Unit 4:
God’s Sharpest Tools; My Biggest Problems
Begin Session
Opening Remarks
Announcements
Opening Prayer
Review Day 1: Born Again
Overview:
In this session Dr. Brandt introduced us to the person he was before he accepted Jesus Christ. He grew up in a church environment, but didn’t want a bunch of rules to keep him from having fun, and felt like it was his “mission” to entice young people away from church. Three of his drinking buddies died in a car accident, one friend committed suicide, and then Dr. Brandt lost his job for showing up to work drunk.
One day his best drinking buddy became a Christian and changed overnight. Dr. Brandt had to accept him and his new way of life if he was going to keep his friend.
Some time later a stove salesman shared the plan of salvation with Dr. Brandt as he was lying drunk on the sofa. In his drunken stupor Dr. Brandt asked the Lord to come into his heart…and then rolled over and went back to sleep. When he woke up, he didn’t remember what he had done but found that nothing in his old life gave him any joy any more. He longed for his Christian buddy’s way of life, and he started living differently.
Point To Emphasize:
- John 3:5-8.
Share:
Have several people share (2-3 minutes each) their story of how they became a Christian.
Bonus Material: Activity – “Writing Your Testimony”
Some of your group members may have never shared their testimony with anyone. Some may not even know how to begin. At the end of this session is a worksheet that will be helpful for those who don’t know what to share. They don’t need to fill in the entire worksheet, and may use it as a guideline. Make as many copies as necessary.
Review Day 2: Sin’s Grasp
Overview:
Certain behaviors in Dr. Brandt’s life fell away, like swearing and drinking. By he found over time that there were other problems that he needed to deal with, like his anger, hostility, and pride. His boss often made him angry and he found that same anger creeping into his other relationships. He tried to justify his actions by blaming others for his negative reactions. Finally, after reading his Bible, he concluded that he needed to stop being hateful and angry. However, he quickly found out that he couldn’t stop.
Points To Emphasize:
- Reading the Bible is not easy. You can’t read some parts and ignore others.
- Romans 7:19-20
- 2Corinthians 3:5-6
Share:
Have 1 or 2 people share a most meaningful thought and how they applied it.
Bonus Material: Amplification
On page 64 Dr. Brandt has included another “put off and put on” passage. In Ephesians 4:31-32 we are told to stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Instead we are to be kind to each other. Why should we do this? The answer is in the last five words of verse 32: “because you belong to Christ.”
The last paragraph on page 64 presents a perfect example of how someone can use the phrase “Yes, but…” to justify their sin. Dr. Brandt felt as though he had every reason to be angry. Whenever we agree that we were wronged and then use the words “Yes, but…” we will always give an excuse as to why we sinned. This only means that we are still blaming the other person for our sin.
Review Day 3: Your Resources Are Not Enough
Overview:
Dr. Brandt set his mind on living a good Christian life only to find out that he was not able to do it very long. He could certainly act kind and forgiving, but inside he was still raging. The Christian life was not about developing his acting skills. The Christian life was about God’s Spirit living in him. He found that his sin made God seem distant. His boss and family didn’t cause him to sin; they only revealed sin in him. The turning point came when he admitted to God that he was helpless and asked God to give him love for his boss. The very next day Dr. Brandt experienced God’s answer to that prayer when his boss yelled at him and he didn’t get angry.
Points To Emphasize:
- The Christian life is not the development of your acting ability. The Christian life is God’s Spirit living His life in you.
- Isaiah 59:1-2 ”Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
- You cannot change what you are deep down inside, only God can.
- Only Jesus lived the Christian life. Only Jesus, in control of our hearts, will enable us to live the Christian life today.
Share:
Have 1 or 2 people share a most meaningful thought and how they applied it.
Bonus Material: Object Lesson – “The Glove Analogy”
To help illustrate the idea of Christ being the power source inside of us, use a glove as you share this information.
Gal 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
I may say to a glove, “Glove, pick up this Bible,” and yet, somehow, the glove cannot do it. It has a thumb and finger, the shape and form of a hand, and yet it is unable to do the thing I command it to do.
You may say, “Well, of course not. You didn’t tell the glove how to pick up the Bible.” However, I can instruct, and teach, and coach that glove until my patience is exhausted, but the glove, try as it will, still will not pick up that Bible.
Yet I have a glove at home that has picked up my Bible dozens of times…but never once before I put my hand into it! As soon, as my hand comes into that glove, the glove becomes as strong as my hand. Everything possible to my hand becomes possible to that glove—but only to the measure in which the glove is prepared to clothe the activity of my hand.
That is what it is to have Christ, by His Spirit, dwelling within you. You are the glove, Christ is the Hand! Everything that is possible to Him becomes possible to you, and with Paul you may say, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
(Illustration from The Saving Life of Christ by Maj. Ian Thomas)
Bonus Material: Object Lesson – “The Airplane Analogy”
To help illustrate the idea of what it means to be “in Christ” use a paper airplane to keep your listener’s attention.
I am currently in (name your city), but wish to fly to Europe.. Ever since I was born, I have been bound to this earth by a law that I have never been able to break; the law of gravity. No matter how hard I try, I cannot break away from the law of gravity. I am told, however, that there is another law, a higher law than the law of gravity, and that is the law of aerodynamics. If only I will be willing to commit myself in total trust to this new law, then the new law will set me free from the old law. By faith I step into the plane. By faith I sit back in my seat, and as those mighty engines roar into life, I discover that the law of aerodynamics sets me free from the law of gravity.
So long as I maintain by faith that position of total dependence, I do not have to try to be free from the law of gravity—I am set free by the operation of a new and a higher law. Of course, if I am stupid enough, way out across the Atlantic I can decide that the cabin of the plane is too stuffy and can step out through the emergency window. But the moment I discard my position of faith in the new and higher law that is setting me free, I discover that the old law is still fully in operation, and I am caught again by the pull of gravity and plunged into the water. I must maintain my attitude of dependence if I am to remain airborne!
So it is for you and me. We must walk by faith in the Spirit. We know that sin is not dead. Our flesh is very much alive. That is the old law. But a new law is in place; the law of our life in Christ and His Spirit. As long as I maintain my position of total dependence on Christ I am be set free from the old law of sin. Sin is not dead but I have a new power that is stronger than the old power. I need to trust in Christ not try harder.
(Illustration from The Saving Life of Christ by Maj. Ian Thomas)
Review Day 4: The Work of the Spirit
Overview:
When God changes a heart it is a miracle and people begin to notice a change. That is what happened to Dr. Brandt. One of his coworkers noticed that he was a lot happier and asked if Dr. Brandt could help him and his wife. They met together and Dr. Brandt explained what God had done in his life. He and his wife, Eva, had the sweet privilege of watching Al and Goldie accept Jesus into their lives. These were the first of many that Dr. Brandt would lead to the Lord. This experience showed Dr. Brandt that he needed to fill in the gaps in his biblical knowledge, particularly in his understanding of sin.
Points To Emphasize:
- Sin has not been eliminated as of the date of publication of this book.
- Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
- Matthew 1:21:“”He will save His people from their sins.”
- If you don’t know what sin is, you will inevitably suffer from its effects and probably wonder why!
Share:
Have 1 or 2 people share a most meaningful thought and how they applied it.
Review Day 5: The Nature of Sin
Overview:
Dr. Brandt set out to understand sin. As he studied sin in the Bible, he found he could put the various sins committed against God into four different categories: sins of the mind, sinful emotions, sins of the mouth, and sins of behavior. When you look at the list on page 73 you will probably think of others and even yourself who have exhibited these sins recently. It is important to keep in mind that we want to use these lists as a mirror to see what is reflected in us. If we see something from the list that is in us, we need to remember that Jesus died so that we no longer have to be in bondage to that sin. We can confess it and be free from it. If we call sin by another name and get a wrong diagnosis, we will not get a real cure.
Points To Emphasize:
- The blood of Christ can wash away our sin. We are just one prayer away from help!
- Proverbs 28:13
- If you don’t call the behaviors listed in this chapter “sin,” then you will look to the world around you for the cause of your problems and for the solution to your difficulties.
- 1John 1:9
Share:
Have 1 or 2 people share a most meaningful thought and how they applied it.
Bonus Material: “Check-Point”
On page 74 there is a very good “heart check” question at the top of the page. Ask group members ft hey took the time to really reflect upon this question. Do not ask them to share unless someone volunteers. There are several of these types of questions throughout the book. The purpose of going through this Workbook is to achieve a changed life, not just gain knowledge.
Conclude Session
Wrap-Up
Closing Prayer / Prayer Partners
