Conversion (pt. 2)

IS CHANGE POSSIBLE?

GETTING STARTED

Many people today believe that people can’t really change. We may be able to make some minor adjustments here and there, but we can’t fundamentally change who we are.

1. What are some reasons why people believe this?

2. Do you think that people can really change? Why or why not?

MAIN IDEA

By God’s grace, through the gospel, we can change. Through faith in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we receive a new nature that delights to do God’s will.

DIGGING IN

In we read of the radical change God brought about in the life of Saul of Tarsus, who is primarily known to us as the apostle Paul.

(let’s read )

()

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. ()

1. What is Saul doing at the beginning of this passage (vv. 1–2)?

2. What happened to Saul as he was approaching Damascus (vv. 3–9)?

3. How does Ananias initially respond when the Lord Jesus tells him to go lay hands on Saul? What does this say about Saul’s reputation (vv. 10–14)?

4. Describe how Saul’s life changed immediately after his conversion (vv. 19–22).

5. How did Paul’s understanding of Jesus change as a result of this encounter? What did he believe about Jesus before and after this decisive meeting? (See vv. 20–22.)

6. How is Saul’s conversion similar to all other Christians’ conversions?

Obviously not all conversions are dramatic and instantaneous like Paul’s. Some people come to Christ gradually, over a long time. And some people can’t pinpoint the exact time of their conversion. That’s okay. The Holy Spirit works in wonderfully diverse ways.

7. What are some other ways Paul’s conversion might be different from other Christians’ conversions?

Le

In , the apostle Paul reflects back on the great change God worked in his life, which began with the event we just considered:

(Let’s read )

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (Let’s read )

8. What are the different ways Paul describes himself (whether at present or in the past) in this passage?

9. What did Paul receive from Christ (v. 13)?

10. What is the “trustworthy saying” Paul gives us? What does this saying deserve (v. 15)?

11. For what purpose did Paul receive mercy (v. 16)?

12. What does it mean that Paul is an example of those who were to believe in Christ (v. 16)? What does this teach us about the possibility of real change through the gospel?

In case you’re tempted to think that change only happens to apostles, consider what Paul says in . Let’s read it!

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

13. What does Paul say that some of us were?

14. What does Paul say has happened to us? How have we been changed?

15. In light of all three of these passages, how would you respond to someone who said that people can’t really change?

16. How should this good news that we can change in the most fundamental way through the gospel impact:

a) Our prayers for our own lives?

b) Our prayers for others?

c) Our evangelism?

d) How we handle conflict in the church?

e) How we interact with difficult or immature church members?

Jamieson, B. (2012). Real Change: Conversion. (M. Dever, Ed.) (pp. 19–22). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.