How People Change, Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – Thorns 2: Why Do You Get Entangled?

1. What are some of the popular diagnoses and cures for problems in our society? (p. 130-132). Why don’t these cures work?
2. What is our real problem? (p. 133-134).
3. Read Deuteronomy 5:6-21. How do the first three commands dealing with worship relate to the last seven commands?
4. What does the author say is the core of each commandment? (p. 136-137).
5. As you read the story of Joe and Mary in this chapter and consider the heart issue, why is Joe really so angry?
6. How do even good things become idols? Read Romans 1:25. (p. 138-139).
7. Read James 4:1-10. What is God teaching you in this passage about idolatrous worship relating to anger and conflict? (p. 141-142).
8. To begin identifying your own objects of false worship, read through the ‘x-ray’ questions on pages 142-145. Have courage. Answer and process these as best you can.
9. Personal Growth Project: (supplementary material from author)
a. Quote: “Another way to identify idolatry in your life as you work on your Personal Growth Project is to look for places where you evidence strong emotions like anger, fear, worry, and despair. In each case, ask yourself questions that will get you below the surface of your emotions. Ask yourself, ‘Is there something I want too much?’ Is there something I am afraid of losing?’ Is there something I am afraid of getting?’ Take a recent situation when you experienced any of these strong emotions and write down what you might have wanted more than Christ. Do this in several different situations to determine if there is a theme evident your life.
b. Answer the following questions and look for common themes:
– What things tend to function as replacements for God in my life?
– What is my greatest nightmare? What do I worry about most?
– What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to feel that I didn’t even want to live? What keeps me going?
– What do I rely on to comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult?
– What do I think most easily about? What does my mind go to when I am free? What preoccupies me?
– What unanswered prayer would make me seriously think about turning away from God?
– What makes me feel the most self-worth? What am I proudest of?
– What do I really want and expect out of life? What would really make me happy?
c. Look back at chapters 3 and 4 and reflect on the promises taught there about God’s faithful and persistent love for us in Christ. Take a moment to give thanks for the gospel and its specific application to your answers to questions 1 and 2!”