Brain Dominance & Spirituality

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1 Brain Dominance & Spirituality How thinking styles affect our faith and mission. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT 1 Test my mind and my heart. Psalm 26:2 2 I will put my laws in their minds, and write it on their hearts. Jeremiah 31:33 Hebrew for heart is Leib, or your inmost being. Hebrew for mind is Kereb, thoughts. 3 4

2 You must love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Matthew 22:37 Greek: heart (kardia, or inmost) & mind (dianoia, or thoughts) 5 Senses Mind Heart 7 The brain is the capital of the body. If the perceptive faculties become benumbed through intemperance of any kind, eternal things are not discerned. {1MCP 73} The heart is the citadel of the man. From it are the issues of life or death. {1MCP 74} 6 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Rom. 10:9-10 8

3 Words are more than an indication of character; they have power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words. Often under a momentary impulse, prompted by Satan, they give utterance to jealousy or evil surmising, expressing that which they do not really believe; but the expression reacts on the thoughts. They are deceived by their words, and come to believe that true which was spoken at Satan s instigation. Having once expressed an opinion or decision, they are often too proud to retract it, and try to prove themselves in the right, until they come to believe that they are. It is dangerous to utter a word of doubt, dangerous to question and criticize divine light. The habit of careless and irreverent criticism reacts upon the character, in fostering irreverence and unbelief. Many a man indulging this habit has gone on unconscious of danger, until he was ready to criticize and reject the work of the Holy Spirit. {DA 323} 9 10 The more you talk faith, the more faith you will have. The more you dwell upon discouragement, talking to others about your trials, and enlarging upon them, to enlist the sympathy which you crave, the more discouragements and trials you will have. {2MCP 579.1} 11 12

4 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NLT It s All In Your Head Brain Style Preference Understanding how brain dominance affects our spirituality, church relationships and families

5 Mechanics, lawyers, merchants, men of all trades and professions, educate themselves that they may become masters of their business. Should the followers of Christ be less intelligent, and while professedly engaged in His service be ignorant of the ways and means to be employed? The enterprise of gaining everlasting life is above every earthly consideration. In order to lead souls to Jesus there must be a knowledge of human nature and a study of the human mind. Much careful thought and fervent prayer are required to know how to approach men and women upon the great subject of truth. {4T 67} Paul understood the minds of his 1 Cor. 9:20-22 Paul adapted his approach to the needs of the people. Acts 17:28 Paul was acquainted with literature and philosophy of his time. Acts 22:1-2 Paul addressed each group with an intelligent understanding of how to communicate to them Brain Style Test Time Time to find out what your preferred brain style is and how it affects your spiritual experience and how you interact with other Christians

6 The Logical & Analytical Self Analytical people are important because they focus on the facts and emphasize clarity. Their influence will lead to precision and excellence in performance. 21 The Relational & Feeling Self Relational people are important because they are team players who bring everyone together. Their influence will lead to support and respect for all people. 23 The Practical & Organized Self Organized people are important because they focus on the task at hand and plans how to get it done. Their influence will lead to order and dependability. 22 The Creative & Explorer Self Creative people are important because they see the big picture and imagine possibilities. Their influence will lead to integration and progress. 24

7 Thinking styles shape our spirituality and world view. --Susie Weller, M.A. Thinking styles shape our spirituality and world view. --Susie Weller, M.A. I pray best when I m all alone in a quiet room. I enjoy praying out loud with others. I like to recite traditional prayers, such as the Lord s Prayer or Psalm 23. I prefer to pray while I m moving in nature walking, jogging or biking. I enjoy Bible study groups. I enjoy quietly sitting at my desk with reference books nearby. I like to follow a well prepared lesson in my Bible study. I prefer to study the Bible in a variety of ways with music, and visual aids Thinking styles shape our spirituality and world view. I like interactive worship best with plenty of activity. I especially enjoy seeing people I know at church. I like quiet church services with a predictable liturgy. I look forward to a good sermon to learn something new. --Susie Weller, M.A. Thinking styles shape our spirituality and world view. --Susie Weller, M.A. Church policies are necessary to safeguard the standards and procedures. Church policies make sense and enable us to focus on our mission. Church policies often favor the majority at the expense of the individual. Church policies are too limited in their scope, often holding back true progress

8 Thinking styles shape our spirituality and world view. --Susie Weller, M.A. Potlucks are a waste of time and money. Potlucks bring us together as a family. Potlucks need more direction and order. Potlucks should be beautiful dinners and used as outreach opportunities. 29 The Lord doesn t see things the way you see them; people judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Sam. 16: Genesis 6:5 32

9 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Matthew 12:24 We have been made right in God s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:

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