[Thought Questions for Arming for Victory November 14, 2012]
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
1. Arming ourselves. Before loading yourself down with shields and helmets, wouldn’t you like to be sure you’re really going to battle? I mean, what’s the use of building up your defenses if nobody is going to attack? Even more important, what kind of a battle would it be if you didn’t have weapons to return the attack? Wouldn’t it be as useful to lie down [...]
Key Thought : We are called to put on God’s armor of truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and His Word for protection against Satan.
[Teaching plan for Arming for Victory November 12, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 6:14-17.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Since there is no armor for the backside of the Christian, what does it mean to flee from the devil?
C. Personal Application: [...]
[Thought Starters for Victory Over Evil Forces November 7, 2012]
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
1. Religious power. What wars can you think of that were fought in the name of religion or religious values? How much persecution had its roots in religious zeal? Have you seen the battle between Christ and Satan raging where you live and work this week? this year? What about the conflict in your own mind about what is wrong, what is right, and what you [...]
Key Thought : The weakest soul will be victorious as they seek God’s power to overcome temptation through faith.
[Teaching plan for Victory Over Evil Forces November 5, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 1:18-23.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. From the Bible, what examples do we have of followers of Christ getting victory over the devil?
C. Personal Application: What mighty power does God work to those who [...]
[Thought Questions for Growing in Christ October 31, 2012]
Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com
1. Our victory. It’s not automatic, or is it? Since God has enough love to save everyone in the universe, why doesn’t He? If there was no devil alive to tempt us, to glorify sin, could we be good enough to be saved? Isn’t it the relentless working on us by the devil himself that renders us hopeless to be saved? Haven’t [...]
Key Thought : Jesus proved victorious over evil in His life and at the cross. He also showed that Satan’s challenges to God’s government were based on lies.
[Teaching plan for Growing in Christ October 29, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Romans 6:12-16.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Since we are under grace that gives us freedom from sin’s dominion, how is grace understood here in relationship [...]
[Thought questions for Salvation: The Only Solution October 24, 2012]
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
1. Salvation the only solution. Since we can’t have a solution without a problem, what is the problem that salvation addresses? If you said, “sin,” what sin or sins are you including? Did Satan’s sin and rebellion long ago define the need and set the stage for salvation? Or was salvation an outpouring of God’s love after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden? [...]
Key Thought : Eternal destruction awaits all who live on earth, but God has provided the only solution through Jesus’ sacrifice which provides forgiveness, justification, and restoration.
[Teaching plan for "Salvation: The Only Solution" October 22, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read James 5:1-7.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is God against riches, the lifestyle of the rich, the attitude of the rich, or the misuse of the [...]
God Made Us
[Thought Starters for Man: God's Handiwork October 17, 2012]
Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com
1. Better and better, or worse and worse. Which is it? Think of all the advances in human life today. Open-heart surgery for an inborn infant? Travel to Mars in a space ship smart enough to look around and take pictures? The transformation of information thanks to the computer? The removal of diseases such as polio from the world? Gains in life [...]
Key Thought : God created man in His own image. While the fall marred His image in man, He has purposed to restore that image in His children.
[Teaching plan for "Man: God's Handiwork" October 15, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Romans 5:14-16.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What philosophies of human nature and purpose are associated with belief in evolution? How does this differ with belief [...]
