Video Sessions: 1

Total Time: 2 Hours


Study Topic: 

Building Transformative Faith

Focal Text: Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Objective: 

To provide understanding of the foundations of transformative faith, identify limiting beliefs and behaviors, and identify the strategy required to build transformative faith in our lives.  

Key Words 

Conform

  • Derived from the Greek word summorphoó (soom-mor-fo'-o). 
  • Definition: properly, sharing the same form from embodying the same inner (essential) reality

Transform

  • Derived from the Greek word metamorphoó (met-am-or-fo'-o). 
  • Definition: change after being with; properly, transformed after being with

Renew

  • Derived from the Greek word ananeoó (an-an-neh-o'-o).
  • Definition: Completing a process; properly, going up to a higher stage (level of sanctification) by God's power

Could You Imagine: Scenarios

Scenario #1: Could you imagine if your kids [or nieces + nephews] whom you carried, birthed, and loved walked around your house, eating up your food, where they don’t pay naan bill, without speaking or acknowledging you. Then when they do speak or acknowledge you it’s because they want something. You give them everything they need in the house that they reside in, remember. They want some v-bucks for some fortnite skins sis but walking around ignoring your existence… could you imagine? Are you giving them the v-bucks money? 

Scenario #2: Could you imagine giving an 18 month old toddler scissors, a steak knife, or letting them swim in the tub or pool by themselves? The scissors, steak knife, and the water [tub or pool] are not inherently bad, right? Why would this not be acceptable? 

Scenario #3: Could you imagine being in a relationship with bae, right. He says he loves you. He wants to spend the rest of his life with you. But he only sends you quick little texts in the morning where y’all chat for maybe 5-10 minutes. Sometimes though he don’t even text back all day. He also only spends time with you in group settings once a week for about 2 hours. At the group get togethers he is being super lovey dovey, singing songs he done made about you. I mean he is even giving you tears…it is amazing. But come the next day,  he making  plans and not  showing up. He ghost you like Nahtan did Issa on Insecure.  He somehow finds time to do everything else. When you ask him why his words and his actions ain’t adding up…he makes excuses and says you're nagging and trying to pressure him. 



Reflection: The Disconnect

What barriers have you identified that are causing a disconnect in your faith and relationship with God? What practical boundaries can you put in place to address these barriers? 

 


 3 Keys Of Spiritual Warfare

  •  Spiritual warfare is happening whether or not you participate in the fight. 
  •  The enemy is your adversary, not your annoyance.
  •  You have to stop bringing feelings to a faith fight. 


The Enemy’s Advantage: Apathy 

Apathy is a spiritual warfare tactic of the enemy. By definition apathy is lack of feeling or emotion. It is also defined as lack of interest or concern. Basically, apathy is the feeling of  “meh”.  Have you experienced spiritual apathy? How has this impacted your faith? Take the opportunity to sit with God and ask Him to reveal how the enemy is using this tactic in your life. ​

Then, pray and ask the Lord to place a burning desire for Him and His word on the inside of you. He will give it to you, if you have faith because it is His will for our lives to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). 


Reflection

​Has there been a time when you felt a ‘nudge’ from God to do or not do something, but you made a decision opposite of His instruction? How did the situation turn out? What lessons did you learn from following the guidance of the Holy Spirit?


Sometimes sis, it's your decisions not the devil. - Dr. Sharla


Divine Discipline

Remember: Divine discipline consists of consecration, commitment, and consistency. 

God’s word says that He disciplines those whom He loves. Do not look at correction as God being mean, but instead as a loving reminder that He loves you and wants the best for you and your life. 

Study Hebrews 12:7-9 and write down any revelation that you receive from God regarding divine discipline.  


As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? (Hebrews 12:7-9 NLT)


The WORK Required

Our faith requires us to live a life of: 

  • Worship
  • Obedience
  • Righteousness
  • Kingdom Building

Transforative Faith Requires WORK

Belief alone is not enough. The demons know who Jesus is and have to respond to His divine authority. It’s the difference between knowing of someone and actually knowing and having a personal relationship with them. The real evidence  comes when you submit your life to Christ which is evident by your actions because of the reverence and love you have for God.


So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? (James 2:17-20 NLT)