Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

Assess Groeschel’s use of the “stronghold” metaphor. Is it effective? Why or why not?

Throughout the book, Groeschel uses extensive anecdotes about his life. Consider his use of these anecdotes. Do they strengthen the book’s points by providing examples, or do they distract by overuse? Does Groeschel come across as a sympathetic figure in these anecdotes, or not? Why?

Research brain neuroplasticity. How would you assess Groeschel’s use of scientific principles in his images of “ruts” and “trenches?” Is it scientifically accurate?

Use your life story in the way that Groeschel does with his, and examine the validity of “ruts” and “trenches” through the window of your personal experience. Does your life story match the patterns Groeschel identifies?

Groeschel’s solutions to negative thought patterns usually include changing a person’s perspective and then building new, more positive habits. Do you think most people can build new habits on their own? Can you think of anything else that might add to one’s ability to build new habits?

Groeschel relates cognitive bias to how we see our circumstances, but it can be seen in other settings. Give an example of cognitive bias such as in political perspectives, conducting scientific research, cross-cultural interactions, etc.

Assess Groeschel’s use of biblical knowledge and neuroscience. How effective is Groeschel’s use of these sources? Do you personally connect to one more strongly than the other, and if so, why?

Of all the practical steps that Groeschel advises as ways to combat negative thought patterns, which did you find most surprising, and why?