Note: This study has been greatly influenced and material drawn from Steve Furtick's books "Crash the Chatterbox" and "Unqualified." These notes are part of a study for the Gathering - A Monday Night Bible Study in our home. They are the thoughts, questions, scripture and principles from our evening together.
First Discussion Question: We all have that running conversation in our head about who we are, what we look like, how we feel, etc. But, where did that "Voice" get the information? What are the sources for all the information the "Voice" is constantly spewing?
- Words from Significant People in our Upbringing: Parents, Friends, Teachers, etc. One interesting thought was that the earlier the person spoke significant words into our life, the more influence they may have.
- Experiences: Tried out for team and lost = I'm a looser. Not Popular = I'm ugly. Various Failures = I'm a failure.
- Media: You aren't successful unless you have this; look like this; smell like this; drive this.
- Religion: False view of God. Unpleaseable
Second Discussion Question: Are these thoughts true? Do they contain truth that is twisted? Are they accurate? We know they influence so much in our lives, how should we evaluate the accuracy of them?
Third Discussion Question: Can we look and see what God says about us and compare them to the thoughts that come from the "Voice" in our head?
Exercise: Look at this verse and list the things that God says about you.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:5-10 (NIV)
God Says That I Am ___________________
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:5-10 (NIV)
God Says That I Am ___________________
- God Says That I Am Created (I am not an accident)
- God Says That I Am Chosen (Before I ever did anything - not based on performance)
- God Says That I Am Prepared and Equipped - (Whatever He had created/formed me for He will prepare and equip me for it)
- God Says That I Am Not Alone (No matter what comes my way, I will not face it alone)
- God Says That I Am Safe (There will be challenges, but He is my Rescuer)
Fourth Discussion Question: Can we control/influence/modify/replace these thoughts? If, so how?
If we were to start our day reminding ourselves that God Says that I am Created, Chosen, Prepared, Equipped, Accompanied, and Safe - Would it make a difference in how we faced the day?
Start in the morning reading this - then maybe again at Lunch - then again on the way home from work - then again before you go to sleep. See if it "influences" the voice in your head. Not an instantaneous change, but the beginning of a process.
"Take every thought captive" 2 Corinthians 10:5
"Do not loose heart - thou outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Assignment for next week: Start with Joshua 1; Isaiah 43 and any other passage. Find verses that inform you what God says about you.
God Says That I Am ___________________ (Verse Reference)
God Says That I Am
an Conqueror –
Romans 8:37
God Says That I Am
an Overcomer – 1 John
5:5
God Says That I Am Powerful – Luke 10:19
& Matthew 18:18
God Says That I Am Loved – Isaiah 41:10
& 1 John 3:1
God Says That I Am a Recipient of the Compassion of
God – Psalm 86:15-17
God Says That I Am Complete – Colossians 2:10
God Says That I Am God’s Workmanship –
Ephesians 2:10
God Says That I Am Adopted and Freed –
Ephesians 1:5
God Says That I Am Light – John 9:5
God Says That I Am Called and Sustained – 2 Peter
1:3
God Says That I Am Anointed and Sealed – 2 Corinthians
1:21
God Says That I Am Chosen by God Himself - to
Be Jesus’s Friend – 1 Corinthians 1:9
NEXT WEEK: God Says He Will ______________________.
