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You are Not Condemned
Under Construction - Lesson 1
Lesson Guide
Why Renew Our Minds?
We’ve all suffered some damage, wear and tear and breakdown in our thought life. We have all been exposed to hurts, temptations and attacks against our mind.
Like a seed planted in the ground, God’s Word is a seed planted in the soil of our hearts. We need to remove the rocks and stumps in our thought patterns in order for the good seed, God’s Word, to germinate and bring new life. We have to begin by breaking down the strongholds that exist in our mind.
This begins by acknowledging and confessing, that there is damage in our life.
Drilling Deeper
Can you think of any “rocks” or “stumps” in your own thought life that may be keeping God’s Word from growing in your life?
Signs of a Healthy Mind
- Experiencing conviction by the Holy Spirit.
- Acknowledgement of sin and wrong thoughts.
- Confession of sin – to God and to others. God’s grace is extended to us when we confess our sins.
- When we keep our sins inside of us and don’t confess them it weakens our mind. But when we confess them and bring them before the Lord, our guilt is lifted and we can renew our minds.
Drilling Deeper
Have you ever felt like there is a battle going on in your mind between two sides? Do you ever feel like you’re alone in your struggle? How does it make you feel when you choose to do what’s right?
FROM THE BLUEPRINT:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” – James 5:16 (NLT)
My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. – Psalm 32:4-5
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. 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. – Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
You Are Not Alone
If you’ve ever felt like there is a battle going on in your mind you are not alone. We call this: the battlefield of the mind, or the Civil War of the soul.
Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this! If the great apostle Paul who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament struggled with sin, then we all are in good company! Paul launches into Romans chapter 8 and declares there’s no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
“When you came to Christ, He forgave you of every sin up to that point. But He also has forgiven you of your future sins. If your sin was too great for His grace, He never would have saved you in the first place.”
You Are Not Condemned.
A condemned building, is a building that will never be reconstructed or renewed again. God does not put a sign over our lives that says “condemned”.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Knowing nothing can separate us from his love, will fuel us to know nothing we have thought or done can prevent us from having a renewed healthy mind.
If we feel that revealing our faults and our hurts will cause God to reject us, we will never embrace His word to renew our minds. Love and acceptance is a vital foundation to rebuilding your mind.
Drilling Deeper
Is there a time in your life when you felt fully loved, despite your wrong-doings?
Further Discussion
Take some time to discuss what you just watched. Start the discussion by referring to the “Drilling Deeper” questions.
As a group, read Romans 8:1-14. What stands out to you?
What is the link between these verses and the verses at the end of chapter 7?
What is the difference between “living by rules (law)” and “living by the Spirit”? As a group list some practical ways to set your mind on the things of the Spirit.
What is condemnation and how would you describe what it feels like? In Christ, we’re set free from our own self-hatred, self-rejection and self-doubt.
What two great benefits have been given to us who are in Christ Jesus? (v.3-4)
Ask the group if there is anything that they would like prayer for as they begin the journey of renewing their minds. Be sensitive to personal needs, some may not feel comfortable sharing the details of their struggles. Let them know that it is OK and trust that the Holy Spirit is at work.
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