To my Bible Study Girls:

The concept for this Bible Study was directly related to many conversations I’ve shared with my friends at PCW Bible Study. Thank you for learning with me as we more and more learn about the Lord and His unending ability to change and perfect each of us. Continue in His Word!

Hillary

About the Author. . .

Hillary Schafer is the founder of PCW Bible Study and 31Woman. She writes Bible stud-ies encompassing a wide-range of modern Biblical topics, including Virtuous Reality: What it Means to be a Godly Woman in a Modern World, More than an Epiphany: a Detailed Look at the Book of Revelation and The Twelve.

Her hope with each study is to give participants the ability to find truth for themselves as they understand the Bible as a com-plete work. She prays that each study will encourage deeper knowledge of and relationships with God.

For more information on 31Woman, visit www.31woman.org.

IntroductionEven before devoting much of my time to writing Bible studies, I was a professional writer. A Communication Specialist, to be exact. I have writ-ten, and continue to write, what is largely considered by most to be boring, technical information for the energy industry. Large pipeline operators will hire my firm to make natural gas and hazardous products sound more interesting. Frankly, it’s a hard job.

But I like to think that God gave me a gift to be what I call a translator. I can take what engineer-types say and write about it in a way that an aver-age homeowner can understand it. The truth is, though I write about the technical aspects of the pipeline industry on an almost daily basis, I myself don't understand all the ins and outs of what makes a pipeline work.

And so I find writing Real Change has been quite a bit like writing for my day job.

I'm sure many of you expected me to assert that I've got it all figured out -- that my changing was complete. But that is far from the truth.

I wouldn’t say I’m tempted by the obvious no-nos. At no point will I cheat on my husband, go rob a bank or take up drugs. But, I’m writing this book not as an industry expert -- an I’ve-Mastered-Change-Guru. I’m writing this book as a translator.

I know, because of what the Bible offers in truth, that change is possible

and that we should continually seek to be better than we are now. Maybe you are working on one of the big no-nos or possibly you’re just ready for a fresh start. You might be reading this study because you recognize that you’re tired of the status quo and it’s just time for something different.

If you’ve ever felt times of set-back, frustration with yourself, trapped by your own habits -- stuck -- then this is the study for you. I don’t want you just to change for a short term. I hope that this study offers you tools to have lasting change.

To achieve this WILL NOT be easy. But God promises help for your fresh start in Isaiah.

Isaiah 43:19Behold, I will do something new,

Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?

I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.

Be joyful that God is not conditional. He doesn’t say this rule applies to some but not all. Far from it! If you invest in Him and allow Him to invest in your change, no matter how barren an area of your life may be, God promises to give you something new. We just have to be aware of His work in us and move out of His way.

My hope is that you stick with this study for three weeks and in that time develop habits that will help you keep lasting change in your life. I am so excited to see what God has for you.

Hillary Schafer

Real Change is a quick study, covering only three weeks. No matter your familiarity with studying the Bible, or Christianity as a whole, this study was created with you in mind. You will not need any previous training or experience in previous Bible studies to follow along and find the riches of God's Word.

That being said, this study will require you to work. Each week will have one in-person study session and three days of homework. Though I hope you can make each in-person meeting, I assure you that you will get the most out of this study in your quiet time alone. With your notebook and Bible in hand, and a prayerfully open heart, you'll be able to experience God's Word as if it were written for you -- because it was.

Please, please mark all over this study. Write notes for yourself, prayerful thoughts, a message that hit you just right. Take this workbook and make it your journal for the next three weeks.

How to Use this Study

Verse to Memorize:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

Phillippians three and fourteen

Week OneWelcome to a study designed to help you identify areas of change and provide for you a path to help you maintain lasting change. Today we are at the starting line of a lifetime of new-ness. Our first study session is designed to answer one ques-tion: What are the lies that I have accepted as truth but have caused change in my life to be slow or nil?

1. Lasting change is not -- nor will it ever be -- ___________.

2. ______________, in its many forms, is enticing.

3. There are Four Key Lies that we’ve accepted as right, but they are hindering our change. Lie #1: To change, all I need is a different ______________________________.

Listening Guide

4. Lie #2: I’m this way because of my _________________.

5. Lie #3: I can change if I just do a better job ___________ the _______________.

6. Lie #4: I __________________ what I’m doing, so I can change anytime.

7. Today, and throughout this week, we’re going to begin the process of lasting change. We begin real change by ignoring the _________________________________________ and __________________________________________________________.

Let’s Get SpecificWe ended our last meeting with the admittal that it’s our fault. Whatever we have to work on, be it a “big problem” or a “small one”, starts with accepting we have the control over our choices and actions. The Apostle Paul tells us we have “no excuse”. Before we go deeper with God, we need to get specific about what He wants to change in us first.

I’m assuming that we all came to this study with preconceived ideas about what we wanted to change first about ourselves. But the Bible teaches that God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:40). God doesn’t wake up each day wondering what will be most imporant. No, God has a specific set of orders, a to-do list so to speak, for your transforming your life.

If you are truly serious about personal growth and change, you have to be willing to ask Him “What’s the next step for me? What is the next wilderness where You will make a pathway for me?”

What caused you to come to this study?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

About how long has your journey with God been so far? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What scares you most about your next change with Him? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Day One

Look up James 1:5. Write it here.

Pray this with us.

“God, I am coming to you now, knowing that there are plenty of areas in my life that need a change -- a fresh start. I admit that I am the one who causes the stumbling blocks for myself and that, to have lasting change, I need to be putty in Your hands. So, I’m asking You now for wisdom. Give me clarity to recognize the area in my life that I need to focus on changing first. Then, Father, see me through the change till the end.

Thank you Lord, Amen.”

Attitudes to ChangeWe all know about the “Big Ten” list. But, the New Testament is replete with list of the specific things God wants to accom-plish in our lives if we let Him. He wants us to put off the old, yucky behaviors we’ve acquired and put on the new, affirming life choices He has for us.

Below is a lengthy list of the actions, attitudes and feelings God wants us to keep in check, as revealed in the New Testament. Prayerfully look these over as you ask God what He wants you to focus on.

AngerAnxietyArgumentativeAddictionBigotryBitternessBoastfulBossinessCausing dissensionConceitControlled by emotionsControlled by peer pressureCovetousnessCritical tongueDeceifulnessDepressionDominanceDrug DependanceDrunkennessEnvy (depressed by the good fortune of others)False modestyFearFeelings of rejectin

Day Two

Feelings of stupidityFeelings of weakness or helplessnessFellings of worthlessnessGluttonyGreedinessGuilt (false)HatredHostilityHomosexual lustIdolatryImpatienceImpulsivenessImpure thoughtsIndifference to other’s problemsInhibitedInsecurityIntemperanceJealousyLazinessLonerLow self-esteenLust for pleasureMaterialisticMust strive to repay any kindness shown youNegativismOccult involvementOpinionatedOverly quietOverly sensitive to criticismPassivityPrejudiceProfanityProjecting blame

Rebellion to authorityResentmentRestlessnessSadnessSelf-centerednessSelf-confidenceSelf-depricationSelf-gratificationSelf-indulgenceSelf-justificationSelf-pitySelf-relianceSelf-righteousnessSelf-sufficiencySensualitySexual lustSlowness to forgiveStubbornessTemperUnloving of the unlovelyVanityWithdrawalWorkaholicWorry

Pray with us.

“Father, I pray you give me wisdom. Let me dis-cern what you would have me to work on. There are a lot of superficial things that seem like they might need attention, but I want to do things Your way. Help me to understand what step I should take next.”

Confess Your SinThe process of lasting change involves, as we’ve said, embrac-ing the truth. You must be willing to accept those things which are out of your control, and drive the reins to the things that are within your power.

The word confess means “to say the same thing”. When you confess your sins to God, it’s like you’re saying “God, I get You. We’re on the same page about what needs to change.”

The act of confession makes you accountable. It acknowledges that you know there is room for improvement. Consider also confessing your sin -- whatever change you’re working on in your life -- to a Christian friend as well.

Why in the world would you want to do this?

1. To get it in the open. Read 1 John 1:7, and write it below. John uses the phrase “walk in the light.” To “walk in the light” means we’re clearly seen, exposed -- we have nothing hidden. Because of this openness we bond with others and are forgiven by Christ.

2. To get some prayer support. When a person has become con-vinced you are serious about change, she can be an ally. She may become a faithful prayer partner for God’s highest calling in your life.

Day Three

When confessing sins to a Christian friend, keep this in mind:

Choose someone who also understands the value of continual • change in a Christian’s life.

Choose someone of the same sex. A marriage partner may not • be the best person to tell. It is hard to give objective advice and criticism when close to someone else.

Ask for and promise total confidentiality with the person to • whom you are sharing your struggles.

After sharing together, pray together. •

Think about what you’ve learned thus far. How do you know that God really wants good and lasting change for you?

Why are we so reluctant to change certain areas of our lives?

Pray with us.

“Lord God, thank you for helping me as I struggle to make change. I want to be as Christ -- able to walk in the light. Give me the courage to tell another confidant what we’re working on so that I may be held accountable by another,

have fellowship with another and be purfied by You through Jesus. Amen.”