Last Week

In our last discussion, we discovered that moral laws are supposed to set us free, not enslave us. They are supposed to give us the freedom to find the best in people, not the worst. Morality isn't a destination at which we arrive and then use it as a pedestal to stand above others and judge them. Defining and using a moral compass can be a life-long journey. During this journey, we learn that berating the decisions and lifestyles of others can become a distraction and make us divisive. However, accepting that others are learning about themselves and their place in this universe, just as we are, creates a positive environment where we accept and work with each other to spark positive change and growth.

Chapter 3

Introduction

As much as we may want to, we cannot live in isolation from the world around us. We are referred to as the "light of the world" and "the salt of the earth" because the impact God has on our life produces a multiplier effect that will impact the lives of others. Our learning and our growth are supposed to produce change in the world around us. Sometimes this will be prolific change and at times it will be very small change. However, there will be change. The pressing question for many of us is what in the world around us needs to change.  We have discovered in past lessons that it is hard to define people and situations as good or bad because those definitions are often subjective and due to one person's opinion or interpretation.  What you may believe needs change may be perfectly fine to another person. We are not only going to explore the idea of change. We are going to explore how we determine what needs to be changed as we engage our fellowman and enter our neighboring communities.

What Change Will You Be

 Understand the Condition

John 1:4-5

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Key Concepts

Light - something that makes things visible

Darkness - absence or deficiency of light / lack of knowledge or enlightenment:

Lessons Learned

The search for enlightenment is a central theme in every religious tradition. In every religious narrative, there is a person or group lost in darkness at some point. Either by their own efforts or those of some divine agency they are brought to the light. That darkness is usually a state of ignorance that leads to misfortune. That light is usually the knowledge of some truth that leads to good fortune.   Each religious tradition that shares this narrative also shares that their body of knowledge, their rituals, or doctrines is the "light" and those who have not accepted their truth exist in "darkness".

I have learned that before I can declare that I am going to bring change or help someone else. I have to understand what needs to be changed or why someone needs my help.  I need to understand what makes the state I am in "light" and the state someone else is in "darkness".  I know this may seem easy to understand if I only answer it according to the narrative I have always had. However, a person's narrative  is just as real and true to them as my narrative is to me.  Before I descend from my mountain top to bring change or help, what makes my condition light and theirs darkness?

1. What is the one principle (your light) upon which all your beliefs are based?

2. What beliefs about the universe and those in it guide your behavior (letting your light shine)?

3. Does your behavior influence others to move (from darkness) toward the principle (your light) you stated in #1?

4. If you answered yes to #3, how does this happen?

Lessons Applied

Change: It's About You

Luke 10:1 - 3

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also,[a] and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

Luke 10:17-20

17 Then the seventy[e] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[f] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Key Concepts

Laborers - a person engaged in work that requires bodily strength rather than skill or training:

Lamb -a person who is gentle, meek, innocent, etc.:
Wolf - a cruelly rapacious person.
Rejoice - a cruelly rapacious person.

Lessons Learned

These seventy disciples were elated by all of the incredible things they did when they went into the communities where Christ sent them. Notice, he informed them not to rejoice about these things. He told them that when they went into the community he had given them authority. They had power or authority such that they could trample on dangerous animals and the enemy and not be hurt.

For many of us, these would be the stories we tell around the water cooler or during testimony time at church. These are the pictures we would post on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We would want the world to know that we descended into someone's life or into the community and performed wonderful miracles. We brought change.

However, Jesus informed them that their focus was wrong. They were rejoicing about the wrong thing. The change they brought to the community paled in comparison to the change wrought in their own lives. Remember, all that they did when they were sent really had nothing to do with any power they had. They accomplished those feats because of the authority bestowed on them by the Creator. However, when they used their incredible power of choice to shift their thinking and seek, define, and accept the light, they accomplished something magnificent. When they used their free will to change their narrative and understand what previously they could not understand they accomplished something transformative. Our ultimate goal is to seek personal change, which will result in impacting the people and communities we engage.

Lessons Applied

Changing the Condition

John 1:5

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Philippians 4:9
The things you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Key Concepts

Comprehend - to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive:

Lessons Learned

It has been said that we should first seek to understand before we seek to be understood. Those who seek to bring change to a situation often do the reverse. Because we operate by our own narrative, we often view situations and define them according to our own experience and judgment and then act without considering the experience or judgement of those whom we will impact. Notice in John 1:5 that the darkness did not comprehend the light. In other words people did not understand the message that Jesus brought. What he brought to them did not fit their narrative. One of the reasons Jesus used parables and miracles was to teach truths using the narratives of those He was trying to reach and to directly impact the experience of those he was trying to save. It is difficult to help those who don't understand your message or your narrative if you are simultaneously devaluing or judging theirs.

It is also important to others that the change you are advocating is going to have a positive and prolific impact on their lives. When your light or way of life shines, does it produce a reaction in others that makes them desire it? Jesus intimated that as a result of your light shining people will want to glorify your Father. This suggests that you don't have to say or preach anything. The results of the principles, beliefs, and behaviors of your life will be people wanting the same for their lives.

Paul told his followers that if they just did what they learned from him, they would have the peace of his God. Notice this three step process when you want to bring change. First, understand those you perceive to be in darkness and ensure they understand you. Second, allow the fruit of your life to speak for itself so that people will want what to have or believe what you believe. Finally, if they desire it, teach them what you know and what you do.

1. Where in a person's life whom you know or a community do you see change is needed right now?

2. What do you understand about this situation where you see change is needed and what do you not understand?

3. What will those in this situation see in your life that is so different from their own, prompting them to want change?

4. Are you equipped to teach them the principles, beliefs, and behaviors that will bring the change?

Lessons Applied

This section was a challenge for me because many times the only difference between us and those we perceive need change is our narrative or our belief system. However, the quality of our life isn't that much different. The rate of poverty, education, divorce, and other demographics are exactly the same in most religious institutions as they are in other elements of society.  Our concern about what occurs in the world is the same as those who don't profess our same beliefs. So, when we knock on someone's door or go into someone's community and say we have the light and we have come to bring change, what do we really have?