Key Scripture:  “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. - James 2:14-26

Purpose: James 2 talks about how faith without action is dead.  Therefore, as you walk out the plan, accountability and action steps of the Learning Circle towards your freedom here are some tools to utilize to get the truth deeper inside of your soul.  These tools help you destroy/demolish the stronghold of lies and help you build a stronghold of truth by taking every thought captive.

Phase of Discipling Best to Introduce: D2

Discipling Tips:

Tool Specifics:

When you develop and begin to use these tools you are in the Value stage of The Process of Transformation for this particular stronghold as you begin to use them being accountable to the Lord and others you are in the Behavioral Gap stage. The deeper the stronghold the more tools you should implement to uproot it and build a new stronghold of truth. 

• Daily → Use the Declaration Tool with your specific plan declaration.

• Daily → Use the Prayer Model to write a prayer concerning the negative stronghold/lie you are demolishing and the stronghold of truth you are establishing.

• Daily → Use the Truth Trainer Study.

• When the stronghold of the lie asserts itself throughout the day → Use the Truth Trainer to destroy the negative stronghold.

• When you are stuck → Go work your Learning Circle plan.

Declaration

A declaration should be short - NO MORE than 3 sentences long. Each day you write it, think it and declare it out loud until you believe it!  This tool will be added soon to the website. 

Truth Trainer

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

When the negative thoughts rise up during the day, it is a red flag that the stronghold of the lie is asserting itself.  When this happens, use the Truth Trainer below to destroy that negative stronghold.

I feel ____ but it is only a feeling brought on by my past.  It is not a true reflection of my current reality.  My reality is determined by the Word of God and this is my declaration of truth to this feeling (say your declaration outloud.) 

Truth Trainer Study

The following are recommendations on how to establish a stronghold of truth into your life by spending 30 minutes a day for 3-6 weeks in this study.  You are strongly encouraged to also use the Declaration Tool on a daily basis along with this recommendation.   

Choose 3-6 verses for each Learning Circle plan to use with this tool.  Study 1 verse each week.  

• Day 1 - 3 → slowly eat the scripture using the Eat the Word tool.

• Day 4 → personalize the Scripture by rewriting it with what you learned while eating it.  

• Day 5 → answer this question in your journal, honestly: If I were to believe this passage is true as part of my life; how would this make me think, behave and feel?  

In the second week, repeat this process with the next Learning Circle scripture affirming the same truth that you are establishing.  Repeat again in the third week and if the stronghold is still present continue each week with new scriptures until it is replaced with a stronghold of truth.  

A word from Christine Miller (developer of the Truth Trainer): I can tell you that when I began this process to rid myself of consistent and debilitating depression as a young mother, within two weeks of following this process, I was full of joy – the felt emotion of joy, mind you – and completely cured of depression. From that day to this, the spirit of depression rarely shows its ugly face, and if it does – perhaps once per year – I know exactly how to take authority over it and send it packing. Today, three decades later, people who know me in real life describe me as joyful as a defining characteristic.

Tool Resources:

• Freedom Journey Handout for Disciplers Use Only

Additional Tool Resources:

Originated/Adapted From:

 Updated 4-17-2023