Core for More Bible Study July 29, 2026
Successful Coaching – P3 – Managing Change
Today, we are going to look beyond just the mechanics of management and delve into the psychology of how people react when the "status quo" is challenged.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to enhance your leadership through four core pillars: Interpersonal Management, Coaching, Team Building, and—our primary focus today—Change Management. As we navigate change, we must identify how our essential workers respond to ensure we are leading them effectively.
THOUGHTS ON CHANGE
There is only one constant in change. Our success in life is based on our ability to adapt to change.
- Our bodies change
- Technology changes
- Telephones
- Music – how we receive it – from 8 track to streaming
- We now listen to books instead of only reading them
- How we use money – Cashapp, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay
- How we reach the lost has changed
- Companies, Churches, and organizations, and people can adapt will thrive
FOUR RESPONSES TO CHANGE:
RESPONSE 1: VICTIM MODE
The first response we often see is Victim Mode. These individuals feel that change is something being done to them. They exhibit behaviors like resisting, feeling angry, and reverting to old ways.
- Biblical Connection: This mirrors the Hebrews after coming out of Egypt. Despite being delivered from slavery, many remained in a victim mindset, constantly complaining about the hardships of the desert and wishing they were back in the "safety" of their bondage because the transition was too difficult.
Exodus 16:2-3 (ESV)
2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
RESPONSE 2: CRITIC MODE
Next is the Critic Mode. Critics spend their energy looking for reasons why a new initiative won't work. They challenge the necessity of change and doubt it will improve anything.
- Biblical Connection: Like the Hebrews who complained against Moses, Critics focus on the obstacles rather than the promise. Together, the Victims and Critics form the 30% of your organization known as "Resistors"
- God referred to resistors as stiff-necked. To be stiff-necked is to be obstinate and difficult to lead. The Bible often uses this figure of speech when describing the attitude of Israel toward God (e.g., Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 9:13; Nehemiah 9:16; Acts 7:51). The term was originally used to describe an ox that refused to be directed by the farmer's ox goad. When a farmer harnessed a team of oxen to a plow, he directed them by poking them lightly with a sharp spike on the heels or the neck to make them pick up speed or turn. An ox that refused to be directed in such a way by the farmer was referred to as "stiff-necked." A stiff-necked animal (or person) refuses to turn the head to take a different path.
RESPONSE 3: BYSTANDER MODE
People in "bystander mode" share striking similarities with the "lukewarm" church described in the Bible. Both concepts describe a state of passive inaction, emotional detachment, and a failure to intervene when help or commitment is needed.
Revelation 3:15–16 (ESV)
'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
RESPONSE 4: NAVIGATOR MODE
Finally, we have the Navigators. These are the individuals who look for opportunities in the change and work to minimize negative reactions in others.
- Biblical Connection: Navigators are the Joshua and Calebs of your team. Just as Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies who returned with a positive report—trusting in the ability to possess the land while others saw only giants—Navigators see the "grapes" and the potential for a better future
- Importance: Navigators are vital because they are the ones driving the change from within the ranks. They provide the nurturing relationships needed to help others move forward.
- The only way to be the best that you can possibly be
- The only way to get what God truly has for you is to be a navigator
- There is an old saying, "If you follow the crowd, you'll only get as far as the crowd."
- Beware: Navigators often get neglected because they're already onboard. We as leaders must be mindful to especially show appreciation and acknowledgement to the navigators on your team or in your organization because they're the one's that move the needle more than anyone else towards the successful completion of a mission.
THE 20-50-30 RULE
Visualizing the breakdown: 20% are your Navigators, 50% are your Bystanders, and 30% are your Resistors. As a leader, where you choose to spend your energy will determine your success.
RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON THE 70%
It is a common mistake to spend all your time trying to "fix" the Resistors. Instead, the sources suggest we should focus on the 70% (Navigators and Bystanders).
- Why pursue Bystanders? You should invest your time to "woo" the Bystanders because your odds of winning them over are significantly higher. When the 50% (Bystanders) join the 20% (Navigators), you create a 70% majority that makes the change unstoppable.
WHY MOVE AWAY FROM RESISTORS?
Focusing on Resistors is often a trap. They tend to absorb the most time and energy and giving them excessive attention actually reinforces their negative behavior.
"A person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still"
Matthew 10:12-15 (ESV)
12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
- Insights on Buy-in: While buy-in is important, it is not necessary from everyone. Sometimes, true buy-in only comes after the results are already in.
- Biblical Connection: This aligns with the instructions Jesus gave his disciples. In Matthew chapter 10, He told them that if a town would not listen to their message, they should "shake the dust off their shoes" and move on. In a professional sense, once you have clearly communicated the change, you must eventually "shake the dust" and focus your energy on those who are willing to move forward, rather than being held back by those who refuse to leave "Egypt."
CLOSING
As we close, we've talked about four different responses to change.
Some people become victims. They long for yesterday and struggle to embrace tomorrow.
Some become critics. They spend so much time questioning what God may be doing that they never experience what God wants to do.
Some become bystanders. They watch from a distance, waiting for someone else to take the first step.
But then there are navigators. Navigators don't have every answer. They don't know every detail of the journey. They simply trust God enough to take the next step.
The truth is, every one of us has been one of those four people at different times in our lives.
But there is one change that is greater than every organizational change, every career change, every family change, and every season of life. It is the change that God wants to make in every human heart.