Joy: our response of delight or happiness to something exceptionally good or satisfying.
The key to joy isn’t in how you _______________________________; it’s in where you _______________________________!
Three things God REALLY wants:
God REALLY wants _____________________________________________.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
God REALLY wants _____________________________________________.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-2, 10-11
John 15:9-11
We can be FILLED WITH JOY when do two things:
__________________________ Galatians 5:22
__________________________ Psalm 51:1-12.
There is no GOOD with God, which means there is no JOY without God either! (See James 1:16-17 and Psalm 16:2)
God REALLY wants you to know that _________________________________.
Hebrews 12:2
Luke 4:31-37
Jesus miracles – including casting out demons – did three things:
1)
2)
3)
Mark 2:1-11
Mark 1:14-15
The focus of spiritual warfare throughout scripture is on calling people to: ____________________________ and ____________________________.
What do we learn from scripture about casting out demons?
We never see a demon that _________________/_______________a believer.
Jesus cast out demons to address ____________________, not ___________.
Mark 5:1-13
Mark 9: 17-27
There are no _____________________________ or _____________________ given.
We are never directly commanded in scripture to _____________________________________.
Mark 16:15-20
What should I do?
____________________________ and _________________________________________.
Ephesians 6:18b-20
Summary: “Pray that God would give me the right words to speak, and that I would boldly share the gospel as I should.”
Colossians 2:13-15
We do not fight _____________________; we fight _________________________.
CONNECTION GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECTING QUESTION
Have you ever had an unexplained supernatural experience with the spirit realm? Have you heard stories from people you know about encountering demons and such? What was your reaction, and how do you feel about this topic?
Why do think it’s important to filter any supernatural experiences through what the scriptures have to say?
FROM THE MESSAGE
Jesus’ miracles – including casting out demons – accomplished three things. Why do you think each of these were important?
Review the four things we learn from scripture about casting out demons. Are there any that surprise you? How do you feel about these statements?
Why do you think the emphasis throughout scriptures is calling people to repent from sin and turn to God, rather than casting out demons and things of that nature?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Consider the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. We usually relate this prayer to our own life. But take a few minutes to look at each verse through the lens of “spiritual warfare” and the real battleground of proclaiming the gospel message. How does that change your perspective on the prayer? What are things you can pray about in each area?
Who are the people in your life that you need to courageously share the gospel with?
Take time to pray for these individuals.
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.
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?
