The Hatred of the World! (God Will Win the Victory)
LifeGroup Notes
Part of The Hope of Christ—Encourgement from the Upper Room
July 21, 2024

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LifeGroup Notes

BIG IDEA
The Bible presents a real and present foe of your faith. His name is the devil. In the Bible, he is a created angel fallen from heaven. The Greek word for devil is diabolos, which shares a root with the verb diaballein, which means “to split.” The devil is a splitter, a divider, and a wedge driver. He divided Adam and Eve from God, and he would like to separate you from God as well. He wants to take unbelievers to hell and make life hell for believers. Yet even though the Bible clearly describes Satan as a living being and not simply a symbol of evil, only a minority of people believe this today. Even some Christians refute the existence of Satan—which couldn’t please him more. After all, if people doubt his existence, he is free to work his evil. Don’t fall into this trap! Remember that he is a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This week, we will study God’s promise in his Word that He will win the victory over the enemy.

Passages we’ll review:
Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6:10-18; Romans 16:20; 1 John 4:4; James 4:7; Job 1:6-12, 2:6

OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you? Have you ever had to share something that you really loved, something that had immense value to you?

Have you ever gone into an important event unprepared? How did you feel and why?

READ

Material has been adapted from Unshakable Hope Study Guide by Max Lucado.

Read Matthew 4:1-11

How does this passage describe Satan? What tactics does Satan use?

How did Jesus combat Satan’s tactics?

Knowing that Jesus overcame temptation, how does it change the way you look at temptations in your own life?

Read 1 Peter 5:8-9

How does this passage describe Satan? Why is watchfulness and alertness so necessary in the Christian life? How does God encourage us to combat Satan?

What interpretation and advice does Daniel offer? How do you see humility and wisdom in Daniel’s words?

Read Ephesians 6:10-18

How are we to be armed for battle? What is the significance of each piece of armor used to combat Satan?

Why do followers of Christ need to put on God’s armor? What can we expect when we are clothed in the full armor of God?

Read Romans 16:20, 1 John 4:4, and James 4:7

How do these passages expand your perspective of Satan? How do you balance understanding Satan’s schemes, learning to combat him, and standing firm in Jesus’ victory?

What does John tell us about our ability to overcome (1 John 4:4)? Why are we so quick to forget about this? How can we keep this in mind?

DIGGING DEEPER

Read Job 1:6-12, 2:6

Job was a man of God, blameless, upright, God-fearing, and opposed to evil. He was a successful man, with a large family and a great reputation. As a result of his commitment to God, Job encountered suffering for the sake of righteousness. Though Satan sought to destroy Job, God knew that His servant would be faithful. —Editor’s Note

How does God limit Satan’s power in this passage?

How do these truths about what the devil is NOT (omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient) make you feel?

What does this passage mean for you as you face daily temptations and trials in life?

“Phillips Brooks said: ‘The purpose of life is the building of character through truth.’ God is at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29), and He can use even the attacks of the devil to perfect us. When you are in the path of obedience and you find yourself in a severe trial, remind yourself that nothing can come to your life that is outside His will.” (Warren Wiersbe)

LET’S PRAY

Consider the following as you pray together:

  1. In each temptation that Jesus faced, Satan challenged Him to use His abilities, will, and resources for His own benefit, instead of simply trusting in the Father’s plan and timing. Where are you currently being tempted to use your own abilities, will, and resources to achieve your desired ends without trusting God’s plan and timing?

  2. We are encouraged to find our strength in the Lord rather than trying to do things on our own. How does the idea of being in a battle affect the way you should approach each day? How can you praise God for the victory He promises over the enemy?

  3. Who do you know that needs the reassurance of this promise from God? Pray for them this week and find opportunities to share God’s truth with them.