Goal: Help dads understand what it means to love God with all their mind — to renew their thoughts, take every thought captive to Christ, and walk away with one practical step toward mental and spiritual transformation.
Video Reference: All In — Love God With All Your Mind (Pastor Steve, Eastridge Church) — https://www.youtube.com/live/MIW_8NivKu8?si=x6rcMD0bkYKX3BmJ
Scripture Focus (NIV)
- Mark 12:30 — Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
- Romans 12:2 — Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 — We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
- Philippians 4:6–8 — The peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 4:22–24 — To be made new in the attitude of your minds; to put on the new self, created to be like God.
The Essence of BeTheDads
When Jesus calls us to love God with all our mind, He’s inviting us to surrender our thoughts, attitudes, and perspectives to His truth. The battle for every dad’s heart begins in the mind — what we believe about God, ourselves, and our families shapes how we live.
At BeTheDads, we believe that loving God with our mind means allowing Him to renew our thought patterns, reframe our identity, and replace lies with His Word. It’s not about being smarter — it’s about being spiritually transformed.
🧠 1️⃣ Renewed Thinking — The Battle of the Mind
Question: What are some common negative or defeating thoughts dads face, and how do they affect your ability to love God fully?
Sample Answer: “I’m not good enough,” “I’ve failed too many times,” or “God could never use me.” These thoughts keep us trapped in shame, but Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation begins with renewing our mind in God’s truth.
Related Links:
- Alone Time with God: You Know You Can Be Your Own Worst Critic
(https://bethedads.com/2024/04/alone-time-with-god-you-know-you-can-be-your-own-worst-critic/) - Strange Words – A Dad’s Prayer for His Children – Day 1
(https://bethedads.com/2022/01/strange-words-a-dads-prayer-for-his-children-day-1/) - Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey for Fathers – Day 5 – Opportunities, Taking Risks, and Betting on Yourself
(https://bethedads.com/2022/12/radical-wisdom-a-7-day-journey-for-fathers-day-5-opportunitie s-taking-risks-and-betting-on-yourself/)
⚔️ 2️⃣ Captive Thoughts — Taking Back Control of your mind
Question: What does it practically mean to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
Sample Answer: It means recognizing when our thoughts don’t align with God’s Word and actively choosing to replace them with Scripture and prayer. It’s the daily discipline of surrendering every mental battle to Christ.
Related Links:
- Renew Your Mind: Don’t Be Fooled by Human Wisdom
(https://bethedads.com/2024/02/renew-your-mind-dont-be-fooled-by-human-wisdom/) - Strange Words – A Dad’s Prayer for His Children – Day 1
(https://bethedads.com/2022/01/strange-words-a-dads-prayer-for-his-children-day-1/) - Alone Time with God: You Know You Can Be Your Own Worst Critic
(https://bethedads.com/2024/04/alone-time-with-god-you-know-you-can-be-your-own-worst-critic/)
🎯 3️⃣ Renewed Purpose in your mind — Finding God’s Will
Question: How does renewing your mind help you discover God’s will for your life and family?
Sample Answer: When our minds are aligned with God’s truth, we gain clarity about His will — not driven by fear or pride but by faith and peace. Romans 12:2 shows that renewed thinking reveals God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Related Links:
- Put God First to Be the Dads He Created You to Be
(https://bethedads.com/2024/05/put-god-first-to-be-the-dads-he-created-you-to-be/) - Session 6: The Father’s Heart – Moving from Performance to Presence
(https://bethedads.com/2025/07/session-6-the-fathers-heart-moving-from-performance-to-presence/) - The Cause Within You – Pondering? Wondering? Finding!
(https://bethedads.com/scripture-passages-to-ponder-for-this-cause/)
🕊️ 4️⃣Guarded Peace in your mind — Winning the War of Anxiety
Question: How can prayer and thanksgiving bring peace to your mind in stressful or anxious seasons?
Sample Answer: Philippians 4 reminds us that peace comes when we give our worries to God. As we thank Him in advance, His Spirit guards our hearts and minds like a fortress.
Related Links:
- Unwavering Courage to Wait: Embrace Divine Timing for Ultimate Serenity (https://bethedads.com/2024/12/unwavering-courage-to-wait-embrace-divine-timing-for-ultimate-serenity/)
- Alone Time with God: You Know You Can Be Your Own Worst Critic
- (https://bethedads.com/2024/04/alone-time-with-god-you-know-you-can-be-your-own-worst-critic/)
- Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey for Fathers – Day 5 – Opportunities, Taking Risks, and Betting on Yourself
(https://bethedads.com/2022/12/radical-wisdom-a-7-day-journey-for-fathers-day-5-opportunitie s-taking-risks-and-betting-on-yourself/)
Application & Challenge
🧠 Mind Renewal Challenge:
This week, when a negative or sinful thought arises, stop and ask: “Is this from God or from the enemy?” Then replace it with a truth from Scripture.
One Truth: My mind is a battleground — but Christ has already won the victory.
One Action: Write down one recurring thought you’ll surrender to God and replace it with His truth.
One Person: Share with another dad what thought you’re renewing and ask him to check in midweek for accountability.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for renewing our minds through Your Spirit. Help us as dads to guard our thoughts, reject lies, and fill our minds with Your truth. Give us peace, focus, and the strength to love You with all our mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
