Chapter 13 – Fruit 1: Real Heart Change
1. What does the Bible mean by ‘heart’?
2. How do love and obedience intersect? (p. 172).
3. Read Samuel 16:1-13. What does God focus on? Why? What do you focus on in yourself and others? (p. 173-174).
4. Read Ezekiel 36:24-28. How are law and heart connected?
(p. 175).
5. Most of this chapter focuses on a case study of Paul. Carefully answer the questions for the Philippians Bible Study on pages 177-181. Read through the questions, then read Philippians several times before answering. Supplementary material quote: “Good fruit is not just a remote possibility for the believer, but something the Bible assumes can be present in our lives even in the most difficult circumstances.”
6. Personal Growth Project: (Supplementary material from authors)
“In light of the Philippians Bible Study, take the area of struggle you have chosen for your Personal Growth project and ask yourself, ‘What are the things that rule my heart and therefore shape my behavior?’
a. In what concrete ways do you need to embrace the promise of a new heart? How does God want to renew your heart in this area of struggle?
b. How would believing, trusting, and embracing Christ change your actions, reactions, and responses?
c. What new thoughts and desires in your heart would lead to a new harvest of good FRUIT responses?
d. If hope, love, contentment, grace, forgiveness, self-control, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, compassion, humility, and forbearance ruled your heart in this area of struggle, what new behavioral FRUIT would result?
Take time to mediate and pray over each answer asking God to reveal your heart and change it. Embrace the opportunity this assignment gives you to experience the beginnings of the lasting heart change promised to you in Christ.”