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.
Fruit 1: Real Heart Change
Big Question: What type of heart produces good fruit?
Video: 30 minutes
Discuss
Ezekiel 36:24-26
- A new heart is capable of change
- Do you believe real change is possible?
Hebrews 4:12-13
- Not anger management, but worship realignment
1 Samuel 16:6-7
Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Central Point: God’s primary concern is obedience from the heart, not outward conformity to his law.
Personal Application: I need to pay attention to the issues of my heart as I seek to live in a godly way.
Relational Application: As I seek to help others, I want to celebrate good fruit in their lives even as I help them examine the beliefs that drive their good behavior.
Make it real: Has your Christian life been characterized by external obedience and minimal focus on your heart and your relationship with God? Examine all that you do. Are your activities motivated by a loving, grateful heart?
Fruit 2: New and Surprising Fruit
Big Question: Where is God calling you to embrace your potential as his child, and to be committed to the growth of new fruit that only his grace can produce? As you respond in new ways, how will your situations and relationships be changed?
Video (24 mins)
Discuss
Psalm 4
Cluster 1
- I will live with personal integrity
- I will seek godly help
- I will express godly emotions
The life of faith is a stained-glass window, rich with the color of many different emotions, through which the light of Christ shines
Cluster 2
- Means being ready, willing, and able to forgive
- Means humbly asking for forgiveness
- Here is what it sounds like: “I was wrong for _________. Please forgive me. I am sorry for the pain I caused you.”
- Means responding to the sin and weakness of others with grace.
- Do you hold people to higher standards than you hold yourself?
- Do you tend to forget that you are a sinner, while remebering that others are?
- Do you fail to overlook minor offenses?
- Do you spend more time catching people doing wrong than doing right?
- Are you better at critizing than encouragine?
- How do you tend to respond to the weaknesses, sins, and failures of those around you?
Cluster 3
- God’s grace gives purpose and direction to my words and actions
- Grace enables each of God’s children to make peace.
- …to speak the truth
- …to serve others
- …to grant forgiveness
- …to learn to say no
- …to recognize, develop, and use the gifts he has given for his glory and the good of others.
Col 3:12-16
Central Point: Every Christian has the living water of the Holy Spirit flowing within and is already a fruit tree growing amid the heat of life’s circumstances.
Personal Application: The fruit tree response God calls me to are not impossible goals, but the result of the Spirit’s work in me as a child of God.
Relational Application: I must help others to look at themselves with hope because the living water of Christ’s Spirit flows within them.
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.
FRS Communications 