How to Study the Bible: Day 4

This article is part of the How to Study the Bible with Jen Wilkin series.

Biblical Application

After establishing what the text says and what the text means, we are finally in a position to ask how it should impact us. Application asks, “How should the text change me?” The Bible is a book about God. When we apply a text, we must remind ourselves once more that the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self always go hand in hand, that there is no true knowledge of self apart from the knowledge of God. Understood from a God-centered perspective, the question, “How should the text change me?” is answered by asking three subquestions:

• What does this passage teach me about God?
• How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of self?
• What should I do in response?

Women of the Word

Jen Wilkin

This best-selling book offers practical guidance and helpful tips for women who want to go deeper in their study of the Bible and learn how to teach others to do the same.

Try It

Are there any imperatives in the text? Make note of these obvious takeaways.
What attributes of God are communicated in the text? What might you do in light of knowing this is how God is?
Examine your PAST. How can this attribute affect your prayers, actions, speech, and thinking?
Think about your circles of influence and how they might be affected if you implement this attribute.
Think about how it affects your primary relationships (at work, home, etc.).

This article is adapted from Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin.

To start this 5-day devotional via your browser or as a daily email, simply visit ESV.org.

Download a bookmark outlining the 6 Ps of Sound Bible Study here.

Jen Wilkin is a Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. As an advocate for biblical literacy, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts and authored multiple books, including the best seller Women of the Word. You can find her at JenWilkin.net.

View All

How to Study the Bible: Day 1

Jen Wilkin

September 13, 2019

Every good endeavor should be done with purpose. Without a clear sense of purpose, our efforts to do a good thing well can flounder.

How to Study the Bible: Day 2

Jen Wilkin

September 14, 2019

A good literacy-builder honors the learning process by moving through three distinct stages of understanding: comprehension, interpretation, and application.