Sunday, February 22, 2015
Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul encourage us to do before engaging in spiritual battle? Why? (v.10-13)
2) What are the pieces of our spiritual armor that will enable us to stand against evil? (v.14-17)
3) What else can we do to withstand the forces of evil and to help our brothers and sisters to stand, as well? (v.18)
4) What is the apostles personal petition for himself? (v.20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) How do you put on the spiritual armor of God in your personal life?
6) Why is praying for the saints important in keeping the body of Christ from withstanding the wiles of the devil?
LIFE LESSONS
7) Our spiritual armor consists of truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and the Word of God.
8) We acquire each piece of spiritual armor through prayer for ourselves and others in the body of Christ.
9) We need each other to pray with and for us, in the day of adversity, to stand as one against evil.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
1Samuel 17:40-50 KJV
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but [there was] no sword in the hand of David.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did David do after taking off King Saul's armor? (v.40)
2) What did the Philistine champion do and say when he saw David? Why? (v.41-44)
3) What did David say in response the enemy's threats? (v.45-47)
4) What did David do after the Philistine giant arose and came toward him? (v.48-50)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) What "giants" are you facing this day (e.g., financial or marital trouble, sickness or disease, emotional loss)?
6) How do you intend to slay your "giants"?
LIFE LESSONS
7) The battles that we face in life are never ours to win, because our battles belong to the Lord.
8) Victory for the child of God is most certain when we demonstrate our complete reliance and trust in God.
9) We slay the "giants" in our lives through prayer and seeking the Lord's wisdom and guidance.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
1Samuel 17:31-39 KJV
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed [them] before Saul: and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it]. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them]. And David put them off him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What had David said about Goliath (v.26) that caused King Saul to send for him? (v.31)
2) What did David say to assure the king after meeting with him? (v. 32)
3) What was Saul's initial response to David? (v.33)
4) What else did David say to reassure the king? (v.34-37b)
5) What did King Saul say to, and do for, young David? (v.37c-38)
6) What did David do in response to the King's gesture? Why? (v.39)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What do you typically do when engaged in spiritual warfare?
8) What is your battle attire? (Eph. 6:10-18)
LIFE LESSONS
9) The weapons of warfare used by children of God are not carnal, but mighty in God.
