Get Out of Your Head Study Guide: A Study in Philippians

by Jennie Allen

Stopping the spiral of toxic thoughts by learning how to become imitators of Christ. Are your thoughts holding you captive? Jennie Allen--the visionary behind the million-strong what it's like to swirl in a spiral of destructive thoughts, and she knows that from those thoughts, beliefs begin to "I'll never be good enough." "Other people have better lives than I do." "God couldn't really love me." We spiral down and down. Changing the way we think seems nearly impossible. And yet the apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that conforming our minds to Christ is possible, and it's the ultimate goal for every follower of Christ. In Get Out of Your Head , a six-session video Bible study (DVD/streaming video sold separately), Jennie gives us tools from the book of Philippians to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances, by taking control of our minds. We can find freedom from the downward spiral Our enemy is determined to get in our heads to make us feel helpless, overwhelmed, and incapable of making a difference for the kingdom of God. But when we submit our minds to Christ, the promises and goodness of God flood our lives in remarkable ways. The Get Out of Your Head Study Guide uses projects, stories, and Bible study in the book of Philippians to engage the mind and heart. Sessions Designed for use with the Get Out of Your Head Video Study available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Self Help, Religion, Christian Living

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

Jennie Allen, Bible teacher, author, and the visionary behind IF:Gathering and Gather25, a 25-hour global prayer gathering. Driven by a deep love for God and an unyielding belief in the potential of this generation, Jennie's mission is to disciple a generation of Jesus followers to live what they believe.

Through her writing and teaching, Jennie seeks to convey a simple yet profound truth: God sees you, loves you, and invites you to play your part in His unfolding story. She has witnessed firsthand the miraculous work of Jesus when people fully surrender to Him.

Jennie is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie is the New York Times' best-selling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head. Jennie has a masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children.

Reviews

[Oceana Reads Co.]

I enjoyed using this for Lent🙂

[Cori]

Review to come.

[Janay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of food for thought. What thoughts am I allowing myself to dwell on? A question I never really thought through. However, when I did think on this question and prayed for the Lord to open my eyes, it was amazing how I started to realize how toxic and downward-spiraling my thoughts were. The Lord used this study to help me better understand the book of Philippians (especially 4:8) and also the truth of Romans 12:2. I knew these verses …I knew the context….but was I truly applying them to how I was thinking moment by moment?
Absolutely no.
Jennie Allen does a great job highlighting toxic thoughts we all struggle with and the corresponding TRUTH found in God’s Word that will help combat those thoughts. She reminds us that we have powerful weapons found in Christ by which we can live with renewed minds and therefore live in freedom.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this a lot more than the book! I felt like it trimmed all the fat off and gave me just the meat, which I enjoyed and appreciated. It also had just a bit more depth as opposed to encouragement, which I personally prefer. I do feel this is definitely best accompanied by the study guide as opposed to on its own and am guessing that was probably how it was designed. I listened to this on audiobook and enjoyed that it was a recording of the author speaking.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not an easy study, but it is extremely rewarding. During this study I found myself saying, “I give so much of myself to others-that is my spiral”, but I was confused when Jennie told us that our whole mission in life is to fully give ourselves to others. How will I ever balance both? Will I ever be able to think about taking time for myself?

Then I thought about Paul and all of the things he went through just to share the love of Christ with others. I now feel so determined to fix my life and my determination to fit that of Paul’s. I never truly realized how important it is to strive to be like Paul until Jennie helped me understand this aspect in her book. I recommend this book for anyone. I have a deeper understanding of myself and the person I want to be for others, and especially for Christ as one of his followers.

[Dusty Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bible study book was so much better in my opinion. It covers almost everything the regular book does, but it gives you activities to do and scriptures to read to actually put the ideas into practice that she talks about in her book.

[Karla Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Study of Philippians

What a wonderful study. I'm sure I'll want to go through it again. It reminded me of the importance of getting beyond my own issues so that my focus is Jesus. The weapons that I should use daily were very insightful. Thank you!

[Emily Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a helpful tool in my quiet time with the Lord! 10/10 would recommend.

“And when we set our minds on truth, freedom follows.”

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great Bible study!

[Margaret Hovestadt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally good, but I found a lot of platitudes. It felt very surface level, and I wanted to see more than just "fear had no power over you." It just generally lacked depth.

[Jaimie Flack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a good study. The parts of the book where Jennie kind of explained the passages were good and I did a lot of underlining. The projects were nice additions, though I did not take the time to do all of them. Wanted to spend more time on studying the actual passage...though again, some of the projects were def beneficial to do or at least think through.

One thing I will say is this was a bit more topical than expository. If you’re looking for a thorough study of Philippians, this probably isn’t the right resource. If you’re looking to think about your thinking and see what Philippians (and some other passages) has to say about it, then you’ll probably appreciate it.

I will say, I wasn’t always sure I knew the “correct” answers to some of the study questions and almost wished I had an answer key, but that could just be me.

One more caveat...I do believe Jennie incorporates a bit of psychology in her approach to changing your thinking. It can is helpful in the context of the study I think, but if you are Leary of that, just be aware there is a bit of that. She does also, though, at the end, address the Spirit’s work in this change, so that is great!

[Michelle Kampmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This study was decent. I went through it with a great friend and we learned a LOT from each other as we shared our answers and got raw and honest. That was probably the best part. So the book itself can be a good tool, but when done with a group, you really get way more out of it. You can feed off each other's answers, and new things occurred to me as my friend shared her experiences.

Technical things: the book was not well edited. It would do things like "Read Psalm 19" and then later say "Reread Psalm 69." That stuff got confusing. And I didn't always think the studies were well explained re: why they were important and what we were supposed to truly get out of them. I think you can sometimes intuitively understand, but for her to make her point, it likely could have been more clear.

Overall, it didn't feel as focused as it could have been, but it was very helpful and I'm really glad my friend got this as a Christmas gift for us to do. :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I couldn't stand Allen's voice on either the audiobook I listened to or the teaching video's that accompanied this study, but once that was was out of the way, I found myself getting a lot out of this short, but practical study. The real value in this one are the activities and the probing questions they require you to ask yourself about how much you really are applying the scripture studied to your thought life. Another great thing about the questions is that they often ask about your next right step, so wherever you're at, what can you immediately do next to start in the right direction. Super practical and super helpful, but also super dependent on what you and your group are willing to put into it.

[Carol H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to listen to this audio again and take more notes. I am also reading the book which has the same premise, but is not verbatim to the audiobook.

A few years ago I had a panic attack at work that spiraled into a challenging (to put it mildly) school year. The shame, regret, and negativity that I raged against myself spilled out onto everyone around me- and I dug into a deeper despair. My deepest apologies to those I hurt with my words and actions. Even though I know God is real, I believed the lies.

The scientist in me knows about neuroplasticity and the believer in me knows about God. Put the two together and there is a biblical basis for interrupting the negative flow of thoughts; to reprogram the synapses. Purposely replace negative thoughts and behaviors.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a PHENOMENAL study. I have always loved Paul's special relationship with the Philippians, not really realizing how beautiful a picture it truly was of God's relationship with me. As a woman who struggles to believe how much God adores them, this study and the companion book "Get out of Your Head" were the perfect tools to help me start breaking down some of those wrong thoughts that have spent years developing well-worn pathways in my brain. A must read for anyone who wants to 'renew their mind' in Jesus and throw off anything that is hindering from running their race with all their might!

[Chianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good food for thought - was the summer study between BSFs...the videos are good if you can get them but the book stands well on it's own...normally these kinds of books don't.

I like her as an author...plain information directly stated without the lame anecdotes and phrases some women authors rely on [that get on my last nerve - i.e. 'you know how we women are' - no in fact I don't and I find that a boon - insert eye roll].

While her intended audience seems to be chiefly women, it's universally good info.

Catch the thought and make it captive to Christ and His truth.

[Natasha Polak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Break the Mental Blocks

This was a great study with so much biblical wisdom, provoking and honest questions, and plenty of encouragement on turning your life around. It’s a practical look at Philippians and what it means for every Christian who ever lived and yet to come. Highly recommend this with friends for a more meaningful discussion! I will return to this for every time I feel myself start to spiral.

[Miriam Mauro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and transformative!

This study God has used to give me the practical tools to concur the spiral of thoughts and emotions that had me up and down on almost a daily basis during certain times and trials in my life. The combination of the scripture, and “projects” she gives along with the content each week (coupled with the videos) has helped me use the tools God has already given me (us) to fight the enemy and be victorious!

[Amy Reasoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read through this book, and it was just a great this time around. I've read a lot of books on Christian living, and very few of them have been truly life-changing. But for some reason, this book presented these concepts in just the right way that for the first time in my life, I'm beginning to understand what it really looks like to take EVERY thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. I have already recommended this book to several people. If you're struggling in any way with your thoughts--temptations, anxiety, self-worth, etc.--this book just may help you find a new way to interruput the spiral of toxic thoughts, to stop believing the lies the enemy speaks over you, and start believing the truth of what God says in his Word.

[Altynai Stauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! 80-90% of our thoughts are negative universally regardless of the gender, race, childhood background and country of origin. This applies even to the most optimistic ones amongst us. This book shines light on the subject of battle taking place in our mind from the biblical and scientific points of view (spoiler alert: they do align).
Must read! Highly recommend! It gets 10 out of 10!

[Sherene Pinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Study

If you are overwhelmed with thoughts not of God, this is the study for you. It is a reminder of God's love for you as a father loves a child. Good fathers hold their children up in their weakness moments and still find a way that they would grow. This books will leave you with a new view of God. He is able to deliver you from the hold Satan has on your mind.

[Ashley Slack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking study

Jennie brings a lot of heavy, deep topics to hand with this study on how we spiral out of control in our thoughts. I did this as a study with a group of ladies, and the conversations spurred from Jennie’s prompts had me thinking on them for weeks afterwards. Highly recommend.

[Emily Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is WONDERFUL! I love how Allen applies biblical teachings in the realm of mental health and gives great visuals for how to overcome daily obstacles and the enemy trying to steal our joy. Oh to have the kind of Christ! A great read, great personal expansions provided, and a great book to discuss in a Bible Study Group.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies Bible study. I enjoyed this, but it didn't resonate as strongly with me as many other women in the group. I do not struggle with anxiety, and it seemed that MUCH of the writing was specifically oriented toward those who do.

Still, Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and studying the Word is always fruitful.

[Amy Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are looking for an in depth study of Philippians, this is not the book for you. If you have OCD and troubled thoughts, this is not the book for you either. If you want a study to help guide you a bit and give you some Bible references to help you manage your thoughts, then you might enjoy this. I found the book lacking in spiritual depth and insight as well as practical application.

[Lacey Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great bible study. I learned a lot more about how to take my fears and use the power of God to help me through it. My mom and I did this study together and it made for great discussions. I loved focusing on Philippians’s and really focusing on Paul’s encouragement and wishes for Gods children

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book to get me thinking about what I am thinking about on a regular basis and it gave strategies to stop negative spirals before they spin out of control. The book is anchored in biblical truths as well as solid cognitive behavioral therapy. A good road map for people who may want to do some work within themselves but don't know where to start.

[Beth Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. A new look at Philippians and Paul. He's so relational! So many practical steps for training my brain to be a positive, healthy place with the help of the Holy Spirit. Can't recommend this one enough!

[Emily Warmoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study puts you in your place. It allows you to stop self-pity and put others before yourself. We have spiritual weapons to help us when we are too worried about ourselves. Great study, especially with friends!

[L.A. Deming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guidance and activities for refocusing Christian thought life -

In these chaotic and unsettling times, I’ve found some good exercises Allen gleans from Paul in Philipians for helping people quiet their emotions while seeking actual biblical truths.