Kingdom Shift

StrategiesIn an Upside-Down Kingdom

• Perspective – how the world works; what it’s made up of; how the components are related; and how life really works, that is, the flow of cause and effect in life, how things really work

• Value System - priorities; a person’s preferences; his/her ranking of relative importance of specific things in life, including personal goals, gratifications, status, money, possessions, other people’s interests, God’s will, etc.; his treasures

Review

Why Shift My Strategies?• How’s that current strategy working out for

you?• Are you stepping on toes? • Do you find yourself in trouble?• Do you feel good about yourself?• Are you nervous that you’ll be found out?• Do you trust people and are you trusted?• Are people nervous around you?• If you get what you want, what does it cost

you?

What’s Our Problem?

The World• We don’t know enoughThe Solution?• Education

The Bible• We aren’t good enough

Educational Model

• 3 realms of learning:– Knowledge– Skill– Character

• Learning is acquired from teachers• Ideas are inserted into the mind• Learners should apply new ideas to

problematic situations to achieve more desirable outcomes

Desires

Perspectives

Values

IntentionsStrategies

Behavior

Results

The “heart” is the decision-making part of your mind. It includes your thoughts, feelings, will, and everything else that goes into making decisions.

GOD: righteous

GOAL: successful

MAN: just

Walking in Wisdom: 3-D Success The wise plan

Desires

Perspectives

Values

IntentionsStrategies

Behavior

Results

Kingdom Shift: StrategiesIssue: Personal Usual Thinking Biblical Thinking

Growth Various approaches (self-help, guidance from “gurus” in media)

Scripture, prayer, coaching, church involvement

Entertainment Watch TV, videos, social media, video games—all as desired

Screen for:• Unhelpful content• Excessive involvement

Weekly schedule

Built around:• School• Extracurricular activities• Sports• Work (esp. parents’)

Built around:• Mission• Work (esp. parents’)• Training

Kingdom Shift: StrategiesIssue: Training Usual Thinking Biblical Thinking

Responsibility of:

School—maybe church Parents

College prep Resumé building is primary• Academic• Athletic• Extracurricular activities• Overseas projects• Community service

Character and spiritual development are primary; other things fit into development

Academic skills School: public, private, or Christian

A form that develops Biblical perspective and value structure

Character Sports—esp. select sports Coaching through home life and ministry through church

Social skills School extracurricular activities Involvement in home life and ministry through church

Kingdom Shift: StrategiesIssue: Training Usual Thinking Biblical Thinking

Context Must be:• Physically safe• Accredited• Intellectually superior

Must have:• Quality role models who are leaders• Just operations• A culture shaped by teachers no high-

status kids• A Biblical standard of “cool”

Close friends Provide distraction and emotional support

Shape perspective, values, and visionHigh selectivity

Spiritual life Accidental—sometimes go to church

Coaching by parents and engaged in healthy church life

Kingdom Shift: StrategiesIssue Usual Thinking Biblical Thinking

Trouble 1. Go into anger or fear2. Maybe freak out• Do crazy things• Act counter-productively• Run—flee the situation3. Blame others and God4. Get discouraged/depressed5. Finally, take steps to deal with

the most pressing parts of the problem

1. Pray2. Get wise advice3. Put together a wise strategy4. Prudently execute the strategy5. Trust God step-by-step6. Endure until through the

trouble

Romans 12:2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Kingdom Shift

StrategiesIn an Upside-Down Kingdom

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