In this week’s message Pastor Bobby’s ask is that you help reinforce the underlying theme “It’s time to grow!” Growth has to be intentional. Each believer has to make a commitment to grow this year as we corporately make a decision to grow as a church family. We have to make the commitment to reset our mindset. One that moves from the place of apathetic contentment with a mediocre life lived for Jesus to a growth mindset.
“THE LEADER’s OUTLINE”
About 50% of the time our minds are running on autopilot. God has made us that way so we can function in every day life. “But as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Pro 23:7)
We can either think like the world or we can think with the mind of Christ. “But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2:16)
To function with the mind of Christ we have to grow! We have to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to know who he is.
He is the Word. (John 1:1) Therefore, we have to have the word of God ingrained in us. A casual reading of the word does not embed the word of God in us, or change the way we think. We need to be rooted in his word, to have the word of God as our default mode of thinking. Our mindset is changed by repeatedly thinking on his word (meditating). It requires focused, disciplined, active thinking on his word.
So how do we meditate on his word? There are many ways to meditate. This is just one way to start meditating
Pick a verse that has been memorized– Like Ps 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Repeatedly say that verse out loud, and in your mind.
Then, go onto thinking how the Lord is our shepherd. As a shepherd he protects us, so think on how as the Lord our shepherd has protected us. Think on what else does a shepherd does. Think on all the aspects of a shepherd and how the Lord has been a shepherd to us in those areas. Thank Him and worship Him. Then go on to the next phrase of the verse “I shall not want.”At the end of the day as we are falling asleep, repeatedly say say the verse out loud and in our minds.
Consider and discuss the following:
1. How consistent are we in reading, memorizing and studying his word?
2. How consistent are we in meditating his word so that the word of God is our default mode of thinking?
3. Since what we think on is who we are, are we taking every thought captive? (2Cor 10:5)
4. Are we thinking on things specifically given in the word? (Phil 4:8)
