Lesson 5 | Application & Decisions
The problem with teaching "applications"
the action of putting something into operation.
Eg. You might take a walk in the woods this week to see all God has made. (Genesis 1:1)
The pitfalls
Should we include applications in our teaching of the Bible? Many have discussed the merits of this component. It can be a difficult question because a simple yes or no will not do. In our consideration, let us begin by facing up to some of the key pitfalls of including applications in our teaching, so as to develop guardrails to use when we discuss their worth.
What are the issues that can come with concluding your teaching by enumerating practical applications for your hearers?
1. Moral instruction will often outshine the theology of the lesson.
Most people lean toward the simple question, “What do you want me to do?” This can be seen in the issues people raise after a teaching which show them to be more excited (or troubled) by the applications than about the theology. And this is a huge problem, because God is after changed lives that flow out of the heart, out of a genuine faith in the gospel and knowledge of God. “Applications” without underlying worship is filthy rags in the sight of God!
...rend your hearts and not your garments.
—Joel 2:13
2. Suggested applications are bound to miss the mark for many.
Individuals have diverse lives, joys and struggles. Thus, suggesting applications “from the front” will undoubtedly prove irrelevant to a good number of people. Can we really presume to speak to the personal applications of dozens of people at once?
3. The concept of applications can come across as an add-on.
For some, the applications you share will not outshine the doctrine you have taught, but rather the problem will run in the opposite direction—in the direction of irrelevance. This is because the application section of your teaching can easily feel disconnected and lacking authority, during which time people tune out or simply take your suggestions with a grain of salt.
The only thing more annoying than a preacher who acts as if he is “speaking to you personally” in the midst of a crowded church is a preacher who writes off the worth of his conclusions by presenting them as suggestions. Worse still is a preacher who treats the doctrines which came from the biblical text and the applications which came from his own mind as if they had equal authority.