The Disciple’s Journey – Week 5 of 5

• Every believer is a disciple and is called to make disciples.
• The vehicle that God uses to grow us to be more like Jesus is relationship.

This week: Spiritual Realm (Ephesians 6:10-20)

S.O.A.P. – One Way to Study Scripture

• Due to the many baptism celebrations today, we can’t unpack this whole passage, so I want to show you one possible way to unpack it in your individual abiding time and as you gather together in small groups.
• There are many other ways, but the important thing is that you read, understand and apply scripture to your life.
  • S = Scripture
  • O = Observation and questions
    • God, why did you write this?
  • A = Application
    • God, how would you have me apply what I am reading here in my life?
  • P = Prayer

S.o.a.p. – Scripture

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (emphasis mine)

s.O.a.p. – Observations

• Observation #1: “Be strong […] Put on […]” These commands were written to the church: a collective group of people. So putting on the armor of God is something we help each other with and the spiritual battle is a group effort – we don’t fight alone.
  • s.o.A.p: Application #1: “Be strong… Put on…” Where do I go to get that strength? How do I put on armor?
    • Protect my abiding time – individually & collectively.
    • It is the critical spot of attack.
  • Baptisms today: Identifying with a message 1)Jesus is God, 2) He paid for my sins, and 3) He is my Lord.
    • It’s a first step of obedience in living this out. You said it, Lord; I believe it.
  •  s.o.a.P. Prayer as believers: 1) Live out of that security, 2) know my identity, and 3) go to You for strength.
• Observation #2: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against […] the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
  • An often unseen spiritual realm exists – that is as real as this one – where a battle is taking place.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

• • s.o.A.p: Application #2: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against […] the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
    • Not everything is a spiritual attack, but some things are.
    • We fight differently than the world…
      • Different goal: To see God glorified and the whole world come to know Him
      • Different methods: In prayer, in relationship we love others and live life with them.
        • • We don’t burn buildings, yell, or blast people on social media.
          • The guy who cuts me off on the road is not my enemy.
  • Baptisms today: If Jesus is King, and you identify with him, then you are choosing a side in the fight
    • He gets to make the call of where you go and what you do because you are like a soldier in a war.
  • s.o.a.P. Prayer as believers: Please help me not fight against people, but fight to see their eyes opened to the glory of Christ in the gospel.
• Observation #3: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth […]”
  • The truth is the first piece of the armor.
    • Jesus called himself the truth, so truth is more than a list of facts…. Truth is a person.
    • Am I living consistently with the truth about God? about myself?
  • s.o.A.p: Application #3: “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth […]”

Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

• The way I (Titus) often feel spiritually attacked is being led to believe a plausible lie.
  • Biggest lie I’m tempted to believe: “There is good outside of God.”
  • Psalm 84:11 (NIV) “No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless”.
  • Psalm 16:2 (NIV) “I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing”.
• Baptisms today: Truth is “I am known by God and there is nothing better than You!”
• s.o.a.P. Prayer as believers: Lord, help me to truly believe that there is no good outside of you and to live consistent with that truth.

Bridge to Baptisms:

• Baptism: Baptism is our first step in following Jesus. We believe the Bible teaches that those who have responded to the message of the gospel, repented, and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be baptized by immersion as an act of obedience as a disciple of Jesus. In the book of Acts, baptism was an immediate response for those who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism by immersion is a picture of death and resurrection for one’s old life to a new life following Jesus.
• If you would like to be baptized, talk to your life group leader or a pastor, and tell them so.

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What was something good that happened this last week? What was something difficult?

Read/Tell the Story: Ephesians 6:10-20

Questions:

1. Why do you think Paul calls the shoes of the armor “the gospel of peace”? Why compare it to shoes?
2. Looking at the armor of God, which piece of armor do you struggle to put on? Which is easy for you to put on?
3. If you were your own enemy, how would you strategize to take you off your game spiritually?
4. What relationships do you have that help you fight your spiritual battles?
5. What are the dangers of isolation for a disciple of Jesus?