Discipleship for the Mind
Thinking Christianly: Lesson 1
Thank you for taking time to join me today as we reflect together on what it means to think Christianly. In a world saturated with noise, opinions, and ever-changing cultural tides, Christians aren’t called to drift, but to be anchored in truth. That anchoring happens not just in our hearts, but in our minds. When Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37), he’s laying the foundation for a fully integrated life, where our thoughts are shaped by his truth and our decisions reflect his will.
The Shape of a Christian Mind
To think Christianly is to filter reality through the lens of Scripture. It’s to approach the world not as secular thinkers who occasionally add a Bible verse to our reasoning, but as believers who start with God’s revealed truth and reason outward. As Romans 12:2 teaches, transformation begins with the renewal of the mind. We aren’t to be conformed to this world’s way of thinking, which is often shallow, materialistic, or autonomous, but we’re to be reshaped by God’s Word, so we may discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect in his sight.
A Christian mind isn’t merely filled with facts or doctrinal positions - though those are important. It’s one that seeks wisdom, not just information. Wisdom, as Proverbs 9:10 says, begins with the fear of the Lord. That reverence for God leads us to live in light of his character, purposes, and commands. It enables us to bring discernment into the everyday, asking how we can live faithfully in a complicated world.
From Doctrine to Daily Living
Thinking Christianly starts with affirming a biblical worldview. At its core, this worldview answers life’s most fundamental questions. Where did we come from? Genesis 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Who are we? We are image-bearers, though marred by sin (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23). What’s our hope? Redemption through Christ (John 3:16; Revelation 21:5). Each of these truths provides a framework for how we understand life - from our personal struggles to global crises.
This biblical worldview isn’t merely theoretical; it must inform every area of our lives. Our work, our families, our political decisions, and even our leisure should reflect the mind of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul says that we have the mind of Christ. This is a stunning reality: through the indwelling Spirit, we’re enabled to think in a way that reflects the wisdom of our Savior. That doesn’t mean we know everything Christ does, but it does mean we have access to his truth and are empowered to walk wisely.
The Battle for the Mind
Today, the church faces not just a moral crisis, but an intellectual one. Too many Christians have allowed secular worldviews to shape their understanding of identity, purpose, and truth. This drift can lead to a version of faith that’s more about sentiment than substance - what some have called Moral Therapeutic Deism. It turns Christianity into a self-help religion that aims only to make us feel good rather than to transform us into the image of Christ.
The antidote is not less thinking, but better thinking. In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns believers not to be taken captive by empty philosophy and deceit according to human tradition. Christians must learn to identify the assumptions baked into the culture around us - assumptions about freedom, happiness, gender, justice, or truth - and evaluate them against Scripture. When we do this with humility and courage, we not only protect ourselves from error, but also offer a compelling alternative to the world.
Cultivating Intellectual Discipleship
To love God with our minds requires intentionality. Psalm 1 portrays the blessed person as one who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night. This slow, steady digestion of Scripture is what forms a Christian mind. Unlike the quick soundbites of social media, biblical meditation rewires us, slowly shaping our thoughts, affections, and actions.
Christians should also pursue resources that stretch and strengthen the mind. Reading theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, Lewis, or more contemporary voices like J.P. Moreland or William Lane Craig helps us see how our faith speaks to every domain of life - science, philosophy, ethics, and art. These thinkers don’t replace Scripture, but they help illuminate it. They train us in how to apply biblical truth to modern questions and challenges.
Practicing Discernment in a Digital Age
The digital world often discourages deep thinking. It rewards outrage, distraction, and tribalism. Christians must resist this trend. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to focus our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. That takes effort, especially when algorithms are designed to feed us what’s sensational or polarizing.
But to think Christianly is to be disciplined. It means asking not just, “What’s popular?” or “What do I feel?” but, “What’s true?” and “What honors Christ?” It means taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and submitting it to the lordship of Christ. In doing so, we begin to see more clearly and live more faithfully.
The Spirit-Empowered Mind
None of this is possible in our own strength. Left to ourselves, our thinking will always drift toward self-justification or compromise. But as 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 explains, the Holy Spirit enables believers to discern the things of God. This isn’t about elitism; it’s about grace. God gives wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5), and he delights in shaping our minds for his glory.
The mind of Christ leads to the character of Christ. As our thinking is renewed, so are our loves, our choices, and our witness. The world may not understand our convictions, but it will notice our integrity, clarity, and hope. A mind rooted in truth becomes a life that bears fruit.
A Mind for Every Sphere
Thinking Christianly isn’t a side quest for the intellectually curious. It’s a central part of discipleship. It touches every sphere - family, politics, education, art, business, and beyond. When Christians think Christianly, they bear witness to a Kingdom that’s both rational and redemptive, grounded in truth and ablaze with grace.
Key Principles
Loving God with your mind is an essential part of discipleship, not a luxury (Matthew 22:37). The renewal of your mind shapes how you live and witness in a confused world. Transformation starts with what and how you think.
Thinking Christianly requires a biblically grounded worldview and the wisdom to apply it (Romans 12:2; Proverbs 9:10). It means aligning your thoughts with God’s truth rather than cultural trends. This integration empowers faithful living in every area.
The Holy Spirit enables us to discern and apply God’s truth (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). The mind of Christ is a gift that transforms not only what we believe but how we live. A renewed mind is a faithful and fruitful mind.
Bible Study Questions
What does Matthew 22:37 teach about loving God with our minds?
How does Romans 12:2 describe the transformation of our lives through renewed thinking?
What does Proverbs 9:10 say about the connection between fearing the Lord and gaining wisdom?
In what ways does 1 Corinthians 2:16 reveal our access to the mind of Christ?
What cultural philosophies does Paul warn against in Colossians 2:8, and how might they manifest today?
According to Psalm 1, what are the blessings of meditating on God’s law?
How does Philippians 4:8 guide us to shape our thought life?
What does 2 Corinthians 10:5 mean by “taking every thought captive to obey Christ?”
How does a biblical worldview help us understand topics like identity, purpose, and morality?
Compare James 3:13-17 with worldly forms of knowledge. What distinguishes godly wisdom?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
Which areas of life challenge you most when it comes to thinking Christianly?
Where do you notice cultural assumptions creeping into your thinking?
What habits have helped or hindered your intellectual growth in Christ?
How can your church foster deeper thinking and discernment among its members?
How does your prayer life support the renewing of your mind?
When faced with ethical or cultural dilemmas, how do you decide what’s right?
What books or teachers have helped form your Christian mind?
How does your understanding of truth affect how you live and engage with others?
How can you bring a Christian worldview into your job or calling?
What role does community play in shaping the way you think and live?
Action Steps
Dedicate 15 minutes each day to meditating on Scripture, particularly passages related to wisdom and discernment.
Identify one area of your thinking that’s been more shaped by culture than Christ, and find relevant biblical truths to replace it.
Select and read a book by a Christian thinker this month (e.g., Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis), and discuss it with a friend or small group.
Thank you for joining me today. My prayer is that this reflection encouraged and equipped you to love God more deeply with your mind and to live faithfully in every sphere of your life. There are more devotionals, Bible studies, and resources released each week that don’t go out by email, so click here to explore more: Walking Points. If this post blessed you, please share it with others and encourage them to subscribe as well.