Lessons Five and Six: How People Change

The “How People Change” study by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp “is not one that comes naturally for us. It’s hard for us to connect the ways we think, feel, and act in the midst of struggle with our ultimate destination of life in heaven with Christ. It is a work of the Spirit in our lives. But when we learn how to respond to that work, the impact on our lives is enormous.” These videos are a part of a CtK Study and are shared for participants who missed the earlier sessions.

Lesson 5 – HEAT 1 – The Real God in the Real World

• Big Question: What’s your situation? What are the burdens, pressures, joys, hardships, temptations, responsibilities, opportunities, and pains – both actual and potential?

Video (17 minutes)

Discuss

• 1 Peter 4:12
• Phil 1:29
• Psalm 88 –

Does it bother you that this psalm does not end on a positive note?

Does it amaze you to consider that it was written as a hymn to be sung in worship? What can we learn from this?

• We can come out of hiding with our struggles, and when we do, we will find that God already knows and understands.
• James 1:1-18 – What amazing, comforting, pastoral advice. James’s words are full of grace and truth. He does not flinch at the reality of suffering but calls us to run to God. He warns us of cynicism and sin and points us to the God who loves us and has come to redeem us in the midst of our circumstances.
• Consider how it must have felt to have a fellow sufferer comfort you with these words in the midst of dire difficulty. What does it say to you as you think about a trial you faced or face now?

Central Point: The Christian life is not about finding shelter from the real world as much as it is about God meeting us in the midst of it.

Lesson 6 HEAT 2 –  The Real You in the Real World

Big Question: As God sees me respond to the heat in my world, what in me does he want to change? Where is God calling me to personal change right now?

Video  (15 MINUTES)

Discuss

Central Point

1. The Bible describes life this way: We live in a broken world as people who struggle daily.

Personal Application

1. I need to identify the specific areas where I struggle in a world that does not operate as it was intended.

Relational Applications

1. I need to help others to be honest about their struggles with life.

Personal Growth Project -A process of self-examination

Choose an area of struggle from your own life. This will be the area you use for application in the rest of the class, applying what you learn from the HEAT-THORNS-CROSS-FRUIT model, lesson by lesson. In the Make It Real section of each lesson, you will be given a guided opportunity to take the principles, perspectives, and promises of each lesson and apply it to your particular area of struggle.

How to choose… Relatively minor to major patterns of behavior. Examples:

• Sports: the way you play/coach competitive sports is a window into your fears, pride, slyness, tendency to live on the basis of your performance, etc. Money & Possessions: Are you obsessed with wealth? Fearful of poverty? Do you daydream about money? Are you selfish? Generous? Given to impulsive or compulsive buying? Covetous? Continually in debt?

• Work & Rest: Do you alternate between workaholism and a self-indulgent love of comfort? Are you driven and restless? Do you procrastinate and avoid responsibility? Do you pursue leisure in way that pleases the Lord?

• Grumbling: Do you tend to be negative, pessimistic, complaining, irritable, unhappy, discontent, and dissatisfied? What do you grumble? About what?

• Secret Sin: Is there an area of sin and temptation that regularly defeats you? Have you found it difficult to admit it and seek the help of others?

Email Liza to learn more or join the group that is meeting two Sundays a month during the Summer 2024. Click here for link to the blog for earlier sessions.

The “How People Change” study guide is written by Timothy S. Lane and Dr. Paul David Tripp who is a pastor, international event speaker, and a best-selling and award-winning author. With more than 30 books and video series on Christian living, Paul’s driving passion is to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. Click here to view videos and podcasts featuring Dr. Tripp. 

Click here for the How People Change series of blogs.