Archive for June, 2008

Jun 30 2008

Bible Study Week 18 - Spiritual Warfare - Using the Shield of Faith

Published by Rose under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This Lesson

The purpose of this lesson is to guide on how to use the fourth piece of armor which is the in their spiritual warfare.

Lesson Objective

This lesson will guide the participants to:

  1. Discover the meaning of the ;
  2. Discover how to use the in ;
  3. Apply faith in real life situations using relevant parts of .

Introduction

The says that “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”(1 Jn 5:4-51 Jn 5:4-5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, [even] our faith. 5 And who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  

WP-Bible plugin
).

Today’s Lesson: Onward Soldier

Read Matt 14:22-32Matt 14:22-32
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away. 23 And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto the upon the waters. 29 And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.  

WP-Bible plugin
, Luke 8:22-25Luke 8:22-25
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling [with water], and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?   and Mark 11: 20-23Mark 11: 20-23
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.  

Against All The Odds

A story is told about a certain man who wanted to cross a bridge that connected the market to his village. Since he had not visited his home for a long time, he was not aware that the bridge had become weak. He even ignored some villagers who cautioned him about the bridge. They had advised him to use a longer route to get home.

Determined to get home before dark, the man reckoned to the villagers that “I have faith that I will go across the bridge”; and although the villagers had warned him, he stepped forward onto the bridge which began swaying dangerously. His better judgement stopped him from crossing.

This story is an illustration to us that it is not the amount of faith that we have in something that makes the difference; but UPON the focus (or the object) of our faith. This man had a lot of faith BUT in a weak bridge. Some people have chosen to put their faith in witchdoctors and idols, yet the Bible says that “cursed is the one who trusts in man. . .” (Jer 17:5Jer 17:5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.  

WP-Bible plugin
). The life of a is governed by faith and without faith we cannot please God, (Rom 8:8Rom 8:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.   and Heb 11:6Heb 11:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.  ) since the devil knows this truth, he schemes evil plans in order to attack the core of our faith.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he too wanted to walk on water and by faith he stepped out and walked, but when the strong winds started to blow, he became afraid and instead of fixing his eyes on Jesus, he looked at the situation around him and he immediately started sinking. Many today are like Peter; instead of fixing their eyes on the One who can help them, they look at the situations the Devil has brought upon them and so they begin to sink.

Questions For Discussion - Week 18

  1. Do you think the shield of faith is important to you as a today? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. What do you think made Peter’s faith to waver according to Matt 14:30Matt 14:30
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.      ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Please give an example of the “winds” that would cause your faith to waver today. Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  4. What biblical suggestion/advice would you give to someone whose faith has been challenged? Please use vs. 30b and vs. 31a to explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  5. Using your own words, please explain the teaching Jesus was giving to the disciples in Luke 8:24-25Luke 8:24-25
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?      ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  6. What do you think Jesus meant when he used the term “faith as a mustard seed” in Matt 17:20Matt 17:20
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.      ?
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. Do you think Jesus’ use of the word “mountain” in Mark 11:23Mark 11:23
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.       was literal? If no please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  8. Name one thing that has challenged your faith recently either in the area of worry, doubt, fear, and low-self esteem etc and how you handled it as a . Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  9. How would you use any of the scriptures in this lesson to build up your faith in that area? Please quote a specific scripture that may apply to your specific situation
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

For Meditation: Psalms 20: 5Psalms 20: 5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 We will triumph in thy salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners: Jehovah fulfil all thy petitions.  

WP-Bible plugin
- Swifter than Chariots

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

In the day of trouble, it is only our faith in the Lord that can save us.



Amen

Tags: , , ,

No responses yet

Jun 23 2008

Bible Study Week 17 Spiritual Warfare - Preaching the Gospel of Peace

Published by Rose under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This Lesson

This lesson will guide us to understand that is not a physical battle and that one cannot fight it with physical weapons, but with the weapons of the Spirit, which are mighty for “pulling down strongholds” (2 Cor 10:42 Cor 10:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 ,  

WP-Bible plugin
) and to set the ‘captives’ free. (Luke 4:18Luke 4:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,  )

Lesson Objective:

This lesson will guide the participants to:

  1. Understand the effectiveness of preaching the
  2. Understand why we should preach the
  3. Understand ways in which the weapon of peace is used in

Introduction

In Matthew 26:51Matthew 26:51
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
51 And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.  

WP-Bible plugin
we read a story of how Peter attempted to protect his master Jesus after Judas betrayed him. Peter was so mistaken because he thought that the is to be gained by the sword, and he therefore struck at the High Priest’s slave, cutting off his ear, which Jesus healed instantly. Unlike the kingdoms of this world, is a kingdom of peace and goodwill, and that is why when Jesus was confronted by his persecutors he chose not to fight back. Likewise, Christians should be ready to preach the in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  ).
Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Matt 5:38-41Matt 5:38-41
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.  , Acts 7:54-60Acts 7:54-60
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.   and 2 Timothy 1:7-82 Timothy 1:7-8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. 8 Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;  , 2 Tim 4:1-72 Tim 4:1-7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 1 I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. 5 But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. 6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:  

vs. Satan’s Kingdom

Jesus describing the agenda of the Kingdom of Satan said in John 10:10John 10:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly.  

WP-Bible plugin
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly”. Christians have the duty to fulfill God’s agenda by preaching the message of peace in a dark and desperate world; a world where violence has become very common. Violence has become common everywhere and a day hardly passes by without a report on violence on the media. The Psalmist said “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do”? (Psa 11:3Psa 11:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?  ), the righteous have a duty to preach peace.

Paul was learned and powerful and greatly feared because he had been persecuting with the authority given to him by the high priests; in fact he had been part of the crowd that had killed Stephen (Acts 7:58Acts 7:58
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  

WP-Bible plugin
), but now writing to the in Ephesus in Eph 6: 15Eph 6: 15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;   his approach has significantly changed and he now gives advice on how to do span saying “shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace . . .” Paul had come to the realization that the is not advanced by swords and spears. This fact had dawned on him when he met Christ on his way to Damascus (Acts 22:16-14Acts 22:16-14
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
 ) on his mission to persecute Christians.

After this encounter with Christ, Paul was completely transformed and he now understood that the was not to be defended by arrows and spears, but by preaching the ! Whereas the devil’s agenda is to hold people as captives, our agenda is to preach the gospel so that people may be set free from anger, revenge, hatred, and violence.
Let us therefore preach the to the captives who are held in the kingdom of darkness, so that they may be set free, free by God’s power.

Questions For Discussion - Week 17

  1. Why do you think the gospel of peace is important to you as a Christian today? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. What is the significance that the Apostle Paul attaches to the soldier’s shoes or sandals in preaching peace? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Do you agree that the action of “shoding our feet’ is still valid to you today as you are living in the 21st century considering that there are many modes of transport available today? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  4. What do you think Jesus meant when he said we should turn the “other cheek” in Matt 5: 39Matt 5: 39
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.      ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  5. Please give an example of how today may apply the teaching in Matt 5:38-41Matt 5:38-41
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.       to promote peace. Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  6. How can you “shod” your feet with the gospel of peace today? Please give practical examples using Paul’s advice to Timothy in 2 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:2
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.      .

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. How can we apply the message in Eph 6: 15Eph 6: 15
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;       in the situation which has occurred our country today? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Reflection: Matthew 5:41Matthew 5:41
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.  

WP-Bible plugin
-Becoming

“And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go two with him”.

Lord make us instruments of your peace; where there is hatred let your love increase.

Amen

Tags: , ,

No responses yet

Next »