What Change Does God Expect of Me?

Is it reasonable to expect or want people to change for the better?

Do you find it difficult to confront someone you love who needs to change their behavior? Why do you think this is?

Is encouraging someone to be a better person an act of love or control? How?

Is it realistic to ask someone to show love to you without their heartfelt advice or correction for your life? Why or why not?

How should we view God’s command for change in our lives? Is this an act of love or dictatorship? Are God’s commands reasonable?

Why do you think people choose not to change after seeing their flaws?

What is it about our society that makes addressing change and conflict so difficult?

What can we do to face these difficulties? What does God promise if we address these things?

James 1:22-25 explains that we should use the word of God as a mirror for an accurate understanding of who we are. Read the following passages and describe how you see your life, after reflecting upon God’s words: Genesis 1:27 & 31, Romans 3:23 & 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-5, I Corinthians 6:20 and Ephesians 2:10.

Change can be difficult. Just like exercise is painful at the moment, but makes your body stronger, the difficult and sometimes painful commands from God are meant to build us up and make us stronger. What is an example from your life, whether physically or spiritually, where you experienced something painful but grew stronger because of it?