Teaching
Children
The Bible Lesson
Class
3
Application
of Truth
Never teach
doctrine without applying doctrine. It is possible for your children
to have a thorough understanding of doctrine without realising that
it should make a difference to their lives.
Application is recognised as essential in all teaching
Application is getting truth into the life of the child.
Application of truth is obvious in Scripture.
Application of truth is essential to show that the Scriptures are relevant
for us today.
Saved
or not saved?
Remember
that you may have both saved and unsaved children in you class. Both
groups need the truth to be applied to them, but the application to
each is usually different. Make it clear to whom you are applying the
truth. Are you speaking to the saved or the unsaved?
e.g. teaching
the Truth "God's ways are best"
Summary
of application for the saved.
"Each
day ask God to show you his way for you and ask Him to help you to follow
that way".
Summary
of application to the unsaved.
"You
need to turn from your own sinful way to God's way".
Finding
the applications
Ask yourself
questions. e.g. "What should my children to in response to this
truth?".
Add the word "therefore" to the truth.
e.g. Teaching the truth God is Holy "... therefore ... ?"
(saved)
.. "You should seek to live a holy live by turning away from doing
such things as .................. which God hates."
(unsaved)
.. "You must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ if you are ever to
be saved from your sin against a Holy God."
When
to make applications
Never make
an application until you have taught Truth. Applications must always
be based on truth and follow truth.
You don't need to apply the truth every time you teach it in the lesson.
But it is good to always end the lesson with application.
How to make applications
Be relevant.
Talk about things that relate to and concern children
Be specific . Do not merely say "We are all sinners" but talk
about specific childhood sins.
Include detail in your applications. e.g. "Do you remember the
time you took someone's homework from their school bag and copied it?
You sinned against the girl whose book you took, you sinned against
the teacher by deceiving her but worst of all, you sinned against God.
You stole the answers and God says "You shall not steal".
Be personal Use the word "you" often and maintain good eye
contact with the children.
Be challenging .Application must challenge, especially in the conclusion
of the lesson. e.g. "Are you willing to turn away from your sinful
way to God's way / Will you do it now?" or "Will you not believe
God's promises from now on? He has told you he will never leave you
nor forsake you."
How
to be challenging?
... to
the unsaved? Remind yourself that the child is lost in sin and in danger
of eternal punishment.
... to the saved. The way to heaven is narrow. We all need constant
instruction and help from the Word; how much more the child who is less
able to find it out for himself?
Dr Martyn
Lloyd-Jones.
- a quote from Preachers and preaching.
"As
you have been presenting the message ... it is important that you should
have been applying what you have been saying as you go along ...This
shows that you are not just lecturing ... but that it is a living matter
which is of real concern to the people ... You must keep on applying
what you are saying. Then, to make absolutely certain of this, when
you ... have arrived at the climax, you apply it all again ... It is
vital that it should always end on this note of application and exhortation."
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