Clean – 2026 – Session 3 – What Are You Thinking?
God cares deeply about what happens in your mind. Our thoughts shape our beliefs, our beliefs shape our behaviors, and our behaviors shape who we become. This session calls dads to take captive every thought, fix their minds on truth, and allow the Holy Spirit to renew their thinking so they can lead their families from a pure heart and mind.
Related BeTheDads Resources:
- Session 1: Being Dads Clothed for the Garden – https://bethedads.com/2026/01/clean-2026-session-1-being-dads-clothed-for-the-garden/
- Session 2: Fatherhood Hearts – https://bethedads.com/2026/01/fatherhood-hearts-how-to-lead-your-family-with-a-clean-heart/
- Guarding Your Heart as a Dad – https://bethedads.com/tag/heart/
- Walking with God Daily – https://bethedads.com/tag/walking-with-god/
Session #: 3
Series: Based on Sermon 1/18/2026 by Pastor Josh – “Clean” series
Title: What Are You Thinking?
Primary Theme: Mental Purity, Thought Life, Renewing the Mind
Estimated Time: 60–75 minutes
Anchor Scripture
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Supporting Scriptures (Referenced Later):
Psalm 24:3–6 (NLT)
“Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.”
Psalm 139:1–4, 23–24 (NLT)
“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do… Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Matthew 5:21–22, 27–28 (NLT)
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!… You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Ephesians 4:17–24 (NLT)
“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him… throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Philippians 4:6–8 (NLT)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
Big Idea:
Your thoughts are the most fought-over territory in your life—if the enemy can capture your mind, he can direct your life. But God offers to renew your thinking and anchor your thoughts to truth.
Teaching Summary
Key Teaching Movements (Not a Sermon):
- Your mind is the most sought-after commodity – Corporations, platforms, and the enemy all fight for your attention because thoughts shape beliefs, beliefs shape behaviors, and behaviors shape who you become.
- God cares deeply about your thoughts – He knows every thought (Psalm 139), and Jesus addresses not just our actions but our thought life (Matthew 5). Purity isn’t just external—God wants access to our internal world.
- New life requires a new mind – You can’t live the new life Jesus offers with your old way of thinking. The Holy Spirit must constantly renew our thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23).
- Your thoughts need anchoring – Our minds are prone to wander toward worry, pride, lust, or discouragement. We must fix our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8).
Mind Related Content:
- The Battle for Your Mind – https://bethedads.com/tag/focus/
- Building Spiritual Disciplines – https://bethedads.com/tag/walking-with-god/
Group Discussion
Core Questions (Must Cover):
1. Why does the enemy target our thought life so aggressively?
Starter Answer (Sample):
The enemy knows that thoughts shape beliefs, beliefs shape behaviors, and behaviors shape who we become. If he can get us thinking wrong thoughts about ourselves, God, our families, or our purpose, he can derail our entire lives. Our minds are the gateway to everything else.
Leader Prompt (Optional):
- Where do you see this pattern playing out in culture today?
- How have you experienced this progression in your own life?
Related Reading:
- Renewing Your Mind Daily – https://bethedads.com/tag/focus-on-the-fundamentals/
2. What “on-ramps” (eyes and ears) are you allowing into your mind that might be shaping your thoughts in unhealthy ways?
Starter Answer (Sample):
On-ramps include what we watch (streaming services, YouTube), what we listen to (podcasts, music), what we scroll (social media), and who we follow. Many of these aren’t just entertainment—they carry cultural agendas designed to normalize things God never intended. We need to be vigilant about what we let in.
Leader Prompt:
- What’s one thing you consume regularly that might be subtly shaping your thinking away from God’s truth?
- How can you apply a higher standard of purity to these on-ramps?
Related Content:
- Guarding What Enters Your Life – https://bethedads.com/tag/obedience/
3. How does Romans 12:2 (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”) apply practically to your role as a father?
Starter Answer (Sample):
As dads, we can’t lead our families into new life while clinging to old patterns of thinking. When we allow God to renew our minds, we start seeing our kids, our marriages, and our circumstances through His eyes. This means daily inviting the Holy Spirit to change how we think about discipline, provision, leadership, and love.
Leader Prompt:
- What’s one area of fatherhood where you need your thinking transformed?
- How would your family be different if you truly had “the mind of Christ” in that area?
Related Resources:
- Leading Your Family Well – https://bethedads.com/tag/just-for-dads-be-a-positive-christian-role-model/
Optional Depth Questions:
4. Read Psalm 139:23-24. What does it look like to invite God to “search” and “know” your thoughts?
Starter Answer (Sample):
It means being brutally honest with God about what’s really going on in our minds—the worry, the lust, the bitterness, the pride. It’s praying, “God, show me what I can’t see in myself. Reveal the thoughts that are offensive to You.” This requires humility and a willingness to let Him clean out what we’ve been hiding.
Leader Prompt:
- What makes this prayer scary? What makes it necessary?
- When did you last ask God to examine your thought life?
5. Philippians 4:8 tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. How do we actually DO that in a world of constant noise?
Starter Answer (Sample):
We have to be intentional. It starts with detaching from the wrong things (limiting scrolling, choosing content carefully) and anchoring to the right things (Scripture memory, worship, prayer, godly community). Like tying a boat to an anchor, we fix our minds by repeatedly returning to truth when our thoughts drift.
Leader Prompt:
- What’s one practical step you can take this week to “fix” your thoughts?
- How can you build this into your daily rhythm?
Related Practices:
- Daily Scripture Reading – https://bethedads.com/tag/wondered-by-the-word-a-chronological-bible-in-a-year-plan/
Key Takeaways for Dads
- Your thoughts are a battlefield—the enemy fights for your mind because thoughts shape everything else
- God knows every thought and wants to renew your thinking, not just modify your behavior
- You can’t have a new life with an old mindset—transformation requires the Holy Spirit’s daily work
- Fix your thoughts by detaching from wrong influences and anchoring to truth (Philippians 4:8)
More on Mental and Spiritual Health:
- Protecting Your Thought Life – https://bethedads.com/tag/heart/
- Building a Strong Foundation – https://bethedads.com/tag/faith/
Practical Application
This Week
- Pray Psalm 139:23-24 daily – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Identify one “on-ramp” to guard – What are you watching, listening to, or scrolling that might be subtly shaping your thoughts away from God’s truth? Limit or eliminate it this week.
- Memorize Philippians 4:8 – Write it on a card, put it on your bathroom mirror, and speak it over your mind each morning.
Related Challenge:
- 30-Day Learning Plan for Fathers – https://bethedads.com/30-day-learning-plan-for-becoming-the-father-god-created-called-and-purposed-you-to-be/
At Home
- Practice “thought-checking” with your kids – When negative or anxious thoughts come up, model asking: “Is this true? Is this from God? Where will this thought take me?”
- Create tech-free moments – Establish times when phones are put away so your family can be fully present with each other and with God.
- Speak truth over your family – Use Scripture and affirmation to shape how your kids think about themselves, replacing lies with God’s truth.
Family Resources:
- Teaching Kids About God – https://bethedads.com/tag/popular/
- Creating Healthy Family Rhythms – https://bethedads.com/mission-statement/
Closing Prayer
“Heavenly Father,
We confess that we have not always been careful with our thought life. We’ve allowed worry, lust, pride, bitterness, and fear to take root in our minds. We’ve consumed content that has normalized things You never intended. Forgive us.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our anxious thoughts. Point out anything in us that offends You and lead us in the way everlasting.
Lord Jesus, You came not just to change our behavior but to renew our minds. We cannot do this on our own. We need the Holy Spirit to constantly transform how we think. Help us fix our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
As fathers, protect our minds from the enemy’s attacks. Help us guard the on-ramps—our eyes and ears. Give us wisdom about what we allow into our homes and our hearts. May we lead our families with minds anchored to Your truth.
Thank You that transformation is possible. Thank You that we don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns of thinking. Renew us, O God, that we might be the dads You’ve called us to be.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.”
Continue the Journey:
- Join the BeTheDads Community – https://bethedads.com/are-you-ready-to-be-the-dads/
- More Session Notes – https://bethedads.com/tag/dads-life-group-notes/
Note: This session guide is designed for group discussion and personal application. For the full sermon, visit your church’s website or YouTube channel. For more resources on biblical fatherhood, visit https://bethedads.com/
