Message Notes – May 24, 2020

Series: Finding Strength

Finding Strength in Jesus to Take Captive Our Thoughts

Series Verses: 

• Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

• 1 Corinthians 10:12. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 

Our greatest enemy can be our thoughts, but our greatest strength is how God can capture each one and bring the right perspective: to align with His truth, bringing His renewal of our minds.

Core passages:

• Romans 12:1-2: 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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

• Colossians 3:1-2, 9-10. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory….. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

• See also Philippians 4:4-9 and Hebrews 12:1-3.

What about for you? Lord, help us see our own patterns of toxicity; please show us what you see. For Reflection:

• What am I believing?

• How am I responding? Reacting? From where?

• What am I choosing? How am I coping? Avoiding?

• Whose power and strength am I operating in?

How do we live forward in his strength to take captive every thought and silence the internal enemy? In His strength, we are empowered to join Him to:

1. ____________ the patterns and lies

2. ________________________ God’s truth and presence. 

3. _________ to follow the lies onboard the train! Capture and give them to Jesus!

4. ________ on Him for truth, self-control and power (Word, Prayer, Community)

5. __________ His ongoing renewal of our mind, transformation of our lives, in Him!

(Recognize, Remember & believe, Refuse, Rely, Receive)

Family/Group Study Notes for the Week of May 24, 2020

Finding Strength in Jesus to Take Captive Our Thoughts

• Have you ever taken the interstate in the wrong direction (e.g. heading east instead of west?) Gotten on the light rail or train headed the wrong direction? If so, what happened? Where did you end up? 

• Sometimes our thoughts can also take us in the wrong direction—we board a train of thought and end up somewhere undesirable. Sometimes we form habits of reacting and responding based on life patterns. How you seen this in your life, family, workplace, or friendships? Jesus promises us something else. Read Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. 

• Based on the passages above, consider the following questions:

  • What does it mean to have our mind renewed and life transformed?

  • Why would we want to take a thought captive?

  • What has had you concerned this past week – or months as we journey this pandemic? How have you been responding in thoughts and actions? 

  • Reflect and share: How have your thoughts, reactions, and responses aligned with God’s word? Are any out of alignment? Is there underlying fear or pain fueling them? Might they be based in an untruth, a lie of the enemy, or misperception of God’s character?

  • Discuss: What does Paul share through these passages that can help reframe and shine light? 

  • Discover: What truth in God’s word refutes the underlying lie or emotion? Discuss together.

• Read Colossians 3:1-10. What promises, strength, and instructions do you find in this passage?

• What are some practical ways you can grow to be more aware of your thoughts? To silence and derail destructive thoughts? To build your armory of truth to help refute and reject the lies?

• Take a moment to breathe and be loved by your heavenly Father, letting His spirit wash in and over you: Quiet yourself. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply through your nose, mind focused on your breath coming in and thinking the word “Be….” Then exhale slowly through your mouth, mind focused on Him and the word “loved.” Do it again. “Be….. Loved…..” Let His grace flow.  

• Gather in small groups and pray for God’s wisdom and discernment, His enlightenment and perspective, to help grow your sensitivity and awareness, and for His strength and power to take captive thoughts and renew your mind; to lead you to a transformed life strengthened by His power.

Remember: Jesus gives us strength to take captive the destructive thoughts that lead us into negative and destructive patterns of conflict, anger, despair, fear, isolation, numbing and turmoil, so that we can live fully and walk in his grace and peace in every interaction and circumstance.

Additional resources: Managing toxic thoughts and journeying times of crisis (and daily): Dr. Caroline Leaf: http://drleaf.com; Dr. Henry Cloud https://drcloud.com; both have free videos on Facebook and Instagram. See also William Ury, TED Talk re: Third Side: https://www.ted.com/talks/william_ury_the_walk_from_no_to_yes.