Transformative Power of Small Habits in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, New Life! Today, we continue our series, "The Power to Change," focusing on the transformative power of habits. We've discussed the importance of understanding our spiritual "why" and "who," and today, we delve into the "what"—specifically, the habits that shape our lives. Research shows that over 40% of our daily actions are driven by habits, not conscious decisions. This means our habits significantly influence who we are becoming.
We all have habits, whether we realize it or not. These habits can be as simple as the route we take to work or how we use our phones. The key question is: Are our habits working for us or against us? The big idea today is that God can use small habits to do something big in and through our lives. Every system, including our habits, is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. If we don't like the results, we need to change our habits.
Consider the example of Daniel from the Old Testament. Despite being in captivity, Daniel maintained a habit of praying three times a day. This small, consistent habit had a profound impact on his life, leading to greater trust in God and miraculous deliverance from the lion's den. Daniel's habit was a keystone habit, one that led to multiple other benefits.
Holy habits are actions repeated consistently with the right heart or motive, resulting in us becoming more like Jesus. They are not about perfection but about consistent, small steps toward spiritual transformation. To establish a holy habit, start by changing your cues. Make your cues obvious, easy, and enjoyable. For example, if you want to read the Bible daily, set it out the night before and make your reading goal manageable.
Remember, the enemy will try to discredit your small steps, but don't despise these small beginnings. Each small step allows the Holy Spirit to bring spiritual transformation into your life. God can use these small habits to do something big in and through you.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Influence of Habits: Over 40% of our daily actions are driven by habits, not conscious decisions. This means our habits significantly influence who we are becoming. It's crucial to evaluate whether our habits are working for us or against us. [13:22]
2. God Uses Small Habits: God can use small habits to do something big in and through our lives. Just as Daniel's habit of praying three times a day led to miraculous outcomes, our small, consistent habits can lead to significant spiritual transformation. [17:09]
3. Keystone Habits: Some habits, like Daniel's prayer habit, are keystone habits that lead to multiple other benefits. These habits can help us trust God more, turn to Him in times of need, and give Him praise, thereby fostering a deeper relationship with Him. [35:50]
4. Holy Habits: Holy habits are actions repeated consistently with the right heart or motive, resulting in us becoming more like Jesus. They are not about perfection but about consistent, small steps toward spiritual transformation. [36:27]
5. Changing Cues: To establish a new habit, start by changing your cues. Make your cues obvious, easy, and enjoyable. For example, if you want to read the Bible daily, set it out the night before and make your reading goal manageable. [39:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[10:55] - Introduction to "The Power to Change"
[12:33] - The Secret to Change: Habits
[13:22] - The Influence of Habits
[17:09] - God Uses Small Habits
[20:04] - Personal Example: Granddad's Habits
[22:04] - The Effect of Time and Habits
[23:15] - Evaluating Your Habits
[25:25] - The Habit Formation Cycle
[29:54] - Example of Daniel's Habit
[35:50] - Keystone Habits
[36:27] - Holy Habits
[39:15] - Changing Cues
[42:17] - Combatting the Enemy's Lies
[44:40] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 6:5 - "So they concluded, 'Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.'"
2. Daniel 6:10 - "But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God."
3. Zechariah 4:10 - "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the habit that Daniel maintained even when faced with a new law? (Daniel 6:10)
2. According to the sermon, what percentage of our daily actions are driven by habits rather than conscious decisions? [13:22]
3. What did the other leaders conclude was the only way to find grounds for accusing Daniel? (Daniel 6:5)
4. How does Zechariah 4:10 encourage us regarding small beginnings and steps?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Daniel's habit of praying three times a day was so significant in his life and faith? (Daniel 6:10)
2. How can understanding that 40% of our actions are driven by habits influence the way we approach spiritual growth? [13:22]
3. What does it mean to have a "keystone habit," and how did Daniel's prayer habit serve as one? [35:50]
4. How does Zechariah 4:10 challenge the way we view small steps in our spiritual journey?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current habits. Are there any that you feel are working against your spiritual growth? How can you begin to change them? [16:36]
2. Daniel's habit of praying three times a day was a keystone habit that led to other benefits. What is one small habit you can start that might lead to significant spiritual growth? [35:50]
3. The sermon mentioned making cues obvious, easy, and enjoyable to establish new habits. What is one practical step you can take to make a new holy habit more achievable? [39:15]
4. How can you combat the enemy's lies that discredit your small steps toward spiritual growth? What scripture or truth can you hold onto? [42:17]
5. Think about a time when you took small steps toward a goal. How did those small steps add up over time? How can this encourage you in your spiritual journey? [43:27]
6. What is one specific habit you want to start or stop this week to become more like Jesus? How will you make this habit a consistent part of your life? [24:36]
7. How can you use the example of Daniel to inspire your own prayer life? What specific time of day can you set aside for prayer, and how will you remind yourself to keep this habit? [34:46]
Devotional
Day 1: The Influence of Habits
Our daily actions are significantly influenced by habits, not conscious decisions. Research shows that over 40% of what we do each day is driven by habits. This means that our habits play a crucial role in shaping who we are becoming. It's important to evaluate whether our habits are working for us or against us. Are they leading us closer to God and His purposes for our lives, or are they pulling us away? By understanding the power of habits, we can begin to make intentional changes that align with our spiritual goals. [13:22]
Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV): "Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
Reflection: What is one habit in your daily routine that you feel is not serving you well spiritually? How can you begin to change or replace this habit with one that draws you closer to God?
Day 2: God Uses Small Habits
God can use small habits to do something big in and through our lives. Just as Daniel's habit of praying three times a day led to miraculous outcomes, our small, consistent habits can lead to significant spiritual transformation. These small steps, when done consistently with the right heart, can have a profound impact on our relationship with God and our overall spiritual growth. Don't underestimate the power of small, faithful actions. [17:09]
Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel."
Reflection: What is one small habit you can start today that will help you grow spiritually? How can you ensure that you remain consistent with this habit?
Day 3: Keystone Habits
Some habits, like Daniel's prayer habit, are keystone habits that lead to multiple other benefits. These keystone habits can help us trust God more, turn to Him in times of need, and give Him praise, thereby fostering a deeper relationship with Him. Identifying and cultivating these keystone habits can create a ripple effect, positively influencing other areas of our lives. [35:50]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Identify a keystone habit in your life that has the potential to bring about multiple positive changes. How can you prioritize and nurture this habit?
Day 4: Holy Habits
Holy habits are actions repeated consistently with the right heart or motive, resulting in us becoming more like Jesus. They are not about perfection but about consistent, small steps toward spiritual transformation. By focusing on holy habits, we can align our daily actions with our spiritual goals and grow in our relationship with Christ. [36:27]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What is one holy habit you can start practicing today? How can you ensure that your heart and motives remain aligned with God's will as you practice this habit?
Day 5: Changing Cues
To establish a new habit, start by changing your cues. Make your cues obvious, easy, and enjoyable. For example, if you want to read the Bible daily, set it out the night before and make your reading goal manageable. By changing your cues, you can create an environment that supports and encourages your new habits, making it easier to stay consistent and committed. [39:15]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one cue you can change in your environment to support a new habit you want to establish? How can you make this cue obvious, easy, and enjoyable?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God can use small habits to do something big in and through your life. Let me say that again. God can use small habits to do something big in and through your life." [17:09] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You are constantly becoming the next version of yourself. You're constantly becoming the next version of yourself. And your habits are having a significant impact on who you're becoming. What do you want you, version 2.0, to look like? How do you want you, version 5.0, to respond to adversity?" [18:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Few things possess the influence on who you're becoming like your habits do. I feel like almost every time I get to speak in front of people, and I have a vision of somebody that I would like to become more like, I always think of my granddad. My granddad lived a long life it was not always an easy life, but my granddad was one of the most joy-filled, grateful people that I was ever around." [20:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Establishing healthy habits will help you become the person you want to become and most importantly, the person God created you to be." [21:35] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The power to change. You have the power to change because of the Holy Spirit's work in your life. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. And because the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you've got the power to change your spiritual why. You've got the power to change your spiritual who. And you've got then the power to change your spiritual what." [22:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The bad news is that desire to change isn't enough to actually change. If desire was enough, none of us would raise our hands because desire would have led to change and we wouldn't have anything still to change. More bad news is that just having good intentions to change isn't enough. Desire, good intentions, hope that I will change, those things are good, but in and of themselves, they are not enough to change." [12:33] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. Every habit that you have is perfectly designed to get you the results that you're getting. So the truth of that should tell us, okay, if I don't like the results that I'm getting, I've got to change my habit. Because my current habits, my current system, is perfectly designed to get me what I'm getting." [17:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Daniel's prayer habit was more than just about prayer. It's what's known as a keystone habit, one habit that leads to multiple other benefits, multiple other good things. Keystone habits done over time, they lead to other good habits. You see, Daniel's prayer habit, it led him to turning to God when he needed help. Daniel's prayer habit led him to trusting God then when he was facing incredible adversity. Daniel's prayer habit led him then also to give God the praise for protecting him." [35:50] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Holy habits are actions repeated consistently with the right heart or motive that result in you changing to become more like Jesus. Go back to Daniel's example for a minute. Praying three times a day, it was not something that Daniel just did mindlessly. He wasn't just going through the motions. He was actively engaging and pursuing God, and he developed a close relationship with God." [38:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Can somebody say amen to that? That those small steps in the direction of Jesus day in and day out, the Lord's rejoicing, when you get up and you have the desire to draw closer to Him and you begin to read His Word. Or you take a few moments over your lunch hour before you begin to eat to just sit there and thank Him for your day so far." [42:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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