Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late
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What do you do when you realize you’ve just made a thoughtless comment?
PRINCIPLE SIX:Criticism plugs the flow of God’s blessing (pp. 136–137).
If criticism given or received blocks our relationship with God, what must we do to resolve the problem?
#4—Let’s Talk Solution (p. 139)
Based on the first evaluation question, in what areas are you most prone to practice a critical attitude?
How has your relationship with God been affected by criticism?
What moments of repentance have you experienced in the past?
As a result of this session, in what relationships do you realize you need to repent of a critical attitude? How will you do that?
K UP! (p. 140)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment
Read Chapter 6 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 6
. . . WITH AN ATTITUDE OF LOVE.
Objective : As a result of this lesson, participants will seek to substitute the practice of love in situations where they habitually criticize.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
The only attitude big enough to replace a critical attitude is an attitude of love.
PROMISED-LAND ATTITUDE THREE = LOVE
#1—Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1–8a
The apostle Paul interrupted a major section in his letter to the Corinthians where he was detailing the logistics of life together (Chapters 11–14). He inserted an emphatic parenthesis in chapter 13 to point out that every aspect of spiritual life must be permeated with genuine love or it will have little value.
Given what you know about the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians, why is the placement of this love chapter so important?
Of the three primary words for “love” in Greek, which one does Paul use in this chapter? Why?
#2—When Love Is Missing (pp. 146–149)
Before Paul describes love in these verses, he notes three impressive areas of “spiritual achievement” which he concludes are meaningless without love. What are these areas and how does the absence of love affect them?
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1—
2. 1 Corinthians 13:2—
3. 1 Corinthians 13:3—
How are each of these areas transformed when they are saturated with love?
#3—The Paradigm Shift (pp. 149–150)
Why is there a natural tension between practicing truth and practicing love?
How does MacDonald describe the usual way people try to handle both truth and love in their relationships?
Summarize the paradigm shift involved in truthful loving (see p. 150)?
In what ways would the three guidelines for loving action (p. 150) help you in a present relationship?
How do you see the difference between majors and minors (pp. 151–156)?
What “minors” tend to rear their ugly heads when you examine your critical reactions?
What have you learned in this chapter about handling minors?
Which of love’s sixteen or so traits in this passage do you most desire in greater quantity in your life?
#4—Big Enough!
The “Say It in a Sentence” feature for this chapter is, “The only attitude big enough to replace a critical attitude is an attitude of love.” Based on what you have learned in this chapter, why is this true?
#5—Let’s Talk Solution (p. 163)
What specific personal changes would make it easier for you to be able to answer that question, “Am I a loving person”?
List at least five benefits of love that are part of your life right now.
How will you remember to let love overrule in areas and relationships where criticism has become a habit?
LOOK UP! (p. 164)
Use or adapt this prayeras you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment
Read Chapter 7 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 7:
REPLACE A DOUBTING ATTITUDE . . .
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will learn how much the habit of doubt undermines their faith.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Those who make doubting their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness!
WILDERNESS ATTITUDE FOUR = DOUBTING
#1—Key Passage: Numbers 13:1–14:11
What begins as an exciting recon mission by handpicked men from Israel rapidly turns into defeat “before the first shot is fired!” A virus of doubt infected ten of the twelve spies and made them more eloquent spokesmen for the power of the enemy than for the power of God.
What do you think the atmosphere was like back in the camp of Israel while the spies were carrying out their mission?
Look again at the assignment given to the spies by Moses (Numbers 13:17–20). In what way did they miserably fail their mission?
#2—Defining Doubt? A lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises.
Note at least one example from you own life or an acquaintance’s that illustrates this definition.
Of the four wilderness attitudes we’ve examined so far (complaining, coveting, criticizing, and doubting), which presents the greatest difficulty for you? Why?
#3—Irrevocable Promises (p. 168)
Besides the three major promises from God described in this section, what other promises of God immediately come to mind?
#4—How God Destroys Doubt (pp. 169–184)
PRINCIPLE ONE : God places regular tests of faith before His children.
—meant to bring about success, not failure.
—when the bucket is bumped, what’s inside spills out.
How do you respond to the claim that tests ultimately help us clarify what we actually know beyond what we casually think we know (see Deuteronomy 1:20–32)?
In what sense is faith the defining core of the Christian life?
PRINCIPLE TWO : The circumstances of life will either shrink or stretch your faith.
—people can see the same thing and come to opposite conclusions (p. 173).
—story of Landon.
Why is it crucial to remember that Christians face all the same setbacks and disasters in life that non-believers experience? If life’s blows aren’t going to be all that different, why be a Christian?
PRINCIPLE THREE: Doubts sees obstacles; faith sees opportunities.
—the facts of life
The majority committee (ten spies) and the minority committee (two spies) had the same collection of evidence upon which to base their response. Why did Caleb and Joshua urge the people to take the land?
PRINCIPLE FOUR: When surrounded by doubters, doubting comes easy (p. 180).
Doubting is contagious—Doubts love company!
Doubting is passive.
Doubting satisfies our tendency toward self-protection.
Doubters are easier to find than friends in faith.
Illustrate each of the points above from this lesson’s key scripture passage.
PRINCIPLE FIVE:It’s a short trip for doubt to despair.
Doubts lead to desperate, bad plans (p. 183).
In what four ways did the people demonstrate their doubt-driven despair by their response to the majority report?
#5—Let’s Talk Solution (p. 185)
Read the three self-examination questions in this section of the chapter, along with the explanation. What do your answers to these questions tell you about your struggle with doubt?
LOOK UP! (p. 186)
Use or adapt this prayer as y
ou apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 8 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 8:
...WITH AN ATTITUDE OF FAITH.
Objective : As a result of this lesson, participants will reaffirm the central role of faith in their relationship with God.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Only when faith replaces doubt in the life of a believer can the joy of knowing God become a reality!
PROMISED LAND LIVING ATTITUDE FOUR = FAITH
#1—Key Passage: Hebrews 11
Often called The Great Hall of Faith in Scripture, Hebrews 11 surveys Old Testament history to highlight men and women of outstanding faith. And yet the stunning point of the chapter is the lesson that those examples of faith lived their entire lives “in the dark” about what God would actually do to reward their faith. In comparison, we have the cross and the resurrection to remind us that God’s plans are eternal and dependable.
Whom would you call a personal hero in this chapter? Why?
In what ways does Hebrews 11 challenge, encourage, and clarify your own faith?
#2—Defining Faith (p. 191)
Christian faith is an attitude of trust rooted in the God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and His Scriptures.
How does someone demonstrate faith or trust?
How does God know you trust Him?
#3—What We Learn from Lives of Faith
PRINCIPLE ONE: Faith is substance.
How does MacDonald explain the “substance” aspect of faith?
What can you say about the substance of your faith?
PRINCIPLE TWO: Faith is evidence.
What are the differences between faith in evidence and faith as evidence?
PRINCIPLE THREE: Statement of Faith: Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result.
What role does God’s Word play in your day-to-day faith?
Why is it so hard to get the feelings out of faith?
When have you acted in faith despite the feelings you had?
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Faith is not a part of the Christian Life—it’s the whole thing.
Explain this principle as you understand it.
PRINCIPLE FIVE: How to build your faith—
Cultivate your faith with the Word.
Confess your faith with your mouth.
Corner your faith with trusting action.
How would you prioritize these three steps according to the need to build your faith these days?
What is one area of your life where you can practice “cornering” your faith?
#4—Let’s Talk Solution (pp. 209–210)
Prayerfully read through the three questions in this section of the chapter. As you consider your answers to this probing self-exam, decide what actions you are going to take to follow through on your discoveries.
LOOK UP! (p. 210)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 9 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 9
REPLACE A REBELLIOUS ATTITUDE . . .
Objective: As a result of this lesson, participants will identify strongholds of rebellion in their lives that can be surrendered to Jesus Christ.
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Rebellion against proper authority reveals a deeper rejection of God’s authority, which brings devastating consequences to our lives.
WILDERNESS ATTITUDE FIVE = REBELLION
#1—Key Passage: Numbers 16
Murmuring is like a pot of liquid heating up. Complaints, coveting, criticism, and doubts gradually bubble through a group, gathering energy. Eventually the toxic mixture boils over into an attitude of rebellion. When Korah gathered his fellow murmurers to confront Moses and Aaron, they intended to carry out a coup. The murmuring in God’s sight had reached a boiling point.
When Korah’s group stated their case, what arguments did they use to challenge Moses and Aaron’s authority?
How did Moses respond?
What line did Korah use that Moses gave back to him (vs. 3, 7)?
After God dealt with Korah and his team, how did the people respond (verse 41–50)?
What wilderness attitude did the people fall back into despite God’s swift punishment of Korah’s rebels?
#2—Defining rebellion:
Rebellion involves knowing what God wants me to do and refusing to do it.
Complete the following two sentences.
Most Christians know that God wants them to ____________ but refuse to do it.
I know that God wants me to _______________ but I refuse to do it.
Which of the four other wilderness attitudes (complaints, coveting, criticism, and doubt) tend to contribute most when rebellion is an issue in your relationship with God?
#3—Bible Study Application
PRINCIPLE ONE : Rebellion is serious (pp. 214–217).
How does this section combine Korah’s story with the teaching of Romans 13 to bring the issue of rebellion into everyday settings?
PRINCIPLE TWO : Rebellion exists in every human heart (pp. 217–219).
In what ways is rebelliousness a universal problem for us?
PRINCIPLE THREE: Rebellion has many sources (pp. 219–222)
How do the following sources express aspects of the four other wilderness attitudes that lead to rebellion?
Jealousy—
Delusions—
Ungratefulness—
Stubbornness—
Disappointments—
Distrust—
PRINCIPLE FOUR : Rebellion has many consequences (pp. 226–230).
As you review each of the sections des (comp, note an example from your life that illustrates the point.
Leadership withdrawal—
Innocent people are injured—
Guilty will be condemned—
The infection spreads—
PRINCIPLE FIVE : Rebellion is ultimately against God (p. 231).
Which of the personal examples you just listed above do you now realize may have resulted from rebellion against God?
#4—Let’s Talk Solution (pp. 231–232)
The people who backed up Korah refused to recognize the three issues in this self-exam. Before you review the questions and your answers, ask God for the wisdom and courage to respond in truth.
LOOK UP! (p. 233)
Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.
Next assignment:
Read Chapter 10 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.
Review:
PROMISED-LAND ORIENTED ATTITUDE = PRAISE/WORSHIP: A Holy Harmony of Healthy Attitudes
WILDERNESS-ORIENTED ATTITUDE = MURMURING: A Demonic Dissonance of Bad Attitudes
Chapter 10
. . . WITH AN ATTITUDE OF SUBMISSION
SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:
Submission, when properly understood and applied, replaces the pain and strife of rebellion and greatly increases human happiness.
PROMISED LAND ATTITUDE FIVE = SUBMISSION
#1—Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:13–25
The average person who heard Peter’s letter read during the First Century was probably a slave. His or her human bondage was often twofold. They were not only someone’s possession, they were also part of a conquere
d people. Rome ruled the world. The empire did not exercise her authority gently. Peter’s audience was at least as resistant to the idea of submission as we are today.
Based on this passage, what kinds of people did Peter have in mind as he wrote?
What areas of submission did he include?
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Why is submission a difficult subject to discuss and a hard attitude to practice?
#2—Defining Submission: Any time we chose not to complain, covet, criticize, doubt or rebel, we are practicing submission.
If rebellion is at the heart of murmuring in Wilderness living, why is submission at the heart of praise and worship that characterizes Promised Land living?
#3—The Target of Submission: Submission is for everyone (Romans 13:1; Ephesians 5:21)
According to these passages, who are the candidates for submission?
How do these two passages shed light for you on the significance of submission?
#4—Bible Study Application
PRINCIPLE ONE : Submission is duty to God (pp. 236–239).
Why is it crucial that we understand submission as ultimately part of our response to God rather than simply part of our role in human relationships?
How does the Bible teach healthy rather than unhealthy forms of submission?
PRINCIPLE TWO: Submission is protection by God (pp. 239–242).
Explain the phrase “Do right and silence the ignorance of foolish men” in the context of submission.
How does 1 Peter 5:5–7 point out the value of submission?
PRIlaiLE THREE: Submission has limits under God (pp. 243–248).
How does the key passage (1 Peter 2:13–25) include a standard for determining the limits of submission?
MacDonald includes three guidelines and two significant notes to deal with limits of submission. What are they?
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Submission Is Favor from God (pp. 248–249)
What does it mean to have favor with God?
On the things which you desire from God, how high do you list having favor with Him?
PRINCIPLE FIVE: Submission Is Intimacy with God (pp. 249–250)
Why and how can submission (at times a difficult undertaking) lead to intimacy with God?
In what ways have you found this principle true personally?
#5—Let’s talk solution
Prayerfully read again the three probing questions in this section. Remember that how you answer them will ultimately affect your application of all the other principles in this book. How did you answer each question?