[Thought Questions for Arming for Victory November 14, 2012] 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 … Continue reading –>
Ephesians 6:18 begins with the phrase “praying always,” which suggests that praying is connected with the previous verses. The idea is that the putting on, taking up, and receiving of heaven’s armor all necessitate reliance on God. Hence, “prayer is not another weapon; rather, it is the spirit, the manner, in which the whole armor is … Continue reading –>
How many legs does a spider have? Eight? Do you really know? I mean have you counted them? In 300 B.C. Aristotle said that spiders had six legs and was classified as an insect. All the world believed him, until finally in the 1400s somebody actually counted and saw they had not six, but eight … Continue reading –>
The helmet of salvation in Ephesians 6:17 is most likely taken from Isaiah 59:17, although Paul applies it differently. In Isaiah 59, it is God who wears the helmet of salvation; here, in Ephesians, the Christian is called upon to receive it. Whereas the previous items may have been laid out for the soldier to be picked up, the helmet is … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
The Roman soldier armed himself to ensure that his steps would not be impeded on rough terrain. To facilitate movement over all kinds of roads, Roman soldiers often wore shoes studded with sharp nails. Such shoes ensured a good grip, and Paul likens the shoes to the “readiness,” or “preparation,” of the gospel of peace (Eph. … Continue reading –>
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:14, NKJV). Though it’s a little difficult to know the exact nature of the girdle, it seems that in Ephesians 6:14 Paul may have been referring to a leather apron that offered some protection to the lower abdomen but also made freedom … Continue reading –>
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul describes the Christian life as a struggle, saying, “we . . . wrestle.” Notice, he uses the plural. The passage reads, literally, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (NKJV). Every Christian is brought into the picture. In verse 13 he urges his readers to put on the whole armor of God. It is … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Eph. 6:14-18, 2 Cor. 6:7, Eph. 5:9, Rom. 10:15, 1 Thess. 5:8, Mark 14:38. Memory Text: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13, NKJV). Key Thought: Every believer must be … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, “‘Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,’” pp. 662-680, in The Desire of Ages; “Appropriating the Righteousness of Christ,” p. 93, in Faith and Works; “Science and Revelation,” p. 310, in Selected Messages, book 3. “Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. … Continue reading –>
Fabrice knew nothing of God or Jesus. As a fisherman, he spent weeks at a time on board a ship. One day one of the sailors gave him a book about God. He read it with great interest. Following the book’s instructions, Fabrice prayed his first prayer. Fabrice wondered which Christian faith was the true … Continue reading –>
[Thought Starters for Victory Over Evil Forces November 7, 2012] 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? … Continue reading –>
