Changed

Discover the truth about

your new life.
Welcome to Changed...
With your decision to accept Christ as your Savior, you have been forever changed. The old
is gone and the new is here. You are a new creation. During Changed you will explore what
new life in Christ truly means and looks like. You will uncover not only who you are in Christ,
but also what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ. You will explore questions like:
what is the Bible; what is prayer; who is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit; what is the church;
and why is biblical community so important?

Who Is Changed Designed For?

Changed is designed for anyone and everyone. If you are a new believer in Christ, this
experience will help you gain answers to the many questions you may have about being a
fully devoted follower of Christ. It will also help you identify your next steps as you grow in
your faith. This experience is also beneficial for mature believers who want to get back to the
basics of what faith in Christ is and better understand your identity as a follower of Christ.
Having this understanding is vital for accomplishing God’s unique vision for your life and
growing deeper in your faith.

What Is Changed?
Changed consists of six sessions. Each session explores a new topic and features video
teachings by Craig Groeschel, group discussion, personal activities, and stories about others
whose lives have been changed by their relationship with Christ. These resources along with
the Bible references and Next Step suggestions found in this guide will guide you as you begin
to walk through your own life change. There is also a six-week Bible Plan that you can read
along with as you go through Changed. The Changed Bible Plan is available on the Bible App
or at www.go2.lc/changedplan.

What Other Resources Do I Need With Changed?

Whether you're going through Changed by yourself or with a LifeGroup, you can find
everything you need at resources.life.church/products/changed-video-series. Also, search
for and subscribe to the Changed Bible Plan in the Bible App. If you don’t have the Bible App,
visit www.life.church/bible to get yours free.

Should I Work Through Each Session Individually?

That depends on your learning style. Some may choose to work though the sessions one at a
time, allowing a period of prayer and reflection before moving to the next. Others may want
to go at a faster pace. Because some of the sessions are lengthy, you may want to consider
splitting up some of the sessions. No matter how you choose to complete the material, you
will benefit from the results. Just go at the pace that most benefits you and your group.

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Table of Contents

4 Session 1: Who Am I?

7 Session 2: God’s Word

12 Session 3: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

16 Session 4: Prayer

21 Session 5: The Search

25 Session 6: Biblical Community

29 Appendix (Bible Tools and Resources)

31 Answer Key

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Session 1: Who Am I?
Watch the Changed Session 1 video at resources.life.church/products/
changed-video-series. Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes.
The fill-in-the-blank answer key is located in the back of this guide.

Because you decided to follow Christ, you have been Changed.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone,
the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Talk It Over
Share how you came to accept Christ as your Savior. What made you decide it
was time to accept Christ?

Being Changed by Christ means understanding who you really are in Him.

You are His _________________.

What Is a Disciple?
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his
tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So
Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9 NLT

mathetes (math-ay-tes’); a learner, pupil, disciple, _____________________.

Jesus asked us to live how He lived, love how He loved, and do what He did.

Who Do You Think You Are?

• You are a __________________—follower of Jesus Christ!

Who Are You in Christ:

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. My life is not my own. I’ve been bought with a
price. I belong to Him. I will live like He lived. I will love like He loved. I will do
what He did. I am His disciple. When you know who you are, you will know
what to do.

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As a disciple of Christ you will:

1. Find a need and meet it.

2. Find a hurt and heal it.
3. Do a whole bunch of other things that Jesus asks you to do that won’t fit
neatly into a point on a page.

Talk It Over
How do you see yourself as a disciple of Christ?

Why Is Baptism Important?

Baptism is an important spiritual discipline and commitment we make when we
become a fully devoted follower of Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

The Meaning of Baptism

1. It’s your public testimony of being a follower of Jesus.
“And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of
Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies
Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
Luke 12:8-9 NASB

2. It symbolizes your old life has been buried and your sins are washed away.
3. It symbolizes your being raised to walk in the newness of life with Christ.
You now represent Christ in all you do.
When you’re baptized, you tap into the special work of the Holy Spirit of God.
You’re publicly saying, “My old life is gone, and now Christ dwells within me. I
now belong to Him, and I’m a follower of Christ.”

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My New Life in Christ
To better understand your new life in Christ, take a moment to reflect back
upon what your life was like before you knew Him as your Savior. In the space
below, write a few sentences describing what your life was then.

Now write a brief description of how your life has changed as a result of
knowing Christ.

Talk It Over
How has your new life in Christ changed you?

Next Steps
Plan to take these next steps on your path to becoming a fully devoted follower
of Christ.

1. Start the Changed Bible Plan at www.go2.lc/changedplan and learn from

the Bible what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

2. Start the What’s Next? Bible Plan at www.go2.lc/whatsnextplan to guide

you toward the next steps in your walk with Christ.

3. If you haven’t yet, take your next step and get baptized. Check with your
local church staff to find out when baptisms will next occur.

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Session 2: God’s Word
Watch the Changed Session 2 video at resources.life.church/products/changed.
Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes. The fill-in-the-blank
answer key is located in the back of this guide.

Talk It Over
What’s one of your most favorite books? How has this book impacted you?

Being Changed means ____________ and ____________ His Word regularly.

Where Did the Bible Come From?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 NIV

Historical Timeline of The Bible

1400 - 1500 BC: God wrote the 10 Commandments on stone in ancient
Hebrew.

500 BC: The 39 books that make up the Old Testament were completed
and preserved in Hebrew on scrolls.

First Century AD: The New Testament had been completed and was
preserved in Greek on papyrus.

393 AD: Synod of Hippo officially approved the New Testament for the
entire Church.
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in
him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV

500 AD: The Bible had been translated into more than 500 languages.

600 AD: The Bible was restricted to only Latin. All other versions were
considered illegal.

400-1400 AD: Known as the “Dark Ages.”

Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12 NIV

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 500s - 1300s: A secret Bible society made up of the “Culdees” continued
to study God’s word.

1380: John Wycliffe (often called the “Morningstar of the Reformation”)

translated the Bible into English.

1415: John Hus was burned at the stake for his stance for the Bible.
Wycliffe’s Bibles were used to start the fire.

1517: Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses on the door of the church
in Wittenberg.

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 NIV

1526: William Tyndale printed the first English Bible.

1536: Tyndale was incarcerated before he was strangled and burned at the
stake. Before dying, Tyndale prayed, “Oh Lord, open the King of England’s
eyes.”

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 NIV

1539: King Henry VIII finally allowed (and even funded) the printing of an
English Bible.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Talk It Over
How do the facts you’ve just learned make you feel about the Bible?

How do we know the Bible is God’s Word?

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Facts About the Bible
The Bible is the best-selling book in the history of the world.
The Bible is the most shoplifted book in the history of the world.
The Bible contains 66 books.
The Bible contains 773,692 words.
It would take the average person about 70 hours to read the Bible aloud.
The Bible was written by politicians, statesmen, farmers, shepherds, peasants,
musicians, poets, and tax collectors.
The Bible was written in the wilderness (Moses), in a dungeon (Jeremiah), while
traveling (Luke), in prison (Paul), and while in exile on the Isle of
Patmos (John).
The Bible was written in 13 different countries on three different continents:
Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The Bible was written in three different languages: Hebrew, Greek,
and Aramaic.
The Bible was written over a span of 1,500 years.
The Bible has amazing accuracy and consistency when it comes to the
message about the character and nature of God, and His redemptive plan for
mankind.
Some of the topics addressed in the Bible include marriage, divorce,
re-marriage, adultery, sex, lust, greed, guilt, materialism, generosity, healing,
hope, forgiveness, parenting, prayer, friendship, pride, obedience, heaven,
hell, lying, murder, suicide, rape, fears, doubt, miracles, love, hate, money,
criticism, creation, government, submission, rebellion, peace, leadership,
comparisons, joy, discontentment, sacrifice, delayed gratification, patience,
faithfulness, enjoying life, self-control, disasters, injustices, demons, angels,
discipleship, disciplines, fasting, honor, mercy, caring for the poor, handling
wealth, and family.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

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Is the Bible Reliable?
1. The _________________ Test
Do the writers of the Bible claim their writings are true?
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of
his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 NIV 84
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalm 119:89 NIV 84

2. The __________________ Test

What does outside evidence say about the Bible?

“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever
controverted a biblical reference.” — Nelson Glueck
As for God, his way is perfect: the LORD’s word is flawless...
Psalm 18:30 NIV

3. The ____________________________ Test

How well were the original documents translated to today?

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures
forever. Isaiah 40:8 NIV

Talk It Over
Why do you think it is so important that we have a good understanding of the
history and reliability of the Bible?

Being Changed by the Bible

God calls us to ________________ the Bible and to be ___________________
by the Bible.

Master the text:

Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands
and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your
fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3 NLT

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Be mastered by the text:
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The
man who says ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and
the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made
complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in
him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV 84

Talk It Over
What steps do you need to take in order to master God’s Word and be
mastered by it?

Getting Started
The Bible is a living, breathing document of God’s Word, which is why it’s vital
we spend time reading it daily. Because there are so many topics the Bible
addresses within its pages, it can be difficult to decide which parts of the Bible
to read. In the spaces below, write down five topics or people that you would
like to explore in the Bible.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

How Do I Study the Bible?

To learn more about different resources that will help you learn how to study
the Bible, refer to the Appendix in the back of this guide.

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Next Steps
Consider taking these next steps this week to help you learn more about the
Bible and how you can be Changed by it.

1. Continue reading the Changed Bible Plan. This week’s reading will feature
Scriptures related to the power of God’s Word.

2. Explore the various Bible Plans that are available at

www.bible.com/reading-plans. You will find a variety of options including
chronological plans, topical plans, and devotionals. There are also several
plans that will allow you to read the entire Bible or portions of the Bible
within a year. Refer to your list of topics and people you listed earlier and
see if there are any plans that might help you explore them further.

3. Watch the Twisted series at www.life.church/watch/twisted. This series

highlights the importance of keeping Bible verses in context.

4. Refer to the Appendix for more information about different resources that
will help you dig deeper into studying God’s Word.

Session 3: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

Watch the Changed Session 3 video at resources.life.church/products/changed.
Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes. The fill-in-the-blank
answer key is located in the back of this guide.

Talk It Over
How would you describe what God means to you?

Being Changed means understanding who ___________, _______________, and

____________________ are and how they interact in your life.

Who Is God?

• God is _________________.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all
the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 NIV 84

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name…’” Matthew 6:9 NIV

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God is...
1. A __________________ Father.

...(God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of
sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example
for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16 NIV 84

2. A _______________________ Father.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in

accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all
wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV 84

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and
remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 NIV

3. An ___________________________ Father.

...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him
and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV

Talk It Over
In what ways have you experienced God as a father?

Who Is Jesus?
Immanuel means “God with us.”

The Virgin _____________.

• Immanuel entered the world through a “no entry.”

The Empty _____________.

• Immanuel exited the world through a “no exit.”

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Jesus is God with us.

1. Immanuel comforts the _________________.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
troubles... 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be
comforted over Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13 NIV

2. Immanuel afflicts the ____________________.

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not
come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 NIV
God is Immanuel and because He is a good God, He left heaven, came to earth,
was born of a virgin, lived without sin, died the most horrible death imaginable,
but He didn’t stay dead. He’s back! And He’s here. And He is real.

Talk It Over
In what ways have you experienced Jesus being with you?

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the
deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2 NIV

ruwach (roo’-akh); wind; breath, a violent exhalation; blast of breath.

pneuma (pnyoo’-mah); a current of air, blast of breath, a strong breeze;

or spirit.

Fruits of the Spirit

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness,
Faithfulness, Self-control

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you
forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither
sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be
in you. John 14:16-17 NIV 84

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Counselor: parakletos (par-ak’-lay-tos); an intercessor, conselor, advocate,
comforter, helper.

The Holy Spirit will...

1. _________________ you.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you forever. John 14:16 KJV

2. __________________ you.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. ...
John 16:13 NIV

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice
behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

3. __________________ you.

When [the Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin
and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8 NIV 84

Talk It Over
Why is having the Holy Spirit being active in our lives such an important part of
our walk with Christ?

Who Is God to You?

Now that you have a better understanding of who God, Jesus, and The Holy
Spirit are and how each of them uniquely interacts in your life, take a few
moments to write in your own words what they mean to you and how you have
seen them interact in your life.

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Next Steps
Consider taking these next steps this week that will help you learn more about
who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and how they interact in our lives.

1. Continue reading the Changed Bible Plan. This week’s reading will feature
Scriptures about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are.

2. To learn more about who Jesus is, watch the four-part I am Jesus series
at www.life.church/watch/i-am-jesus. To learn more about the Holy Spirit,
watch the four-part sermon series Ghost at
www.life.church/watch/ghost.

3. If you want to dive deeper into learning about the Holy Spirit, consider
reading Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of The Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan. Not only does this book offer a detailed understanding
about the Holy Spirit, but it also teaches how to embrace and follow the
Holy Spirit’s direction.

Session 4: Prayer
Watch the Changed Session 4 video at resources.life.church/products/changed.
Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes. The fill-in-the-blank
answer key is located in the back of this guide.

Talk It Over
Why is communication such a vital part of growing any relationship?

Being ___________ means you ___________ with God through _________.

What Is Prayer?
• Prayer is ______________________ with God.
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my
King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3
NIV 84

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Talk It Over
In what ways do you best communicate with God?

How Should We Talk to God?

1. With gut-level ___________________.
Moses returned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you brought
trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to
Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people,
and you have not rescued your people at all.” Exodus 5:22-23 NIV 84
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by
men... And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they
think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matthew 6:5, 7 NIV 84

2. About _______________________ that matters to you.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV 84

Unique Prayers From the Bible

Zacharias prayed for a son.
Solomon asked God for wisdom.
Moses and Samson both asked God for water.
Daniel asked God to help him understand his dream.
Gideon asked God for a sign.
Abraham asked God for a wife for his son Isaac.
David prayed for forgiveness after sinning with Bathsheba.
Elijah prayed it wouldn’t rain.
Paul prayed about something that bothered him.
The disciples prayed for boldness.
Jesus prayed that His disciples would become united as one.

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 3. __________________________.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this
is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV 84

P_________

U_________

S__________________

H________________

As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah
was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not
heard... 1 Samuel 1:12-13 NIV

4. And _______________ for His response.

...And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled
his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. ...
1 Kings 19:12-13 NIV

Talk It Over
How would you describe your prayer life currently? Are there any changes you
want to make in your communication with God?

The Lord’s Prayer

If you are unsure about what to pray, start with the example Jesus gave us by
following The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13.
“This, then is how you should pray: ‘Our father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give
us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV 84

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The Lord’s Prayer teaches us five things to seek in prayer.

1. Seek God’s _____________________ with a worshipful heart.

2. Seek God’s _____________________ over your own.

3. Seek God’s _____________________ for your daily needs.

4. Seek God’s _____________________ for your sins.

5. Seek God’s _____________________ to overcome temptation.

What Do I Want to Talk to God About?

If prayer is not a part of your daily life, then it can take some time to begin
feeling comfortable enough to pray or to even know what to pray about. You
can jump-start your prayer life by identifying ahead of time things you want to
talk to God about.
In the spaces below, write down five things you want to talk to God about.
These can be anything, including things you want to ask God for, things you
need His help with, or people you want to pray for.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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It’s easy to make our prayers all about us. Instead, use your time to grow your
relationship with God. Now, write down five God-focused things you want to
tell Him. It can be anything, including how much you love Him, gratitude for
what He has done in your life, or simply praising Him for who He is.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Next Steps
This week, consider taking these next steps to help you develop a healthy
prayer life so you can more effectively communicate with God and grow your
relationship with Him.

1. Continue reading the Changed Bible Plan. This week’s reading features
scriptures related to prayer.
2. Consider using a devotional guide. Many offer you directions on what to
pray each day during your quiet time with God. You can also find several
Bible Plans about prayer on the Bible App at
www.bible.com/reading-plans.
3. Watch the Pray series at www.life.church/watch/pray. This four-part
series teaches how to have and then live out the most important
conversations of our lives.
4. If you are not already doing so, begin spending a few minutes each day
praying to God. If you are unsure about what to pray, consider using The
Lord’s Prayer to get you started. Also, refer to the lists of things you want
to talk to God about in prayer that you completed in this section.

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Session 5: The Church
Watch the Changed Session 5 video at resources.life.church/products/changed.
Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes. The fill-in-the-blank
answer key is located in the back of this guide.

Talk It Over
How would you describe the church?

Being Changed means _________________ and __________________

attending your local church.

What Is the Church?

The church is a group of believers of Jesus Christ who meet together for
His purposes.
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the
midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV
The local church allows us an opportunity to grow closer to God as we worship
Him with music and receive biblical teaching. The local church also allows us to
grow closer to others as we engage in biblical community and serve and meet
the needs of others in our local communities.

How Do We Support the Church?

1. _____________________
2. _____________________

How Do We Serve the Church?

God wants you…

1. To meet needs in your _______________.

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it
is with Christ’s body. We are all many parts of one body, and we all belong to
each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things
well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much
faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you
are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If

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it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the
responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others,
do it gladly. Romans 12:4-8 NLT

Different places you can serve within your church:

• Sing • Lead a small group

• Write small group studies • Prep Team
• Play an instrument • Mentor others
• Write devotionals • Hospitality Team
• Write worship songs • Follow up on prayer needs
• Shoot, edit, act and write scripts • Q & A Team
for videos
• Pray for people
• Lead worship for kids and
• New Believers’ Team
students
• Count offerings
• Set design
• Follow up with first-time
• Lead worship on weekends or
guests
in LifeGroups
• Key in contributions and
• Live video switching
invoices
• Greeter
• Help with baptisms
• Run cameras
• Work with purchase cards
• Usher
• Child dedications
• Photography
• Cook
• Parking lot cart driver
• Minister to teens
• Administration, filing, and
• Manage Facebook accounts
answering phones
• Write curriculum
• Minister to babies, toddlers, and
school-aged kids • Volunteer at Church Online
• Visit sick people in the hospital • Proofread materials
• Host Team • Web developers
• Set up for events • Translate messages
• Experience Team • Volunteer with local partners

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 2. To meet needs in the ______________.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race
and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to
the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 NIV 84

Finding Your Fit

God calls us to use our talents by serving His church. List two of your talents
and describe how you could use these talents to serve the church.

Talent:

How can you use this talent to serve the church?

Talent:

How can you use this talent to serve the church?

Talk It Over
Where do you feel God is calling you to use your talents and passion to meet
the needs of His church?

What Is Tithing?
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the
trees, belongs to the Lord. ... Leviticus 27:30 NIV

tithe: ma` aser (mah-as-ayr’); a ______________.

• On average, Christians give about 2 percent of their income.

• Fewer than 3 percent of Christians tithe.

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Two Kinds of Businesses
1. The ________________ Business
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—
because you are robbing me.” Malachi 3:8-9 NIV 84

rob: qaba` (kaw-bah’); defraud, rob, spoil, _________________.

• If I don’t tithe, I’m __________________ from God.

2. The __________________ Business

“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops…” says the LORD
Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed...” Malachi 3:11-12 NIV

• 90 percent with God’s __________________ is far ___________ than

100 percent without it.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in
my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not
throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that
you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10 NIV 84

Talk It Over
If you are currently tithing, what blessings have you seen as a result of your
tithing? If you are not tithing, what’s keeping you from tithing and what’s your
next step towards tithing?

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Next Steps
Consider taking these next steps this week to help you better understand
the role of the church and how you can use your talents and resources in
the church.

1. Continue reading the Changed Bible Plan. This week’s reading feature
Scriptures related to serving and tithing.
2. If you are not tithing, put God to the test just as He asked in Malachi
3:10 by taking the Three-Month Tithe Challenge. To take the challenge,
simply commit to tithing regularly for three months. If you don’t see God’s
blessings in that time, then stop tithing at the end of the three-month
period, and you can request your money be refunded to you. You can
learn more at your campus or at www.life.church/giving/challenge.
3. Earlier, you identified two of your talents that you could use to serve the
church. This week talk to someone about putting those talents to work.
There are many places within the church where you can serve, such as
kids ministry, student ministry, LifeGroups, hospitality, Host Team, parking
team, music, and administration­—just to name a few.
4. To learn more about Biblical finances, watch the Strapped series at
www.life.church/watch/strapped and the Multiply series at
www.life.church/watch/multiply-2013. To learn more about serving
the church, watch the Behind the Curtain message series at
www.life.church/watch/behind-the-curtain.

Session 6: Biblical Community

Watch the Changed Session 6 video at resources.life.church/products/changed.
Use this discussion guide to follow along and take notes. The fill-in-the-blank
answer key is in the back of this guide.

Talk It Over
Who is a friend that you would describe as being with you heart and soul? What
does that friendship mean to you?

Being Changed means engaging in _____________ ________________.

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What Does Biblical Community Look Like?
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among
them. Matthew 18:20 NLT

LifeGroups are diverse small groups of like-minded people who are drawn
together for a common purpose.

Talk It Over
How would you evaluate the quality of relationships in your life currently?
Which ones are influencing you positively and which ones are not?

• You’ll never do all God wants you to do without the ________________

people around you.
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come,
let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his
father. 1 Samuel 14:1 NIV 84

The right people to help us...

• Navigate ____________________ and ___________________________.
On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the
Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh.
1 Samuel 14:4 NIV 84

• Overcome wavering _________________.

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the
outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our
behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving...” 1 Samuel 14:6 NIV 84

The right people...

• Are with you ________________ and _______________.
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am
with you heart and soul.” 1 Samuel 14:7 NIV 84

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Talk It Over
What steps do you need to take to start building relationships with the right
people who will be with you heart and soul?

Biblical Community Creates...

1. _______________________.
2. __________________ growth.
3. __________________ growth.

Biblical community does not only happen within a LifeGroup. There are also
other forms of biblical community that you might need to consider adding to
your life.

1. Coaching – having someone lead you to own your own growth and
action steps.
2. Mentoring – having another person share their wisdom and experiences
with you to help you develop a particular area of your life.
3. Counseling – having someone help you deal with past issues in your life.
4. Accountability Partner – someone of the same sex that you meet
with regularly who holds you accountable in dealing with any sins or
addictions you struggle with.

What’s Next for Me?

Now that you’ve come to the end of Changed, you may be wondering where
to go from here. It’s important to remember that growing as a fully devoted
follower of Christ is an ongoing process. This learning experience is designed
to help place you on the path that will allow you to foster your own spiritual
growth. Next steps can look very different for each person. Here are a variety
of next steps based upon what you have learned and explored in this series for
you to consider as you move forward.

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 1. Attend The Chazown Experience. During this six-session experience,
you will uncover God’s dream for your life by examining your past
experiences, your spiritual gifts, and your core values. By the end of the
experience, you will write a purpose statement for your life. You can learn
about The Chazown Experience online at www.chazown.com. You can
also go through the experience with your LifeGroup by downloading free
small group study guides and videos at www.chazown.com. Chazown
experiences are also held regularly at Life.Church campuses. Check with
campus staff to see when the next experience will be.
2. Engage in biblical community by regularly attending a LifeGroup.
You can begin your search for a LifeGroup by visiting
www.life.church/lifegroups. You can also visit the LifeGroups area
in the lobby of your campus for more information.
3. If there is an area of your life where you need someone to help you
develop, consider finding a coach or a mentor to guide you. If you are
battling an addiction or pain from your past, consider finding a counselor
to help you. Your campus staff or LifeGroup leaders can help you find a
coach, mentor, or counselor.
4. Begin growing in your faith in Christ by using some of the resources
that are available at resources.life.church. At this website you’ll find
books and study guides that will help you grow spiritually and improve
relationally. The site includes resources related to marriage, parenting,
spiritual growth, Bible studies, sermon series, and small groups.
5. Finish reading the Changed Bible Plan. This week’s plan discusses the
importance of biblical community. Before you finish the Changed Bible
Plan, subscribe to a second plan to help you stay engaged in God’s Word
and daily prayer.

Talk It Over
What next steps are you going to take as you continue to grow as a fully
devoted follower of Christ?

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Appendix: Bible Tools and Resources

Learn More About the History of the Bible

You can learn more about the history of the Bible and how it came to be by
reading the following books:

How We Got the Bible by Dr. John H. Sailhamer -

www.amazon.com/How-Got-Bible-John-Sailhamer/dp/0310203910

The Book: A History of the Bible by Christopher De Hamel -

www.amazon.com/Book-History-Bible-Christopher-Hamel/dp/0714837741

Bible Study Resources

In order to get even more out of reading the Bible, you can use a variety of
resources such as a concordance or a commentary. Concordances allow you
to search for specific topics or words in the Bible. Commentaries offer a more
detailed explanation of the meaning and context of specific Bible verses and
passages. Here are some resources that can help you get started.

www.bible.com - Download the Bible App to read the Bible and free
Bible Plans.

www.churchonline.life.church - Attend Church Online and follow the blog for

biblical help on just about any topic you can imagine.

www.biblex.com - Learn to understand the Bible with friends.

www.blueletterbible.org - Free in-depth study tools like Strong’s

Exhaustive Concordance.

www.youtube.com/thebibleproject Subscribe to the Bible Project YouTube

Channel for video explanations of each book of the Bible.

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Frequently Asked Questions
What Bible version should I use? Life.Church typically teaches from the New
International Version (NIV) version. The New Living Translation (NLT) is also a
version that is easy to understand. Changed features previous teachings that
use older versions of the NIV and NLT.

What extra materials are helpful? Warren Weirsbe’s Bible Exposition and Be
series are helpful. If you’re looking for a Bible, The Life Application Bible is a
great tool for new Bible students. The Daily Bible is great if you’d like to read
through the Bible in a year.

What do I need to know before starting? It’s helpful to choose a consistent time
of day to read. If you miss a day, don’t panic and quit. Satan wants to talk you
out of reading God’s Word. If you aren’t a great reader, you can download daily
Bible readings from iTunes. Search under daily Bible readings to download.
Also, when reading a book of the Bible, it’s helpful to find a study Bible that
offers a short explanation of each book. You’ll want to know who wrote the
book, who it was written to, and why it was written.

Where do I start? You don’t have to read the Bible from beginning to end
on your first time. The Bible consists of 66 books. John’s gospel in the New
Testament is a great place to start. Some enjoy reading one chapter of
Proverbs each day for a month. Spend time learning the New Testament. Once
you understand the basics of the New Testament, you’ll be blessed by the
richness of the Old Testament. Don’t feel overwhelmed. You have the rest of
your life to get to know God through His Word. Start with baby steps. If you
need some extra help, you might read A Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Bible
by Craig Koester or A Beginner’s Guide to Studying the Bible by Rolf Aaseng.

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Answer Key
Session 1: Who Am I
You are His disciple.
mathetes (math-ay- tes’); a learner, pupil, disciple, follower.
You are a disciple—follower of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Session 2: God’s Word

Being Changed means reading and studying His Word regularly.

1. The Internal Test

2. The External Test
3. The Bibliographic Test
God calls us to master the Bible and to be mastered by the Bible.

Session 3: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

Being Changed means understanding who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are
and how they interact in your life.

God is Father.
God is...
1. A patient Father.
2. A forgiving Father.
3. An intimate Father.
The virgin womb.
The empty tomb.

1. Immanuel comforts the afflicted.

2. Immanuel afflicts the comfortable.

The Holy Spirit will...

1. Comfort you.
2. Counsel you.
3. Convict you.

Session 4: Prayer
Being Changed means you connect with God through prayer.

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Prayer is communicating with God.

1. With gut-level honesty.

2. About everything that matters to you.
3. Continually.
Pray
Until
Something
Happens
4. And listen for His response.

1. Seek God’s presence with a worshipful heart.

2. Seek God’s priorities over your own.
3. Seek God’s provision for your daily needs.
4. Seek God’s pardon for your sins.
5. Seek God’s power to overcome temptation.

Session 5: The Church

Being Changed means supporting and regularly attending your local church.

1. Serving
2. Tithing

God wants you...

1. To meet needs in your church.
2. To meet needs in the world.

tithe: ma` aser (mah-as- ayr’); a tenth.

1. The Cursed Business

rob: qaba` (kaw-bah’); defraud, rob, spoil, embezzle.
• If I don’t tithe, I’m embezzling from God.

2. The Blessed Business

• 90 percent with God’s blessing is far more than 100 percent
without it.

Session 6: Biblical Community

Being Changed means engaging in biblical community.

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You’ll never do all God wants you to do without the right people around you.

The right people to help us...

• Navigate obstacles and temptations.
• Overcome wavering faith.

The right people...

• are with you heart and soul.

Biblical community creates...

1. Accountability.
2. Spiritual growth.
3. Relational growth.

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