Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late
Page 24
#2—Five Invitation Questions: (pp. 14–17)
Read the five questions again and mark your answers below.
1. ___ yes ___ no
2. ___ yes ___ no
3. ___ yes ___ no
4. ___ yes ___ no
5. ___ yes ___ no
The Central Theme/Application Point of this book:
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
#3—Write a brief definition for each of the following terms that expresses your current understanding:
Choose—
Murmuring—
Lifestyle—
Wilderness—
#4—Based on what you have read so far, describe below at least one (or more) short or lengthy period in your life you would identify as a “wilderness experience”:
I was in a wilderness experience during the time I was _____________________
The Central Question of the book:
Why did God decide to wipe out an entire generation of His chosen people?
#5—As you begin this study, what is your present answer to this key question?
Crucial References to the event:
Psalm 95:7b–11 1
Corinthians 10:5
Hebrews 3:7–18; 4:1–3
#6—Read each of the above passages. If you are in a group study, discuss their significance in your understanding of “wilderness”. Otherwise, note their significance below:
LOOK UP! (p. 29)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 1 of Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE
Before It’s Too Late!
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 1
REPLACE A COMPLAINING ATTITUDE . . .
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will identify areas in their lives where complaining has a destructive effect and will decide to seek a replacement.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Complaining is an attitude that if left unchecked will wither my capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness.
WILDERNESS ATTITUDE ONE = COMPLAINING
#1—Key Passage: Read Numbers 10:11–11:3
The people of Israel were on the move. God gave them supernatural guidance. Yet after three days’ journey, the people complained.
What clues can you find in this passage about what motivated the people’s complaints?
How would you have responded (how do you respond) to complaints?
What phrases or expressions most represent complaining in your life?
How does James explain his admission, “I like complaining” (see p. 32 )?
#2—We choose our attitudes and train them into habits (see pp. 33–34).
Why is it important to acknowledge the fact that we choose our attitudes?
In what sense would you agree that complaining can become a habit?
#3—Defining Attitude (see pp. 34–36)
How does James combine “patterns of thinking” and “time” to develop a definition of “attitude”?
What is the definition of attitude and how accurately does it describe your experiences with “attitudes”?
#4—Defining Complaining (see pp. 38–40):
Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with circumstances that are not wrong and about which I’m doing nothing to correct.
How does James explain the addition of two qualifications to the definition of complaining: 1) circumstances that are not wrong, and 2) circumstances about which I am doing nothing? Why are these qualifications important?
In what senses does a persistent attitude of complaining equal wilderness living no matter what our actual circumstances?
What characteristics put complaining into the sin category?
What kind of complaining does this chapter describe as the worst kind of complaints?
#5—How God Responds to Complaining (see pp. 44–45):
How did complaints affect God (see Numbers 11:1)?
What did God do as a result?
How should that response affect our view of God today?
How does the laundry room story help you identify with God’s response to complaints (p. 46)?
#6—The Principle of Replacement: Matthew 12:43–45
How would you state in your own words Jesus’ point about cleaning out but not filling up in this passage?
Which of the three questions on p. 50 presented the hardest challenge for you in the area of complaining?
LOOK UP! (pp. 51–52)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next Assignment:
Read Chapter 2 of Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late
LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE
Before It’s Too Late!
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 2
...WITH A THANKFUL ATTITUDE
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will focus on deliberate expressions of thanksgiving in those areas where they are habitual complainers.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Thankfulness is the attitude that perfectly displaces my sinful tendency to complain and thereby releases joy and blessing into my life.
PROMISED LAND ATTITUDE ONE = THANKFULNESS
#1—Key Passage: Luke 17:11–19
Luke (the doctor) alone describes this event. A group of lepers presented Jesus with a class-action request for mercy. He sent them to do what healing required. On the way, they realized they were healed. What happened next is a profound lesson in uncommon gratitude.
Ten were healed; what do we know about the one who turned back to say, “Thanks”?
What does Jesus point out by His response to the man’s gratitude (pp. 55–56)?
What lesson can we take from the man’s response to God’s grace?
#2—God, Our acious Provider (see pp. 56–57)
According to Romans 1:19-21, what do all of us instinctively know about God?
What four negative results followed from humans failing to acknowledge their awareness of God (see Romans 1:21)?
#3—More Than Words (see p. 58)
How can we express gratitude in ways other than words?
Why do you think social scientists are noting connections between thankfulness and people’s mental and physical health?
Based on the definition, gratitude involves actions and words that “show that a kindness received is valued,” how did you do on the gratitude test (pp. 60–61)?
#4—Levels of Gratitude (pp. 62–63):
Describe why and how each of the verses below identifies a level of gratitude we can learn.
Elementary (Hebrews 13:15)
High School (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
Graduate Level (Ephesians 5:18, 20 NKJV)
#5—Three Lessons from Psalm 107:8
Under each of the three “lessons” below, note an area (1) of your life or experience where you’ve discovered that truth. Then record an area (2) where you need to apply that truth more consistently.
Thankfulness is a decision/choice—not could but would (pp. 63–66).
1.
2.
Thankfulness is a decision based on reality (pp. 66–68).
1.
2.
Thankfulness is life-changing (destination & journey-altering decision) (pp. 68–69).
1.
2.
Crucial Insight from this chapter:
The same capacities and skills we use to complain we can use for practicing gratefulness.
#6—Reflect on the Insight above and then answer the following questions:
What skills and capacities do you use each time you complain?
Think of several e
xamples that illustrate how those same skills or capacities could be used to express gratitude.
#7—Review the Let’s Talk Solution section and apply the personal analysis questions to your life (pp. 71–73).
LOOK UP! (p.73)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 3 of Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE
Before It’s Too Late!
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 3
REPLACE A COVETOUS ATTITUDE...
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will identify areas in their lives where coveting has a “blocking” effect and will decide to seek a replacement.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Covetousness, rampant in the Western world and the evangelical church, blocks the flow of God’s fullness in our lives.
WILDERNESS ATTITUDE TWO = COVETING
#1—Key Passage: Read Numbers 11:4–35
Very quickly the miraculous daily manna became the taken-for-granted boring routine.
Who were the original spokespeople for an expanded diet and how did their “movement” spread (verses 4–6)?
H9;sses react to this fresh set of problems (verse 10–15)?
What did God do to deal with a) Moses’ problem, and b) the people’s demands for meat?
Describe at least one significant lesson each of the following individuals/groups learned through these events:
Moses—
Joshua—
Eldad and Medad—
Those who hoarded meat—
#2—The Problem: We’ve met the enemy and he is us.
How do the statistics quoted on pages 78–79 develop of picture of rampant coveting in our society today?
In what specific way does coveting parallel the physical experience of being stranded in a desert wilderness?
#3—Four-Part Definition of Covetousness: (pp. 80–81)
1) Covetousness is wanting wrong things.
Check Exodus 20:17. How does the tenth commandment define basic covetousness?
What are some of the obvious coveting traps in your life?
2) Covetousness is wanting right things for wrong reasons.
What example(s) of this kind of coveting can you identify in your life?
3) Covetousness is wanting right things at the wrong seasons/ time.
What example(s) of this kind of coveting can you identify in your life?
4) Covetousness is wanting right things in the wrong amount.
What example(s) of this kind of coveting can you identify in your life?
What do these four expressions of coveting have in common that characterizes this wilderness-living mentality?
#4—Bible Study in Three Acts
PRELUDE — Acknowledging the Problem
Why is it so difficult to acknowledge coveting?
ACT 1 — Numbers 11:4–10 (pp. 82–87) Yielding to covetousness and why God hates it
How does the term “yielding” help us understand the difference between awareness of desire and acting on desire?
What does covetousness express about God?
ACT 2 — Numbers 11:16–20 (pp. 87–91) A gift from God you don’t want
How does Psalm 106:15 explain God’s answer to the people’s demand for meat?
Respond to this caution: Beware of begging God for nonessentials. In time you may hate what you had to have.
ACT 3 — Numbers 11:31–35 (pp. 92–96) Consequences of Covetousness
How does covetousness destroy the concept of “enough”?
What are the telltale signs of cactus country?
#5—Solution
Reread each of the probing questions on pages 96–97. What personal decisions were provoked by those questions?
LOOK UP! (pp. 97 – 98)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment
Read Chapter 4 of Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE
Before It’s Too Late!
Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
PROMISED-LAND ORIENTED LIVING = PRAISE:
A Holy Harmony of Healthy Attitudes
WILDERNESS-ORIENTED LIVING = MURMURING:
A Demonic Dissonance of Bad Attitudes
Chapter 4
...WITH AN ATTITUDE OF CONTENTMENT.
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will practice contentment in several new areas of life.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
A consistent attitude of contentment can bring lasting joy and lead you out of the wilderness of covetousness.
PROMISED-LAND ATTITUDE TWO = CONTENTMENT
#1—Key Passage: 1 Timothy 6:6–10
What points does this passage make about contentment?
Put the following definition from the book into your own words.
Contentment is satisfaction with God’s provision. It means resting in what one already has and seeking nothing more.
Contentment is a settled sense of adequacy.
#2—Contentment’s Partner (pp. 101–102)
Why must we never be content with who we are; only with what we have?
In what sense is a desire for godliness the ideal partner for contentment?
#3—Spiritual Equation (p. 102)
Why can we be confident that the following spiritual formula provides the antidote to coveting:
Godliness + Contentment = Great Gain
#4—False Formulas (pp. 104–106)
Consider each of the following popular formulas for living.
Godliness + Prosperity = Great Gain—Not
Why can’t prosperity substitute for contentment in our lives?
Godliness + Poverty = Great Gain—Not
How does poverty fail as an adequate defense against covetousness?
Godliness + Power or Influence = Great Gain—Not
Although control of circumstances and people seems to offer an effective strategy for living, why does it fail miserably?
Godliness + Family Harmony = Great Gain—Not
What shortcomings disqualify the perfect family as a source for a “great gain” life?
Godliness + Ministry Success = Great Gain—Not
Like the previous successes (wealth, influence, family), how does even ministry success fall short of replacing contentment in life’s formula?
#5—Practicing Contentment (1 Timothy 6:7–10)
STEP ONE : Look to Eternity (verse 7)
How do we see the unseen when there are so many visual distractions?
STEP TWO : Let Enough Be Enough (verse 8)
What is your definition of “enough”?
How would you describe your present “room and board”
STEP THREE : Learn By Example (verse 9–10)
Who is your most powerful example of someone who knows and lives by the principle of “enough is enough”?
How do the thoughts on pages 109–112 help you understand better the phrase, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil”?
#6—Let’s Talk Solution (pp. 113–114)
What are you seeking?
What are you saying?
What have you settled?
How did you respond to the three examination questions on pp. 114–116 ?
LOOK UP! (p. 116)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 5 of Lord, Change My Attitude Before It’s Too Late.
LORD, CHANGE MY ATTITUDE
Before It’s Too Late!
se who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.
Chapter 5
Replace a Crit
ical Attitude . . .
Objective : As a result of this lesson, participants will identify the presence and effects of critical attitudes in their lives.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
A continuous critical attitude toward those around me will consume all that is healthy and joy-producing in my life.
WILDERNESS ATTITUDE THREE = CRITICISM
#1—Key Passage: Numbers 12:1–12
This passage illustrates a significant point. Complaining relates to situations; criticism relates to people. Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good. Despite all they had accomplished as a team, Miriam and Aaron began to take Moses to task about his life.
What were Miriam and Aaron’s two criticisms against Moses?
At what point did they get in trouble? What did God do?
Describe Moses’ responses while others were criticizing him.
#2—Defining Criticism
Criticism is dwelling upon the perceived faults of another with no view to their good.
How does this definition capture the “double blows” of pain caused by criticism?
In what situations have you experienced the destructiveness of criticism?
What tends to bring out a critical attitude in you?
#3—Bible Study Application
PRINCIPLE ONE : Criticism is wrong—why? (pp. 127–131)
—it ruins our fellowship with God.
—it hurts us.
—it destroys our fellowship with others.
How do the results of Miriam and Aaron’s critical attitude illustrate the above three sub-points?
PRINCIPLE TWO : Criticism is petty—why? It camouflages three deeper problems. (pp. 131–134)
—a blend of unforgiveness.
—envy, jealousy, or resentment.
—personal failure.
How did Miriam and Aaron exhibit each of these problems as they criticized their younger brother?
PRINCIPLE THREE: Criticism is self-exalting (p. 134).
In what ways does criticism create a subtle elevation of the one making the criticism?
PRINCIPLE FOUR : Criticism is painful (pp. 134–136).
What would happen if we applied every critical statement we are about to make to ourselves before we applied it to anyone else’s life?
PRINCIPLE FIVE : Criticism is often inadvertent (p. 136).
How do you keep from making thoughtless comments?