Relaxed?

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

We’re dealing with a topic of putting on the armor of God to fight our spiritual battles. This study coincides with the end of October which is increasingly a “hot topic” in Christian circles. In addition, there is a rising popularity and expanding commercialism with what some call “Halloween” and others would call a “Harvest Celebration.”

1. What is your custom on Halloween? Do you join in giving out candy or wear some silly costume? Do you shun our culture’s celebration and substitute a “Harvest Celebration” instead? Do you ignore it all together? This question is not to dictate a right or wrong way to deal with this awkward custom, but to voice that Christians have different ideas on how to approach this part of our culture while still trying to honor the Lord. Some do this by trying to be “light in the darkness” and being a good example in the middle of ‘trick or treating,’ while others, in good conscience, choose to not participate at all. Without being disagreeable, can you share what your family has chosen to do in this season, and perhaps some of the reasons that led you to this decision?

2. What is the funniest or silliest costume you have ever worn?

3. Were you alive in the 1940’s? Do you have any memories or memories that your parents or grandparents have passed down about World War II? What is your most vivid memory or story you have heard concerning the beginning of that war?

4. The United States was catapulted into the war with Japan at the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japanese caught the United States by surprise as a significant amount of our fleet sat in that harbor on December 7, 1941. Yet, historians say that although we were caught by surprise, there were indications that we would be attacked, yet we failed to recognize the seriousness of the situation.

In this section of Ephesians we are going to discuss spiritual warfare. In exploring what the Bible teaches about being prepared spiritually for battles against the enemy of our souls we are going to make some analogies to war to help us understand the seriousness of our spiritual situation.

What comes to mind when you think of “spiritual warfare?”

5. What does Ephesians 6:12 say we are fighting against? Please put this verse into your own words.

6. Ephesians 6:10 tells us to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. The words “Be strong” in the Greek is translated “endunamoo, which means “to make strong, to endure with strength.” In addition the verb that is in the passive voice is expressed as, “be continually strengthened.” As we are not only told to be strong, but be strong in the Lord, means that this kind of strength can only be achieved in union with the Lord. This is not an admonition to self-effort but to depend on the Lord for the supply of this strength.

Read Philippians 4:13. Explain what this means in your life and an example of how the Lord has given you strength.

7. Read Hebrews 11:30-34. In the New American Standard translation the phrase “from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. What (verse 30) made these heroes of the faith spiritually strong? On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 signifying “barely existing” and 10 signifying “mighty),” how would you describe your faith in this season of life. Has your faith ever been stronger than it is right now?

8. Commentator Matthew Henry tells us, “Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering…The combat is not against human enemies, not against our own corrupt nature only; we have to do with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls…we must resolve by God’s grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee.”

What are some ways you have learned to “resist him.” What strategies of holding on to the Word of God and of prayer have given you some victory? If you believe that you are presently struggling spiritually, ask the group to stop now and pray for you for the strength to resist something that is troubling to you. It is o.k. to have an “unspoken” prayer, but ask for prayer just the same. God knows all the details.

9. Matthew Henry asserts, “we must pray with all kinds of prayer; public, private, and secret; social and solitary; solemn and sudden: with all the parts of prayer; confession of sin, petition for mercy, and thanksgiving for favours received. And we must do it by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, in dependence on, and according to his teaching. We must preserve in particular requests, notwithstanding discouragements. We must pray, not for ourselves only, but for all saints. Our enemies are mighty, and we are without strength, but our Redeemer is almighty, and in the power of His might we may overcome.”

Have an extended prayer time at this group gathering and personally this week. Remember all the parts of prayer. Share a special specific request this week and be sure to pray for one another.