Simeon Sunday School

(Based on YOU, Spr ’09, Unit 2, Lesson 1)

What is a worldview?

Our worldview is the sum of the thoughts and attitudes we possess that affect how we view life and engage others in life. Our worldview affects how we behave and live life. Where did we come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Our answers to these and the other important questions of life are our worldview.

Why is thought important?

Consequently, how we think and what we think is important to “who we be.” If we call ourselves Christians, Christ followers, then it is important to see and think about the world from God’s perspective.

Recently, God’s been working on me about my thoughts? I believe that what I think affects how I act. Thought leads to actions ultimately. I see the progression as thoughts leading to volition which then leads to action. Ephesians 4:23 says to let the Holy Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. Romans 12:1-2 challenges us to make a choice to offer ourselves to God and let Him change the way we think so that He can make us into a new person so that we can follow His will. I believe that many times I limit what God wants to do in and through me because of my limited thinking. Alternatively, what we think and believe can release God to work in and through us.

Building blocks for developing a worldview?

I think the Ephesians 4:23 and Romans 12:1-2 suggest the way to develop a Biblical worldview. Also Philippians 2:12-13 adds clarity. We should have this thought pattern or attitude: “I have my own will, yet I will the will of God” (Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man). We make a conscious decision to align our will to God’s will. At the same time, God does the work in us to change us through the Holy Spirit into people who do His will and desire to do so!

What does this mean practically?

This means that we make the decision each day that we use our free will “to will the will of God” (Romans 6:11-12). This means that we deliberately set our minds on things of God (Romans 8:5-8). This means that we do all we can to ask God to give us the desire to will and act in agreement with Him (Philippians 2:13).

I would love to hear what you think about this. How do you develop and reinforce your Biblical worldview? Does a Biblical worldview really make a positive difference in your life? If so, then explain how? Is there a difference between “positive thinking” and thinking from the perspective of a Biblical foundation?