Sessions Include:

How People Change, Lesson #1
The Gospel Gap
2 Peter 1.3 - 9

How People Change, Lesson #2
Counterfeit Hopes
Colossians 2.6 – 15; 3.5 - 10

How People Change, Lesson #3
Here Is Where God Is Taking You
Philippians 1.3 – 11; Revelation 7.9 – 17

How People Change, Lesson #4
Married to Christ
Ephesians 5.31 – 33

How People Change, Lesson #5
Change Is a Community Project 
Hebrews 10.24, 25 Ephesians 4.15, 16
Ephesians 2.21, 22 Colossians 2.19

How People Change, Lesson #6
The Big Picture
Jeremiah 17.5 – 10; John 15  

How People Change, Lesson #7
Heat 1: God in the Real World 
Psalm 88 

How People Change, Lesson #8
Heat 2: You in the Real World 
Romans 8.20 – 22; Romans 3.23

How People Change, Lesson #9
Thorns 1: What Entangles You?
Genesis 3.17 – 18; Hebrews 12.1 - 3

How People Change, Lesson #10
Thorns 2: Why Do We Get Entangled?  
Genesis 3.12; Luke 4.43 – 45

How People Change, Lesson #11
Cross 1: New Identity and New Potential
Galatians 2.20; Colossians 2.13 – 15

How People Change, Lesson #12
Cross 2: The Cross and Daily Living
2 Corinthians 5.17; Romans 6

How People Change, Lesson #13
Fruit 1: Real Heart Change
1 Samuel 16.1 - 13

How People Change, Lesson #14
Fruit 2: New and Surprising
Psalm 4; Galatians 5.13 – 26

How People Change, Lesson #15
Putting It Into Practice: One Couple’s Story
Galatians 6.7 – 8; Proverbs 12.15

How People Change, Lesson #16
Putting It into Practice: One Church’s Story
Ephesians 4.15 - 16

Why Study Books?

My church recently transitioned to using books as curriculum in our Sunday School. The reason is simple. My life has been profoundly influenced by the reading of books. I don’t think my life has ever been changed by any curriculum piece I have ever read. Ever.

I have actually surveyed a number of groups I have taught over the years, asking: Has your life ever been changed by any curriculum? The most common response is for people to laugh out loud.

Our first study was the Bless book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It is a great study on relational lifestyle evangelism. About half-way through the the study, we did a survey to help determine what we would study next. No one wanted to go back to the curriculum. Not. One. Person.

The #1 choice for what to study next was a tie:

• John Ortberg’s The Me I Want to Be
• My recently released book, The 21 Laws of Discipleship

We will be studying these two books over the next year and a half or so. Here is what Amazon says about Ortberg’s book:

The Me I Want to Be will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to "live in the flow of the spirit."

Why does spiritual growth seem so difficult?

God's vision for your life is not just that you are saved by grace, but that you also learn to live by grace, flourishing with the Spirit flowing through you. And this book will show how God's perfect vision for you starts with a powerful promise: All those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Pastor and best-selling author John Ortberg first helps gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help you live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real-world barriers - pain and sorrow, temptations, self-doubt, sin - to flourish even in a dark and broken world.

As you start living in the flow, you will feel:

• A deeper connection with God
• A growing sense of joy
• An honest recognition of your brokenness
• Less fear and more trust
• A growing sense of being "rooted in love"
• And a deeper sense of purpose.

God invites you to join him in crafting an abundant and joy-filled life. The Me I Want to Be shows you how to graciously accept his invitation.

I have just completed a new, 22-week study of John Ortberg’s book, The Me I Want to Be that we will be using in my church. (I had previously done a 7-week study.)

I have always thought that using books as a curriculum would be a good idea, and I have written a lot of book studies over the years. One of the things that actually using books as curriculum caused me to realize has to do with cost. By writing a study on every chapter of this book, instead of my previous study that had a lesson for every section, the cost drops to below what we were paying for curriculum. Better curriculum. Cheaper cost. Win. Win.

In How People Change, Paul David Tripp and Timothy S. Lane dive deep into this question, offering a gospel-centered vision of transformation that goes far beyond surface-level fixes. At its core, this book argues that true, lasting change begins with a solid understanding of theology. Without a clear grasp of who God is, what He’s done for us in Christ, and how His promises shape our lives, any attempt at change is bound to be shallow and short-lived.

Many Christians live with a disconnect between their faith and their daily struggles. We know the gospel saves us, but we often fail to see how it speaks to our anger, anxiety, relationships, and everyday decisions. Tripp and Lane challenge this mindset by showing how theology is not just for academics or pastors—it’s for everyone who desires real change. Theology isn’t abstract or irrelevant; it’s the framework through which God transforms us.

This book doesn’t offer quick fixes or easy steps to a better life. Instead, it calls readers to dig deep into the truths of Scripture. Tripp emphasizes that we don’t change by modifying behavior or trying harder; we change by understanding and applying the gospel to our hearts. The authors explore key theological concepts like God’s sovereignty, our identity in Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, explaining how these truths intersect with the real struggles we face.

Through relatable stories, clear teaching, and practical exercises, How People Change bridges the gap between theology and everyday life. It’s a guide for anyone who has ever wondered why their efforts to change seem to fall short. The book challenges readers to move beyond “quick-fix Christianity” and embrace the slow, often messy process of heart-level transformation.

This isn’t just a book for personal growth—it’s also a tool for pastors, small group leaders, and anyone involved in discipleship. Tripp and Lane equip readers to help others experience real change by grounding their counseling and mentoring in sound theology. They argue that without a gospel foundation, even well-meaning advice can lead to burnout or discouragement.

In a world that often reduces spiritual growth to formulas and techniques, How People Change is a refreshing reminder that change isn’t about us—it’s about God’s work in us. Understanding theology isn’t optional; it’s essential. The more we understand who God is and what He has done, the more our lives will reflect His grace and glory.

If you’re tired of superficial solutions and ready for a transformation rooted in the gospel, How People Change will show you the way. It’s not just a book; it’s an invitation to experience the power of the gospel in every part of your life. Change is possible—because God is faithful.

If you would like to explore this new study, it is available on Amazon, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking