The tools God uses to change us

The first tool God uses in changing us is the Bible. Through Scripture he teaches us how to live. Second Timothy 3:16 – 17 tells us, “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point” (LB).

Has the Bible transformed your life? I heard about a converted cannibal on an island in the South Seas who was sitting by a large pot reading his Bible when an anthropologist wearing a pith helmet approached him and asked, “What are you doing?”

The native replied, “I’m reading the Bible.”

The anthropologist scoffed and said, “Don’t you know that modern, civilized man has rejected that book? It’s nothing but a pack of lies. You shouldn’t waste your time reading it.”

The cannibal looked him over from head to toe and slowly replied, “Sir, if it weren’t for this book, you’d be in that pot!” The Word of God had changed his life — and his appetite.

If you are serious about changing your life, you are going to have to get into the Bible. You need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it.

When people tell me their faith is weak, I ask them, “Are you reading your Bible regularly?”

“Not really.”

“Are you studying the Bible?”

“Well, not exactly.”

“Are you memorizing Scripture?”

“No.”

“Well then, how do you expect your faith to grow?”

The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17 NKJV).

Rick Warren, God’s Power to Change Your Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

We have just released a new Bible study on based on Rick Warren’s book God’s Power to Change Your Life

These lessons are available on Amazon, as well as a part of my Good Questions Have Groups Talking Subscription Service. Like Netflix for Bible Lessons, one low subscription gives you access to all our lessons–thousands of them. For a medium-sized church, lessons are as little as $10 per teacher per year.

Sessions include:

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #1
The Power to Change Your Life

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #2
God’s Part and My Part in Changing Me

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #3
God’s Power to Make You More Loving

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #4
God’s Power to Make You More Joyful

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #5
God’s Power to Give You Peace

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #6
God’s Power to Develop Your Patience

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #7
God’s Power to Develop Your Kindness

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #8
God’s Power to Develop Your Goodness

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #9
God’s Power to Develop Your Faithfulness

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #10
God’s Power to Develop Your Gentleness

God’s Power to Change Your Life, Lesson #11
God’s Power to Develop Your Self-control