During the weekend message, we were reminded that what we focus our hearts and minds on directly impacts our words and actions. As a result, if we want to form habits that honor God and live in a way that points others to Him, we must take very seriously what we allow our minds to think and dwell on. What we dwell on can either point us toward or away from Christ.
What are some of the things you spend most of your time thinking about and focusing on?
1. How have you been impacted by the things you find yourself constantly dwelling on?
2. Read Proverbs 23:7a. Summarize this verse in your own words.
Proverbs 23:7a NKJV
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
3. Read 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6. How can we guard our hearts according to this passage of Scripture?
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
4. Read Romans 12:2. How do we “let God transform [us] into a new person by changing the way [we] think,” and what is the result of living this way?
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
1. Why must we take seriously the thoughts we allow ourselves to focus on?
2. Based on the Scripture we studied today, what do we need to focus our minds on if we want to grow and make speaking words that honor Christ a habit?
3. What is one way that you can take seriously the things you focus on and think deeply about?
Choose a verse from the passages of Scripture that we studied today to memorize this week. When you have chosen your verse, share the verse you chose and why you chose it. Scripture memory is a great way to focus your mind and heart on God and His word.
If we want to focus our minds and hearts on Christ and His word, we must stop listening to this world's lies. You see, every day, the enemy is at work spreading lies and causing us to doubt God’s goodness, care, provision, and protection. If we want to set our minds on the things of Christ, we have to stop listening to these lies and turn to the truths of Scripture instead. Let’s look at three truths in Scripture to speak against three common lies of the enemy.
One way the enemy fights for our minds is by clouding them with worries and concerns, making us think that we are left to face our uncertain and heartbreaking circumstances on our own. He even makes us believe that we cannot trust God to care for us amidst our worries and concerns. This is entirely contrary to Scripture, which teaches that we do not have to worry because we have a God who can carry our worries, fears, and doubts for us.
1. Read 1 Peter 5:7.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
2. How are we to respond when we are worried and concerned?
3. Why does Peter command us to give our “worries and cares to God?”
4. How will the truth in this passage of Scripture help you fight against the lies of the enemy when it comes to worry?
The enemy tries to convince us that we are unlovable and that we must earn the love of everyone in our lives. This lie is completely contrary to Scripture, which teaches us that we are loved by God and worthy of being loved and treated with dignity by everyone.
1. Read John 3:16
John 3:16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
2. According to this verse, how did God show His love to the world?
3. What does this passage of Scripture teach about God’s love and our value?
4. How will the truth in this passage of Scripture help you fight against the lies of the enemy when it comes to feeling unlovable?
Many people want to grow and take steps toward growth in their lives, but they have been fed lies from the enemy. The enemy tells them that they are "too far gone" to take steps of growth or that they are not capable of making changes to grow and become more like Christ. Scripture tells us something entirely different. Scripture teaches that God works in and through us to accomplish more than we could imagine!
1. Read Ephesians 3:20.
Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s power?
3. How have you already experienced God’s power working in you in ways you never imagined?
4. How will the truth in this passage of Scripture help you fight against the lies of the enemy when it comes to feeling like you are “too far gone?”
When it comes to the lies of the enemy, we talked about today, which do you struggle with the most? How did the Scripture you studied today combat the lie you have been believing? Share with your group one way you will focus on truth instead of the enemy's lies.
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