This past year, we have seen tremendous responses from churches across East Asia, sharing the power of teaching theology through a holistic transformational lens.

 

“These Truths Became Alive in Us …”

 

One of our partner churches in East Asia began a six-month course built on our Transformational Theology designs, using the resource What God Is Like. It began with the lesson “God Is Spirit,” and from the very first session, participants were deeply impacted. The church leader reflected:

 

It was incredibly powerful. The concepts were eye-opening and stirred a deep hunger for God in everyone. I immediately discussed doing more with my church co-workers.

 

Soon, around 30 believers – small group leaders, Sunday School teachers, and eager members – were gathering every Saturday for half-day sessions. The course used a holistic design that emphasized interaction, application and group learning. Over the course of 23 lessons, their once-fragmented understanding of God was radically reshaped. Many participants realized for the first time just how distorted their previous views had been:

 

Although we were Christians before, each of us had our own views of God. Through this course, we came to know Him more deeply and accurately. Many of our misconceptions were corrected, and we also experienced the power of God’s Word.

 

The effects were personal and corporate. One sister, suffering from chronic shoulder pain, was healed during a session as she meditated on God’s omnipresence. Others reported emotional healing, deep joy and newfound freedom. Participants opened up more in group sharing, and their testimonies built one another’s faith. The lesson “God is Gracious” especially led many to vulnerability and reconciliation. They shared openly, confessed sin, prayed for one another, and experienced deep spiritual renewal.

 

We used to see God as distant, stern and unapproachable. But through the course, we came to know His unconditional love and acceptance. Our passion for God was rekindled, and we began to practice His love in daily life – at home, at work, and in all we do.

 

This renewed understanding of God began to change the entire atmosphere of the church. Those facing hardship regained joy through the living power of God’s Word. Service that once felt obligatory became joyful and voluntary. Members began visiting others and serving spontaneously. The love of God became visible in their words and actions.

 

Previously, serving felt forced or reluctant. But after six months of learning, people became eager, proactive, and willing. Young and old alike were taking initiative to serve. It was truly beautiful!

 

These outcomes emphasize that theology requires so much more than an intellectual knowledge of God – it requires a transformational goal and a transformational process. When theology is grasped this way, real spiritual breakthrough and growth occurs!

 

These truths became alive in us, bringing freedom and release, allowing us to walk freely before God and others, and live in the light. [Transformational Theology] taught us to pay attention to God in all aspects of life and to be led by Him right now, in our current environment. We learned to serve God and love others in the here and now. When we completed the assignments designed for each lesson, our lives were truly transformed. Many saw their faith grow and developed a deeper hunger for God!

 

Personal Testimonies of Transformation

 

One sister shared both internal and physical transformation.

 

I’ve been a believer for over 20 years. My husband has always been very controlling, and I lived in pain and bitterness, unable to forgive him. But in the third week of the course, God spoke to me through Scripture: “Those who seek my life set their traps; those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak.” (Psalm 38:12–13)

 

This verse changed me. Every time I remembered my hurt, God’s Word gave me strength and I let go of my bitterness. Once, when my husband scolded me, I laughed. He thought I was mocking him and was confused why I didn’t respond. But I just felt joy inside. God had lifted my heart above the situation – something I had never experienced before.

 

Then, I experienced physical healing. For seven years after my thyroid surgery I had suffered from chronic coughing, and my legs were swollen from illness. But during one session, after earnestly worshiping with others, I returned home and the swelling in my legs had disappeared. I experienced the living God. He really is among us and heals us!

 

Another sister shared:

 

I started from the second lesson, and from the beginning, I felt like I was right before God’s throne, sitting like Mary at Jesus’ feet. I was listening not with my ears, but with my heart. I felt so close to Him and didn’t want to miss a single lesson.

 

The course is very practical. The group discussions and assignments helped me deeply internalize each attribute of God. Unlike other classes where I would forget everything afterward, this one left a lasting impression. Each week, I continued meditating on God’s nature and how to live it out in my daily life.

 

I experienced real freedom. I used to perform for others and was very hard on myself. If I made a mistake, I couldn’t forgive myself, and I demanded the same of my husband and children. But I learned that real freedom comes not from expecting perfection, but from understanding how God forgives me. I’ve since learned to extend that same grace to my family.

 

Every session filled me with joy – as if the truth that “God is Beautiful” took root in me. I began to see the world through His eyes and saw goodness everywhere.

 

A third testified to regaining her eyesight:

 

Yesterday, we studied “God is Self-Existent.” The goal was to rely on God. I forgot my glasses that morning and worried I wouldn’t be able to read the Bible or take notes. But when I heard that all things are created by and depend on God, I thought – my eyes are also created by God. I laid hands on my eyes and prayed: “Lord, my eyes were made by You. Let them glorify You.” After that simple prayer, I picked up my Bible, and the letters looked huge and clear like I was wearing glasses. I could read and write perfectly, even the tiny punctuation marks I’d never seen before. I was overwhelmed by the truth that every part of my body depends on God. It was a powerful, life-changing realization!

 

A fourth leader shared:

 

One day I woke up with severe pain in my shoulder blade  ̶  it hurt to sit, lie down, or move. Even breathing caused pain. I tried stretches and massage, but nothing helped.

 

That Saturday morning, I remembered the lessons “God is Spirit” and “God Is Omnipresent.” I laid hands on my shoulder and declared God’s presence there. During the class, the lesson was on God’s omniscience. I kept praying and declaring: “Jesus, You are with me. You know my pain. You can heal me.” That day, the pain eased. By the next afternoon, I realized I could move freely and do chores. All the pain was gone! God had healed me. Praise and glory to Him!

 

“We’re Living Out His Truth!”

 

Another church we’ve been working with for years also applied Transformational Theology in their context, and has been seeing tremendous growth in their congregation as a result. The following is an account of how they did this and what the results were, from one of their primary church leaders.

 

As we listened to the Transformational Theology teaching, we were deeply moved: this truth is not only needed by church workers but by everyone in the church!

 

We decided to begin by having our church leaders study it first, and then teach it to the congregation. Each Sunday we would share one truth, and then spend the following week practicing what we learned using the designs provided by your team. We've now been doing this in our church for over a year.

 

Along the way, we shared with one another our personal understanding of God, confessed where we had misconceptions or superficial views, opened our hearts, and allowed God’s truth to shine into our lives. This led to repentance, intercession, encouragement, and a renewed love and hunger for God. We also asked God to help us practice these truths in our daily lives.

 

In the past, we often treated truth passively  ̶  just listening. But through this process, we began practicing it in our daily lives. We returned to Scripture and sought to know God through His Word and how He reveals Himself. The results are amazing!

 

·        Church members now read the Bible proactively, without reminders or pressure. They truly enjoy God’s Word and seek to obey it.

 

·        People became eager to attend gatherings and hungry for truth. They took personal responsibility for prayer, and started actively loving God and building a relationship with Him.

 

·        Our thinking was transformed, which changed our attitudes toward God and toward others. For example, after learning about God's self-sufficiency, we realized that we are the ones who need God – not the other way around. God doesn’t depend on us for satisfaction; we find our satisfaction in Him. After understanding this, one member said, “Why be proud? What do I have that wasn’t received from God? Why compete with others?” As a result, we turned back to God in surrender, trusting Him more and arguing less.

 

·        Family relationships (especially between spouses) were healed, and now move forward in greater harmony. We used to constantly judge who was right or wrong. But after learning that God is full of grace, we realized that we too are imperfect and need to extend grace to one another. Instead of fighting, couples learned to return to God, reflect on their own hearts, repent, and give grace.

 

·        Those who were spiritually weak used to feel condemned, thinking God didn’t love or want them anymore. But after understanding God’s goodness and grace, they were set free from guilt, became honest before God, and returned to Him with even more passion and love.

 

·        Our church life improved and stabilized significantly. People now seek God when problems arise rather than relying on human solutions. Through prayer, they experience God’s grace, and become more mindful of His righteousness and holiness in everyday life. Church leaders now feel less burdened, as people take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Everyone is committed to learning the truth of the Bible, pursuing God, repenting personally, and growing in spiritual maturity.

 

·        Relationships among co-workers also improved. We stopped comparing and judging, instead seeking to complement one another. Everyone stood firm in their calling and served together in unity, caring more about God’s heart than people’s opinions. This reduced friction and brought greater clarity and peace in ministry. When issues arose, we sought God’s will rather than focusing on who was at fault, and we shared responsibility as a team.

 

Whenever we studied foundational doctrines in the past, they felt distant to us, as if God was God and we were just ourselves. But with Transformational Theology, everything connected directly to our lives. It changed how we think. We now have a real relationship with God and clear direction for how to live. As we study, we’re continually convicted and transformed, softening our hearts and letting go of stubborn old beliefs.

 

Through God’s Word and practical application, we are now more connected to Him. We’re living out His truth!