1. The damaging effects of negative thinking

I Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (ESV=English Standard Version)

2. How negative thinking becomes automatic

• Humans have a negativity

Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” (NLT=New Living Translation)

• 5 factors that contribute to negative thinking

3. Ways to break negative thinking patterns

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (ESV)

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.” (NLT)

Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (ESV)

7 ways to break the cruise control setting of negativity.

•

the negative thought

• Question it’s

• Replace the negative thought with a

• Stop negative

• Practice

I Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT

• Prioritize positive

• Choose positive

Discussion Questions:

1. Share you own struggles with negative thinking. Why does it seem so easy to be negative?
   

2. What are the damaging effect of thinking? Does any of this surprise you?
   

3. How does negative thinking become so engrained and automatic? Discuss how we have a negativity bias. What does this mean?
   

4. What does scripture teach us about the importance of thinking correctly?
   

5. Discuss each of the seven ways we can break the negative cruise control setting our mind. Which ones do you need to begin practicing?