal 3:7), and if he is the father of those who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in his footsteps of faith (Rom 4:12), then it seems important we get this “faith” right. Abraham will become the source of blessing to all nations.Īs we now conclude our study of Abraham’s story, we must consider not only Abraham’s faith but also our own.Abraham will receive a great name through his promised son.Abraham will become a great nation that inherits the land of Canaan.We have considered Abraham’s faith in God’s three promises (Gen 12:1–3), which shape each episode of this brilliant epic. In the previous sections of this Bible study ( part one and part two), we worked our way through the Abraham narrative in Genesis, culminating in the birth of Isaac, the son of promise, early in chapter 21. On college campuses and in public spaces, “faith” is simply a nickname for a religion thus a “faith” can be a set of doctrines, a cultural spirituality, or a set of heartfelt rituals. For many churchgoers, “faith” is a personal and private matter, perhaps something to be either kept or shared. To many in American culture, “faith” is the opposite of reason and is best represented by a blindfold or reckless leap. Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email LinkedInįaith is one of those fancy Christian words we can find ourselves using a lot without truly understanding what it means.
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