General Resources

  • God is a speaking God. A primary way He speaks to us is through His written Word, and He wants us to respond to what He has and is saying by applying it to how we live our everyday lives. Different people prefer different application methods, so here are a variety of methods for you to personally try and to use in helping others to apply God’s Word to their beliefs and behaviors. May these be a tremendous help as you seek to be a disciple who is fully devoted to knowing Christ, following Him and making other disciples!
    .

    BIBLE READING APPLICATION METHODS

    • Main Questions
      ‍ What does this passage teach me about God?

    How should I alter my beliefs and behaviors in light of that?

    • C.I.A. – Comprehension, Interpretation, Application
      C - Comprehension       – What does the passage say?
      ‍ ‍I - Interpretation - What does the passage mean? (consider context, etc)
      ‍ ‍ A - Application - How should I respond?  (practical life application - do or do
      not follow the example, specific way to apply the teaching to your beliefs
      and behaviors…)


    H - Highlight key verse(s)
    What stands out to you?

    E - Explain teaching
    What did this passage mean?

    A - Apply to personal life circumstances
    ‍ ‍ How does this passage apply to your everyday life?

    R - Respond to God
    ‍ ‍ How will you respond to this passage?


    • A.P.P.L.Y. - 5 questions to ask yourself anytime you come into contact with God’s Word (by Vickey Banks) 

    A - Admit
    ‍ ‍ Is there something from this passage I need to admit?

    P - Promise
    ‍ ‍Is there a universal promise to claim?

    P - Praise
    Is there something here to praise God for? 

    L - Lesson
    Is there a lesson to learn?

    Y - Yield
    Is there something I need to yield/surrender to?

    • PONDER, PICTURE, PRAY (great for creatives, ponderers…)
      Ponder
      Read slowly and think about deeply

      Picture
      ‍ ‍       Paint it (How would you paint/draw/describe this scene?)

      Put yourself in it (If you were in this story, who would you have been & how
      would you have responded? How would God like you to respond?)

      Parallel (Is there a present day situation in our life that is similar?)

      Practically apply the truths and principles of this passage to your life

    Pray (Respond by praying your impressions back to God)


    BIBLE STUDY APPLICATION METHODS

    • FOCUSed 15 METHOD - Read the same short passage every day for 5 days, doing just one of the following things each day (by Katie Orr, www.katieorr.me) 

           F - Foundation
    Rewrite the passage in your own words

    O - Observation
    Ask Questions (see W’s & H Journalism Qs below)

    C - Clarification
    Look up Key Words in the passage

    U - Utilization
    Look up Cross References for the passage

    S - Summation
    Summarize Findings & Personal Application


    • Journalism Qs - Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

    EXAMPLES:
    ‍ ‍ Who wrote this? Who was the audience?

    What was the context? What is the main teaching? What can I learn about God? 

      When was it written and why is that significant? 

      Where was it written? (context)

      Why was it written? (response to specific problem or concern, to avoid or resolve
    conflict…)

      How can I practically apply this teaching/example to my life?


    ‍ ‍

Book Topics

    • Deep Discipleship by J. T. English

    • One to One Bible Reading by David Helm (good when reading Bible with someone else)

    • Discipling by Mark Dever 

    • The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

    • The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard 

    • Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life by Donald Whitney  

    • The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning (on grace)

    • Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson 

    • Growing Together:Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger (for women to work through together)

    • Taking God at His Word by Kevin DeYoung

    • Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges 

    • The Mark of the Christian by Francis A. Schaeffer

    • Habits of Grace by David Mathis 

    • Humility by C.J. Mahaney 

    • War of Words by Paul David Tripp

    • Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols by Brad Bigney 

    • The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner 

    • Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin 

    • The Blessing of Humilityby Jerry Bridges

    • How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth by Gordon Fee

    • Methods of Personal Bible Study by Rick Warren

    • Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

    • FOCUSed 15 Bible Studies by Katie Orr (great way to intentionally study 15 min/day)

    • Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

    • Caring For One Another by Edward T. Welch

    • Multiply by Francis Chan 

    • Crazy Love by Francis Chan 

    • The Gospel Comes With a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield 

    • The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (possible free download)

    • Enjoying the Presence of God by Jan Johnson

    • Prayer by Tim Keller

    • Lead With Prayer by Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer and Cameron Doolittle 

    • Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

    • Spiritual Gifts by Thomas R. Schreiner (Cessanationalist view)

    • The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms (Continuationist view)

    • The Reason for God by Timothy Keller 

    • Knowing God by JI Packard (God’s character)

    • The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer (God’s character)

    • You Are a Theologian by Jen Wilkin and J. T. English (doctrines of the Bible)

    • Remember and Rehearse: An Invitation to Participate in God’s Story by J. T. English (overarching story of the Bible)

    • The Joy of the Trinity by Tara-Leigh Cobble

    • Trusting God by Jerry Bridges (God’s sovereignty)

    • Forgotten God by Francis Chan 

    • Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

    • The Name Above All Names by Allistair Begg

    • God Dwells Among Us by G.K. Beale and Mitchell Kim 

    • What Is Reformed Theology? by R.C. Sprouls 

    • God is the Gospel by John Piper 

    • The Holiness of God by Kevin DeYoung 

    • Erasing Hell by Francis Chan 

    • God’s Pursuit of Man by A.W. Tozer 

    • The Name Above All Names by Alistair Begg 

    • Forever by Paul David Tripp

    • The Valley of Vision by Arthur G. Bennett

    • Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney 

    • The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper 

    • Morning and Evening by Charles Hadden Spurgeon

    • Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard  

    • Hope in Times of Fear by Timothy Keller

    • Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt 

    • Raising Worry-Free Girls by Sissy Goff 

    • Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas 

    • Come Ye Children by Charles Spurgeon 

    • Parenting by Paul David Tripp 

    • Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Paul David Tripp 

    • M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt 

    • Raising Kids For True Greatness by Dr. Tim Kimmel 

    • Are My Kids on Track? By Sissy Goff, David Thomas, Melissa Trevathan 

    • Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley and Ryuth Chou Simmons 

    • Family Driven Faith by Voddie T. Bauchman Jr 

    • Family Worship by Donald S. Whitney

    • You and Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan 

    • Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs 

    • What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? By Kevin DeYoung 

    • Is it Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby Strickland

    • Intentional Fatherhood by Jon Tyson 

    • Fighting Shadows by Jon Tyson 

    • Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes 

    • Daddy Tried by Tim Bayly

    • Braver Stronger Smarter by Sissy Goff 

    • Are My Kids on Track? By Sissy Goff, David Thomas, Melissa Trevathan

    • Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung 

    • Are My Kids on Track? By Sissy Goff, David Thomas, Melissa Trevathan

    • In His Image by Jen Wilkin 

    • Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman 

    • M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt

    • Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung

    • Disappearing Church by Mark Sayers

    • Confronting Christianity by Rebecca Mclaughin 

    • 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever 

    • The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman 

    • Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin 

    • The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra 

    • Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges 

    • Until Unity by Francis Chan

    • Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

    • Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey 

    • I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi 

    • God and Money by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer

    • Forgive by Timothy Keller 

    • Peacemaker by Ken Sande 

    • The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness by John F. Macarthur 

    • Forgiveness & Reconciliation: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life (Everyday Matters for Everyday Life) by Hendrickson Publishers

    • The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis 

    • A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis 

    • Depression by Edward T. Welch

    • A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

    • When I don't Desire God by John Piper 

    • Being There by Dave Furman 

    • Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot 

    • What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps by Nancy Guthrie

    • Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp 

    • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp

    • Word-Filled Women’s Ministry by Gloria Furman

    • Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas 

    • Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas 

    • Seven Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas 

    • The Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller 

    • Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes by Iain H. Murray 

    • Christian Heroes: Then & Now Series by Janet Benge

    • Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons

    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer 

    • Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree 

    • Pleasing People by Lou Priolo 

    • The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller 

    • Ordering Your Private World by Gordon McDonald 

    • Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung 

    • Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table by Louie Giglio

    • Ploductivity by Douglas Wilson

    • Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller

Download PDF