CURRENT SERIES Trash OR Treasure Your Thoughts Matter to God

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2 THIS WEEK S HIGHLIGHTS Summer is finally here! With that comes a lot of free time. Free time for kids (adults too, for that matter) can be a dangerous thing for their minds. Today we revisited one of my favorite lessons in our ministry. We taught the kids about BOXING UP their thoughts. This technique is based on 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIrV which says, I destroy every claim and every reason that keeps people from knowing God. I keep every thought under control in order to make it obey Christ.. Paul knew what he was talking about. Here was a guy who u s e d t o h a r b o r s o m e p r e t t y a w f u l t h o u g h t s towardschristians. He can tell us that those thoughts were ungodly and lead to some pretty horrific words and acts on his part. So, he tells us to get our thoughts under control. Some translations say, take your thoughts captive. However you read it, it means the same, get rid of those bad, impure, sad, mean thoughts and change them into Godly thoughts that protect you from sin and further the Kingdom of God. Imagine you have a box in your head. If you re like me you probably have plenty of space for a box. But seriously, keep that box in your mind. When bad thoughts start to invade your brain, imagine yourself opening that box and placing the bad thought inside. Throw that box out of your head. Now, replace that thought with something of God. Positive thoughts will change the way you talk and act. Boxing up your thoughts isn t as easy or even as cute as it sounds. It takes conscious effort and hard work. The truth is, when you re mad, you re mad. But those thoughts, left unattended (unboxed), will eventually come out through your words and actions. Help your child learn to box up their thoughts. Remind them of the process, when they are obviously grouchy and having improper things in their head. Remind yourself too! FROMPASTORPHIL

3 thelesson Things Worth Remembering Joseph was a guy that went through a lot of tough situations. Undoubtedly, he probably had a lot of bad thoughts going through his head. Joseph always came around because God s presence was always with him. Here s the good news. God s presence is always with us too. His Holy Spirit guides our thoughts and our actions when we choose to listen. Even though God is with us, we often have trouble hearing Him or feeling His presence. This is because we allow other things to invade our minds. We worry (which He tells us not to do), we gossip (again, He commands we not do this), and then we have things happen that are out of our control. We have to be purposed to get into God s presence. This can be different for all of us. Myself, I can turn on a favorite worship song and pretty quickly realign my thoughts with His. Others like to get out into nature. Some can open the Bible and instantly feel His presence. Whatever method you choose, get there quickly when you sense you need His presence. This summer, plan specific times for your family to get into God s presence. This is important instruction for a family who is following Jesus. Just like you would plan a vacation or family time, this should be a part of your planned family time. Life-Tips fromtoday sstory 4 steps to help you BOX IT UP! BASED ON: 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 1. RECOGNIZE Recognize when your thoughts are not Godly. 2. Repent If your thoughts are sinful, tell God you re sorry, and promise to not think that way again. 3. release Let go of the thought in your brain. Release it, and send it to the box! BOX IT UP! 4. REPLACE Replace the bad thoughts with Godly, positive thoughts. You ll be glad you scheduled some time with Him!

4 F family 1 2 Boxing Up Your Thoughts. How does thinking about an imaginary box to put your thoughts in, help you? What kind of thoughts are you having lately that need boxed up? Why do you think Paul warns us to get control of our thoughts in 2 Corinthians 10:5? -Godly Thoughts -Ability to recognize bad thoughts -Your day tomorrow 3 Knowing where your thoughts will take you. Why do our thoughts eventually show up in our words and actions? What words or actions have you had lately that came from bad thoughts? How can you keep bad thoughts from becoming bad actions or words? (Think about BOX IT UP!) Recognizing bad thoughts. Why is it important to recognize when your thoughts are not good? How can bad thoughts affect your family time? Why should you go right to God when you recognize your thoughts are not in line with His commands? -Your thoughts to be like His -Ability to forgive others -Time to get in His presence -The ability to box up bad thoughts -Forgiveness for sinful words or actions you have used lately.

5 discussionsd Releasing bad thoughts. 4 Why should you release or box up bad thoughts? Why is it important to replace those bad thoughts with Godly thoughts? What reoccurring bad thoughts do you need to release now? What would change in the way you treat others if you released those bad thoughts? -God to take your bad thoughts -Ability to replace thoughts -Ability to see the blessings when your thoughts line up with God s. Finding God s presence. 5 -Time to get into His presence -Ability to feel His presence -God s peace in troubled times 7 6Spend your Sunday evening together as a family. Do things that let you feel God s presence. Here are some suggestions: Worship music, read the Bible together, talk about your blessings together and thank Him for each one. Replacing your thoughts with Godly thoughts. What Scriptures have you learned and know by heart, that could replace negative thoughts? Why is it important to replace negative thoughts with GODLY thoughts? -Ability to remember Scripture -God to give you proper thoughts in tough situations. - God s peace for thoughts that are invading your mind. How do you most feel God s presence? What kind of things put you in His presence? What can you do when you feel alone, and it seems like God is not there? Think about the Holy Spirit - Does it give you comfort knowing He s always there to help you?

6 The Season Finale of First place Club and Grapple was Amazing! 187 Kids 48 Adult Leaders TONS of fun!

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8 Family Challenge:: Have at least 2 of the family discussion nights on the previous pages. BRINGBACKS Challenge Completion:: YES! We have completed the Family Challenge for this week. Parent Signature Complete the family challenge. Then, cut out this page, and have your child bring it back to any of the three Sunday morning services to receive a prize!!