BIBL 360
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UNLOCKING THE SCRIPTURES PROJECT: APPLICATION TEMPLATE
Chapter Ten:
Instructions: Using the instructions in chapter 10 as a guide, develop application
principles from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Be sure that your work is connected to and based
on your work in the previous two Unlocking the Scriptures project assignments. There
ought to be a connection between your application principles and your work in
observation and interpretation.
1. Identify the Universal Truth:
What universal truth is God communicating in this passage? Your content here should
answer the question, “What is the one thing the whole thing is saying?” This does not
need to be a full paragraph. Rather, it should be no more than 2-3 well-written sentences.
There is no amount of human knowledge or strength that can surpass even the greatest
weakness and folly of the Lord. Only faith in Christ and the seeking of God’s will can
provide wisdom on earth and eternal life in heaven.
2. Identify Specific Points of Application:
How will you apply this universal truth to the four relationships of life? Your answer here
should begin with one of the items listed under the various relationships (with God, with
yourself, with others, with Satan) addressed in chapter 10. Be sure that your explanation
is both detailed and specific. An explanation that is two-to-three sentences in length is
never sufficient at this academic level.
A. Relationship with God:
A command to obey in.
Explain: As believers, we are to believe wholeheartedly in the message of the cross. It is
only through personal relationship with God, through Christ, that wisdom and strength
can be gained. I know through personal experience that when I was trying to live life
without listening to Him, it turned very ugly, quickly. This passage applies to my life by
remembering that through Christ alone I gain wisdom, and through Christ alone I receive
the strength to get through any battle. No part of my life will be a big triumph or success
with Him.
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B. Relationship with myself:
An error to avoid.
Explain: This passage gives a prime example of avoiding foolishness by clinging to the
cross. If I try to seek human wisdom or rely on human strength, I will fail. The message
put across here is that God uses things the world considers folly and unwise to teach the
truth. I need to remember, as Paul calls out in verse twenty-six, not to account any of my
success towards myself but rather through God working in me. As well as this, there is
nothing that I can do, and no wrong that I could right to make me worthy of salvation. All
of humanity sins and falls short of God, but through Christ we can be redeemed. I need to
walk in true faith and humility, bearing in mind my weaknesses that are made strong
through the Father.
C. Relationship with others:
A sin to renounce or an encouragement to extend.
Explain: I feel like a common problem in the world is boasting about oneself. This is a
sin that should be explained and renounced. Ultimately, doing this usually ends up in
disappointment in the long run, or struggles with self-esteem. This passage can also be
applied as an encouragement that through struggles and weaknesses, Christ is where we
gain strength. To people who don’t believe, the gospel will seem foolish, but it is our job
as believers to evangelize and share the encouragement of God. The world today
worships so many things that aren’t the Lord, our relationship with them should be
reflecting the light and love of Christ as constant encouragement.
D. Relationship with Satan:
A temptation to resist.
Explain: I think this passage falls into all four of the categories mentioned in the book.
There is a natural human temptation to boast about oneself. However, this verse provides
a revelation to stand firm in that helps us to deny evil by placing our trust in the Father
alone. It is through the Holy Spirit that we gain wisdom and strength that also allows us
to fight against any temptation we may receive from Satan. There is also encouragement
that nothing evil can do can pull us away from the Father. There have been many time
periods where I was foolish and relied on human wisdom. Satan had his hold on me
during those times, however, the power of Christ lives within me now and provides
everything I need to live a joyful life.
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3. Identify A Verse for Contemplation:
What verse from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 should be my focus of meditation and
memorization? Explain why this verse is the most suitable verse for contemplation from
this passage.
My focus of meditation and memorization is verse 30. I like to say that I have a toolbox
of Scripture to fight against evil and this is one that works well. To meditate on it reminds
me of the joy we can have through Christ and our unity with Him. Everyday can be easy
because He is with me. I can live in freedom from sin and walk in the joy of the Lord.
4. Identify How You Will Practice What You Have Learned:
What will you do this week to apply these principles to your life? Based on your study of
1 Corinthians 1:18-23, write five concrete actions or attitudes you can work on this week.
These actions or attitudes need to be specific to this passage and should not be so general
that they fit with any number of Bible passages. Thus, you should avoid making general
statements like “I will pray more” or “I will study the Bible for ½ hour every day this
week.” Further, be sure to state how these five concrete actions or attitudes you will work
on this week are specifically connected to 1 Corinthians 1:18-23.
A. I will remember my calling.
Explain: During struggles that I face this week, I will remember where I was before I was
called into life with Christ. I will be thankful for my relationship with Him. I will
continue to seek out His will for my life and pray about where I can move. I have been
struggling recently with a call to short-term cross-cultural missions, but no call or
opportunity for where to go. Regardless, I know that God’s plan will work out as it is best
for me, and I will trust Him when He calls me to where He calls me.
B. I will build my relationship with God to receive wisdom through Him.
Explain: In church yesterday, our sermon was about praying more. This is something I
need to focus on more often. It is only through communication with God that we can hear
from Him. This week I will put a priority on spending time simply talking to Him.
Human wisdom isn’t going to gain me anything, so I need to stay strong in the Word and
focus on the Father to get stronger.
C. I will keep in mind that some people face stumbling blocks.
Explain: Satan tries to tempt everyone to keep them away from the Father. I need to
remember that some people are stuck living in human wisdom. The Jews and Gentiles
were considered folly because their culture taught them something that wasn’t true and
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they were stuck in it. Society and culture today teach so many things that are far from
God and I need to remember this as I step out in faith this week. The message of the cross
is the only thing that can save people. It is my job as a believer to share this.
D. I will boast in God alone.
Explain: Verse thirty-one is very clear to boast only in the Father. If it wasn’t for Him, I
would have nothing and be worthy of nothing. It is only through Christ alone that my life
has meaning and purpose. This is something I need to remember and be cautious to not
boast about anything except Him. I did nothing to earn my salvation, and I can’t take
credit for any of the gifts in my life that God has given me. I pray this week that I will
never forget where my strength comes from.
E. I will stay kind to those that function in human wisdom.
Explain: The more knowledge that is gained through the Bible, the easier it is to
understand foolish things of the world. As my relationship with God grows, and
subsequently my wisdom and strength as these verses mention, I will have a better view
towards understanding human wisdom. The verses tell us that God uses things that are
folly and weak to realize that only He carries to wisdom and strength. While I understand
this, I need to remain kind to those who don’t believe and remember where they are in
life, as well as where I was before I got saved. I also have to remember that I am
definitely not all wise and powerful. I must continue to only boast in the Lord while I
witness these things.
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