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December 7, 2023

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Student Handout: Unraveling Thoughts

Sermon Title: Week 1: Unraveling Thoughts
Speaker: Pastor Akil Thompson

Introduction

  • Big Idea: The war of life is fought in the mind. We are naturally inclined towards negativity, but through God, we can rewire our thoughts towards joy.

Scripture References

  1. Philippians 4:4-8 NLT
  2. Luke 2:8-11 NLT
  3. Proverbs 23:7
  4. Romans 12:2 NLT
  5. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
  6. James 2:17 NLT
  7. Psalm 103:2

Main Points

  1. Understanding The Influence of Thoughts

    • Our thoughts shape our lives and destinies.
    • Change your thoughts, change your world.

  2. The Battle In The Mind

    • Thoughts can be our greatest ally or adversary.
    • Importance of guarding our minds.

  3. Faith-filled Thoughts Strengthen Your Faith

    • Faith-filled thoughts lead to faith-filled outcomes.
    • Paul’s advice from Philippians.

  4. Transform Thoughts into Actions

    • Thoughts are the seeds of actions.
    • Faith without deeds is dead.

Practical Steps

  1. Rewiring Our Mind

    • Like fixing a bulb in a strand of Christmas lights.
    • Our thoughts need regular examination and realignment.

  2. Scriptural Affirmations

    • Affirmations based on scripture to reinforce faith-filled thinking.
    • Examples include: “I am a child of God”, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, “I am a new creation in Christ”.

  3. One-Track Mind

    • Focusing on the good news of Jesus’s birth.
    • Share the Good News as a model for our thoughts.

Conclusion

  • Joy and Gratitude: Gratitude precedes joy.
  • Reflect on God’s blessings and express gratitude.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some negative thought patterns you need to rewire?

  2. How can you apply Philippians 4:8 to your daily life?

  3. What are the ‘good news’ aspects of your life you can focus on this Christmas?

Action Steps

  • Make a list of all the good in your life to focus your thoughts on.

  • Reflect on the blessings of God in your life and express gratitude.

Prayer: Take time to pray, focusing on gratitude and positive thinking.

Scriptural Affirmations

  1. I am a child of God

    • Scripture: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

  2. I am fearfully and wonderfully made

    • Scripture: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

  3. I am a new creation in Christ

    • Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

  4. I am the light of the world

    • Scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

  5. I am chosen by God and holy

    • Scripture: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

  6. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit

    • Scripture: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

  7. I am loved with an everlasting love

    • Scripture: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

  8. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might

    • Scripture: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

  9. I am more than a conqueror through Christ

    • Scripture: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

  10. I am the righteousness of God in Christ

    • Scripture: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

  11. I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works

    • Scripture: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

  12. I am not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind

    • Scripture: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

  13. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony

    • Scripture: “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)