The Battle for your Mind, Part One

Key Scripture

Proverbs 4:23–27

Take Away / Application

Guard your heart/mind by thinking pure thoughts and saturating yourself with God’s Word.

Discussion Questions

Don’t be afraid to add to this list, skip questions that don’t work for your group or branch off with additional questions as the discussion unfolds. Conversation is key! This is the time to work through the application of scripture and have group members figure things out together.

1. In Scripture, the word “heart” can be used to describe: the mind, feelings, the soul, the body, all of who a person is. Before today, how have you guarded your heart?
2. Read Proverbs 4:23. In verse 23 Solomon writes, “Keep your heart with all diligence.” Look up and define “diligence”. Now consider the phrase, “with all diligence.” When you consider everything that impacts your mind, feelings, eyes, ears, etc. what areas are lacking in the diligence needed to guard your heart above all else?
3. In Matthew 5:8 Jesus states, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Why is purity of heart important? Is it attainable?
4. Read Psalm 16:7–9. Read Psalm 86:11–12. Read Psalm 119:1–9, 11.
5. Keep in mind the Scripture from question three. What you put in, is what you’ll get out. What saturates your thought life? What saturates your family’s thought life? Honestly look at… YouTube, social media, kids activities, Netflix, sports, gaming, etc.
6. Read Proverbs 4:24. What do you do to strive to speak in a God-honoring way? How aware are you of your words, tone, and assumptions in your speech?
7. Read Proverbs 4:25. This verse deals with what we look at—where our eyes gaze and linger. How does this aspect of life deal with purity of heart? What can we do to be watchful regarding what we look at in our daily living?
8. Read Proverbs 4:26–27. These verses use our feet as an image for the whole body and the importance of staying on God’s path and not getting sidetracked into behavior that is unhealthy, unhelpful, and ungodly. What direction are your feet pointed in? Is there any area of your life that needs to turn back toward the Lord? Share and ask the group for help and accountability.

Prayer

Make Psalm 86:11–12 your own personal prayer this week.

“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.”