This
is a short (6 week) study for anyone who wants to understand how God
changes us. It is based on the “Three Trees” diagram developed
for a CCEF course on spiritual change. It deals with how we respond
to pressure and how we can position ourselves to see change. Each
lesson has a combination of teaching, group discussion, discussion
with a partner, and homework. Students are encouraged to journal
their personal reflections on their lives and the changes they
desire.
The
book itself is about half study guide with the rest being leader
information. Leaders are given ideas how to plan for the entire study
and for each meeting. Specific times are offered, giving suggested
number of minutes for each aspect of the study. There are suggestions
for questions to ask, Scripture to read, discussions to lead, and
homework to assign. The detailed information for leaders makes it
possible for people without much experience in leading a study to do it
well.
I
appreciate the material covered in the study. It is a good
introduction to spiritual change. It requires quite a bit of
“homework” in the form of reflective journaling. It also requires
establishing discussion partners with the two discussing personal
struggles, praying for one another, etc. This might be difficult for
some to do. It is suggested the leader assign the discussion partners
so I am not sure there will be instant willingness to share. I think
this might be a potential problem for a teen study.
The
strength of this study is the leader material. Half the book is help
for leaders, making it a study for a novice leader. I see some
potential issues with forming meaning discussion partners but other
than that, a good 6 week study on spiritual change.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
New
Growth Press, 96 pages.
I
received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the
publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
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