DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Becoming Who We Are
Passage: Ephesians 6:10-24
Main Idea: God gives us His resources to take our stand against the enemy.

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GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

1. This week is the last in our study through Ephesians. As you think over this book, what truth(s) have been the most personally impactful for you?

Look Down

Read Ephesians 6:10-24 as a group.

2. Review Ephesians 6:10-12. What do we learn about the spiritual battle that we are engaged in from this passage?

3. Review Ephesians 6:10-17. List out the various pieces of “armor” that Paul describes here and what they stand for. How do you think each one applies in the Christian faith (i.e. what does it look like to ‘wear’ each of these)?

4. Review Ephesians 6:18-20. What does this passage teach us about how to use or employ prayer in our fight against our enemy?

Look Out

5. How aware do you think most people are of the daily “struggle” we are engaged in against the evil spiritual forces mentioned in this passage? How aware do you think you, personally, are of this struggle? After discussing, respond to the quote below.

In his commentary on Ephesians, author and theologian N.T. Wright writes about this passage:

“It is, of course, a surprise to many people that there is a ‘struggle’ at all. Yes, they think, we find it difficult from time to time to practice our Christianity. We find it hard to forgive people, to pray regularly, to resist temptation, to learn more about the faith. But as far as they’re concerned that’s the end of it. They have never thought that their small struggles might be part of a larger campaign. They are like soldiers fighting in a fog: never seeing, and actually not knowing about, the others not far away in the same line of battle, let alone the other theatres where the war is continuing.”

6. What extremes do you think need to be avoided when it comes to the topic of spiritual warfare? Why do you think it’s important to avoid these extremes?

Look In

7. Describe a time in your life when you felt as though you might have undergone a spiritual “attack” by the enemy. What made you feel as though it was a spiritual attack? How did you get through it?

8. We’re told in the Bible that Satan can attack us through many different avenues (the “flaming arrows” of Ephesians 6:16). Examples from Scripture include:

– Interjecting an image into our minds of something enticing but sinful (Matthew 4:8-10;
Luke 4:5-8)
– Exploiting a sinful tendency, such as anger, and causing it to flare out of control
(Ephesians 4:27)
– Inspiring others to create a principle, teaching or idea that sounds plausible but is wrong and dangerous to our souls (2 Corinthians 11:3, 15)
– Afflicting us with a physical illness or condition (2 Corinthians 12:7)
– Sending a horrible dream or manifestation that produces fear (Job 4:13-16)
– Enticing us to lie (Acts 5:3)
– Instigating calamity (Job 1-2)

As you look over this list, is there one area that you feel as though you’re experiencing now or are most prone to? Share that with the group.

9. Though Satan is relentless, we’re told that with the armor God supplies, we can stand against him. Look over the list of armor you discussed in Question 3. Which one or two do you need to be reminded of the most in your life? What can you do to “put on” this armor on a daily basis as you take your stand against the Enemy?

Live It Out

10. Paul tells us at the end of this passage the importance of prayer in this struggle we’re engaged in. Spend a significant amount of time in your study today engaged in prayer for one another. Consider splitting up in pairs and praying for each other, or having the whole group come around each person individually and praying for the areas they answered for Question 8. Remember during your prayer time that though Satan does come after us, Paul tells us in this passage that we can stand against Him as we rely on God.

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get everyone talking.

1. This week is the last in our study through Ephesians. As you think over this book, what truth(s) have been the most personally impactful for you?

This is intended to be a quick introductory reflection on our series. Some people may have many thoughts, but don’t spend too much time here. Try to get quick comments from most or all of the group members.

Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text.

Read Ephesians 6:10-24 as a group.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

2. Review Ephesians 6:10-12. What do we learn about the spiritual battle that we are engaged in from this passage?

We learn the following about the spiritual battle:
– It’s real
– It’s not against flesh and blood (human opponents)
– Human effort is inadequate (Paul says, “Be strong IN THE LORD and in HIS mighty power.”)
– It cannot be fought using merely human resources
– We are called to participate and to take a stand in it
– God has already given us his resources to take our stand

3. Review Ephesians 6:10-17. List out the various pieces of “armor” that Paul describes here and what they stand for. How do you think each one applies in the Christian faith (i.e. what does it look like to ‘wear’ each of these)?

Belt of Truth: All truth is from God. Satan is the father of lies. He takes the truth and twists it. The degree to which we embrace truth is the degree to which we can detect Satan’s lies. As Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Breastplate of Righteousness: Righteousness can have negative connotations in our culture, but the biblical meaning of the word is simply pursuing what is right. When we pursue what is right, we build character. Character protects us from Satan’s attacks. It prevents him from gaining a foothold into our life. Most importantly, though, the breastplate of righteousness is not ours. It is Christ’s. His righteousness is our ultimate protection.

Feet Fitted with the Readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace: It doesn’t matter how strong your armor is if your feet have no stability. The Gospel, our ultimate stability, is the foundational truth of God saving us from our sin. Through it, He has brought us peace. Satan will do all that he can to undermine it – to take our feet out from under us.

Shield of Faith: Roman shields were often covered with leather, which could be soaked in water and used to put out flaming arrows. Faith here means simply to believe in God and hold tight to the tools he has given us. The Bible, prayer, and Christian community are important tools to help us maintain faith.

Helmet of Salvation: The Helmet both protected the soldier and provided a striking symbol of military victory. Here we are reminded of the victory we already have in Jesus. Satan will do all he can to bring us down, but the reality is that our salvation is secured, we are adopted children of God, and Jesus has already won the ultimate battle.

Sword of the Spirit: Paul explicitly connects the sword of the Spirit with the word of God. It is the only offensive weapon of the armor. As we digest and internalize God’s word, which requires diligence and practice, we can use it to literally combat Satan’s lies.

4. Review Ephesians 6:18-20. What does this passage teach us about how to use or employ prayer in our fight against our enemy?

These verses remind us that prayer is needed on all occasions. Prayer is vital in every situation, because God is always at work and Satan is always trying to take us down. Paul also reminds us not simply to pray, but to pray in the Spirit. Prayer in the Spirit is generated out of and empowered by our conversation and interactions with the Spirit. Finally, Paul himself asks for prayer. This reminds us that we cannot do this alone. We need the prayers of other believers.

Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

5. How aware do you think most people are of the daily “struggle” we are engaged in against the evil spiritual forces mentioned in this passage? How aware do you think you, personally, are of this struggle? After discussing, respond to the quote below.

In his commentary on Ephesians, author and theologian N.T. Wright writes about this passage:

“It is, of course, a surprise to many people that there is a ‘struggle’ at all. Yes, they think, we find it difficult from time to time to practice our Christianity. We find it hard to forgive people, to pray regularly, to resist temptation, to learn more about the faith. But as far as they’re concerned that’s the end of it. They have never thought that their small struggles might be part of a larger campaign. They are like soldiers fighting in a fog: never seeing, and actually not knowing about, the others not far away in the same line of battle, let alone the other theatres where the war is continuing.”

6. What extremes do you think need to be avoided when it comes to the topic of spiritual warfare? Why do you think it is important to avoid these extremes?

One extreme is having too much fascination with Satan and attributing every negative experience or challenge to him. The reality is that not every sin or struggle is the direct and sole result of Satanic involvement. The “flesh” and the “world” are also contributors.

The other extreme is paying no attention to Satan at all and attributing nothing to him. This is likened to the “soldiers fighting in a fog” in the Wright quote above.

Lastly, we must remember that, ultimately, God is our means to fight this battle. It is through his resources and our connection to Him that we engage (verse 10 – “Be strong IN THE LORD and in HIS might power”).

Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

7. Describe a time in your life when you felt as though you might have undergone a spiritual “attack” by the enemy. What made you feel as though it was a spiritual attack? How did you get through it?

8. We’re told in the Bible that Satan can attack us through many different avenues (the “flaming arrows” of Ephesians 6:16). Examples from Scripture include:

– Interjecting an image into our minds of something enticing but sinful (Matthew 4:8-10;
Luke 4:5-8)
– Exploiting a sinful tendency, such as anger, and causing it to flare out of control
(Ephesians 4:27)
– Inspiring others to create a principle, teaching or idea that sounds plausible but is wrong and dangerous to our souls (2 Corinthians 11:3, 15)
– Afflicting us with a physical illness or condition (2 Corinthians 12:7)
– Sending a horrible dream or manifestation that produces fear (Job 4:13-16)
– Enticing us to lie (Acts 5:3)
– Instigating calamity (Job 1-2)

As you look over this list, is there one area that you feel as though you’re experiencing now or are most prone to? Share that with the group.

9. Though Satan is relentless, we’re told that with the armor God supplies, we can stand against him. Look over the list of armor you discussed in Question 3. Which one or two do you need to be reminded of the most in your life? What can you do to “put on” this armor on a daily basis as you take your stand against the Enemy?

For these questions, encourage your group to share openly. Model vulnerability yourself as a leader. We will pray over each other in the next section, but if a group member needs prayer immediately, please do not hesitate to do that.

Live It Out

Purpose: Imagine what your world would look like if the truths from the passage were lived out.

10. Paul tells us at the end of this passage the importance of prayer in this struggle we’re engaged in. Spend a significant amount of time in your study today in prayer for one another. Consider splitting up in pairs and praying for each other, or having the whole group come around each person individually and praying for the areas they answered for Question 8. Remember during your prayer time that though Satan does go after us, Paul tells us in this passage that we can stand against Him as we rely on God.

Paul encourages us in verse 18 to “pray in the Spirit”. Part of doing this is simply asking the Spirit how to pray. Take some time in quiet before you pray to ask the Spirit for direction. Then, pray in faith.