February 29, 2012

Read:  Exodus 5:1-23, 7:17, 8:10, 19, 22; 9:13-16, 29; 10:1-2

What was Moses questioning at the end of Exodus chapter five?

What was God’s answer?

What was God trying to teach us from this narrative?

February 28, 2012

Read:  Habakkuk 3:15-19 and Today’s News

Pray through all the injustices highlighted in the news today.

Pray through your “pet peeve” injustices of the world.

Pray through your own personal injustices.

February 27, 2012

Read:  Habakkuk 1:1-3:19

Summarize Habakkuk’s tension in one sentence.

Summarize God’s response in one sentence.

Summarize how Habakkuk responded in one sentence.

February 25, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:17a, Matthew 4:1-11

Explain how Satan used doubt and discouragement to attack Jesus and tempt Him away from God.

How did Jesus provide an example of what it means to take the helmet of salvation against Satan?

What has been your experience with doubt and discouragement? What is God teaching you about you?

February 24, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 2:1-10, 6:17a

Explain the three aspects of salvation. (i.e. justification, sanctification, glorification)

Why is salvation the central issue for Christianity? How can this get overlooked or replaced today?

How does salvation relate to a helmet of protection? Why is this important for spiritual warfare?

February 23, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:17a, 1 Corinthians 15:19, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 5:6-8

In what way did Paul take the helmet of salvation for his own life? How did it help him?

How often do you consider your salvation? Why? How would this help you in your spiritual struggles?

Knowing that a spiritual helmet deals with our thought life, how can you take the helmet of salvation?

February 22, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:17a, Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-6

What do you notice about Satan’s tactics and approach to tempt Eve away from God? (Hint: perspective)

In what way does he use the same approach today? Give examples.

How do you struggle with your thought life? What can you do to protect yourself?

February 21, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:17a, Philippians 4:4-9, 2 Corinthians 10:5

What can happen when you are not intentional about protecting your thought life? Give examples.

How does Paul help the Philippians with their thought life? What does he promise will happen?

In what way will the enemy try to minimize the importance of this truth?

February 20, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:17a, Isaiah 59:15-17

Explain why God would need a helmet to correct the sinful behavior of Israel.

How does this picture of God’s helmet relate to Paul’s helmet discussion on spiritual warfare?

What is being implied about perspective, thought life, and what we think about? Why is this important?

February 18, 2012

Read: Ephesians 6:16, Hebrews 11:1-40

Why is a shield of faith more than just a viewpoint or perspective? What else is required?

In what way do you see the enemy disarming or distracting Christians today when it comes to faith?

List specific examples of faith from Hebrews 11. How is your shield of faith? Why? What will you do?

February 17, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:16, 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Explain the importance of a shield to a Roman guard. (i.e. protection against flaming arrows)

How does Paul equate Christian faith to a Roman shield? What is being implied for spiritual protection?

How do you see the enemy shooting flaming arrows today? How can you depend on the Lord in deeper ways?

February 16, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 1:13, 15-19, 2:8-9, 3:12, 4:11-13, Hebrews 11:6

How would you describe “faith” based on Paul’s discussion throughout Ephesians?

Explain how Christian faith is different than a worldly faith. (Hint: where it is placed)

In what way is a Christian’s faith continually growing? How does this relate to spiritual protection?

February 15, 2012

Read: Ephesians 6:15, Acts 2:22-41, 21:37-22:21

In what way is spiritual footwear different than the other pieces of spiritual armor? (Hint: informational)

How did Peter and Paul have their feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace?

What is God teaching you about being prepared? How will you step into these spiritual shoes?

February 14, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:15, Romans 10:13-15, Acts 5:42

Describe what you know about a Roman soldier’s footwear based on Sunday’s message.

What is being implied when Paul relates the Gospel of peace to a soldier’s footwear? (Hint: daily life)

How can Christians compartmentalize Jesus? What is at stake when this happens? How’s your footwear?

February 13, 2012

Read: Ephesians 2:14-16, 6:15

How would you describe “peace” from Paul’s discussion throughout Ephesians?

What is meant by “the Gospel of peace”? How does this relate to spiritual protection in the Christian life?

In what way is Christianity facing both an informational battle and spiritual battle? Why is this important?

February 11, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 4:22-32, 6:14, Romans 6:13-23, 1 John 3:4-10

Why is it important to see sin as being more than wrong behavior? What is the result?

In what way does sin relate to satanic influence? What are the implications? (i.e. spiritual risk)

How will living to please God protect you? How do you need to put on the breastplate of righteousness?

February 10, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:14, Philippians 3:7-9, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

What is the difference between God’s righteousness (imputed) and man’s righteousness (obedience)?

How does this relate to salvation and sanctification? Why are they both important?

What kind of truth is implied in Eph 6:14? (Hint: put it on) How can you step into this truth?

February 9, 2012

Read: Ephesians 6:14, 1 Samuel 17:4-7, Isaiah 59:14-17

Describe Goliath’s coat of armor. How important was this type of armor for a soldier in battle?

What is Paul highlighting when it comes to righteousness in the life of a Christian?

How does this relate to spiritual warfare and protection against the enemy?

February 8, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:14, Exodus 20:16, Psalm 51:5-6

Why is lying a big deal to God? How big of a deal is lying to you? Why?

Explain how it is possible to lie to yourself. Give examples.

How do you connect with David’s prayer in Psalm 51? Take 10 minutes now to be honest with the Lord.

February 7, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:14, John 8:31-47, Revelation 22:14-15

How does lying and deception relate to Satan and how he works? Why is this critical to recognize?

How do you think lying has been minimized today? What does this tell you about spiritual warfare?

In what ways are you tempted to be dishonest? Why? How does God want you to put on the belt of truth?

February 6, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 1:13, 4:15, 21, 24-25, 5:8-9, 6:14a

Describe the various ways Paul used “truth” throughout Ephesians? Do you notice a theme? Explain.

How would you distinguish between God as being “the” truth and a general attitude of truthfulness?

Based on the context of 6:14a, what kind of truth is Paul talking about? Why is this important?

February 4, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:13, 2 Kings 6

Why did King Aram want to kill Elisha? How did he try to accomplish his goal at Dothan?

Explain how Elisha’s statement in 2 Kings 6:16 shows he was prepared in advance to trust the Lord.

Why couldn’t the servant see the chariots of fire? What does this say about spiritual warfare?

February 3, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:13, 1 John 5:18-21, Romans 8:35-39

How does it make you feel to know that in Christ you are secure and protected from Satan?

How should this truth impact the way Christians approach spiritual warfare and battling the enemy?

In what way can a misunderstanding of this truth also lead to a falling away from the Lord? Why?

February 2, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 2:6-9, 5:8-17, 6:10-13

What important instruction does Paul continue to mention throughout his letter to the Ephesians? Why?

How do you see this same instruction being needed today? Why?

How does this relate to proactive and reactive spiritual protection? What are the practical implications?

February 1, 2012

Read:  Ephesians 6:12, Matthew 4:1-11

Explain three ways Satan tried to tempt Jesus away from trusting God. What tactic did he use?

List three areas of your life where you can be tempted away from the Lord. What is the common theme?

What does this teach you about the enemy, spiritual warfare, and spiritual protection for yourself?