Walk As Warriors - Week 12
Lesson Twelve Eph 6:10-20
Connecting to one another
The opening chapters taught the Father chose us to be holy and blameless and that in Christ we are already risen and even seated in heaven. Yet the closing chapters taught that we are on a journey, “a walk” to becoming holy, so we’re not exactly able to sit down yet....
During our community study of Ephesians, how have you been fulfilling your purpose with greater victory in Christ in the “already but not yet”?
Understanding the Truth with one another
Verse by Verse ~ Topic by Topic ~ Argument by Argument
CONTEXT – Paul’s “Finally” is weighty. Because we are alive in Christ AND walking in Christ, His enemy targets us for destruction. Since this enemy is already under Christ’s feet, we need only to stand our ground. How do we do that?
Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
1. Warriors knows their common enemy and his strategies.
a. Write one short sentence stating what each verse reveals about our enemy. Consider the W’s, the who, when, where, what, how, why. Some will be directly stated; some you will infer (such as verse 10 example). Use the “Terms to Know” listed in the same order as the verses on page 4.
10 – This enemy is withstood through God’s empowerment.
11 –
12 –
13 –
14 –
15 –
16 –
17 –
18 –
19 –
20 –
b. Who is NOT the enemy that we often treat as the enemy? In the Greek it is “blood and flesh.”
CONTEXT – In Isaiah, God is described as looking for a warrior to bring justice, but finding no one, He puts on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation and garments of vengeance for clothing (11:4-5; 59:16-17.) Here God is clearly giving His own armor, His own character, to us.
2. Warriors know how to fight their common enemy together
The “you” in these verses is plural: “you all.” For each verse write how we together are to stand firm
against our common enemy. Use the “Terms to Know” to aid you in writing one short sentence.
10 – Fight by abiding in God and depending upon His power.
11 –
12 –
13 –
14 –
15 –
16 –
17 –
18 –
19 –
20 –
3. What is the relationship between the “whole armor of God” (6:11) and “all the flaming darts of the evil one” (6:16)? How does this help us to indeed stand securely now and until Jesus takes us home?
4. In chapters 1-3, our ground is described as already won. But we must hold that ground. So in chapters 4-6, Paul tells us how to do that. Read a short version of Paul’s list to yourself.
o Word gifted saints, equip the church. All saints, build the church.
o #I have “learned Christ” team, speak the truth; be angry but don’t sin; don’t steal; give generously. Put away all that divides (bitterness, clamor, slander, malice). Be kind; forgive.
o Beloved children, sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness are not to be named among you. o Wise children, be filled with the Spirit: worship God and submit to one another.
o Children of light, expose dark deeds.
o Wives, submit to your husbands.
o Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church.
o Children, obey your parents. Slaves, obey your masters.
o Warriors, take up the whole armor of God and stand firm. Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray.
Why does Paul save taking up the whole armor of God for last? Use the phrase “cosmic proportions” in your answer for bonus points.
Living the Truth as we are sent out
5. Satan is a supernatural liar, accuser, and a destroyer. What does going into battle with such an enemy look like?... Time for some story sharing.
Share a story of a time you stood firm in the whole armor of God and in prayer against this enemy OR share a story of a time you failed to take up the whole armor of God and failed to pray.
How did your battle – with or without whole armor & prayer – affect you AND others in your life?
6. God says that we are to pray at ALL times with the help of the Spirit, with ALL kinds of prayers, keeping alert with ALL perseverance, for ALL the saints, including those in persecution for proclaiming the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).
Discuss how God’s directions can be practically applied every day. Devise a plan for doing this and for holding yourselves accountable to this plan for a duration of time of your choosing.
Praying Through the Truth for one another
Warriors, take turns praying for your group to stand firm.
Worship ALL Week At Grace we trust Christ to transform us as we abide in Him daily.
ACT
o Stick to group’s prayer plan. Set timers on your phone to help you remember the plan.
o Review the Spiritual Warfare Counseling Tool your leader will post in your chat.
o Do you have an accountability partner (brother or sister in Christ)? If you do not, pray and seek one.
God’s joy and strength to you!
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org
Terms to Know EPHESIANS 6:10-20
Verse 10
be strong in the Lord – the verb is in passive voice to emphasize we are dependent on God, BUT it is still a command. His strength/might was displayed in Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation (Eph 1:19).
Verse 11
Put on – This is like the putting on of the new person Christ we discussed in chapters 4-5, a person of true righteousness and holiness (4:19).
schemes – cunning seductions and strategies to defeat believers as they seek to fulfill God’s plan by putting on the new person. The armor to fight these schemes includes putting on God’s virtues and taking His gifts.
Verse 12
wrestle – (struggle, battle) carries a sense of face-face and hand-hand combat in intense battle Verse 13
Put on – (Take up) This time the verb is in active imperative.
day of evil – refers to both spiritual oppression and demonization that occurs when a foothold is given to an evil spirit (Eph 4:27).
Verse 14
belt of truth – the truth of God revealed in His Word (John 17:17; 14:6) and also the believer’s integrity and faithfulness (2 John 4:6). The belt, put on first, gives freedom in movement and indicates a readiness for battle (Eph 1:13; 4:15, 21, 24-25; 5:9).
breastplate of righteousness – refers to the sanctifying righteousness of Christ practiced in the believer’s life (Eph 4:24; 5:9; 1 Cor 1:30).
Verse 15
good news shoes – provide stability for standing firm. Though, not listed as part of God’s armor, it is connected to the Messiah’s coming in Isaiah 52:7. It is ironic that shoes of peace are worn in war.
Verse 16
shield of faith –A Roman shield was the size of a small door and was soaked in water to withstand arrows dipped in pitch and set aflame. In “tortoise formation,” soldiers stood tightly together. Those in front row held their shields in front of them and the subsequent rows held their shields over their heads.
flaming dart of the evil one – temptations referenced in Ephesians 4-5 of impurities and greed, lying, anger, unforgiveness, pride from Satan (John 17:15; 1 John 5:19). He also accuses saints by speaking lies using the second pronoun you. “You are not good. God will not forgive you. You should just give up.” (Rev 12:10).
Verse 17
helmet – Jesus said that not a hair on our head shall be harmed (Luke 21:18). We wear the hope (sure expectation) of our salvation as a helmet (1 Thess 5:8).
sword of the Spirit – the Word of God is given to us by the Spirit. Believers should use the Word to combat the enemy’s assault as Christ did during His wilderness temptation (Matt 4:1-11).
Verse 19-20
mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains – in this context the mystery of the gospel could refer to when Paul will defend himself against Jewish accusers during his trial before Caesar in Rome. The mystery the gospel announces is God’s plan to unite all things in heaven and earth in Christ (Eph 1:10).