Supernatural: Three Battlefronts (The Flesh, The World and the Devil)

Three main battlefronts in the spiritual war.
Ephesians 2:1-3a And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind…

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

THE FLESH (anything that _____________________________________________)
THE WORLD (anything that ___________________________________________)
THE DEVIL (anything that _____________________________________________)
Ephesians 6:18

P.S. You’ll find __________________________________________ through ___________________________________________.

Galatians 5:16-17
1 Corinthians 2:12
1 John 4:2-4

“Prayer is the mightiest of all weapons that created natures can wield.” ~ Martin Luther

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS

We are getting to the end of the SUPERNATURAL series.  As we wrap up this series on spiritual warfare, what questions do you have that you would still like answered?

Leaders: please record these  questions and send them to Pastor Eric immediately following your group session.  You do not need to include the names of those who asked them.

SCRIPTURE/APPLICATION QUESTIONS

The following scripture passages speak more extensively about the three battlefronts we face in the spiritual battle.  Read through them individually.  After you read it, ask:

1) What more does this tell me about this particular battlefront?

2) What does this passage say about the Holy Spirit’s help with this battlefront?

The Flesh    Romans 13:14   Romans 8:4b-9    Galatians 5:16-25

The World   Titus 2:11-12     John 14:16-17     1 Corinthians 2:12

The Devil    1 John 3:7-10    1 John 4:1-6

What specific prayer requests do you have in each battlefront area of your life?

Ephesians 6:18  How would you describe your prayer life?

PRAYERS: Have you ever had ‘wishes’ that you offered to God, but ended up exchanging those ‘wishes’ because God had something else in mind?  Explain.

SUPPLICATIONS: What are the things you urgently need God’s provision for in your life?

Take time to pray on behalf of each other and the needs of the people in your group.

 

Supernatural: The Armor of God: (Shield of Faith, Sword of the Spirit)

Ephesians 6:10-18a

The shield of faith is about _____________________________________________.

Faith is “our absolute confidence and trust in God, His promises, His power, and His program [plan] for our lives.” ~ Kenneth Samuel Wuest, Moody Bible Professor (1893-1962)

This piece of armor enables us to ______________________________________.
Matthew 4:1-10

The sword of the spirit is about ________________________________________.

This piece of armor enables us to ______________________________________.
Matthew 4:1-10

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

This Week’s Challenge:

Key Idea:

______________________________ and _______________________________________.

 

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECTING QUESTIONS

What are your favorite lines from a movie (or book)? Why do you like it?
Have you ever done something with great confidence, only to realize how little skill you possessed? How did that turn out for you?

SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
Genesis 3:1-7 Consider the specific things mentioned about the fruit in verse 6. How would the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit helped Adam and Eve say no to Satan and Yes to God in those areas?

2 timothy 3:17 There are at least four things that the scriptures are useful for. How have you experienced its usefulness in each area?
Teaching/Instruction:
Proof/Persuasion:
Correction/Discipline:
Training/Spiritual Development:

Ephesians 6:16-17 How do you feel that trusting God’s protection would help you say no to Satan? How do you feel that fighting back with truth would help you say yes to God?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How often are you spending time reading or studying God’s word? Do you make any effort to memorize scripture? Why or why not?

How do you think doing those things would better equip you to STAND FIRM and PRESS AHEAD in your spiritual battle?

Supernatural: The Armor of God (Shoes of Readiness, Helmet of Salvation)

Ephesians 6:10-18a
In this spiritual battle:
__________________________________________________________.
Ephesians 6:15 “and, as shoes for your feet…put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”
The shoes of readiness are about being ___________________________ and __________________________________________ the Gospel.

5 Facets of the Gospel:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Challenge: write out the gospel in your own words and share it with somebody.

We need this armor because Satan will try to _______________________________.

The helmet of salvation is realizing _________________________________
__________________________________________________.
Salvation’s complete picture:
You have been ______________________________________.
You are being ____________________________________.
You will be ___________________________________.
Romans 8:28-30
We need this armor because Satan will try to _______________________________.
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS:

PLEASE PREPARE FOR GROUP THIS WEEK BY DOING THE CHALLENGE FROM THE MESSAGE!

CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What is your favorite sport, if any? Why do you enjoy it?

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOES OF READINESS (Ephesians 6:15)
Share your written version of the gospel using the 5 facets talked about in the message.
How do you see your life as being established in the gospel you shared? How prepared (willing and able) are you to share the gospel with others? Why do you say that?
Who are some specific people you know that are not yet at peace with God that need to hear the gospel message?
After sharing, take time as a group to pray for them.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HELMET OF SALVATION (Ephesians 6:17)
Romans 8:28-30 How do you see the complete picture of salvation written in this text? Verse 28 reminds that all things work together for the good of those who love God.. How do to see the good events of your life as accomplishing God’s work in you? How do you see the bad ones doing that?
What are the greatest areas of doubt for you about your salvation: in the past, in the present , or in the future? Why do you say that? How does the helmet of salvation help in still confidence?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: What aspects of your faith do you feel a lack of confidence in? Why do you think that is? How do you see putting on the shoes of readiness and the helmet of salvation as able to help you live your faith out with confidence?

Supernatural: The Armor of God (Breastplate of Righteousness)

Ephesians 6:13-17

The breastplate of righteousness is about ____________________________.

We need this piece of armor because Satan will try to ___________________________________________________________________________.
Luke 22:1-6
Four ways we develop spiritual blind spots:
We _________________________________________________________
We _________________________________________________________
We _________________________________________________________
We _________________________________________________________

The Goal:
__________________________________________________________________________.
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Question to consider this week:
In what area of my life has God spoken truth that I am not presently following?

Three things that can help you discover blind spots:

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________

Psalm 139:1-4, 23-24 “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.  You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether…. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS

CONNECTING QUESTIONS
Have you ever had a collision or near miss because you didn’t see what was in your blind spot? Describe what happened and how you felt.

SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
Ephesians 6:14 What connections can you see between the belt of truth (genuine relationship with Jesus) and the breastplate of righteousness (living right)?
2 Samuel chapters 11:1-18, 26-27 and 12:1-18. What were David’s blind spots? How could he have avoided the trouble he found himself in?
Consider the courage it took for Nathan to speak into David’s life. Is there someone who does that with you?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
We heard four ways that blind spots often develop in our lives. Can you think of any others? Which of the four do you see most in the lives of people you know? Which one is the greatest challenge for you?
On a scale of 1-10, how often do you find that your life and your love for Jesus are lined up? Why do you say that?

The question to consider this week was: “In what area of my life has God spoken truth that I am not presently following?” Would you be willing to your areas with the group? Are there any courageous next steps you need to take to get your life in line with your love for Jesus? (Spend some time praying for each person who shares.)