31 May ‘Taking Thoughts Captive | Part Three- ‘ Biblical Mindsets for Overcomers’ – All Locations

 

Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

NEW DATE FOR NEW ENGLAND ‘LUAU ON THE LAWN’ WILL BE FORTHCOMING, STAY TUNED.

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NEW>>> CHURCH WORK DAY: June 6 – please go to  SUMMER WORK DAY

TO FIND OUT MORE!

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FLOURISH IN JUNE –  GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG TO REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCATION!

WE WILL BE HAVING WORSHIP AND A DEVOTIONAL.  LEADERS WILL BE CONTACTED FOR THEIR PACKET DISTRIBUTION.

NO CHARGE FOR FOOD THIS MONTH AS WE ARE DOING LIGHT REFRESHMENTS.

PLEASE REGISTER SO WE WILL KNOW HOW MANY LADIES TO EXPECT!

NEW>>>>

NEW ENGLAND — GET READY!
Join us for our Second Annual Waters Academy Golf Tournament!

We invite you to be part of this exciting event by registering to play or becoming a sponsor. Your participation helps us continue to grow and build Waters Academy!

Click the links below to get involved:

• Participant Registration
• Sponsorship Registration

We are also looking for themed raffle baskets, raffle items, or services. If you’d like to contribute, please email maparsons@waterschurch.org or renee@watersacademy.org.

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Waters Class Schedule:

• Growth Track – Check the schedule and register on the events page.
• 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after every service

Waters Help: Need marriage and family care, or have a group member who does?   Click here:  help resources page  or visit waterschurch.org/help

Location Text Alerts:

North Attleboro	Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300
Norwood	Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357
Apollo Beach	Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979
Woonsocket	Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837
Southcoast	Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490

 

Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.  

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SATURDAY MORNING PRAYER AND 6:00 AM WORSHIP ON PAUSE THROUGH THE SUMMER.

NOTE:

Two opportunities to pray: 

Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!

North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off the break room during the second and third services.  Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.

Please note: if you have a member who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.

NORTH ATTLEBORO

Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES

If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.

Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!

IMPORTANT FOR EASTER SUNDAY – NORTH ATTLEBORO

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 10

Fun Icebreaker

“Thought Filter”

If your thoughts had a filter like a phone camera, what would yours be set to most often lately?

Examples: dramatic, blurry, overthinking mode, peaceful, zoomed-in, black-and-white, hopeful, tired, etc.

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank You for bringing us together. Open our hearts and minds as we talk about taking thoughts captive. Help us recognize the thoughts that are not from You and give us the strength to fight for truth in the power of God. Lead our conversation, bring encouragement, and help us grow closer to Jesus. Amen.

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The book of Corinthians is a letter from the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, which was wrestling with its faith.

1. Overcomers have a RESILIENT MINDSET.
2 Corinthians 10:1 ESV
2 Corinthians 10:2 ESV
2 Corinthians 10:10 ESV

Question:
What makes it difficult to stay resilient when people say things about us, misunderstand us, or criticize us?

Leader Prompt:
Encourage the group to think about how easily words can shape our identity if we let them. Resilience does not mean pretending words do not hurt; it means choosing not to let every opinion become truth.

Practical Application:
This week, identify one thought or statement someone has said about you that you have been carrying. Compare it to what God says is true, and choose to reject what does not line up with His truth.

Just because THEY said it doesn’t MEAN it’s TRUE.

Question:
Why do you think we sometimes believe what “they” said more quickly than what God says?

Leader Prompt:
Invite people to be honest about the voices that carry weight in their lives. Help the group process how repeated words, past wounds, or fear of people can become louder than truth.

Practical Application:
Write down one lie you have believed because of someone else’s words, then write a truth from Scripture that speaks against it.

2. Overcomers have a MILITANT MINDSET.

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV

Question:
What does it look like practically to stop being passive with your thoughts?

Leader Prompt:
Guide the group toward the idea that thoughts do not always have to be accepted just because they show up. A militant mindset means we actively confront thoughts that pull us away from faith, obedience, and truth.

Practical Application:
Choose one area where you have been passive in your thinking. This week, actively fight back through prayer, Scripture, church community, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

When it comes to your faith: PASSIVITY is the devil’s PLAYGROUND.

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

Question:
Where do you see passivity becoming dangerous in your faith or thought life?

Leader Prompt:
Help the group recognize that drifting usually happens slowly. Encourage them to think about areas where they have stopped praying, stopped resisting, stopped speaking truth, or stopped asking for help.

Practical Application:
Take one specific step this week to stop being passive in your faith, such as praying daily about a thought pattern, reading Scripture, reaching out to someone from church, or asking the Holy Spirit for strength.

Our Weapons of DIVINE power:

1. PRAYER.

James 5:16 ESV

Question:
How has prayer helped you fight through a difficult thought, fear, or stronghold before?

Leader Prompt:
Encourage the group to see prayer as more than a last resort. Prayer is one of the weapons God gives us to fight spiritually, not just emotionally or mentally.

Practical Application:
Set aside intentional time this week to pray specifically over one thought pattern you need God to help you confront.

2. SCRIPTURE.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

Question:
Why is Scripture so important when fighting thoughts that feel convincing but may not be true?

Leader Prompt:
Remind the group that Scripture gives us truth when our emotions, fears, or assumptions feel louder. Encourage them to share verses that have helped them take thoughts captive.

Practical Application:
Choose one verse to memorize or keep visible this week so you can speak it over your thoughts when they start spiraling.

3. The CHURCH:

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

Question:
How can the church help us when we are struggling with our thoughts?

Leader Prompt:
Point out that isolation can make unhealthy thoughts stronger. The church helps us through encouragement, accountability, prayer, and reminding us of truth when we forget it.

Practical Application:
Reach out to one trusted believer this week and be honest about an area where you need prayer, encouragement, or accountability.

4. The HOLY SPIRIT.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Question:
What does it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit instead of trying to overcome thoughts in your own strength?

Leader Prompt:
Help the group discuss the difference between willpower and Spirit-empowered change. Remind them that God has not left us to fight alone.

Practical Application:
Before reacting to a negative or unhealthy thought this week, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond with power, love, and self-control.

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

Some thoughts are NAILED to my MIND, and I need WORK to DESTROY them.

Question:
What are some examples of thoughts that can feel “nailed” to our minds?

Leader Prompt:
Give space for honesty without forcing anyone to share too deeply. Help the group understand that strong thoughts often take intentional work to confront and destroy.

Practical Application:
Identify one recurring thought that has been hard to shake. Begin the work of destroying it by naming it, praying about it, finding Scripture against it, and inviting accountability.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV

A. A stronghold is a FORTIFICATION of thoughts.

B. An argument is something that SOUNDS LOGICAL.

C. A lofty opinion is a PRIDEFUL attitude.

Question:
Which of these three do you find easiest to recognize, and which one is hardest to recognize in yourself?

Leader Prompt:
Walk through each one slowly. Strongholds can feel normal because they have been there for a long time. Arguments can sound reasonable even when they are not godly. Lofty opinions can hide behind pride, self-protection, or control.

Practical Application:
Ask God this week to reveal whether you are dealing with a stronghold, an argument, or a lofty opinion in your thought life.

3. Overcomers have a ZERO-TOLERANCE mindset.

2 Corinthians 10:5–6 ESV

Question:
What thoughts do you need to stop entertaining instead of allowing them to stay?

Leader Prompt:
Encourage the group to be specific. A zero-tolerance mindset means we do not make room for thoughts that oppose Christ, even if they feel familiar, justified, or comforting.

Practical Application:
Pick one thought you will no longer tolerate this week. When it comes up, stop, reject it, and replace it with truth.

4. Overcomers have a CHRIST-CENTERED mindset.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Question:
How does keeping Jesus at the center change the way we think?

Leader Prompt:
Help the group see that taking thoughts captive is not just about thinking positively. It is about submitting our thoughts to Christ and allowing Him to shape our perspective, decisions, emotions, and identity.

Practical Application:
At the start of each day this week, pray: “Jesus, help my thoughts come under Your authority today.”

Sermon in a sentence:

Overcomers don’t just think; they FIGHT for what they THINK in the POWER of God for the GLORY of Jesus Christ.

Question:
What part of this sentence challenges you the most right now?

Leader Prompt:
Invite the group to reflect on whether they struggle more with fighting, relying on God’s power, or doing it for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application:
Choose one thought this week that you will fight for in the power of God and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for reminding us that we are not helpless in the battle for our thoughts. Help us have resilient, militant, zero-tolerance, and Christ-centered mindsets. Teach us to use the weapons You have given us through prayer, Scripture, the church, and the Holy Spirit. Give us the courage to reject lies, destroy strongholds, and submit every thought to Jesus. May our minds be renewed and our lives bring glory to Christ. Amen.