The Process of Transformation

Key Scripture:  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” – James 1:22-25

Purpose: James 1:22-25 is a great picture of transformation in our lives.  When we first become aware of a concept or an observation about ourselves it is nothing more than a picture on a page. However, as we ponder, value, and reprioritize our life around what we became aware of it becomes a mirror to us. When the Word becomes a mirror, transformation is taking place.

Phase of Discipling Best to Introduce: D2

Discipling Tips:

  • As you love others and yourself through this process the Word will become the foundation for us.  We will begin to own it and it is the window we will start seeing through.  People like and love concepts but most aren’t going to change their whole life to align with the concept nor do they own it where it forms everything they do.

  • When someone has been taken through a Learning Circle it could be helpful for them to see the process of transformation in that truth.

  • When you have someone who is struggling with their transformation or lack of transformation you can draw this tool out and help them see the process and help them understand the Behavioral Gap is the longest phase.

  • Sometimes it may be helpful to walk them through the process with something that isn’t so high stakes to them. Example… Playing a sport. What does it look like to prioritize playing soccer?

  • If someone thinks they are further along in something than they are you can draw the triangles with the aware, ponder, value, behavioral gap, reprioritizED, own, and transformation on it and start walking them through the process. 

    • That could look like, tell me when you became aware of this?  When did you start valuing this? Have you reprioritized your life around this? Then once they realize they haven't truly owned and been transformed you can teach them about the Behavioral Gap.

    • You may need to help them understand that “reprioritize” is actually “reprioritzED”, it has already happened in the behavioral gap.

  • Layer this with “Picture, Mirror and Window” of the Word. 

    • Picture - Sees and forgets ( At this point not much action has taken place beyond research) 

    • Mirror - Sees - Continues to see what it could look like in my life. 

    • Window - Not just seeing but it now has become the lens I look through ( At this point it is becoming my actions/thought process. It has become 2nd nature to me. 

Tool Specifics: (More to Come)

  1. Assign for homework or eat together James 1:22-25.

  2. The Levels in the Process of Transformation for Each Step of the Process

    Aware:

    I hear or see something for the first time. I might even say “Oh that’s good.” “I really like that.” I maintain basic knowledge of the concept of being able to recall specific facts.

    Ponder:

    I begin to read some more, think about it, listen to podcasts, begin to talk to someone who knows about it. You can restate the concept in your own words. It allows you to construct meaning and explain what is happening. This allows me to better see how or why something works.

    Value:

    I begin to say “I think this is really important.” “I need to do it.” “Other people need to do it.” I begin to experiment with it and begin to practice it. As I begin to experiment with the concept I can use it in a new, but similar, situation.

    Behavioral Gap:

    During these first 3 levels it is a picture on a page to me and no more. During this gap between levels 3 & 4 as I stare at the picture it begins to be like a mirror to me. This is the beginning of transformation. This gap is the longest transition of all 5 levels, but remember to relax...as I don’t know what I don’t know - it is all in the process. In order to move on to the next level I have to really believe whatever it is. This application requires me to make connections and begin to transfer concepts into practical applications.

    Reprioritized:

    I actually changed my life and my schedule. My life is ordered around this value. My life is prioritized around this value. It is a big shift. I am living differently. As I reprioritize my life it is important to think critically at this level as I change the way I live.

    Own:

    As transformation continues, as the concept becomes a mirror for me then it becomes a foundation, which is a window that I see everything through. I breathe it. It is a part of me everywhere I go. Not just in ministry. I begin to use the concepts to create something new or to help others begin their process of transformation in this particular area.

    Lots of people like and love concepts but they aren’t going to change their whole life for it. Nor do they own it where it forms everything they do.

Tool Diagram:

 

Tool Resources:

Additional Tool Resources:

Originated/Adapted From:

  • Gretchen and Waylon Cannon

  • Emotionally Healthy Discipleship - Pete Scazzero

  • Blooms Taxonomy

Updated 5-14-2024