International Bible studies: Application and illustration

In our last post we looked at how to speak, what words to explain and how to phrase questions. This time we address:

1. Application

It's best to avoid terms like “implications”, “significance” or “relevance”. Ask them: If this is true, do you need to change? How?

And don’t be afraid to ask how a particular application might be received in their culture—it helps you understand the influences and pressures that can affect their response to God’s word, and it helps them see how some parts of their culture might be at variance with God’s word.

For example, Jesus tells His followers not to store up for themselves treasures on earth but seek God’s kingdom first. Some people may conclude that the Bible is undermining a very important priority in non-Western cultures—the responsibility to bring as much prosperity as possible into your family. You would need to show that Jesus does not want his followers to ignore their family responsibilities, but neither should our family be the top priority and take the rightful place of God in our lives.

2. Your illustrations

It's a good idea to ask yourself if each illustration would be easily understood by someone from a different culture. An illustration that needs a lot of explanation loses its effectiveness, and may cause confusion. Avoid mentioning…

• western politicians, sports stars or celebrities, unless they are hugely well known. In fact, with older people, or those from non-western societies don’t assume they’ll know even celebrities like David Beckham or Madonna.
• news stories, TV programmes, or books / films—most language-learners don’t get into TV soaps or serials, go to the cinema or read in English for leisure, because it’s not relaxing to do these things in a second language.
• British history, institutions or customs and phrases that come from them eg: D-Day, the football pools, cricket (for people from non-cricket-playing nations).

3. Prayer

Truly Christian prayer will come as a revelation to internationals from a non-Christianised background. It’s revolutionary­:

• the idea that you can address God as your Father; the need to pray in the name of Jesus Christ
• the fact that you have no set pattern of words, but can converse with God, much as you would with them
• the lack of any holy place or posture or accompanying rituals
• the content of truly Christian prayer, with its emphasis on seeking God’s glory, thanksgiving, confession and repentance, rather than simply a shopping list of requests.

Leading in prayer is a great thing to do at some point in an international Bible-study. Why not explain what you are about to do, especially if there are newcomers present? Reassure people that they don’t have to pray themselves if they don’t want to, but can simply watch. Keep prayers fairly short and simple—use words and truths that they have learned in the Bible study. You could pause after each sentence, allowing people to add silently their own prayers. Internationals don’t generally feel uncomfortable or get offended when Christians pray.

Finally, next time… FAQs