Growth Emotionally
Luke 2:52
Introduction
- A balanced Christian life is essential
- Luke 2:52
I. The Challenge of a Balanced Christian Life
- Humans are naturally unbalanced and need the Word of God to restore perspective.
- Balanced Growth in Jesus
- Intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social development
II. Evaluating Areas of Life
- Intellectual Strength
- Some may be strong intellectually but weak in other areas
- Social and Emotional Deficits
- Importance of addressing emotional development to be a well-balanced Christian
III. Measuring Emotional Development
- Attitudes largely determine actions and motivations
- Proverbs 4:23
- Isaiah 30:15
- Ephesians 4:25-32
- Impact of Negative Attitudes
- Examples of bitterness, rage, and anger in Christians
IV. Developing Positive Attitudes
- Kindness and Compassion
- Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate
- Personal Anecdotes
- Story of the student and the napkin
- Example of the man with a hostile attitude
V. The Importance of Gratitude
- Thanksgiving as Therapy
- Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always
- Practicing gratitude changes attitude
- Example of Paul in prison (Philippians 1)
- Responding to Adversity
- James 1:2-3: Joy in trials
VI. Becoming a Giving Person
- Scriptural Basis
- Acts 20:35: More blessed to give than to receive
- Mark 10:45: Jesus came to serve
- James 1:27: Caring for orphans and widows
- Application
- Giving without expecting a return
- Example of the football player and his wife
VII. Conclusion
- Reflection on Self-Centeredness
- Questioning if one is delivered from self-centeredness
- Call to Action
- Pray for the ability to serve and minister to others
- Importance of impacting one's generation for Christ
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
