I use about 14 to 16 different verses. I will use different translations. That is another reason I will use an outline because I use different translations. Sometimes the New American Standard says it better. Sometimes The New Living Translation says it better. Sometimes the NIV says it better. So I use that. It also allows me to have retention because you can have people read it aloud together. We actually read scripture aloud together. I say, "Now, let's all read this together." I'll say circle that word, underline that, star that. Then they can take it home with them and put it up on the refrigerator, pass it on to friends, teach a Bible study on it. I'm a firm believer in actually writing out the message, outlined with scriptures written out. If you are in it for life change it just makes it a whole lot easier for people to use.

Preaching: Are there some particular insights you've gained over the years that help you preach for life change?

Warren: There are ten things that really form how I figure life can change. The first one is that all behavior is based on belief. If you ask why do I do what I do, it's because you believe something behind it. If somebody gets a divorce it is because they have a belief behind that which is causing them to get a divorce -- I think I'll be happier divorced than I will not or whatever. If you have sex outside of marriage it's because you have a belief behind it.

The second thing, behind every sin is a lie of unbelieving. This has profound implications for preaching. When you sin, at that moment you think you are doing what is best for you. You think you are doing the right thing but you have been deceived. When your kids do something dumb, at that moment they think what they are doing is smart but it's dumb. The Bible tells us that Satan deceives us.

The third thing -- change always starts in the mind. This principle is taught all the way through the New Testament. Romans 12:2, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The Bible teaches real clearly that the way we think affects the way we feel and the way we feel affects the way we act. Since change starts in the mind, and sin starts with a lie, and behavior starts with belief, number four: to help people change you have to change their beliefs first. You don't work on their behavior; you work on their beliefs because it always starts in their mind. That is why Jesus says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Number five, trying to change people's behavior without changing their beliefs is a waste of time. The illustration I use is it's like a boat on auto pilot. I have got a boat and it is in a lake and it is on auto pilot and it is headed north. If I want it to head south -- I want to do a 180 degree turn -- I want to do a "repentance" on that boat. I have two options: one I could physically grab the steering wheel of the boat and physically force it to turn around and it would turn around. But the whole time it is turned around, I am under tension because I am forcing it to go against its auto pilot. Pretty soon I get tired and I let go of the wheel -- I go back to smoking, I go off of the diet, I stop doing whatever, I go back to my habitual ways of stress relief. So, the better way is to change the auto pilot. The way you change auto pilot is by changing the way they think. Now, that brings up repentance.