Each text can have numerous applications or lessons to learn, but in order to apply it well we must discern the author’s original purpose and intent. This can be a daunting task when done alone. To make things easier, these study guides highlight the central theme using the C.O.M.A. (Context, Observation, Meaning, Application) method. Each guide replaces “discussion questions” (that focus on the theoretical) with “response questions” (which require participants to personally interact with the central theme of the text).