Week 7 Application Project
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BIBL 104
Name: Adam Cook
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: APPLICATION
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
A
. What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these
points should be 1 paragraph (150-300 words) in length.
1.
The question of duty?
In Acts 9:36-43 is a great example of when our actions follow the teachings of Jesus, how we
will become his disciple and he will answer when we pray to him. Tabitha practiced the
teachings of Jesus in that she did charitable deeds, did good work in her community, and gave to
the widows. She was probably well off herself in that she was able to use her resources to make
tunics for the widows. “All the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments
which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” Acts 9:39 (NKJV) She choose to be with the
widows and to offer them clothing. This is in direct correlations of Jesus’s teachings. “Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:16. We know that Dorcas was a follower of Christ because Luke names her as a
disciple. “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha.” She was the only woman to be
called a disciple others were Jesus’s friends such as Martha and Mary. However this term puts
her in a much closer proximity to Jesus and his teachings because she lived her life to the
standards of being like Jesus himself. Giving up her material possessions in order to make the
tunic for the widows and doing good deeds. We can gleam from this story that because of her
standard of living in the light of Christ those around her saw her good deeds, so when she died
they all came to her and prayed over her. Even going as far as to believe that she would be risen
from the dead. They did not bury right away which is customary for Jews. They instead laid her
in the upper room. “When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room” Acts 9:37
(NKJV) I think if she had not lived such a life she would have been sick and died. There would
not have been the widows to mourn her or anyone to call upon Peter to pray over her. This is a
great example of living out Christ for others without preaching at them or judging them. She
literally used her life as a testimony to further the kingdom of Christ. Our duty as Christ
followers is to obey the teachings of Christ and to live in exemplary life. We can use this in our
own daily walk. For example we can direct our own resources to those who are in need in our
own community. We can also live a life that is intimate with Jesus so that others to would name
us as a Disciple. This in its self can be our witness to further the kingdom of God.
2.
The question of character
Tabitha teaches the reader that we should live a life as such that others around us would name us
a disciple. “This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” Since she
is named as a disciple we can gather that she probably heard the teachings of Christ. Jesus
BIBL 104
throughout his life Jesus gives several examples of how we should carry out his teachings in our
own lives. “If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there My servant will be
also. If anyone serves me, him my father will honor.” John 12:26 (NKJV) Tabitha definitely
lived a life that served Christ. She had a servant heart in that she was charitable. She also took
care of the widows. She lived such a life of good character that she was honored by those around
her when they did not give up after she had died. Instead they pursued Peter. “And since Lydda
was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring
him not to delay in coming to them.” Acts 9:38(NKJV) In turn we can see because of how she
lived her life and because of her faith and who she surrounded herself with she was then prayed
over and risen from the dead. We see that she not only had good character but were among other
people who were like minded in deeds and in faith. “The disciples” Acts 9:38 (NKJV) where the
ones to get Peter to come to her. It was also the widows who had washed her and laid her in the
upper room. This shows that she was Christ driven in not only her good deeds and works but also
in the relationships she had with those around her.
She made a choice to live a life of that of a
Christ follower that of a disciple and in doing so God honored her by bringing her back to life.
Even more securing her as a witness to those around her. “And it became known throughout all
Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” Even in her death she was a witness to those around her.
3.
The question of goals
The story of Tabitha clearly shows that we should pursue a life of a disciple. Living intimately
with Jesus in our daily lives to be a witness to those around us in our community and in our
friendships. “Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is
like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hand all the law
and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV) Jesus also teaches, “A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all
will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
We can infer that Tabitha would have known or heard of these commandments since she herself
is referred to as a disciple. She was ultimately driven to do good deeds and to take care of the
widows that were in her community. Her goals in life is what set her apart from others. She is a
true example of how our life goals and commitments should also include our relationship with
Jesus. Our work life, home life and church life should not be different goals or characters of
ourselves. We should be driven to live a life like Dorcas. That of a life that honors God by our
daily goals.
4.
The question of discernment
Tabitha’s story gives the reader spiritual guidance and understanding in how we should live our
daily lives. She put all of her faith in God. She lived a Christ like life. She gave away her
resources. She did good and charitable deeds for her community. She also had a close
relationship with Jesus that is inferred when the other disciples call her a disciple. They are
giving her a place among them. Which is a big deal. She obviously lived a true life of Christ like
servanthood to be given such an honor. We can discern that because of all of this she was a great
BIBL 104
witness to those who she knew. Even in death her story goes on to show that living a life of
honor for Christ will in turn give us honor. Peter obviously knew of her in that he too did not
delay in his response when hearing of her death. “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he
had come they brought him to the upper room.” Acts 9:39 (NKJV) When we arrived the widows
were there and immediately started telling him of Dorcas’ good character and deeds. “And all the
widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while
she was with them.” Acts 9:39 (NKJV) Tabitha ultimately lived a life that showed God through
her own acts.
Bibliography
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof,
Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the Christian Faith
, ed.
Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday Bible Series (Nashville, TN: B&H
Academic, 2019)
Holy Bible: The New King James Version
. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. As found in the
Logos Bible study software program.
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