What You Believe Matters with Discussion Guide

BySteve

What You Believe Matters Discussion Guide

Summary

Pastor Kevin from Miami Vineyard delivered a powerful message about the importance of our beliefs and how they shape our lives. He emphasized that we often lie to ourselves and pick up false beliefs from various sources, which then impact our actions and behaviors. Using personal anecdotes and examples, he explained that our beliefs determine our behavior, whether we’re conscious of them or not. The pastor challenged the congregation to examine the lies they may be believing about themselves and others, and to instead subscribe to God’s truth found in His Word, which never changes, unlike the constantly shifting truths of our culture.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us in this time together. We ask that You would help each person in this group to be receptive to Your truth and to what You want to speak into their lives today. Remove any distractions or barriers that might prevent us from hearing Your voice clearly. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with each other as we discuss Your Word. We invite Your Holy Spirit to guide our conversation and to reveal any lies we may be believing, replacing them with Your unchanging truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one thing you believed as a child that you later found out wasn’t true? (For example, that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, or that if you swallow gum it stays in your stomach for seven years!)

Key Verses

  • Revelation 3:20
  • Proverbs 4:23
  • Romans 3:4
  • Matthew 24:35
  • Psalm 139:14

Questions

  • Pastor Kevin mentioned that ‘what we believe matters’ because our beliefs determine our behavior. Can you think of a time when a belief you held (true or false) significantly influenced a decision you made?
  • The sermon discussed common lies people believe, such as ‘all my problems are somebody else’s fault’ or ‘you’ll be happy if you can get everything you want.’ Which of these resonates with you, and why do you think these lies are so appealing?
  • Pastor Kevin shared about his friend who believed he would die at 39 and how that belief impacted every area of his life. How might limiting beliefs be affecting areas of your own life without you realizing it?
  • The pastor emphasized that we choose what we believe, and that even God doesn’t force beliefs on us. How does this responsibility of choice both empower and challenge you?
  • When Pastor Kevin talked about looking in the mirror and believing lies about ourselves, what came to mind for you? How can we practically replace negative self-talk with God’s truth?
  • The sermon mentioned that God’s truth doesn’t change, unlike cultural ‘truths’ that shift constantly. Why is it important to have an unchanging source of truth in our lives?
  • Pastor Kevin said that behind every action we take, there’s a belief (conscious or subconscious). Can you identify a positive belief that has led to good actions in your life?
  • How can we help each other in this group identify and ‘unsubscribe’ from lies we might be believing while ‘subscribing’ to God’s truth?

Life Application

This week, identify one lie you’ve been believing about yourself, others, or God. Find a specific Bible verse that speaks God’s truth into that area, write it down, and read it daily. When you catch yourself thinking the lie, immediately replace it with God’s truth from that verse. Share your verse with someone you trust and ask them to help hold you accountable to this practice.

Key Takeaways

  • We choose what we believe – nobody can force beliefs on us, not even God
  • Our beliefs determine our behavior, whether we’re conscious of those beliefs or not
  • The only reliable source of truth is God and His Word, which never changes
  • We often pick up lies along the way that negatively impact our lives and relationships
  • God wants us to unsubscribe from lies and subscribe to His truth found in Scripture

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of discussion and reflection. We’re grateful that You are the source of unchanging truth in a world that constantly shifts. Help us to take what we’ve learned today and apply it to our daily lives. Give us courage to identify and reject the lies we’ve been believing, and strength to embrace Your truth about who we are and who You are. Help us to be people who live according to Your truth rather than the deceptions of this world. Continue to transform our minds and hearts as we spend time in Your Word this week. May our beliefs align more closely with Yours, and may our actions reflect Your love and truth to those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

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