Problem Analysis

In previous messages I touched upon a process called KT Decision Analysis. There is also a related process called KT Problem Analysis. This process is used to solve problems in industry and the originators of the approach Charles H. Kepner and Benjamin B. Tregoe recognised that problem solving must be broken into at least two stages - firstly finding a cause and secondly choosing a solution.

Rudyard Kipling said, " I keep six honest men (They taught me all I know) Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who."

One important question in KT Problem Analysis is " When did the problem or issue arise?"

In this message I would like to consider application of this procedure in relation to a Biblical situation and also find a solution to a ministry or personal problem.

In 1 Samuel 17 Israel is being defied by Goliah. The Bible says that when Saul and all Israel heard the words of Goliah the Philistine they were dismayed and afraid. Here we find a major problem for Israel in the Bible.

There are giants equally determined and terrible that threaten us in national and individual experience and solutions are needed to deal with them!

So using the KT Problem Analysis method let us look for the cause of the problem in 1 Samuel! When did the problem or issue arise?

In 1 Samuel 13 we see that Saul makes a mistake and the mistake was his hand was forced by circumstances ... he did not wait on the Lord. Later in 1 Samuel 15 Saul makes another mistake by being disobedient to the word of the Lord.

So much for the cause what about the solution. Well the solution is found in God and David?s faith. Some notes on how David took out Goliah follow:-

1. Build yourself up based on past victories - 1 Sam. 17 : 36 " Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear .."

2. Everyone tells you how to do it - 1 Sam . 17: 38 " Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic .." but do it God?s way.

3. David picked 5 stones and only used one! There were 4 more giants ( 1 Samuel 21 : 16 - 22 ) . Relatives of the giants which you conquer can come back.

4. Beware from attacks from unbelievers (Goliath was a paid professional soldier) And believers (e.g. Saul ).

5. Run towards the victory.

6. God may give a person a major victory or victories initially but it may be a number of years before the individual fully comes into his/her ministry.

7. God uses the most unlikely person and the most unlikely method to kill Goliah. God uses the anointed person to bring victory. David was not anointed by an organisation but by God.

*******

Now let us apply the KT problem analysis method to solve a problem which is fairly common in ministries and some people?s personal lives and that is debt.

For illustration purposes let us consider a case in which as we look back in time it is evident that at a certain point income for a person is starting to dry up and expenses are suddenly starting to rise.

What is the cause? Is the person being forced to do some thing because of circumstances and not waiting on the Lord? Has the person decided not to give full tithes and offerings? What happened at this point when there was a negative deviation from the norm?

In the example examined in 1 Samuel the solution is found in God / Word and a person?s faith. Could the solution for the person in debt be the same. A pertinent scripture is:-

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. {pour...: Heb. empty out}

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.