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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

Relevant Living Spiritual WarfareLesson Two


Believers Boot Camp 201
Be Strong! A great admonition isnt it? But in understanding spiritual warfare or our struggles in life, we are not just told to be strong. We are told to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Sorry, but a loud and authoritative voice does not intimidate the enemy.) I want to be a person who relies totally upon the Lord for my strength, my authority, and my power. I dont have anything that is going to make a bit of difference in the spiritual realm, for I am empowered only through Christ and the Holy Spirit. There are two extreme reactions to spiritual warfarefight or flight. Some Christians try to run and hide (but of course there is no place to hide). Others believe they are strong in themselves so they jump into the fight in their own strength. What messes we can make if we try to do this on our own. However, the true victors rely on the Lords power to help them fight their battles. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul is actually summarizing his epistle to the Ephesians. He has taught them well, now he is telling them how to apply his teaching to their lives.

Days One and TwoSPIRITUAL WARFARE OR WORLDY WOES?


1. Please read through Ephesians 6:10-20. I urge you to commit this entire passage to memory and review it daily and then weekly for the rest of your life. Read it through devotionally very slowly, concentrating on every word. Let its full meaning sink into your heart. a. There are several commands or directives for Paul in this passage. List as many as you see.

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b. When faced with something daunting in your life, how do you view the following scenarios? Write a simple sentence as to how you would deal with it yourself (or help one of your friends). i. Your child is mixed up with the wrong crowd and walking away from you and no longer will attend church.

ii. Your husband is distancing himself from you and coming home later and later at night and seems to be hiding something.

iii. The neighborhood you live in is becoming more and more violent (rapes, drug dealing, knifings, thefts, etc.) and there is no option to move.

2. When you have determined that a situation is a spiritual battle, what is the first thing you do in facing this issue?

3. How do we tend to dismiss or overlook the reality of warfare?

Note: The word power comes from the Greek word where we get the word dynamite. It means supreme; unlimited; overcoming; mighty; able to work miracles; effectual; irresistible; incomprehensible; incomparable; unsearchable; and many more. 4. Read the box above again, looking at all the words for power. What does this tell you about any circumstances you may face or are facing right now? Now think about a situation you are in or a conflict you are having and read this verse out loud, using all those words. Example: I will be strong in the Lord regarding (situation) and in his mighty power, unlimited power, overcoming power, supreme power, etc.

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5. Does this encourage you and boost your faith a little bit? How?

6. Read 2 Peter 1:4. What does this verse tell us regarding anything we may face in life whether it is spiritual, physical, or emotional?

7. Can you share a recent or present situation where you knew/know that his power gave you/is giving you, or could have given you all that you needed to handle this? Did you use that power available to you or are you using it now? Explain

Day ThreeARMOR ADORNMENT


1. Read Ephesians 6:11. This is the second command in this passage. This command tells us how to obey the first command. How do you put on the armor? Is it something you do daily? Think about this and explain how you think we put on the armor.

2. When are we to put on the armor? Do we deliberately put on one piece at a time like we get dressed in the morning? This is a question you can simply play with and contemplate. How do you think we put it on and when?

3. Who is the enemy? Who/what does Paul say that it is not?

4. Read Ephesians 1:18-23. All I want you to do is compare the powers of darkness and where Jesus is seated. Nothing to answer. You might want to give some thoughts on this but this is optional.

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Day FourPANIC OR PRAYER?


1. Putting on the full armor to take our stand against the devils schemes is dependent upon whether we truly believe we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. When we understand our inheritance, then we will realize that we have absolutely everything we need to fight any battle that is coming against us. Look at the questions below and answer them regarding our spiritual struggles. a. When you are suddenly faced with a crisis in regard to a family member, a financial setback, loss of a job, loss of health, an accident, etc., what do you usually do first? (Be honest!)

b. Can you share a time when you were in a serious crisis and you knew without a doubt that the Lord was with you all the way through it because you knew you were warring not against flesh and blood but against the authorities and powers of darkness? Explain.

Day FiveWarfare and Winning the World


Note: One of the greatest benefits of spiritual warfare is in the area of evangelism. The enemy hates God and hates Christians. He will do all in his power to keep every single human being possible enslaved in darkness and without hope. Our greatest mission as believers is praying for those who are not yet Christ-followers. We know we are called to evangelize the world, but we also must know that cannot happen without contending and prayer-power. Prayer can and does overthrow the works of darkness in the lives for whom we are contending. We are to overcome anything that would keep us from reaching people for Christ. Eternity is at stake. 1. In light of the text box above, we will just talk about spiritual warfare and why it is such a big deal for all believers. Please answer the following questions and prepare to discuss them in your group. (Please use the back of your lesson if you need more room.) a. Have you ever sensed (or even known) that you were in a spiritual battle? If so explain.

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b. When someone says spiritual warfare, what immediately comes to your mind?

c. Do you believe you have authority and power because you are a Spirit-filled Christian? If not, why? If so, do you live like it? Explain.

d. Do you find yourself committing sins that you have asked forgiveness for (over and over) and you cannot get a handle on them? These are called besetting sins and often plague very strong believers. Do you believe these besetting sins are in any way related to spiritual warfare? Explain.

e. Does it help you to know that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him far above all the authorities in the heavenlies is residing in you? If yes, explain why. If you do not believe this or have a hard time accepting it, explain your thoughts as well. (Use the back if necessary).

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