What Resources Do You Use For Application?

Interesting question:

Some times maybe is a good idea to refer to topical resources and obtain Bible verses applicable to the topic. Then you can search other collections for the different Bible verses reference to get ideas.

https://www.logos.com/product/16107/dictionary-of-bible-themes

https://www.logos.com/product/43273/what-does-god-say-about-that

https://www.logos.com/product/2274/what-does-the-bible-say-about

https://www.logos.com/product/16944/the-handbook-of-bible-application

https://www.logos.com/product/43263/the-a-to-z-guide-to-finding-it-in-the-bible

https://www.logos.com/product/2255/every-teaching-of-jesus-in-the-bible

https://www.logos.com/product/54016/coursons-application-commentary

https://www.logos.com/product/164340/the-thematic-bible-topical-analysis

https://www.logos.com/product/2348/the-macarthur-topical-bible

https://www.logos.com/product/391/topical-analysis-of-the-bible

https://www.logos.com/product/320/new-naves-topical-bible-20

https://www.logos.com/product/26980/torreys-new-topical-textbook

https://www.logos.com/product/1210/nelsons-topical-bible-index

https://www.logos.com/product/45638/lexham-theological-wordbook

https://www.logos.com/product/46349/lexham-glossary-of-theology

https://www.logos.com/product/27277/new-dictionary-of-biblical-theology

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/127823/find-it-fast-in-the-bible-a-quick-topical-reference

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/33868/explore-your-bible-199-bible-topics-with-references

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/55621/the-biblical-counseling-reference-guide-over-580-real-life-topics-more-than-11000-relevant-verses

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/39006/how-to-handle-your-emotions-anger-depression-fear-grief-rejection-self-worth

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/23290/zondervan-all-in-one-bible-reference-guide

https://blog.logos.com/2012/09/logos-4-collins-thesaurus-of-the-bible/

https://blog.logos.com/2014/07/logos-5-combine-clause-passage-list-and-ln-numbers-for-a-unique-search/

There are resources that are from different traditions. Some ideas may not be bad at all: virtues, moral theology, social doctrine, etc. can yield concepts, terms, phrases that can be used to search commentaries, etc.

https://www.logos.com/product/37717/catholic-topical-index

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/products/39266/sermon-treks-trailways-to-creative-preaching

So in recap: you may have some rough idea of what could be the different applications: bear fruit in Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, or Physical (stewardship), etc. 

You may want to look in some of the resources like the Bible themes or NDBT, to see what passages apply. You can then search the resources for that  verse, look up in "quoted by", etc. to get ideas, then craft the applications that you want to suggest.

Hope this helps.

Some more interesting resources:

https://www.logos.com/product/33135/preachers-homiletic-commentary-proverbs

https://www.logos.com/product/18468/proverbs-everyday-wisdom-for-everyone

And if you habla:

https://www.logos.com/product/55132/notas-de-la-biblia-de-referencia-thompson

LOL.

Well, you can be given a fish or be taught how to fish. But may I suggest that unless you are able to see for yourself the application of a passage, you are not ready to preach it? If I may suggest one approach, after you are done with your exegesis, you can reflect on application through such questions:

1. What was the originally intended application of the passage (as far as we can determine it)? What purpose(s)? What underlying issues?

2. What has changed (context, covenant, etc)? What is still relevant?

3. What does this passage teach YOU and challenge YOU to?

4. How does this intersect with larger current societal issues and the specific needs of your congregation?

Not saying that one could not benefit from finding applications elsewhere, but it is crucial for all Christians and even more so for preachers and teachers to learn how to apply the Bible themselves. Yes, even the most arcane passages.

Randall Runion said:

Which resources do you find are the most help in writing the Application portion of your sermons? 

Devotionals. I find using the Cited By tool to be very helpful. If I type in the scripture passage I am working from into the lookup box I can then find devotionals or illustrations that reference that passage. Quite often there is great applicational treasures to be discovered there. 

Rosie Perera said:

That said, I often find the NIV Application Commentary has some useful pointers.

Agreed. As does Jon Courson's Application Commentary. It's probably my favorite. I read it for devotional readings.

Rosie Perera said:

Our congregation has an extended time of discussion after the sermon (about 10 minutes), during which the application of what was preached gets fleshed out, so even if I don't have a very clear Application section of my sermon, I can trust the congregation to bring to it their life experiences and wisdom and relate the Scripture to the challenges of everyday living in the 21st century.

Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.