God’s Word for us today is Ephesians 6:12-17.
Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these,* take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” -Ephesians 6:14-17
Pastor explains how God’s word as an arsenal can defeat the enemy. What versus of scripture do you hold onto in times of need?
The Armor of God – The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
1. How successful were you last week with putting on your helmet? If you made that a conscious effort, relate the outcome.
2. This week we’re studying the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon. Sometimes in our adversities we deliberately call upon a cherished personal verse that strengthens us. Other times, the Holy Spirit calls to our minds a verse that’s appropriate to the specific situation. Pastor Steve had some of us share a personal verse this Sunday. Take turns sharing personally meaningful verses in your group. Review 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
3. We use our swords to counteract the enemy’s tactics against us. Often, harassment comes from outside of us. Other times, the Lord is working on “the good work He began” in us (Philippians 1:6), and His word applies to us in the hidden places of our being. Read Hebrews 4:12. How does this verse describe the word of God? What does it say about the pinpoint accuracy of God’s word?
4. Have you ever had a time when you felt you were supposed to speak or write a specific scripture to someone who was going through a challenging time? If you followed through, what was the outcome? Did the outcome square with what Hebrews 4:12 says about the accuracy of God’s word? How does that affect your confidence in following through in speaking or writing out verses to others when you feel prompted to do so? Does that “count” as taking up the Sword of the Spirit?
5. Honing our skills with the Sword of the Spirit is a lifetime effort. The more we take in and retain scripture, the bigger and sharper our sword becomes, and the more quickly we are able to draw it against any power of the enemy. Name some ways to take in and retain scripture.
6. See Matthew 16:22-23, and Mark 8:32-32. Jesus spoke out loud, but was He calling Peter “Satan”? What do you think Jesus was doing?
7. Sometimes we recite verses in our head; other times, it seems necessary to speak them out loud. Read Ephesians 4:8-10, taking particular note of verse 10. If Paul considers himself “the very least of all saints”, and verse 10 states his authority to speak, as a believer, the truths of God to “the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places,” and the location of the battle is stated as being “in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12), what does that say about us speaking the word of God out loud if the situation calls for it? Would this count as taking up the Sword of the Spirit?
8. Read Luke 10:18-20. Jesus speaks of battling, but to what does He give highest priority, that over which we are to rejoice? Does that give us permission to remain passive? Discuss these verses.
9. Read Luke 4:1:13. What was Jesus doing? Note that He even rebuts verses inappropriately used against Him by the enemy (Jesus - quite a swordsman, and our model!) According to verse 14, was this the last time He’d have to do battle with the enemy? What does this say about our own altercations?
10. Take stock of the condition of your Sword of the Spirit this week – plastic picnic knife, or formidable weapon? Rusty, or sharp and gleaming, ready for action? Ask the Lord for battle readiness with His precious Word that He has given us so that we may live victoriously.