Small Groups: Spiritual Warfare Week #1 – 9.12&13
Spiritual Warfare – 9.12&13
Week 1: The Devil is Bad (via Sean Moore)
Purpose: To help students recognize characteristics of satan, why evil still exists on earth, and how satan isn’t responsible for all the bad in our lives.
Series Truth: God always causes us to triumph no matter what may come our way in life. (II. Cor. 2:2) - Now thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ…”
Main Ideas:
- Whether or not believers are victorious over the devil depends on what view they have of themselves as the Church. It all depends on how well they understand their position in Christ.
- God didn’t make Satan as he is today because God made everything in the beginning and it was all good. (Genesis 1, James 1:17)
- Characteristics of Satan: Adversary, Thief (John 10:10), Murderer and liar (John 8:44), Accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), Deceiver (Rev. 12:9), Angel of Light (2 Cor. 11:4), Prince of this World (John 12:31,14:30, 16:8,11), god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4)
- If people understood that satan is the god of this world, it would clear up a lot of confusion they have about why evil exists. Why do bad things happen in the world, etc.
- Everything that is wrong in life is not directly the work of satan or an evil spirit.
- What many people call works of the devil, the Bible calls works of the flesh (Gal. 5:17-21)
- Christians want to blame satan for everything do they don’t have to take responsibility for their choices.
- You always have a choice to do what is right or to choose to do what is wrong. When you choose to do wrong, that’s not the devil making the choice, it’s you.
- The majority of Christians have more trouble with their flesh than they do with the devil.
- The only way you won’t have problems with the flesh or satan is to die and leave the world!
Scripture:
- Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-16, (John 10:10) (John 8:44) (Rev. 12:10) (Rev. 12:9) (2 Cor. 11:4) (John 12:31,14:30, 16:8,11) (2 Cor. 4:4)
Questions:
- What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the devil?
- Do you believe satan exists? If so, why did God create him? What cause satan to fall?
- Why do bad things happen on earth? Is God in control? Did God do those things?
- When bad things happen in your life – do you blame God or the devil?
- When you make bad choices – do you blame satan? Is it ever your fault?
- How can you tell if something is God, something is satan, or something is you?
Challenge:
- Recognize what is from satan in your life (anything that steals, kills, or destroys) and what is you (your flesh) (your choices that have a negative outcome.
Things to Remember:
- Free Paintball before and after service this Wednesday! Bring your friends!
The Triumphant Church
Chapter 1 – Satan
- Whether or not believers are victorious over the devil depends on what view they have of themselves as the Church. It all depends on how well they understand their position in Christ.
- The only way we can have confidence in our authority is to know and walk in light of the Word of God.
- God didn’t make Satan as he is today because God made everything in the beginning and it was all good. (Genesis 1, James 1:17)
- Characteristics of Satan: Advesary, Thief (John 10:10), Murderer and liar (John 8:44), Accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), Deceiver (Rev. 12:9), Angel of Light (2 Cor. 11:4), Prince of this World (John 12:31,14:30, 16:8,11), god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4)
- If people understood that satan is the god of this world, it would clear up a lot of confusion they have about why evil exists. Why do bad things happen in the world, etc.
- Genesis 1:26,28 – God gave man dominion in the earth, they gave it to Satan when they sinned.
- Luke 4:1-8 (Jesus tempted in the wilderness) – Jesus was tempted because satan could give him the kingdoms of the world. If he wasn’t the god of this world, Jesus wouldn’t have been tempted.
- Believers can walk in light so they won’t fall prey to Satan
- As believers gain knowledge of God’s Word, light and liberty come… It will set you free in every area.
Chapter 3 – The Devil or the Flesh
- Everything that is wrong in life is not directly the work of satan or an evil spirit.
- What many people call works of the devil, the Bible calls works of the flesh (Gal. 5:17-21)
- Christians want to blame satan for everything do they don’t have to take responsibility for their choices.
- The only way you won’t have problems with the flesh or satan is to die and leave the world!
- The majority of Christians have more trouble with their flesh than they do with the devil.
- They key to beating your flesh is to crucify it! Every believer has to do it for him or herself, God can’t do it for them. (Gal. 5:24)
- It hurts to deny your flesh. Noone can do anything about your flesh for you: you have to crucify it for yourself (Col. 3:5)
- If you want to experience a triumphant Christian walk over the devil, the flesh, and the world, then it costs the same price it always has. You’ll have to be thoroughly Word-Based, living by the principles in God’s Word.
- You always have a choice to do what is right or to choose to do what is wrong. When you choose to do wrong, that’s not the devil making the choice, it’s you.