 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 RSV)  (For every house is built by some one, but the builder of all things is God.) (Hebrews 3:4 RSV)

QuestionAtheistAgnosticChristian Does God Exist? NoMaybe Yes (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 14:1; 25:6; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:18-20; Colossians 2:8-19) What is belief based on? Physical sensesIgnorance Word of God, Faith, hope, love (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 13:1- 13; John 3:16) What is behavior based on? Whatever is best for the individual What the majority does; each person is their own guide; behavior changes as group changes Scriptural principles and self- control (Genesis 3:6; Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 65:2; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 6) What is man's origin? Man is an accident of natureMan can't know Man was made by God in His image (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7) What is man's purpose? Science will eventually find a purpose; to fulfill biological urgesUnsure To glorify God through obedience & service to mankind (Acts 17:24- 28; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Corinthians 6:20) What is man's destiny? No life beyond the graveUnsure Eternal Life; God has prepared a mansion in heaven (Romans 6:23; Matthew 7:21-23; John 14) What is man's worth? No more than animalsJust another statistic One soul is worth more than the whole world! (Mark 8:36,37)

 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. (Psalms 139:14 NKJV)

O LORD, what is man that thou dost regard him, or the son of man that thou dost think of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow. (Psalms 144:3-4 RSV) The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 RSV)

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you. (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. "All these evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark 7:20-23 NKJV)  Matthew 12:33-37

Various Elements are a part of who we are: Our family Our Peers & Heroes Our physical characteristics Our conduct Our thoughts Our values Our character 1 Cor. 15:33

1. Thinking (Cognitive) – includes knowing, remembering, perceiving, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and understanding. 2. Feeling (Affective) – includes love, fear, resentment, anger, compassion, etc. 3. Behaving (Action) – The action/reaction or “doing”, includes running, hitting, testing, drinking, listening, hugging, touching, talking, etc.

1.Thinking First? – The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17) 2.Feelings First? – James 1: Behavior First? – Paul (Acts 9:6) 1.Thinking First? – The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17) 2.Feelings First? – James 1: Behavior First? – Paul (Acts 9:6) Any of these basic 3 functions can come first, but they all work together!

 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42 NKJV)  See also Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21  Romans 12:1,2  Colossians 3:1,2

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV)

 The freedom to choose is the basis of our accountability to God!  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV)  Ecclesiastes 11:9,10

 We are in charge of our actions!  We can learn to control our behavior by working on the way we feel and think.  It is comforting to know that it is possible to be and do what we choose, rather than be puppets of someone else.  We realize that we are free to change, let us decide to become the servant of Christ!  See Phil. 4:8; Gal. 2:20

 New Life Behavior Ministries – Copyright April 1997 (Revised 2010) by H.M. Motsinger  Course 1 – A Sense of Self  Answers in Genesis  Who Do You Think You Are? – Gary Henry

Internal & External Factors The mind is the core of our thoughts, feelings and actions. Under the mind we note an area designated as needs. Our needs for health, security, relationships, expectations and appreciation will impact our thoughts, feelings, and goals, and vice versa. BEHAVIOR Groups Expectations Situations Goals Feelings Thoughts Genes The Mind The Mind Needs Guidelines Behavior Model