Part 14 (1/2)

#5-As you begin this study, what is your present answer to this key question?

Crucial References to the event: Psalm 95:7b11 1 Corinthians 10:5 Hebrews 3:718; 4:13 #6-Read each of the above pa.s.sages. If you are in a group study, discuss their significance in your understanding of ”wilderness”. Otherwise, note their significance below:

LOOK UP! (p. 29) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 1 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late. Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late.

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.

Before It's Too Late!

Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Chapter 1.

REPLACE A COMPLAINING ATt.i.tUDE . . .

Objective: As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify areas in their lives where As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will identify areas in their lives where complaining complaining has a destructive effect and will decide to seek a replacement. has a destructive effect and will decide to seek a replacement.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Complaining is an att.i.tude that if left unchecked will wither my capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness.

WILDERNESS ATt.i.tUDE ONE = COMPLAINING.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Read Numbers 10:1111:3 The people of Israel were on the move. G.o.d gave them supernatural guidance. Yet after three days' journey, the people complained.

What clues can you find in this pa.s.sage about what motivated the people's complaints? What clues can you find in this pa.s.sage about what motivated the people's complaints? How would you have responded (how do you respond) to complaints? How would you have responded (how do you respond) to complaints? What phrases or expressions most represent complaining in your life? What phrases or expressions most represent complaining in your life? How does James explain his admission, ”I like complaining” (see p. 32 )? How does James explain his admission, ”I like complaining” (see p. 32 )?

#2-We choose our att.i.tudes and train them into habits (see pp. 3334).

Why is it important to acknowledge the fact that we choose our att.i.tudes? Why is it important to acknowledge the fact that we choose our att.i.tudes? In what sense would you agree that complaining can become a habit? In what sense would you agree that complaining can become a habit?

#3-Defining Att.i.tude (see pp. 3436) How does James combine ”patterns of thinking” and ”time” to develop a definition of ”att.i.tude”? How does James combine ”patterns of thinking” and ”time” to develop a definition of ”att.i.tude”? What is the definition of att.i.tude and how accurately does it describe your experiences with ”att.i.tudes”? What is the definition of att.i.tude and how accurately does it describe your experiences with ”att.i.tudes”?

#4-Defining Complaining (see pp. 3840): Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with circ.u.mstances that are not wrong and about which I'm doing nothing to correct. Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with circ.u.mstances that are not wrong and about which I'm doing nothing to correct. How does James explain the addition of two qualifications to the definition of complaining: 1) circ.u.mstances that are not wrong, and 2) circ.u.mstances about which I am doing nothing? Why are these qualifications important? How does James explain the addition of two qualifications to the definition of complaining: 1) circ.u.mstances that are not wrong, and 2) circ.u.mstances about which I am doing nothing? Why are these qualifications important? In what senses does a persistent att.i.tude of complaining equal wilderness living no matter what our actual circ.u.mstances? In what senses does a persistent att.i.tude of complaining equal wilderness living no matter what our actual circ.u.mstances? What characteristics put complaining into the sin category? What characteristics put complaining into the sin category? What kind of complaining does this chapter describe as the worst kind of complaints? What kind of complaining does this chapter describe as the worst kind of complaints?

#5-How G.o.d Responds to Complaining (see pp. 4445): How did complaints affect G.o.d (see Numbers 11:1)? How did complaints affect G.o.d (see Numbers 11:1)? What did G.o.d do as a result? What did G.o.d do as a result? How should that response affect our view of G.o.d today? How should that response affect our view of G.o.d today? How does the laundry room story help you identify with G.o.d's response to complaints (p. 46)? How does the laundry room story help you identify with G.o.d's response to complaints (p. 46)?

#6-The Principle of Replacement: Matthew 12:4345 How would you state in your own words Jesus' point about cleaning out but not filling up in this pa.s.sage? How would you state in your own words Jesus' point about cleaning out but not filling up in this pa.s.sage? Which of the three questions on p. 50 presented the hardest challenge for you in the area of complaining? Which of the three questions on p. 50 presented the hardest challenge for you in the area of complaining?

LOOK UP! (pp. 5152) Use or adapt this prayer as you apply the challenges of this lesson.

Next a.s.signment: Read Chapter 2 of Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late Lord, Change My Att.i.tude Before It's Too Late

LORD, CHANGE MY ATt.i.tUDE.

Before It's Too Late!

Those who choose murmuring as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Chapter 2.

...WITH A THANKFUL ATt.i.tUDE.

Objective: As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will focus on deliberate expressions of thanksgiving in those areas where they are habitual complainers. As a result of this lesson, partic.i.p.ants will focus on deliberate expressions of thanksgiving in those areas where they are habitual complainers.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Thankfulness is the att.i.tude that perfectly displaces my sinful tendency to complain and thereby releases joy and blessing into my life.

PROMISED LAND ATt.i.tUDE ONE = THANKFULNESS.

#1-Key Pa.s.sage: Luke 17:1119 Luke (the doctor) alone describes this event. A group of lepers presented Jesus with a cla.s.s-action request for mercy. He sent them to do what healing required. On the way, they realized they were healed. What happened next is a profound lesson in uncommon grat.i.tude.

Ten were healed; what do we know about the one who turned back to say, ”Thanks”? Ten were healed; what do we know about the one who turned back to say, ”Thanks”? What does Jesus point out by His response to the man's grat.i.tude (pp. 5556)? What does Jesus point out by His response to the man's grat.i.tude (pp. 5556)? What lesson can we take from the man's response to G.o.d's grace? What lesson can we take from the man's response to G.o.d's grace?

#2-G.o.d, Our acious Provider (see pp. 5657) According to Romans 1:19-21, what do all of us instinctively know about G.o.d? According to Romans 1:19-21, what do all of us instinctively know about G.o.d? What four negative results followed from humans failing to acknowledge their awareness of G.o.d (see Romans 1:21)? What four negative results followed from humans failing to acknowledge their awareness of G.o.d (see Romans 1:21)?

#3-More Than Words (see p. 58) How can we express grat.i.tude in ways other than words? How can we express grat.i.tude in ways other than words? Why do you think social scientists are noting connections between thankfulness and people's mental and physical health? Why do you think social scientists are noting connections between thankfulness and people's mental and physical health? Based on the definition, grat.i.tude involves actions and words that ”show that a kindness received is valued,” how did you do on the grat.i.tude test (pp. 6061)? Based on the definition, grat.i.tude involves actions and words that ”show that a kindness received is valued,” how did you do on the grat.i.tude test (pp. 6061)?

#4-Levels of Grat.i.tude (pp. 6263): Describe why and how each of the verses below identifies a level of grat.i.tude we can learn.

Elementary (Hebrews 13:15) Elementary (Hebrews 13:15) High School (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV) High School (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV) Graduate Level (Ephesians 5:18, 20 NKJV) Graduate Level (Ephesians 5:18, 20 NKJV) #5-Three Lessons from Psalm 107:8 Under each of the three ”lessons” below, note an area (1) of your life or experience where you've discovered that truth. Then record an area (2) where you need to apply that truth more consistently.

Thankfulness is a decision/choice-not could but would (pp. 6366). Thankfulness is a decision/choice-not could but would (pp. 6366). 1. 1. 2. Thankfulness is a decision based on reality (pp. 6668). 1. 1. 2. Thankfulness is life-changing (destination & journey-altering decision) (pp. 6869). 1. 1. 2.

Crucial Insight from this chapter: The same capacities and skills we use to complain we can use for practicing gratefulness. The same capacities and skills we use to complain we can use for practicing gratefulness.

#6-Reflect on the Insight above and then answer the following questions: What skills and capacities do you use each time you complain? What skills and capacities do you use each time you complain? Think of several examples that ill.u.s.trate how those same skills or capacities could be used to express grat.i.tude. Think of several examples that ill.u.s.trate how those same skills or capacities could be used to express grat.i.tude.

#7-Review the Let's Talk Solution section and apply the personal a.n.a.lysis questions to your life (pp. 7173).