© 2024 Coastal Church. All rights reserved | Privacy & Security
1160 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC, V6E 3H7
God’s Blueprint for a Healthy Mind
Under Construction - Lesson 5
Lesson Guide
The Blueprint
When God comes into our lives to restore us, He comes with a blueprint to make us strong enough to withstand the daily struggles, and also to be able to stand in the storms of life.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, challenged us to be a wise builder. If we hear His words and renew our minds to them, we will find that our lives are built on a rock that can withstand the hurricanes and earthquakes of life. God wants to be the architect of our lives. Just as the city of Jerusalem could never have fulfilled its purpose with broken down walls, so we will never fulfill God’s purpose for our lives until we study and apply His blueprint – The Bible.
The world around us would like us to become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. God’s blueprint provides a map for us to bring out our very best. If we are going to copy the behavior God gives us in His plan, we will have to deal with the thoughts contrary to His ways that want to come into our mind.
Drilling Deeper
Have you ever worked on a project, where you needed to refer to a set of blueprints? Or, maybe built a piece of furniture (ie: Ikea) that required you to look at detailed instructions? Was it easy to follow the blueprint/instructions? Did you ever feel like ignoring the instructions and trying to figure things out on your own?
Be a Thought Inspector
Think of your mind as a country allowing some thoughts to enter and denying access to others. Most of us have done a certain amount of travelling and are familiar with the questions we are asked at the border before we are allowed entrance.
In the same way, we need to be this pedantic about every thought that wants to enter our minds. Like a border control officer inspecting each arrival, we must be inspectors of thoughts arriving at our minds, asking questions like, “Is this thought raising itself above the knowledge of God, is it saying God’s blueprint is wrong?” “Is it bringing fear, doubt, or some lie to my mind?” “What will be the outcome if it gets a stronghold?”
Throughout the book of Nehemiah, we see Nehemiah encouraging the people to remember and apply what God has said. When we follow God’s blueprint to rebuild our thought life it not only protects our minds from the outside elements, it also gives us a great peace and joy on the inside. These are some of the greatest benefits to a renewed mind.
Drilling Deeper
Have you had any unique experiences when crossing a border?
“The world around us would like us to become so well-adjusted to our culture that we fit into it without even thinking. God’s blueprint provides a map for us to bring out our very best.”
FROM THE BLUEPRINT:
“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.” – Romans 12:2
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8
Further Discussion
As a group, take some time to discuss what you just watched. Start the discussion by referring to the “Drilling Deeper” questions.
Looking around the room you are in what building codes do you see in affect?
According to Galatians 5:19-21 what are some thought patterns you want to deny at the border of your mind?
Read Romans 12:1,2 out of the Message Bible. Where do you struggle with fitting into our present-day culture?
What are the eight different types of thoughts that Paul lists in Phil. 4:8? Give an example of each one.
When we think on what God says it will bring life and health to our whole being; body, soul and spirit. Read Proverbs 4:18-27 and discuss how this passage relates to today’s topic.
Take some time to pray together as a group. As you discuss God’s Word in your group today be encouraged that the Holy Spirit is at work in your life and remember God is for you!
Watch The Message