Tyndale - The Handbook of Bible Application

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Life Application is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

The Handbook of Bible Application: A Guide for Applying the Bible to Everyday Life

Copyright 2000 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cover photographs: woman reading copyright Ellen Moran/iStockphoto; woman at laptop copyright kristian sekulic/iStockphoto; man reading copyright nyul/iStockphoto; tree copyright Fancy/Veer. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

Tyndale House Publishers gratefully acknowledges the role of Youth for Christ/USA in preparing the Life Application notes.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The Handbook of Bible application / Neil S. Wilson, editor; senior editorial team for the original Life application notes, Bruce B. Barton... [et al.].
p. cm.
Notes from the Life application Bible, keyed to Bible verses excerpted from the Living Bible and New International versions.
ISBN 978-0-8423-1044-4
1. BibleReading. 2. BibleCommentaries. I. Wilson, Neil S., date.
II. Barton, Bruce B. III. Bible. English. Living Bible. Selections. 1992.
IV. Bible. English. New International. Selections. 1992.
BS432.H28 1992
220.3dc20 92-3125

Build: 2020-06-18 16:15:15 EPUB 3.0

Any study of the Bible should accomplish two goals. First, it should develop in us a sense of humility. God does not hesitate to point out one of our major shortcomings: My thoughts are completely different from yours, says the L ORD . And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (Isaiah 55:8).

Second, consistent exposure to Gods Word should create a desire within us to fill our mind with Gods thinking. As our confidence in Gods way of thinking grows, our confidence in God himself also grows.

The change in perspective can be startling:

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah 55:9-11)

A topical approach to Bible study is an effective way to renew our thinking:

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrificethe kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Dont copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (Romans 12:1-2)

When we study and think about Gods Word, God molds our thoughts. May The Handbook of Bible Application be a useful guide in leading you to think about life as God does.

This book is for anyone interested in a topical study of the Bible. If there is a life- related topic to which the Bible speaks, chances are you will find it here.

The topics are arranged alphabetically and cross-referenced with other related topics, key Bible verses, and longer Bible readings. Each entry is designed to address lifes everyday struggles and questions. And each topic leads you directly to the Bible passages that speak to those struggles and questions.

The purpose of this book is not to supplement the Bibles answers to lifes questions, but to lead you to them. Under each topic you will find:

• Key questions often asked about the topic
• Suggested Bible readings related to the topic
• Key Bible verses (printed in a version which best highlights the meaning)
• Answers to the key questions
• Notes adapted from the Life Application Bible
• Related topics found elsewhere in The Handbook of Bible Application

All you need to know to use this book is what topic you want to study. Once youve chosen a topic, just find the entry and select the information you need!

You can use The Handbook of Bible Application to help in planning lessons, supplementing other curriculum, or building lessons from scratch. As you sit down to prepare, the Handbook will help you answer several important questions:

• What life issues should we focus our discussion on?
• What are the Bibles answers to the questions people have about this topic?
• What are the key Bible passages we should study together?
• What Bible verses would serve well for memorization or summary?
• What other topics might lead us to more answers?

Use the information thats most helpful to you.

You can use the Handbook in several ways to structure your devotional time around topics. Rather than wondering what passage of Scripture to study on any given day, choose the topic you are interested in and use the suggested Bible reading to guide each days devotions. The Life Application notes will serve as your devotional reading for the day. Using the Handbook in this way will take over a year. Another approach is to use the Handbook for one quarter, selecting only the topics of interest to you.

You can also use the Handbook to help you select memory verses. If you are memorizing verses related to your small groups study topic, your pastors sermons, or some other source, the topics will help you find appropriate Scripture passages.

(Leave, Desert, Betray)

How can people, once they are aware of God, even consider abandoning him?

KEY BIBLE VERSE : But when Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the law of the L ORD , and all Israel followed him in this sin. (2 Chronicles 12:1)

Reasons why we abandon God.

At the height of his popularity and power, the king abandoned the Lord. What happened? Often it is more difficult to be a believer in good times than in bad. Tough times push us toward God; but easy times can make us feel self-sufficient and self-satisfied. When everything is going right, guard your faith.

Personal consequences when we abandon God.

Popularity and power, the two benefits that Rehoboam chose above God, were the first two things he lost when the Egyptians invaded the land. Through Rehoboam we discover the real price to be paid for rejecting God. Even though Rehoboam later confessed his sin, the damage had already been done. He was not destroyed, but much of what was precious to him was lost. His reign could have been as glorious as the golden shields in Solomons temple, which the Egyptians took. Instead, he had to settle for bronze replacements and an insignificant reign.