God wants us to love Him with ALL of who we are (Matt. 22:37-38). Consequently, all areas of our lives need to be transformed. If we are really teaching for changed lives, we must get beyond change that merely increases knowledge and/or behavioral conformity.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17) Bible teachers have a wonderful opportunity to help students experience that new life in the following ways.
Changed Lives On the Inside and Out
Here’s an acrostic you can use as a reminder of the change God wants to bring in students’ lives.
Character
From worldly, self-centered traits to godly virtues, the fruit of the Spirit (Col. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:3-9; Gal. 5:22-26)
Heart
From an impure, divided heart to a clean, fully-devoted heart (Ps. 51:10; Prov. 4:23; Matt. 22:37; Lk. 6:45; Col. 3:23)
Attitudes
From a proud, self-serving disposition to one of humility and servanthood not entitlement (Phil. 2:3-7; Eph. 4:22-23)
Nature
From the old enslaving sinful human nature to the new Christ-like, Spirit-filled nature (Rom. 7:25; 8:4-13; 13:14; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 2:11-13; Col. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 1:4)
Grace
From impatient, conditional, unforgiving relationships to dispensers of His grace living in community and true fellowship (1 Pet. 4:8-10; Eph. 4:22-32; Col. 3:15-17)
Energy
From too weak and powerless to overcome to strong in the Lord and able to persevere even in suffering and opposition (Isa. 40:30-31; Eph. 6:10-17; 2 Pet. 1:3)
Discernment
From ignorant and foolish to not just knowing the truth but also understanding it and being able to see its implications for life (Rom. 12:2; Heb. 5:14; Col. 1:9-10)
Get the free PDF of the above CHANGED acrostic which you may freely use with your teachers.
Then, after igniting a passion for really teaching for changed lives, train them on how to do that using the Teaching for Changed Lives Workbook.