Th.3.19.15...Jonah 1...Application

You are a Sports Doctor

Two days ago, you were a CSI detective, investigating the crime scene caused by Jonah’s disobedience. We gathered the FACTS by listing- Fast Facts, Asking Questions, Checking for key words because they leave clues, and then we Titled and Summarized our CSI report. (This is what’s involved in Observation- What does the passage say?) Then yesterday, you were an Indiana Jones explorer. You discovered markings on a pyramid wall and you deciphered their meaning. (via Biblehub.com, you have the tools expert explorers use, studying the- Context, Cross references, Commentaries and Concordances. These enable you to come up with a proper interpretation as to the meaning of the markings. This is what’s involved in Interpretation- What does the passage mean?)

Today, you are a sports doctor. Pro athletes come to you with all kinds of complaints. Some might complain of feeling weak, ill, depressed, blurred vision, etc. You have to look and listen to discover what’s bothering them. Then you prescribe an appropriate remedy. Sometimes, it might include a change of diet, different exercises; more rest, even changing their stinking thinking that has taken their head out of the game. You know they can perform better.

Here comes your first athlete for the day. He was an all star quarterback for the team, but he has really let the team down recently. He deserves to be cut from the team for ditching a vital game to go on a cruise. The ruin he caused on that cruise is a whole other story. It gotten written up by the press and everybody knows about it now. You also read about the incident. How disgusting! He should have behaved so much better. You read all about it in Jonah chapter 1. So doc, how would you help this once star player (prophet) Jonah? You’ve looked and listened to him; now SPEAK into his life. This is what’s involved after Observation and Interpretation- it’s Application. What does the passage mean for me and others? The Bible wasn’t written simply to inform us, but to transform us. How does this SPEAK to me and those who come to me?

1.-So read through Jonah chapter 1 again, and now share one or more ways anything from the passage may SPEAK to you. You don’t have to solve Jonah’s issues today. So feel free to take anything from Jonah 1 that SPEAKs to you.

S- Is there a Sin for me to confess or a Song that comes to mind to sing?

P- Is there a Principle to follow or a Promise to claim or a Prayer to also utter?

E- Is there an Example to follow or an Error to avoid?

A-Is there an Answer to a problem I’ve had or an Action to take?

K-Is their Knowledge for which I can praise or thank God?

2.-Write down on your MP3 card your SPEAK application. (Then do the Did it.) As always, look for people that you could pass on what you gleaned. MP3- Meditation, Prayer, Praise, Pass it on.

So look what you have done with Jonah 1 over the past few days. You’ve R.E.A.P.ed so much from it by Reading, Exploring, Applying and Prayerfully Passing it on to others. Way to grow! Using these tools you can rightly tackle any passage of Scripture now. (Maybe that was QB Jonah’s problem, a tackle left him with a head injury. He should have been wearing his helmet- Eph.6:17:)

I want to commend those of you who have been doing a great job of reaching out to encourage especially our new teammates. This says a lot about you!
Especially keep an eye out on the scoreboard for anyone who is not showing up there. "Let us encourage one another daily... so that no one is hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Heb.3:13

Having trouble putting points on the scoreboard from your smartphone? There's an app for that. See the free app available which I gave you the link for in the email I sent you yesterday.

Here’s a summary of our BIG Bible Interpreting Guidelines we've discovered so far-

Ask questions!

Give careful consideration to what you read.  

The purpose of rightly interpreting the Bible is to rightly obey it.

The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. So compare scripture with Scripture.

Being prayerful is commendable but it is not a dependable replacement for the careful study of Scripture.

It’s imperative that we know what kind of literature we are reading to interpret it and apply it correctly.

Knowing the background to what we are reading helps us better understand the passage. Commentaries and online resources can help us with such.

Knowing the mood of the author helps you better understand his message.

The apostles often quoted the OT from the Greek version of it called the Septuagint; thus don't be surprised that it doesn't line up exactly with our OT translated from the Hebrew. Plus,they paraphrased at times, all under the inspiration of God.

Since the Bible is God’s perfect word, if you think you’ve found an error in the Bible, it’s your error, not God’s! Many people think they’ve found a contradiction, when it may only be a contrasting statement, not a contradictory statement.

“Humbly accept the word” We don’t stand in judgment on it, it stands in judgment on us.

Keep in mind that the grand theme of the Bible is Jesus.

Don’t spiritualize the Scriptures. Those who spiritualize tell spiritual lies. Don’t read spiritual hidden meanings about Jesus into everything.

The plain thing is the main thing. And the main thing is the plain thing.

Recognize the progress of revelation. The NT supersedes the OT.

Understand Hebrew poetry- the second line gives insight into the first line.

The context of a word determines its meaning. A text without a context is a pretext.

Words also need to be understood in their historical context.

Interpret difficult verses in light of clear ones.
Look for repeated words or phrases to help you discover what the author is emphasizing. The main thing is the plain thing. 

Look for major Bible themes as you read. 

God is the true hero of the book. 

The Key Components of Accurate Bible Study

1.-Observation- (What does it say?) Get the F.A.C.T.S. like a CSI detective- Fast Facts- Ask Questions, Check for key words, Title and Summarize your report.

2.Interpretation- (What does it mean?) Like an explorer, interpret the ancient passageway passage by studying the Context, Cross references, Commentaries and Concordances. Tools such as Biblehub.com can be a great help here.

3.Application- (What does it mean for me?) Like a sports doctor, apply the remedy to where it is most needed. Ask the SPEAK questions to "hear from God's word."  

S- Is there a Sin for me to confess or a Song that comes to mind to sing?

P- Is there a Principle to follow or a Promise to claim or a Prayer to also utter?

E- Is there an Example to follow or an Error to avoid?

A-Is there an Answer to a problem I’ve had or an Action to take?

K-Is their Knowledge for which I can praise or thank God?