Declaring War Against the Enemy | This Means War | Week 1
Announcement
Consider having your group participate in the Red Bag Initiative together. You can find the bags and more information in the lobby.
Opening
Because this sermon topic is weighty, we are going to linger longer in both the sermon and the response to the sermon. Open your group praying for discernment and for freedom.
Overview
God wants his church to be strong in his power but often we ignore the need. We ignore the enemy. We negotiate with the enemy. We straight out surrender to the work of the enemy. The enemy’s scheme is to confuse or accuse our minds, to get us to battle people, and to influence us to think contrary to the truth.
Instead we are to take every thought captive to the truth. We name the causes of oppression in our life, break agreements, and side with the truth. In God’s power, we have the strength to resist the enemy.
Practice
Ephesians 6 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
2 Corinthians 10 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Take your group time to read these Scriptures aloud and discuss what they mean. How did you respond to the service Sunday? Did God bring anything to mind during the week that you need to deal with? Where might you be living in lies instead of the truth? Was there someone you needed to deal with on Sunday but you didn’t? Be willing to pray over each other and the needs of people you know.
Closing
Pray for the strength that only God provides to resist the enemy.