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What's the Big Idea?
Within a context there is a single idea or concept
that the biblical author is seeking to communicate.
An idea answers the question "What is being communicated?"
Apart from understanding what the author is trying
to communicate, a correct interpretation is impossible.
Therefore, it is very important to find the "Big
Idea."
The Big Idea Has Two Basic Elements:
- Subject – answers the question "What
is being talked about?"
- Supplement – answers the question "What
is being said about the subject?"
Note: The second question cannot be answered until
the first question is answered. That is, we can’t
know what is being said about the subject until
we know what the subject is!
Example from Jm. 1:2-8
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, because you know that
the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks
wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to
all without finding fault, and it will be given to
him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown
and tossed by the wind. That man should not think
he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded
man, unstable in all he does."
The Subject – How my faith matures while I’m
going through trials
The Supplements:
-- by maintaining a joyful attitude
-- by recognizing tests develop perseverance
-- by realizing perseverance is the road to maturity
-- by seeking God’s wisdom in trials
-- by believing He will give His wisdom
The Big Idea – Maturing faith has the right perspective
when tested.
Read Eph. 6:10-18 and list the following:
The Subject:
The Supplements:
The Big Idea:
Applying the Bible
The goal or aim in Bible study is applying the truths
from Scripture. God’s Word was written not only
to be understood, but lived out in our lives (Jm 1:21-25).
The major difference between wisdom and foolishness
is whether we’re understanding and applying God’s
Word.
What is "application?" Application is a
noticeable difference in how we think about God, how
we obey God, or both.
Guidelines for Applying the Bible
Ask God to give you insight, so you can clearly see
what you’re to change (Ps. 119:18).
Recognize that not all knowledge can be applied immediately.
Don’t be too hasty. Take time to reflect. Be
patient to understand first before applying a passage.
If there’s a command to obey and it applies
to you, obey it! If God says you ought to do or not
do whatever, that means you can do or not do whatever.
God is not unreasonable and He will give you the strength
you need to avoid sin (1 Cor. 10:13).
Be specific about what must be changed in your life.
Read Phil. 2:5-7. Rather than say: "I need to
be more of a servant like Jesus," you should
say "I realize I haven’t been serving the
people in my home/church/school and I'm going to begin
by . . ."
Strategize to optimize. Don’t bite off more
than you can chew. Be reasonable. If a pattern of
sin exists (such as a sinful attitude toward a friend,
family or church member), start with just two or three
areas that you can change.
Establish a system for accountability. Motives for
accountability include:
-- because we love God and want to please Him (Mk.
12:30; Jn. 14:15, 21, 23; 1 Pt. 1:15)
-- because we need others to help us in our Christian
walk (Jm. 5:16-20; Heb. 10:24-25)
-- because we believe that honesty and openness is
the road to maturity (Ps. 32:3-5)
Methods of accountability could include:
-- asking more mature believers to pray for you and
check with you on your progress
-- writing down what needs changing, then refer to
it each day for prayer
-- remembering the purpose of communion (I Cor. 11:28-32)
Remember: The major difference between wisdom and
foolishness is whether we’re understanding and
applying God’s Word.
Jesus said "everyone who hears these words of
mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man
who built his house on the rock. The rain came down,
the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against
that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its
foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not put them into practice
is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house, and it fell with
a great crash" (Mt. 7:24-27).
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