Week 6 - A Hero in Your Own Unique Way: It’s Bigger than You or Me

Opening Prayer:
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)


Read: Ephesians 6:10-20

Story/Illustration:

But in that place, I remembered about story, about how every conflict, no matter how hard, comes back to bless the protagonist if he will face his fate with courage. There is no conflict man can endure that will not produce a blessing. – Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, page 188

“Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.” -- D.L. Moody

“Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan." --John Bunyan


Questions For Reflection:
* Any response to Pastor Jeff’s sermon?

* What words in this passage jump out at you? Why?

* Why does Paul say our goal is “to stand firm?”

* What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Satan? Satan will attack at the areas of our greatest weaknesses. What are some of your weak areas?

* Are you aware of any subtle shift in your own heart to question God's goodness and His word? Remember you can resist the enemy and stand in the power of the Lord. Have you put on the armor of God lately?

* Which spiritual resources (armor) are easier for you to use? Which are more difficult? What are some practical ways that you can use these resources to fight off the enemy?

* Are these spiritual resources for use only when under attack or are they tools for every day living in God’s life and story as saints? What are your thoughts?

* Share a time when you able to effectively deal with the “fiery arrows” that the enemy was sending your way?

* What role does prayer play in all of this?

* Share some areas of your life where you feel like the enemy is trying to attack or discourage you. Pray for one another in these areas.


Wrap up:
“When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.

The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a ‘spiritual life.’ It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: ‘Come, Holy Spirit, come.’” (Henri Nouwen)

This week pray for God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to fall afresh on you. How does knowing that you are ‘Spirit-filled” change your outlook? Reflect on this question and journal your thoughts and experiences during the upcoming week.


Closing Prayer:
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallows a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my king and my God . . .

Happy are those whose strength is in you . . . (Psalm 84:4, 5a)