Renewal Begins with Breaking Free from the Patterns of this World - Ep. 337 Artwork

Rock Solid Families

Rock Solid Families is committed to helping educate, equip, and empower families to be all God created them to be! Merrill and Linda Hutchinson began Rock Solid Families in October of 2018. They have over 60 years of combined experience in teaching, public speaking, counseling, ministry, and coaching. After much prayer, Merrill and Linda made the decision to step down from their full time positions in the church and public school to focus on strengthening families. Both believe that healthy schools, churches, and communities depend on strong and healthy families. This weekly podcast is made possible through the generous financial support of community partners. With the help of local sponsors and the word spreading through listeners like you, Rock Solid Families is helping to build stronger communities one family at a time!

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Rock Solid Families

Renewal Begins with Breaking Free from the Patterns of this World - Ep. 337

January 05, 2026 • Rock Solid Families • Season 8 • Episode 337

Renewal is not about becoming new people as much as remembering who we already are in Christ.
Listen in as I read these words from the apostle Paul to the church in Rome. He was writing to the Romans but so much of it applies to us today as well.
Read Romans 12:1–2

Focus: Step 1 of renewal—stop conforming.
What Does “Conform to the Patterns of This World” Mean?

Ephesians 4 mentions some of the patterns of this world: In vs. 22 on down
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.

What do the Patterns of this world look like for you today??
Busyness = that somehow how busy your calendar is defines your worth and value

PERSONAL COMFORT-That somehow your personal comfort matters more than your character
IMPULSIVE REACTIONS-That its ok to just impulsively react rather than intentionally and thoughtfully respond
IDENTITY-Who you are is what you do
SELF SUFFICIENCY-That its weakness to surrender and be dependent on God. You somehow have to muscle up and do it all yourself.
STRIVING FOR MORE- rather being content with what we’ve been given.
Key Truth: The truth is most families don’t consciously choose worldliness—they slowly absorb it. We become kind of like a chameleon based on what or who we’re around.

Step 1 of Renewal: Awareness Before Action
You can’t renew what you don’t recognize.
Practical Reflection Questions for Listeners:
What voices are shaping our values more than Scripture?
What patterns feel “normal” but don’t feel life-giving?
Encouragement: Awareness is not condemnation—it’s an invitation.

Advice
Practical Ways to Stop Conforming:
Interrupt the Noise around you and Evaluate
Evaluate:
Media intake
Social media rhythms
News consumption

Ask: Is this shaping my peace or stealing it?

Practical Tip: Try a weekly “noise fast” (one evening with no screens, just presence).
Slow Down to Notice What’s Forming You
Renewal requires margin.

The world disciples through hurry.
Practical Tip:
Build in “pause points”:
Morning prayer before phones
Family check-ins at dinner
Sabbath rhythms (even imperfect ones)
Name the Lies You’ve Normalized
Examples:
“This is just how families are.”
“We’re too busy to change.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.”

Truth: What you don’t challenge, you allow to shape you.

Offer Yourself Again
Tie back to Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Renewal begins with surrender
Simple Prayer:
“Lord, I offer You my mind, my time, my reactions, and my family rhythms.”
Hope-Filled Reframe: Renewal Is a Process
Paul doesn’t say “be instantly transformed”
He says “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
Encouragement for Families:
Small changes matter
Consistent choices build new patterns
God is patient and present in the process
Call to Action:
Commit to one small shift this week
Write it down!
Pray over it as a family

Closing Line:“Renewal doesn’t start when life slows down. It starts when we choose to stop drifting and start offering ourselves—right where we are.”

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