Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only €10,99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Walk: How to Apply the Bible
    Walk: How to Apply the Bible
    Walk: How to Apply the Bible
    Ebook112 pages1 hour

    Walk: How to Apply the Bible

    By James L. Nicodem and Joseph M. Stowell III

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    How do we draw practical applications from the Bible?

    Reading the Bible should be like gazing into a mirror—we should look for a true reflection of ourselves and note the changes that need to be made in our lives. But how is this done?

    Pastor Jim Nicodem encourages us in this difficult but vitally important challenge. Using the COMA method (Context, Observation, Message, Application), he offers helpful and understandable instruction on how a Christian can learn to “walk” what the Bible teaches as we go through life.

    Perfect for believers at any stage and those discipling others, Walk is a wonderful guide for those seeking to follow Jesus, honor God, and walk in the way of the Word.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMoody Publishers
    Release dateMar 15, 2013
    ISBN9780802484093
    Walk: How to Apply the Bible

    Read more from James L. Nicodem

    Related to Walk

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related categories

    Reviews for Walk

    4/5

    2 ratings1 review

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Walk is part of a four part series of books intended to help believers understand God’s word and put it into practice. This book is the fourth one, all about application in our lives. (The other three covering the topics of grasping the Bible’s storyline, the reliability of the Bible’s text and correct interpretation of the Bible.) Although part of a series it works perfectly well as a stand-alone book.This book held true to its subtitle in teaching the reader how to apply the Bible. That was its main focus and it was extremely well done on that point.Mr. Nicodem gives you an easy-to-remember “formula” for getting the most out of your scripture reading using the acronym COMA. (C=context, O= observation, M= message, A=application) The author was thorough in explaining each piece of this puzzle and included five samples of this method in action. Also included were study guide questions at the end of each chapter.Overall I found this author pleasant to read and not at all arrogant or condemning in tone. The author was very knowledgeable on this topic and knew how to pass it on in a way that was easy to grasp. I am seriously considering purchasing one or more of his other books in this series.The one thing I would question would be his quote on the aim (or purpose or goal) of why God illumines scripture to us, which is, “The aim of being illuminated by God’s Word is to apply what you’ve learned to your life.” (p. 38) Although it totally fits with the goal of this book I’m not sure it is the best or highest goal you can or should have for reading the Word. It is indeed multiple times or even exponentially better than the alternate goal he cites, that is, for merely knowledge. But I propose another goal that is on top of or at least in addition to this one that Mr. Nicodem has. It is to get to know God better, that is, to get to know the author of the Bible in a real relationship.The author by not saying that or any other goal for reading the Word at least implied (by omission) then, that his is the only goal that is suitable. Not only do I think my goal is better, there are still other ways that I approach scripture that he does not mention at all, like using the Psalms in praise or worship, finding a promise that addresses a particular in the moment concern, looking for guidance for a relationship problem or looking for wisdom for making a decision, to name a few. (Never mind memorization or meditation.)All that does in no way diminish all the good stuff about how to apply the Bible for yourself, that this book contains. But the readers should keep these other issues in mind as they read it, that this is just one way to approach the Bible, albeit a very good one.Anyone who wants to get more out their Bible reading and especially if you have a desire in applying what you find therein, will love this book.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishers through their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Book preview

    Walk - James L. Nicodem

    Too many of us, regardless of our familiarity with the stories of the Bible, are blind to the story of the Bible. We miss the forest for the trees. We fail to recognize how the Bible’s many individual stories fit together to tell one mega-story. The macro-story. The story of God and us.

    Phil Vischer

    Creator of Veggie Tales and What’s in the Bible? video series

    Jim Nicodem’s purpose is to lay out, in straightforward, nontechnical language, many of the most important principles of interpretation. He does this so each person may know the foundational principles of biblical interpretation, and so understand many texts. In other words, Jim wants the church he serves, and many other churches, to be filled with men and women who will become better Bible readers.

    D. A. Carson, PhD

    Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    Author of New Testament Commentary Survey

    As a university professor on a Christian college campus, I can tell you that biblical illiteracy is on the rise. That’s why the Bible Savvy series should be a prerequisite reading for everyone. Jim Nicodem puts the cookies on the bottom shelf by making the epic story of the biblical narrative understandable and accessible. The Bible Savvy series lays out the foundation and context for God’s Word and then shows us in plain language how to apply the Bible’s teachings to our lives step-by-step. It’s phenomenal.

    Les Parrott, PhD

    Seattle Pacific University

    Author of You’re Stronger Than You Think

    The Bible is one of the most precious possessions to a believer living in a restricted nation. I am constantly amazed by the hunger for biblical teaching expressed by those who face persecution daily. Their sacrificial passion should inspire us to rekindle our quest for biblical understanding. Jim Nicodem’s Bible Savvy series is the kind of resource needed to reengage our hearts and minds with God’s Word, and renew a hunger for God’s truth on par with our persecuted brother and sisters.

    James E. Dau

    President, The Voice of the Martyrs

    Jim has done a masterful job in the Bible Savvy series! In these four concise books, Jim marches with clarity and skill into topics that would be difficult to tackle in a seminary classroom, much less in an American living room. And rather than a monologue, these books create a dialog among the author, the reader, their small group, and the living Word of God. These practical, approachable resources provide foundational training that is greatly needed by nearly every small group and leader I encounter.

    Greg Bowman

    Coauthor of Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders

    Past executive director of the Willow Creek Association

    Reading the four books in the Bible Savvy series is like getting a Bible college education in a box! The Lord is calling our nation to a Bible reading revolution, and these books are an invitation to be part of it.

    Hal Seed

    Author of The Bible Questions and The God Questions

    Lead Pastor, New Song Community Church, Oceanside, California

    Living in the land of the Bible is considered a privilege by many, but the real privilege is to let the Bible become alive through us, in whatever land we may live. In the Bible Savvy series, Jim Nicodem not only helps us to understand God’s plan to save us, but also His desire to change and shape us through His Word and Spirit in order to be a light in this dark world.

    Rev. Azar Ajaj

    Vice President and lecturer, Nazareth Evangelical Theological Seminary

    To ignite a love for the God’s Word in others is the goal of any spiritual leader. Communicating God’s Word is the most important of all. Pastor Jim’s Bible Savvy series is the tool, the guide, and the process for worship leaders to go into deep spiritual places. His biblical scholarship, communicated with such creativity, is exactly what is needed in worship ministry today.

    Stan Endicott

    Slingshot group coach/mentor

    Worship Leader, Mariners Church, Irvine, California

    Jim Nicodem leads one of America’s finest churches. Jim knows how to communicate the truth of the Bible that brings historical knowledge with incredible practical application. The Bible Savvy series is the best I have ever seen. Your life and faith will be enhanced as you use and apply this material to your life.

    Jim Burns, PhD

    President, HomeWord

    Author of Creating an Intimate Marriage and Confident Parenting

    Pastor Nicodem is like a championship caliber coach: he loves to teach, and he stresses that success comes from mastering the basics. The Bible Savvy series will help you correctly interpret the best Playbook ever written: the Bible. Understanding and applying its fundamentals (with the help of the Bible Savvy series) will lead one to the Ultimate Victory … eternity with Jesus.

    James Brown

    Host of The NFL Today on the CBS television network

    Walk

    How to Apply the Bible

    James L. Nicodem

    MOODY PUBLISHERS

    CHICAGO

    © 2013 by

    JAMES L. NICODEM

    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

    All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

    Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.

    Edited by Jim Vincent

    Interior design: Ragont Design

    Cover design: Smartt Guys design

    Cover image: iStockphoto

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

    Nicodem, James L., 1956-

       Walk : how to apply the Bible / James L. Nicodem.

         pages cm. — (The Bible savvy series)

       Includes bibliographical references.

       ISBN 978-0-8024-0636-1

       1. Bible—Hermeneutics. 2. Bible—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Title.

     BS476.N53 2013

     220.6—dc23

    2012047219

       We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

    Moody Publishers

    820 N. LaSalle Boulevard

    Chicago, IL 60610

    1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

    Printed in the United States of America

    About the Bible Savvy Series

    I MET THE REAL ESTATE AGENT at my front door and invited him in. My wife and I were about to put our home on the market and I had called Jeff as a potential representative. As he sat down at our dining room table and opened his briefcase, I noticed a Bible perched on top of other papers. I asked Jeff if he was a Bible reader and he replied that he was just getting started. What had prompted his interest? He’d recently come across a list in Success, Inc. magazine of the most influential books recommended by business leaders. The Bible had been the most frequently mentioned book on the list. So, Jeff was going to give it a try.

    My real estate agent isn’t alone in his new interest in the Bible. According to a recent survey, 91 percent of those who have lately begun attending church were motivated to do so by a desire to understand what the Bible has to say to their lives.¹ That means nine of every ten visitors to church are intrigued by the Bible! But while they are curious about God’s Word, they’re also a bit intimidated by it. The Bible is such a daunting book, written in ancient times and addressed to vastly different cultures. Is it really possible to draw relevant insights from it for our lives today? People are returning to church to find

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1