On Love

Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation

Dear Lissy,

We've finally reached the pinnacle of our Inductive Bible Study.  We've carefully observed and interpreted the passage, and it's time for some heart work.

Transformation, not information, is the goal of  Bible study.

So now we have the million-dollar question:  How do we use all of the information we've observed and interpreted to effect transformation in our lives?  How do we sing or play a music score?  How do we transition from the "Drivers' Ed" classroom to cruising down the highway at 65 mph? 

You will probably not choose to meditate on every single thing you've observed.  Pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to where He seeks to work in your life right now.  Chances are He's already convicted your heart during the observation/interpretation portions of this study.

First:  Rules inform, relationships transform. 

Our character transforms to that of our companions.  Proverbs warns us against friendships with angry, lust-filled, or slothful people, and encourages us to spend time with friends who pursue righteousness.  Story after story from both the Bible and History show us that we become the people with whom we spend time.  As a teacher, I knew the friendships my students enjoyed held far more sway over their lives than the school's rules.  A good kid who fell in with a bad crowd invariably became a rebel, and an impressionable young freshman that got involved with godly kids usually grew by leaps and bounds.  They were all restrained by the same set of rules, but they did not all grow into godliness.

A relationship with Christ is the only thing that will transform your life.  A list of facts and rules dug out of your study cannot change you on their own.  As you meditate on Christ's character, you will learn to value what He values because of your deepening love for Him.

Take a look at a common verse, Ephesians 4:32.  "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  A typical application would be to resolve to be kinder to others and forgive them readily.  That may go pretty well for you for a short time, but sooner or later someone is going to really step on your toes, and that resolution is going to go out the window.  Now, instead, let's look at how that rule informs us about Christ's person and character.

Second:  Place information in the context of relationship 

What does this passage reveal about the God (Christ's) character?  He values kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.

What is kindness?  Gentle usefulness  tenderheartedness? sympathy, empathy forgiveness? freely giving pardon

What else does this passage reveal or do I already know about these attributes of Christ? 

It directly states that God has forgiven us for Christ's sake.  I know that lovingkindness is one of the traits God values most highly in himself (Jer. 9:24).  I know that Christ's office as our high priest is directly related to the sympathy he holds in his heart for us and our troubles (Hebrews).  I know that he despises those who will not forgive the petty offenses of a fellow believer after all He has forgiven (Parables).  Etc...I often spend days or even weeks on this question.

How does the world display these character qualities differently from the Bible?  

If I had a nickel for every time I'd read "I only want to be friends with those who lift me up and make me a better person", I could retire.  The world wants friends that are useful, and rejects those who are difficult or demanding.  They hold grudges, or simply discard and ignore friends that have hurt them rather than restoring relationships.  They want everyone to sympathize with their situation, but they rarely consider another person's troubles when passing judgement.  Almost no one is willing to be a friend to a person who is going through an extended difficulty, especially if it's emotionally draining.

Who else in the Bible experienced or demonstrated these character qualities?  

The incident with Christ making fish on the coals, instructing his AWOL disciples to let down the nets on the other side of the ship for a large haul, and then confronting and forgiving Peter for his betrayal leaps instantly to mind.  David demonstrated all of these qualities on multiple occasions.  Hosea.  Not Jonah!  Dozens of stories in both the Old and New Testaments are flooding my mind.  This question is another one that takes a considerable amount of time if you've been saved for a while and a faithful student of God's Word.

Is there another of God's attributes that seems to be in opposition to this one?

Judgement or believer's chastisement.  How can a person who freely and readily forgives also judge? Many of God's judgments are extremely harsh.  How does that fit in with His lovingkindness? Hmmmm...that's going to need a little more thought and study.  (Hint:  God shows us the link between lovingkindness and judgement in Jer. 9:24 -- His righteousness.)

At this point you've thought through how this "rule" belongs to Christ and why it's important to Him.  You are strongly associating the information with a relationship.

Third:  Use the information about the relationship to effect transformation.

There are three questions we can use to transform our lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

How have I seen Christ demonstrate ____________ in my life and the lives of those around me?

Write them down.  Praise God for showing these aspects of Himself to you.

Have I allowed Christ free reign to demonstrate these aspects of Himself through my life?

Think about this.  Write down concrete examples.  Write down ideas for how you could demonstrate these qualities more effectively.

If these character qualities have been lacking in my life, what have others been seeing in me instead of the _________ that would have demonstrated a Christ-filled life?

Again, think.  Ask the Holy Spirit to bring times that you've struggled or failed in this area to mind and write them down.

Lastly, P.R.A.Y. the passage.  Talk with God about it!

(The PRAY acronym was developed and copyrighted by Evangelist Steve Pettit, and is adapted here.)

Praise God for His attributes you've studied and meditated on.

Repent for the areas you've not been following His Word and showing Him to your fellow believers and the world.

Ask Him to show you who needs to see these aspects of Christ in your life or how you can transform your heart and mind in this area.

Yield to the Holy Spirit and allow him to work on these areas of growth on a day-to-day basis.

This information was first presented in Jim Berg's classic, Changed Into His Image, a letter-turned-book written to his daughters.  I've used the material for years to teach Bible study and meditation to ladies' groups.  If you want the booklet I pass out to my classes with these questions listed, just call me or shoot me an e-mail.  My application method is a bit unconventional, and you may want a "hard copy" of the meditation prompts in the LAMP booklet to guide your meditation as you apply your studies and seek to transform into the image of your precious Savior.

Transformed by His love,
Momma

Linked up at Raising Homemakers, Good Morning Girls, and Women Living Wisely

Inductive Bible Study, Part 1: Preparation
Inductive Bible Study, Part 2: Read
Inductive Bible Study, Part 3: Seeking the Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 4: Book Summary Key
Inductive Bible Study, Part 5: The Choice
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6a: Chapter Analysis
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6b:  Identifying Key Words
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6C: Finding the 3C's
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6D: It's About Time
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6E: Keep Digging
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6F: Word Studies
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6G: Considering Context
Inductive Bible Study, Part 6H: Application Brings Transformation 
Inductive Bible Study, Part 7: Wrap It Up!

Cheap Eats: Canned Peach Sorbet

Dear Lissy,


One of my first kitchen lessons as a newlywed was learning to adjust to the weather.  I had never lived anywhere with the unrelenting heat of Florabama before. Daddy was working grounds at a college, and had little appetite for hot food.  This quick and simple side dish is refreshing and goes well with grilled meats or Tex-Mex meals.  It's also a welcome relief during a scorching hot afternoon.  

If you use peaches in glass jars, empty them into a plastic container
before freezing.

Canned Peach Sorbet
from NY Times

2 small cans (15 oz) or 1 large can (29 oz) peaches

• Freeze cans overnight.  Cans may bulge slightly, but will not burst
• In morning, remove can from freezer and place in hot water for 1 minute.
• Remove one end of can and pour any thawed syrup into food processor fitted with cutting blade.  Remove other end of can and push frozen product out onto cutting board.
• Cut into 1" chunks with large knife.
• Place into food processor with blade attachment and process until smooth and creamy.  If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or cinnamon.
• Pour/scrape into plastic storage container with lid and return to freezer until dinner.
• Scoop into dishes and garnish with fresh berries or a mint/basil leaf.

Peaches canned in 100% juice will not be as creamy or sweet as those in heavy syrup.

Any canned fruit can be made into a sorbet, and you can also freeze a container of yogurt to add to the mix.

 Love,
 Momma

One Quick Tip: Ironing a Man's Dress Shirt

Dear Lissy,

Your Daddy had to teach me to iron men's shirts when we first married, and now I'm teaching your brothers.  This is the method Grammy Bea learned in the dry cleaners back in the day, and it's quite fast.

Important:  Use the square end of the board, not the pointy end!!!!  Fill the water resevoir on the iron to the full line, and set the temperature for the fabric content of the shirt.  Use full steam.


Iron in this order to keep from re-wrinkling your work.  Most shirts only need a touch up if you pull them right out of the drier and hang them properly. If the shirt is wrinkly, spritz it with water at each step.

1. Press the collar flat on both sides, from the points to the middle, and then folded.
2. Iron the placket in two halves, fitting it over the square end of the board. 
3. Press the cuffs flat.  For french cuffs, fold and press.
4. Press the sleeves, taking care not to make "train tracks" with the fold along the length of the sleeve.  DO NOT iron a fold into the cuff.
5. Iron the back of the shirt.  Take care to pull the hem so the pleat is set properly and then press.
6. Iron the button side of the shirt, fitting the shoulder neatly over the square end of the board. Your iron has a little horizontal groove near the tip that allows you to iron right up beside the buttons.
7. Iron the buttonhole side of the shirt, fitting the shoulder neatly over the square end of the board.  Give a little tug at the bottom of the buttonhole placket while you press it to help it  lay perfectly flat.
8. Re-hang the shirt, buttoning the SECOND button down, not the collar button to keep it securely on the hanger.

I like to pray for your Dad and brothers as I iron their shirts, too.


Love,
Momma