March 17, 2024
Missional Decline v.s. The Word of God
Sermon Series:
Withstand
Ephesians 6:17B-20
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Main Idea
Your effectiveness in spiritual warfare is connected to your depth of spiritual intimacy
Outline
1. Effectiveness in Spiritual Warfare
2. Deepening your Spiritual Intimacy
Pre-Questions
1. The passage mentions the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." How can we more effectively wield this "sword" in our daily lives and in spiritual warfare? Share a time when the Word of God was particularly powerful in your life.
2. Read Corinthians 10:3-5. How does this passage help us understand spiritual warfare better?
Discussion Questions
1. The main idea of the message today was, "Your effectiveness in spiritual warfare is connected to your depth of spiritual intimacy." Do you feel like that is true? How do you see that play out in your life?
2. The passage emphasizes the importance of "praying at all times in the Spirit." Discuss how prayer strengthens our spiritual intimacy and equips us for spiritual warfare. How can we cultivate a consistent prayer life?
3. Paul asks for prayers that he may "declare [the gospel] boldly, as I ought to speak." How can we overcome fear or hesitation to boldly proclaim the gospel in our own lives? Discuss ways we can support and encourage each other in this mission.
4. Psalm 1 says that believers ought to delight in the law [scripture] daily. When Jesus was in any crisis he went back to scripture (Matthew 4:4, Matthew 21:13, Matthew 27:46, Luke 4:18-19). What does this show us about how Jesus delighted in scripture? What does that show us about our relationship with scripture should be?