Renew Your Mind Sample Lesson

freebie renew your mind sample lesson

I'm excited about the Renew Your Mind Bible Journal Class beginning September 1, 2025. More than a class, it chock full of Bible journal freebies and tutorials. Below is a sample lesson from the class.

For decades, I've been entangled in a grueling spiritual war, sparked by childhood neglect, abuse, and abandonment. These wounds left deep scars, perpetuating a cycle of self-doubt, trust issues, and tumultuous relationships.

The ripple effects were devastating, with failed marriages, crippling emotional pain, and a legacy of suffering that echoed through generations, affecting my children and grandchildren. But I've come to realize that this legacy of pain can be broken, and victory can be won.

I'm sharing my journey and the transformative lessons I've learned, through the RENEWING YOUR MIND class with the hope of empowering you to join me in renewing our minds and shattering the lies that have held us captive for far too long. In this transformative course, we'll dive deep into the Word of God and explore how to cultivate a renewed, Christ-centered mindset that will transform every aspect of your life.

Renewing your mind isn't just about reading the Bible and praying; it's like gardening. You pull out weeds and plant seeds of truth, nurturing them to grow strong. This transformative process involves deep engagement with God, allowing His guidance to reshape your thoughts and actions. It's about letting Scripture take root, memorizing it, and letting it change you from the inside out.

The class begins September 1. You can join with a free trial membership and access to 38 other classes. Enjoy daily class interaction in our vibrant Facebook group.

Sample Lesson

Lesson 5. Taking Thoughts Captive

"We take every thought captive to obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

Wrestling with the Mind

Imagine your mind as a grand city with open gates—thoughts flood in like travelers: some harmless, some destructive. For years, I lived as though I had no authority over who entered. Fear would arrive and settle in. Shame would whisper, and I would listen. I believed the lie that my thoughts controlled me, that I was helpless against them. That mindset led to anxiety, self-condemnation, and confusion. But God's Word revealed a powerful truth: we can take every thought captive. Not every thought deserves to stay. We are called to arrest destructive lies, confront them, and replace them with God's truth.

Rewiring with Truth

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul confronts spiritual deception that exalts itself against God's knowledge. The language he uses is that of warfare. The phrase "take captive" (aichmalotizo) means to seize and bring under control. This is not passive but an active battle fought with divine weapons—our enemy attacks through ideas, assumptions, and narratives contradicting Christ's authority. Taking thoughts captive means filtering every thought through God's Word, submitting it to His rule. In Hebraic thought, the mind and heart (lev) are intertwined; what we meditate on shapes our desires and decisions. Renewing the mind is not mental self-improvement—it's spiritual transformation. We don't empty our minds; we fill them with what is holy, true, and healing.

The Thought Exchange

The world feeds us distorted mantras: follow your heart, trust your instincts, and believe your feelings. But not every instinct aligns with truth. God calls us into a better exchange:

Fear → trust.
Shame → grace.
Self-hate → identity in Christ.
Bitterness → forgiveness.
Condemnation → freedom. We must confront the inner dialogue that repeats like a broken record each day. What are we rehearsing? Wounds? Worries? Worst-case scenarios? Instead, we declare: "His power is made perfect in my weakness," "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," and "God is for me; who can be against me?" This daily practice of thought exchange builds new mental pathways, forming a renewed mind anchored in God's truth.

Biblical Example: Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene offers one of the most profound pictures of mind renewal. In Luke 8:2, we learn that Jesus delivered her from seven demons. Imagine the mental torment, accusations, and shame that once plagued her. For years, her mind had been a battlefield of lies, condemnation, and spiritual oppression. But when Jesus set her free, everything changed. No longer defined by torment,

Mary became one of His most devoted followers. Her mind, once filled with darkness, was filled with truth. She stood at the foot of the cross and was the first to see the risen Christ. Mary's story reveals that taking thoughts captive is not about willpower but about surrendering to the authority of Jesus. He replaced her torment with peace, her shame with purpose, her fear with love. Mary Magdalene teaches us that no mental stronghold is beyond God's power to break.

Heart Examination

Pause and invite the Holy Spirit to examine the thoughts you've allowed to dwell unchecked. Let Him expose and replace them.

What lie or faulty belief have I been carrying?
How has that belief shaped my decisions or relationships?
What truth does God want me to embrace in its place?
Where am I still conforming to the world in my thinking?
How do I relate to the Bible character in this lesson?

Practical Application: Renewed Thinking

Taking thoughts captive is not a one-time event but a daily discipline. This training develops a mind anchored in truth.

Identify the Lie: Recognize a recurring thought that opposes God's truth.
Speak the Truth: Replace it with a Scripture and declare it aloud.
Create a Renewal Routine: Write down false thoughts and their biblical replacements in a journal.
Guard the Gate: Limit media, conversations, and input reinforcing lies.
Invite Accountability: Partner with someone to pray, encourage, and monitor your thought patterns.

Truth That Transforms

Romans 12:2: "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind." — Change begins with new thinking.
Philippians 4:8: "Whatever is true, honorable, just… think about these things." — Focus determines stability.
Isaiah 26:3: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind stays on you." Peace flows from a God-centered focus.
John 8:32: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." — Freedom comes through truth.

Renewed Vision

When we take thoughts captive, we reclaim mental territory for Christ. Anxiety yields peace. Confusion gives way to clarity. The world may still shout, but its noise no longer rules us. Our minds become sanctuaries where Christ reigns and peace dwells. Like Mary Magdalene, we are living proof that the most tormented mind can become the most explicit testimony of God's restoring power. Each captured thought is another step toward lasting freedom.

Prayer

Jesus, I surrender my thought life to You. Expose every lie I've believed and replace it with Your truth. Strengthen me to recognize deception quickly and declare Your Word boldly. Teach me to guard my mind daily and walk in the freedom You've purchased for me. Like Mary's, let my life reflect Your power to transform the mind. In Jesus' name, Amen.

FREE WITH TRIAL MEMBERSHIP

Before you can effectively renew your mind, you must understand the spiritual landscape in which this renewal takes place. In the first three lessons, we build a comprehensive understanding of spiritual warfare: knowing our enemy, understanding our authority, and utilizing our God-given weaponry. This strategic approach ensures we are prepared to face any challenge, fortified by God's truth, power, and guidance. Join us today!