Engaging the Mind: Loving God Through Curiosity and Truth

Devotional

Day 1: Love God with All Your Mind

Loving God means engaging every part of ourselves—heart, soul, mind, and strength—not just the parts that come easily or feel comfortable. Jesus, quoting Deuteronomy 6 in Mark 12, calls us to a holistic discipleship that includes our intellect, inviting us to stretch beyond our current understanding and to love God with our thoughts, questions, and curiosity. This is not reserved for the “smartest” or most educated; every follower of Jesus is called to grow intellectually as an act of worship, using the mind God has given to know Him more deeply and to live out our faith in every area of life. [01:45]

Mark 12:28-30 (ESV)
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you tend to “check your brain at the door” when it comes to faith? How can you intentionally invite God into that space with your questions and curiosity today?

Day 2: Cultivate a Curious Mindset

The Bereans in Acts 17 are commended for their noble character, which is described as an open, generous, and curious approach to new ideas and teachings. Rather than shutting out unfamiliar perspectives or being afraid of difficult questions, they engaged the world around them with a willingness to learn and to test what they heard. This kind of curiosity is not about endorsing every idea, but about refusing to hide from the world or from hard questions, trusting that God’s truth can withstand honest inquiry and that engaging with the world is part of loving God with our minds. [11:23]

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV)
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Reflection: What is one question about faith, the world, or God that you’ve been hesitant to ask? Take a step today to explore it honestly, trusting that God welcomes your curiosity.

Day 3: Eagerly Pursue the Truth

The Bereans didn’t just listen passively; they received the message with eagerness and actively sought to understand whether it was true, even when it challenged their assumptions or made them uncomfortable. True discipleship means pursuing truth relentlessly, not settling for what feels good or aligns with our preferences, but seeking the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done. In a world that often values “my truth” over “the truth,” we are called to anchor ourselves in the unchanging reality of Christ, who is Himself the way, the truth, and the life. [24:05]

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection: Is there a truth about Jesus or the gospel that you find difficult to accept or that challenges your current way of living? How can you open yourself to pursue and embrace that truth more fully today?

Day 4: Examine the Evidence Persistently

The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily, not content to accept teaching at face value but testing it carefully, like a legal investigation, to see if it held up. In an age of information overload, deepfakes, and biased sources, we are called to be discerning—returning again and again to God’s Word as our trusted source, both individually and together as the church. Persistent examination of Scripture is not about accumulating knowledge for its own sake, but about being formed by the truth, conformed to the image of Christ, and avoiding the trap of making God in our own image. [29:57]

Acts 17:11 (ESV)
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Reflection: How can you make space today to examine God’s Word for yourself—perhaps by reading, journaling, or discussing with others—so that your faith is rooted in truth and not just in what you’ve heard?

Day 5: Resist Distraction and Shallow Curiosity

In a world designed to distract us with endless streams of trivial information, it is easy to let our minds drift and settle for shallow curiosity that never leads to deeper understanding or transformation. True intellectual growth in Christ requires resisting the pull of meaningless distractions and instead focusing our curiosity on God’s world, His truth, and His purposes. By intentionally directing our attention to what matters, we can avoid the fate of wasting our lives on things that neither satisfy nor shape us into who God calls us to be. [19:47]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflection: What is one distraction or habit that keeps you from engaging deeply with God or His world? What practical step can you take today to redirect your attention toward what is true and life-giving?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on what it means to love God with all of our minds, as Jesus commands in Mark 12 by quoting Deuteronomy 6. This call is not reserved for the intellectual elite or those who feel naturally drawn to deep study; it is for everyone, regardless of background, education, or personality. The story of the Bereans in Acts 17 offers a practical model for how to engage our minds in faith. Unlike the Thessalonians, who resisted Paul’s message, the Bereans received it with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true. Their example shows that loving God intellectually begins with a curious, open, and generous mindset—one that is willing to engage with new ideas and test them against the truth.

Curiosity is not about being aimless or easily distracted by every new thing, but about a purposeful engagement with God’s world. The world is full of distractions and falsehoods, many of which are subtle and can even appear righteous. C.S. Lewis’s “Screwtape Letters” illustrates how easy it is to waste our mental energy on trivialities, losing sight of what truly matters. In our age of information overload, with AI and social media shaping our perceptions, it is more important than ever to be discerning about our sources and to persistently examine the evidence for what we believe.

Pursuing truth means more than just being open-minded; it requires a relentless commitment to reality, even when it challenges our assumptions or makes us uncomfortable. Jesus claims to be the Truth, and following Him means submitting our own preferences and self-made truths to His authority. It is possible to avoid God not only through rebellion but also through outward conformity—doing all the right things while keeping God at arm’s length. True intellectual discipleship is not about having all the answers or being the smartest person in the room, but about being formed by the story of God as revealed in Scripture, together with the community of faith.

Regular, communal examination of Scripture is not a mere academic exercise; it is a means of being shaped into the likeness of Christ. This process guards us against making God in our own image and helps us to love Him with the unique mind He has given each of us. In a world of facades and distractions, the call is to be genuinely curious, to pursue truth eagerly, and to examine the evidence persistently, so that we might love God fully with our minds.

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Key Takeaways

1. Curiosity as a Spiritual Discipline Engaging the world with a curious mindset is not about being indiscriminately open to every idea, but about refusing to shut ourselves off from the questions and challenges of life. The Bereans’ noble character was rooted in their willingness to encounter new perspectives and test them, rather than hiding from them. True curiosity is a spiritual discipline that keeps faith vibrant and connected to the real world, rather than isolated or fearful. [11:23]
2. The Danger of Distraction and Shallow Curiosity Our culture is designed to keep us distracted, often with things that are neither truly pleasurable nor meaningful. C.S. Lewis’s insight that “nothing is very strong” warns us that the greatest threat to our intellectual and spiritual growth is not always overt sin, but the slow drift into mental passivity and trivial pursuits. We must guard against letting our minds be dulled by endless, shallow curiosities that keep us from engaging deeply with God and His world. [19:47]
3. Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Not Just Openness Being open-minded is not enough; we must pursue truth with eagerness, even when it is uncomfortable or challenges our assumptions. The Bereans were willing to let the Scriptures correct their worldview, while the Thessalonians resisted anything that threatened their status quo. Truth is not defined by our preferences or feelings, but by the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done—requiring humility and courage to accept. [21:51]
4. Persistent Examination and Discernment in an Age of Information In a world overflowing with information, much of it biased or deceptive, we are called to examine the evidence persistently and carefully. Like the Bereans, we must not outsource our discernment to charismatic leaders, popular opinion, or even advanced technologies like AI, but return continually to Scripture as our trusted source. This daily, communal engagement with God’s Word forms us in truth and protects us from being shaped by the world’s shifting narratives. [35:31]
5. Avoiding the Facade of Faith and Embracing Authentic Formation It is possible to look the part of a faithful Christian while remaining a facade—outwardly conforming but inwardly avoiding the demands of truth. Authentic intellectual discipleship means allowing ourselves to be shaped by the story of God, not using Jesus as a tool for our own ends. This requires honest self-examination, humility, and a willingness to be changed, so that we love God with the unique mind He has given us, for His glory and our good. [28:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Introduction and Personal Update
[01:45] - Loving God with All Our Mind
[02:49] - The Fear of Feeling “Dumb”
[03:43] - Intellectual Discipleship for Everyone
[05:04] - The Spread of the Early Church
[06:29] - Paul’s Pattern and the Bereans’ Context
[08:32] - What Does “Noble Character” Mean?
[09:56] - The Church and Intellectual Engagement
[11:23] - The Bereans’ Curiosity and Openness
[12:20] - Connecting Faith to Culture
[13:41] - God’s Story in Context
[15:27] - Using Our Minds for God’s Purposes
[16:13] - C.S. Lewis and the Dangers of Distraction
[19:47] - The Subtlety of Falsehoods and Distraction
[21:08] - Eagerly Pursuing the Truth
[21:51] - The Cost and Necessity of Truth
[24:52] - Avoiding God by Conformity
[27:33] - The Facade of Faith
[28:44] - Authentic Pursuit of Jesus
[29:57] - Examining the Evidence
[31:32] - The Promise and Peril of AI
[33:16] - AI, Bias, and Spiritual Questions
[34:21] - Testing Sources and Returning to Scripture
[35:31] - Being Formed by the Story of God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 12:28-31 (ESV) — > And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV) — > The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 17:11, what made the Bereans “more noble” than the Thessalonians? What specific actions did they take when they heard Paul’s message?
In Mark 12:30, Jesus says to love God with all your mind. What does this add to loving God with heart, soul, and strength?
The sermon describes how the Bereans “received the word with eagerness” and “examined the Scriptures daily.” What does this tell us about their attitude toward new teaching? [[11:23]]
The sermon mentions that being “open-minded” or “noble” is not about accepting everything, but about being willing to engage and test new ideas. How is this different from just being curious about everything? [[09:11]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Bereans were willing to examine Paul’s message so carefully, instead of just accepting or rejecting it right away? What does this say about their faith and character? [[11:23]]
The sermon warns about the danger of “shallow curiosity” and distraction. How can being distracted or only superficially curious keep someone from growing in faith? [[19:47]]
Jesus claims to be “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, referenced in the sermon). What does it mean for truth to be found in a person, not just in facts or ideas? [[24:52]]
The sermon talks about the risk of having a “facade of faith”—outwardly looking like a Christian but inwardly avoiding God’s truth. Why is it so easy to fall into this pattern, and what are the dangers? [[27:33]]

Application Questions

The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true. What would it look like for you to make regular, personal or group Bible study a habit? What gets in the way of this for you? [[29:57]]
The sermon talks about “curiosity as a spiritual discipline.” In your own life, are there questions or doubts about faith that you’ve been afraid to ask? What would it look like to bring those questions to God and your community? [[11:23]]
Distraction is described as one of the biggest threats to loving God with our minds. What are some specific distractions (social media, entertainment, busyness, etc.) that keep you from engaging deeply with God? What is one step you could take this week to minimize a distraction? [[19:47]]
The sermon challenges us to pursue truth, not just be open-minded. Can you think of a time when you learned something from Scripture that challenged your assumptions or made you uncomfortable? How did you respond? [[21:51]]
The message warns against “outsourcing our discernment” to popular voices, technology, or even AI. How do you decide what sources to trust when it comes to spiritual truth? What role does Scripture play in that process for you? [[34:21]]
The idea of a “facade of faith” is that we can look the part but not be truly engaged with God. Are there areas in your life where you feel you might be “going through the motions” spiritually? What would it look like to move toward more authentic engagement with God? [[27:33]]
The sermon says that loving God with our minds is not about being the smartest person in the room, but about being formed by God’s story. How can you use your unique mind and personality to love God this week? [[35:31]]

Sermon Clips

We don't have to be the smartest person in the room. We don't have to know all of the things or have all of the vocabulary downright to love God with all of our minds. Everyone can do it. In fact, everyone is called to do it, to stretch who we are and where we're at to become more than we are right now. [00:03:54] (23 seconds) #LoveGodWithAllMinds

Are we open or are we closed off? Are we like ostriches sticking our heads in the sand for fear of the things that we're going to encounter? I think too often in our culture today, many of us, including many in the church, sometimes especially in the church, stop engaging the world around us. [00:09:46] (23 seconds) #FaceTheWorldWithOpenEyes

More than a few young people walk away from the church because they see it as not willing to engage with the world around it. They feel like they have to check their brains at the door when they walk in. [00:10:36] (17 seconds) #ChurchMustEngageCulture

If we are afraid to answer, to enter the difficult territories of life, how can we claim that what we believe is true? Questions can be scary, but we don't need to be afraid. [00:10:59] (16 seconds) #CourageToQuestionFaith

No matter who we are, how old, how young, how rich, how poor, male, female, no matter what our culture is, that in every culture throughout the world, throughout time, there is something that God will affirm and something that God will challenge. [00:12:51] (16 seconds) #GodAffirmsAndChallengesAll

The world we live in is almost tailor-made to keep us from being truly curious by distracting us with things that really don't matter and we don't even like, and we know we don't like it. [00:19:54] (17 seconds) #DistractionsHinderCuriosity

They received the word with eagerness, Luke says, of the Bereans. That's not open-mindedness with no direction, with no purpose. That's not a, that's interesting sort of social media kind of pursuit in which we become sort of like a leaf on the stream following whatever the algorithm tells us to follow, or like a hummingbird flitting from one thing to the next. [00:21:08] (26 seconds) #PurposefulTruthSeeking

We know we need a truth bigger than ourselves because two always equals four whether we want it to or not. The laws of thermodynamics don't change because we want them to. And we can't change reality. We have to pursue reality. [00:24:05] (19 seconds) #AvoidSuperficialFaith

Eagerly pursuing the truth means, first and foremost, knowing who Jesus is and what he's about. What he does for us is important. After all, he came to overcome our sin problems so that we could be with God. But if we instrumentalize Jesus, if we turn him into a tool for our own gain, we've lost the truth, even though it looks like we found it, we become one of those fake buildings. [00:28:37] (31 seconds) #ScriptureFormsOurIdentity

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