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COURSE 5
Course 5, Lesson #1: Following Jesus
How to Change Yourself
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Read the Scriptures
carefully, then fill in the blanks.
May God bless your study of His word.
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INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever had difficulty trying to change a habit? Humans are creatures of habit.
We tend to continue acting as we have in the past. Like a river flowing through a canyon, the longer a habit continues, the
more deeply it becomes ingrained, and the harder it is to change. This is true of all habits, good or bad.
The
importance of a habit depends on its consequences. Heroin use, for example, has far more serious consequences than biting
fingernails. The most significant habits are those that have eternal consequences.
Ephesians 4:22-24 shows that
major changes must occur when we are converted. Old practices and attitudes must be replaced by new ones. We must learn good
habits like Bible study, prayer, attending church meetings, giving, teaching others, etc. We must also eliminate bad habits
like foul language, uncontrolled temper, gambling, drugs, drinking, gossip, lying, pornography, sexual promiscuity, etc.
We need to know, not just what changes to make, but how to make them. Change does not come easily. Since the Scriptures
provide us to all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17), they give all the guidance we need. Let us study 12 specific, practical
steps the Bible gives to show us how to change to become what God wants.
Step 1: Change Your Purpose in
Life.
Why is motivation important? Is a sound sleeper more likely to get up in the middle of the night if the house
is on fire or if he remembers he did not brush his teeth? Christians have some of the strongest possible motives for changing.
Consider some:
Love and dedication to God
>>> Read 1 John 4:9,10,19; 5:3. <<<
*1* How did God show His love for us?
Answer: God sent-----to save us from our sins.
*2* How should
we show our love for God (5:3)?
Answer: This is the love of God that we-----His---------.
>>> Read
2 Corinthians 8:5. <<<
*3* How did the Macedonians give?
(a) they gave only their money,
(b)
they first gave themselves to the Lord,
(c) they were stingy.
Answer:--------.
Think: Why is it hard
to change a specific action if we are not totally dedicated to God's service?
If you are having difficulty changing
yourself, learn to appreciate God's blessings and mercy. (See also Rom. 12:1,2; Ecc. 12:13; Matt. 6:33; 16:24; 1 John 2:15-17;
Matt. 10:34-37; 22:37-40; John 14:15.)
Imitation of Christ
People are often motivated by a desire
to be like some "hero."
>>> Read Luke 6:40. <<<
*4* What is the goal of
a disciple?
(a) to get rich,
(b) to become famous,
(c) to become like Jesus,
(d) to be a party animal.
Answer:------------.
The life most worth imitating is that of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21,22). As we face each decision
in life, we should ask, "What would Jesus do?" (See also Gal. 2:20; Matt. 16:24; Col. 3:10).
Desire
for eternal life, not eternal punishment
>>> Read 1 Corinthians 9:24,25. <<<
*5*
What comparison is made between athletes and Christians? Answer: Athletes control themselves to obtain a corruptible (perishable)
, but Christians seek an incorruptible (imperishable) one.
Think: Why would a lack of motivation keep people from
changing to please God? (See also James 1:12; Rev. 2:10; Col. 3:1-10; 2 Peter 1:10,11; 2 Thess. 1:8-10.)
When
we lack motivation to change, let us think about God's love for us, think about the importance of being like Christ, and think
about our eternal destiny.
Step 2: Believe You Can Change with God's Help.
>>> Read Proverbs
4:23. <<<
*6* Why is the condition of your heart important?
Answer: Out of the---------come the
issues of---------.
Think: What ultimately determines the way you act? (Cf. Matt. 15:18,19; 12:34-37.)
>>> Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. <<<
*7* What can we know about temptation?
(a) there
is always a way of escape,
(b) sometimes you just have to sin,
(c) some people never face temptation,
(d)
temptation is always easy to overcome.
Answer:----------.
Think: What is meant by "God is faithful."
Can people and circumstances force you to do evil? Is there ever a valid excuse for sin?
>>> Read Philippians
4:13. <<<
*8* How can we do "all things" that God requires of us? Answer: We can do all things
through-----who strengthens us.
Think: Does God promise that our own strength alone can keep us faithful? What
may happen if we trust our own power instead of Christ's?
How should we respond to people who say, "I just
can't change. It's too late. Besides, I'm only human." If a person thinks this way, will they be likely to succeed in
serving God?
No matter how strong a temptation you face, no matter how long you have practiced a sin, if God says
to change, you can change. (See also Eph. 6:10-18; 3:20,21; 2 Cor. 9:8; Josh. 1:5-9.)
Step 3: Study the
Bible about Your Habit.
>>> Read Joshua 1:8. <<<
*9* To succeed in God's work, what did
Joshua need to do? Answer: He should on God's word and observe to do it.
>>> Read Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
<<<
*10* When should God's word be discussed?
(a) while sitting,
(b) while walking,
(c)
while lying down and rising,
(d) all of the preceding.
Answer:-----------.
If you want to change to
please God, where would be some good places to put copies of Scriptures to remind you about God's will?
>>>
Read Matthew 4:1-11. <<<
*11* How did Jesus deal with every temptation from Satan? Answer: Jesus handled
every temptation by saying, "It is---------- ."
Practical application: List verses about your habits,
then memorize them so they will strengthen you when you are tempted. Quote them to yourself and to those who tempt you. (See
also Psalm 1:2; 119:11; Prov. 3:5,6; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Eph. 6:17; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12.)
Step 4: Repent of
Sin.
>>> Read Acts 8:22. <<<
*12* What should disciples do when we commit sin?
Answer:
We should--------of our wickedness and-------- to God.
Think: What is repentance? (See Matt. 21:28,29; Acts 17:30;
11:23.)
>>> Read Proverbs 28:13. <<<
*13* What should we do about sin?
(a)
confess and forsake it,
(b) hide it,
(c) blame somebody else,
(d) find a preacher who accepts it.
Answer:-------.
Think: Is it enough just to be sorry for our sins? What else is needed? (See 2 Cor. 7:10.)
Most achievements
in life require about 10% ability and 90% just plain determination and hard work. In spiritual matters, God has granted every
accountable person the ability to please Him; so we are completely able to change. God provides everything we need. The decision
is ours.
We will never change until we make up our minds to diligently pursue the means God provides. The decision
to do this is repentance, and no one will change to please God without it.
Step 5: Develop a Plan of Action.
>>> Read Proverbs 14:22. <<<
*14* What should we devise?
(a) evil,
(b) good
(c) a way to heaven.
Answer:----------.
Think: Name some works that God made plans for (see Rom. 8:28;
Eph. 1:7-9; 3:10,11; Heb. 8:5; Gen. 12:1-7). Likewise, God's servants need to have a plan to succeed in His service (Luke
14:26-33; Dan. 1:8; Psalm 17:3; Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 9:7).
Think: Name some other important endeavors which require
planning in order to succeed.
Practical application: To change your life, you need a specific, practical checklist
of steps you will take to change. Analyze the circumstances or causes that lead you to fail to do right, then plan how to
avoid those causes. It may help to write your plan down and modify it as needed.
Many people fail to change to
please God because they never planned to succeed. They did not plan to fail; they just failed to plan!
Step
6: Pray Regularly.
Prayer is essential in two ways.
A child of God should pray for forgiveness.
A person who is not yet a child of God needs to believe in Jesus, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized to be
forgiven of sins (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 2:38; 22:16). If he sins afterward, he needs to repent and pray for forgiveness
(Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:8-10; Prov. 28:13; Matt. 6:12).
Then he should pray for God's help to change.
>>>
Read Matthew 6:13. <<<
*15* What should we ask God to do? (Cf. Matt. 26:41.) Answer: We should pray,------
"--------- us from evil."
Practical application: Tell God exactly what your problem is. Pray often and
regularly (1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2). Pray especially at the moment when you face temptation (Matt. 26:36-46). God has promised
that, if you ask His help, He will hear and answer (1 Peter 5:7; Phil. 4:6,7; Eph. 6:11,13,18).
Step 7:
Seek Help from Other Christians.
>>> Read James 5:16. <<<
*16* What should Christians
do for one another?
Answer: We should--------our trespasses to one another.
Think: Name some ways mature
Christians can help us when we are fighting a difficult habit. (Cf. Gal. 6:2; Matt. 5:23,24)
Note: Public church
meetings are especially designed to give encouragement (Heb. 10:24,25; 3:12,13; Eph. 4:15,16). We need to attend regularly
for many reasons, but especially we need encouragement as we try to become what God wants us to be.
Step
8: Diligently Practice What Is Right.
We have discussed several steps to prepare us for change, but none of them can
substitute for hard work. All the good attitudes in the world will not get the job done until we follow through with action.
>>> Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. <<<
*17* In what kind of work should we be steadfast?
Answer: We should be steadfast in (give ourselves fully to) the work of the---------------.
>>> Read
James 1:22-25. <<<
*18* Whom will God bless?
(a) those who just hear His word,
(b) those
who just believe,
(c) those who hear and do,
(d) everyone.
Answer:------.
Think: How are habits
formed (for example, riding a bicycle or driving a car)? Do new practices always feel comfortable at first?
We
change only when we compel ourselves to do what we know is right, then repeat it until it becomes "second nature."
God does not promise that change will be easy, but He promises that it is possible if we diligently obey His word. (See also
Rom. 6:1-23; Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46.)
Step 9: Substitute Good Habits for Bad Ones.
>>> Read
Ephesians 4:22-32. <<<
*19* Listed below are several practices we must put off. For each one, tell what
must be put on in its place.
** Put off lying (v25), but instead speak .
** Put off stealing (v28),
but instead labor, working with your .
** Put off corrupt, unwholesome speech (v29), but instead say what is good
or helpful for .
>>> Read Matthew 12:43-45. <<<
*20* Why did the demon (and others)
come back into this man?
Answer: It came back because his "house" was-----,----------- swept, and put in order.
Think: Name some other examples of bad habits we should eliminate to be Christians. Then name good habits we can
replace them with.
"Nature hates a vacuum." Remove the air from a bottle, and it will try to get back
in. Fill the bottle with something solid, and the air stays out. So your life cannot stay a spiritual void. It will fill with
good or evil. Replace bad habits with good, and the bad is less likely to return.
Step 10: Avoid Temptation.
>>> Read Matthew 6:13. <<<
*21* What should we pray regarding temptation?
Answer:
We should pray that we will not be led into-------.
Think: If we pray this prayer, then how should we act toward
people, places, and situations that tempt us?
>>> Read 1 Corinthians 15:33. <<<
*22*
What is the effect of keeping evil company?
(a) it corrupts good habits,
(b) it has no effect,
(c) it makes
us happy,
(d) all the preceding.
Answer:------------.
Note: "Do not be deceived." How are
people often deceived regarding companionships?
Think: Name some habits that are often begun and continued because
of "peer pressure." Breaking such habits by themselves is hard enough, but it is far more difficult when "friends"
urge us to continue them. (See Rom. 13:14; 1 Peter 4:3,4; Prov. 13:20; Ex. 23:2.)
>>> Read Psalm 26:5.
<<<
*23* What should we hate?
Answer: We should hate the congregation (assembly) of-----.
Think: What is the application to people who say, "I won't drink (or gamble, etc.). I'll just go to the tavern (or
casino) to be with my friends"? (Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11.)
You cannot change a bad habit while continuing
to run with the "crowd" that caused the habit. Changing the habit will require changing your friends, because the
"friends" are part of the habit!
Step 11: Face One Day at a Time.
Often people quit trying
to serve God because they are overwhelmed by the sacrifices required to live the rest of their lives for God. Consider:
>>> Read Matthew 6:33,34. <<<
*24* Why should we not worry about tomorrow's troubles?
Answer: Because sufficient for today is its own----------.
Practical application: Ask yourself this: "Can
I practice what is right today - just today?" Of course you can. So when you get up each morning, promise yourself and
God, "I will live today for God." Don't worry about handling tomorrow. If it comes, you can handle it the same way
you will handle today.
Two men were climbing a steep path up a tall mountain. One looked to the top and asked,
"How will we ever make it?" The other replied, "One step at a time." And that is the only way for you
to change yourself.
Step 12: Be Patient.
>>> Read Romans 2:7. <<<
*25*
How do we receive eternal life?
Answer: By continuing patiently in---------.
>>> Read Galatians
6:9. <<<
*26* What must we do to reap eternal life?
Answer: We must not----------in doing good.
>>> Read 2 Peter 3:18. <<<
*27* In what should we grow?
Answer: Grow in the-----------and-------of
Jesus Christ.
Note the emphasis on growth and patience. You are born again as a baby and gradually grow up in
Christ. You may look at mature Christians and think, "Why can't I be like them?" But they probably took years to
mature. Developing good habits takes time. Do not be impatient with yourself. (Cf. 1 Cor. 15:58.)
Sin should never
be excused. But some habits and desires are deeply ingrained. If you fall, you should repent, and ask God's forgiveness. But
get up and go on. Do not give up. (See 1 John 1:8-2:2.)
Children may not notice much change as they grow from
day to day, but photographs from years ago will show amazing differences. So you may get discouraged with your service to
God today compared to yesterday. But if you diligently apply the steps taught in God's word, after 5, 10, or 20 years you
will see significant changes compared to where you began.
Conclusion
By using the means God
provides, you can change to be what He wants. He gives motivation, guidance, and encouragement. All that is left is for you
to determine to follow His will and then diligently act on that decision. He provides the tools. You must use them. What choice
will you make?
The Way Ministries Bible Study
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