Session 5: The Battle for our Minds
Click on underlined videos to run them.
OBJECTIVE: To understand that, although our enemy, the devil, is constantly attempting to get us to believe lies, we don’t have to believe every thought that comes into our head but can hold each one up against truth and choose to accept or reject it.
FOCUS VERSE: Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)
FOCUS TRUTH: We are all in a spiritual battle. It’s a battle between truth and lies, and it takes place in our minds. If we are aware of how Satan works, we will not fall for his schemes.
| 7:00 | Welcome/Announcements |
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| 7:15 | Prayer/Worship (suggestion: “In Christ Alone”) |
| 7:20 | [16:00] Video 1 |
| 7:37 | Discussion 1 - see below |
- Does the devil seem more or less powerful than you had imagined? In what ways?
- Not every thought that comes into your head is your own (for example, “I’m useless” or “I’m dirty”). What do you think about this?
- Looking back, can you identify occasions when a thought you have had may well have been from the enemy? Are those thoughts always completely false?
| 7:57 | [11:03] Video 2 |
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| 8:10 | Discussion 2 - see below |
- “If you are deceived, by definition you don’t know it.” What are some of the ways that you might become aware of deception in your life?
- What practical steps can you take to “take every thought captive” to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
- If we have given the enemy a foothold through sin, how can we take that foothold away according to James 4:7?”
| 8:30 | [14:37] Video 3 |
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| 8:45 | Reflection - see below |
Part A: Group Discussion [~5 min]
- “The One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them” (1 John 5:18b). Spend a few minutes as a group discussing this powerful truth and how it applies to your daily life.
Part B: Individual Activity [~10 min]
- Read Ephesians 6:10–18 pausing after each element of the armor of God to pray. As you pray, visualize yourself putting on — or having on — each piece of the armor and commit yourself to what it represents, for example:
- “I put on the belt of truth. I commit myself to believe the truth, speak only the truth, and live according to the truth.”
- “I thank You that Jesus has made me righteous and that the breastplate of righteousness covers my heart.”
Note: You can have the group leader read out the Ephesians passage for the group or have each person read it on their own.