Instruments of Change Mark W. Slomp Willem B. Slomp

Presentation Template The necessity of change? What change is needed? What is the purpose of change? How does God affect change? What do you think you need to change about yourself, and what changes would you like to see in others? What is our role in affecting change?

List two changes you would like to see in yourself or in others.

Who needs to change? – “Counselling serves one fundamental purpose: to facilitate personal growth and development. The counselling interaction will have been successful when the client experiences growth and/or development in his or her life. This growth may be in one or more of the the three primary counselling domains (affective, cognitive, or behavioural)”.

“The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me …. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:3,5)

Rebellious – Autonomous – Self-sufficient – Self-focused Foolish Incapable

What change is needed? Affective Cognitive Behavioural

Conflict due to the desires of the heart James 4:1-2 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God”..

What is the purpose of change? Revelation 19: 6-8 Romans 11: 36

How does God affect change? When you look back on major events or difficult experiences in your life, what factors enabled you to cope?

– God transforms lives as people bring His Word to others Formal ministry Informal ministry – Ephesians 4:11-16 – The transformational power of God’s Word Isaiah 55:10-13

We are all counsellors Each of us has been called to be instruments of change in the lives of others (Rom. 14: 15; Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:15-17) The counsel of the wise and the counsel of the fool (Job, Proverbs) The devil as counsellor (Genesis 3:1-7) Following the Wonderful Counsellor

The importance of Christ As instruments of change we need to point others to Christ – John 1:14 – 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Ambassadors of Christ The function of an ambassador Mini kings

The work of an ambassador The message of the King The methods of the King The character of the King The bottom line: Bring the heart-changing truths of the gospel (in the midst of people’s situations and relationships) with a self- sacrificing love (Ephesians 4)

The message of the King The grand themes: – God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4:34-35) Sovereignty and suffering (Ephesians 1:11; Acts 4:27-28; 1 Corinthians 3-6) We need to rest in God’s sovereignty rather than establish our own – God’s grace (Genesis 3:15; John 3:16)

The methods of the King Break through the casual – Co-conspirators in casual relationships Bring truth into the midst of people’s lives and relationships – John 4:1-26; Luke 10:25-37 (good Samaritan)

Develop relationships to create a context for change – Leviticus 26:12 – God uses terms like adoption, sons, heirs, children suggesting that relationships are the “workshop” of change Get to really “know” people Focus on the person, not the problem – what are the heart issues Commit

Love – Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 13 Identify with suffering – Christ’s ministry on earth (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Accept with agenda – Refuse to condemn, refuse to condone – God intends His grace to lead to change (Titus 2:11-12; 2 Peter 1:4) – Ask yourself, what does God want this person to see that he/she doesn’t see? How can I help him/her see it?

Speak the truth in love – Start with your own heart – Ongoing honesty in an ongoing relationship – Leviticus 19:15-18 – Ephesians 4

The character of the King Philippians 2:1-12 Ephesians 4:29-5:2 Colossians 3:12-17