The Transformation Principle

Introduction:
The SAFE Program began with a promise that was made by Jesus Christ. He promised “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed”. (John 8:36). I had come face to face with the fact that, though a person had entered into a personal relationship with Christ, too often that same person was still being controlled by destructive habits, emotions, and addictions. Those things were destroying the person’s life. Try as he would, he could not break free.
The SAFE Program is a journey to freedom. We gain that freedom as we allow Christ to show us how we can truly be free. After many hours of counseling others and through study of addictions and associated problems, I became aware of the basic root problem common in every case: Man is separated from God, and his wrong attitudes keep him from the only source of real help for his problems. Real freedom can only occur when deep-rooted destructive attitudes have been changed.
I. Grasping the Basic Concept

It is our estimation that at least 75% of our decisions are made by our subconscious mind, independent of our conscious minds. The subconscious makes these decisions based on the principles fed into this unique computer we call our mind. Once our subconscious decides on a course of action, it then forces us to carry out its decisions.

- How our subconscious overrides our conscious mind.

Emotions are used to insure that we respond to our mind’s suggestions. We all know that emotions can be much stronger than reason. This leads us to the conclusion that, since the majority of our decisions are made by our subconscious mind, we will be able to effect a significant change in our life only if we can change the decisions made there. The book is a tool designed to help us do this.
II. The Root Problem

The problem is that our subconscious operates off the false principles of the world and the negative information we are fed day by day. As we deal with all the guilt, fears, and frustrations of day-to-day life, our mind becomes saturated with those things. We are offered the world’s answers to our problems, and our minds learn to operate by those principles. Due to the fact that these principles are faulty and often lead to greater problems, we sink deeper and deeper into despair and hopelessness. We become enslaved in a destructive lifestyle and can find no way to break free. As we dwell on our failures and addictions, the bondage increases. As we struggle to tear ourselves from this quicksand, we are just carried further and further down.

III. Changing From the Inside Out

If we are to be successful in changing, we must change at the subconscious level -- the level which the Bible refers to as the “heart”. After we have spent a lifetime of saturating our mind with harmful thoughts and attitudes, there is only one thing that is powerful enough to change us. Our only source of real help is God’s Word -- the Bible. There are reasons that the Bible is such a powerful tool:

A. THE WORD CLEANSES – (John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Jesus told His disciples that they were cleansed through the washing of the Word. The truth of the Bible neutralizes the lies and false promises by which we have learned to live. Jesus tells us that knowing the truth is essential to freedom. (John 8:32). God’s Word is the ultimate source of all truth.

B. THE WORD HAS LIFE WITHIN ITSELF

As we saturate our minds with God’s Word, the Holy Spirit takes that powerful weapon and uses it to transform our lives from within.

IV. Our Goal

This book is designed to fill the participant’s mind with God’s Word and thus effect the desired change. We do this three ways:

1. Regular Bible Study to nourish the mind. (Luke 4:4)

2. By training the subconscious to use the basic principles taught in God’s Word.

3. Saturating the mind with verses which teach a truth that will combat a specific problem in the participant’s life.

STUDY SHEET - WEEK 1

Memory Verse: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

DAYS 1-6 Each day review the material for week 1 in the manual.
Following each day’s review, record a blessing received for the day.

Day 1 Reflection question: Give an example of a task you can perform without thinking about the specifics related to accomplishing that task.
Additional study passage - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Day 2 Reflection question: Explain why a person who lives by God’s principles will always be successful in the good life.
Additional study passage - Psalms 15:1-5

Day 3 Reflection Question: What is the one area in your life you would most like to change? Are you willing to do the work necessary to accomplish that change?
Additional study passage - Colossians 3:14-17

Day 4 Reflection Question: Why would positive healthy change be impossible without Christ’s help.
Additional study passage - John 5:39

Day 5 Reflection Question: Why is real and permanent change in our lives not likely to happen immediately and will happen in time only if we are willing to do the work change requires?
Additional study passage - Mark 4:26-32

Day 6 Reflection Question: Why is it most important to saturate our mind with the positive promises from God’s word rather than the negative passages?
Additional study passage - Colossians 3:14-17