Jun 30 2008
Bible Study Week 18 - Spiritual Warfare - Using the Shield of Faith
Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson
The purpose of this lesson is to guide Christians on how to use the fourth piece of armor which is the Shield of Faith in their spiritual warfare.
Lesson Objective
This lesson will guide the participants to:
- Discover the meaning of the Shield of Faith;
- Discover how to use the Shield of Faith in spiritual warfare;
- Apply faith in real life situations using relevant parts of Scripture.
Introduction
The Bible 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?
).
Today’s Lesson: Onward Christian 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.
, 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.
). The life of a Christian 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 Christians 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.
Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 18
- Do you think the shield of faith is important to you as a Christian today? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - Please give an example of the “winds” that would cause your faith to waver today. Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - What biblical suggestion/advice would you give to someone whose faith has been challenged? Please use vs. 30b and vs. 31a to explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. ?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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 Christian. Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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.
- 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 Jesus Christ that can save us.
Amen
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