Pastor Chuck Swindoll uses a four-part method when studying Scripture that ensures a deeper and more holistic understanding of God’s Word. This same study method is used in our Searching the Scriptures Bible Studies, which accompany Pastor Chuck’s messages. The four key steps are: observation (what does the text say?), interpretation (what does it mean?), correlation (what other passages relate to it?), and application (how do I apply it?).
Many believers have never been taught how to correctly interpret and apply Scripture, leading to misinterpretation, misunderstanding, and misapplication. As a result, their spiritual growth is stunted because they are feeding on what God didn’t actually say or intend. Consequently, their applications are often misguided.
The Bible wasn’t originally written to you and me. In effect, we are reading someone else’s mail. The diligence and thoroughness with which we ask and answer key questions about Scripture will determine whether we glean the objective meaning God intended. These questions help us answer, “What did it mean to the author and his recipients?” While Scripture has only one correct meaning, it offers multiple applications.
Once we have discovered the meaning God intended to convey through the author, we need to build a theological bridge from the author’s day to ours. We need to ask, “What are the theological truths we can glean from the author’s meaning? What are the biblical principles and fundamental truths about God, humanity, and the world?” These questions are the bridge to cross and the basis for application.
For example, in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul writes about meat offered to idols. In Paul’s day, the best meat was offered in idol worship and then sold in meat stores. Paul writes, “Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God” (v. 4).
Imagine you take a new convert to a discount meat shop, hoping to buy a good-quality steak. However, this new believer comes from a background in pagan worship, where meat was offered to idols. In all good conscience and out of fear of falling back into the old ways, this believer is unable to buy and eat that meat. In this situation, what should you do?
Eating meat offered to idols isn’t an issue in our culture today, so how do we relate to it? The bridge between then and now—the original meaning and “What am I going to do about it?” question—is theology. Theology, in its broadest sense, encompasses biblical principles and fundamental truths about God, humanity, and the world. These timeless truths guide how we apply Scripture in our lives today.
Upon reflection on 1 Corinthians 8, we come to understand that the biblical principle is to act in love and do what is best for our fellow believers. This passage also provides principles for other issues such as matters of tolerance, loving respect for other believers, and sensitivity to their backgrounds.
Today, believers have a wide range of beliefs and behaviours when it comes to amusements, habits, standards, and practices. I remember when I was younger, many believed guitars had no place in church worship, and going to movies was wrong—because you wouldn’t want to be there when Jesus returns! Sometimes seemingly harmless practices can trouble a believer who does not yet have a mature understanding of certain spiritual or moral matters.
Once we have put the work in to understanding the meaning of the Scripture, we are then ready for the final question: “How do I apply it?” This is the reason for observing, interpreting, and correlating.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16). This relates to our beliefs and our behaviours. To get the answer to “How do I apply it?” we need to ask, “Is there a belief I should adopt or change?” and “Is there a behaviour or action I should begin or stop?”
To relate it to our own lives, we must understand our own needs and weaknesses (1 Timothy 4:16; Romans 12:3). We must be honest and ask God to “search our hearts” (Psalm 139:23–24). It’s easy to apply Scripture to others, but harder to explore our own areas of need. Our spouse, children, and friends can probably help. How do they think I need to apply this principle?
This is the basis for all biblical application. As we study Scripture, we may realize that some of our beliefs are incorrect and need to be adjusted. We may also discover behaviours we should start practicing or things we’ve been doing that need to stop. True application requires aligning our thoughts and actions with biblical truth.
In our 1 Corinthians 8 example, we could ask whether we engage in any activity in the presence of weaker Christians that might cause them to sin by following our example. We could also question our attitudes toward those whose convictions differ from ours—are they lovingly respectful or disdainful? We can also ask if we have the relationship and responsibility to lovingly instruct the weaker believer about matters of conscience rather than leave them alone.
Two important aspects that are often overlooked in the process of gleaning the biblical principles for application are memorization and meditation. When we read and study a passage, it is like having a meal and chewing our food. But the food needs to go further than our mouths for us to experience the full benefit of eating. Memorization is like swallowing our food, and meditation is like digesting it so that it becomes a part of us.
All of us are capable of memorization—we do it all the time with everyday things. We remember streets, numbers, names, and passwords. We just need to do it with Scripture. Memorizing Scripture is a great way to allow God’s truth to soak in. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1–2 tell us to “meditate” on the word of God “day and night.” The process of spiritual growth involves “thinking biblically.” We must renew our minds to see our beliefs and behaviours from God’s perspective. When we meditate on something, we ruminate, reflect, think, and roll it around in our minds, looking at it from different angles in such a way that our beliefs and behaviours are affected by it.
Finally, we need to actually practice the truth. This is the action step. This is where we change our thinking or behaviour based on God’s Word. Romans 12:2 says, “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
The step of practicing truth requires the Holy Spirit’s power. Once we know what to think or do differently, we must consciously ask for God’s help and then step out in obedience, depending on the power of the Holy Spirit within us. That’s what it means to “let the Holy Spirit guide your lives” (Galatians 5:16) and “be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
The goal of Bible study is life transformation through the application of Scripture. We observe, interpret, and correlate passages so we can apply God’s truth and grow to be more like Christ. Let’s not stop at studying or hearing God’s Word—let’s put it into practice. Otherwise, we’re only fooling ourselves (James 1:22).
