Hidden Battles - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

This series is about looking for the one to whom God guides you to minister.

In Luke 13, Jesus was looking for the one who had been afflicted by evil for eighteen years. Today, some people are afflicted by evil, physically, emotionally and spiritually, and may not even know it. They need to be set free. God may place someone like that in your path and on your heart. Satan is behind the evil of the world, but Jesus came to seek and save the lost. When you look and find the one God reveals, that person may be fighting an unseen spiritual battle. We need discernment.
First prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal what is really going on.

Then we need to listen carefully and ask caring questions. You won’t know what size problem people are facing until you start a conversation.

Once you have that insight, respond in loving words and kind actions.

This week, look for the one who needs something. They might be fighting a spiritual, emotional, or relational battle, or a physical one. Look for the one who needs God to move into their life to fix something big or small. Pray, trust that God will use you, and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to see the real issue at hand. Then respond accordingly. Truth reveals good and defeats evil. Always be willing to speak the truth in love.

Can you describe a time (without names) when you were able to see past a person’s irritability or orneriness to their need? How were you able to do that?
Can you share a time when (without names) you were able to speak truth with love into someone’s life?

Consider This

The Bible clearly states that a demon was afflicting the woman of Luke 13. Satan is a real and a very busy enemy. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus came to bring life, and he still does. Over and over, the Bible records Jesus casting out demons of all kinds. He came to defeat Satan and to make him powerless against believers. We have to realize that His power and authority over the spirit world has not diminished or changed at all.

Read Luke 13:10-17
- What caused the woman’s affliction (verses 11, 16)?
- What do you think this means?
- Can you think of some ways this might have happened?
The woman did not allow the disabling spirit to be an excuse to stop her from going to the synagogue. How can this example impact your thinking and behavior the next time spending time with Jesus feels hard or inconvenient?
What glorious things has Jesus done in your life that causes you to rejoice?
In verse 14, the ruler quoted Exodus 20:9-10, but what was the true heart position behind his indignation?
How did Jesus reveal the hypocrisy of the religious leaders?
Do you think some of the crowd sided with the religious leader, at least initially (see Luke 12:56 and 13:15)? What did this reveal about their hearts?
How good are you at quickly asking God for wisdom and maybe patience when you come across someone struggling with evil and problems of some sort? How could you do better?
How good are you at speaking truth with love to such people in need? How and where can you find that truth that will reveal the good and defeat the evil? How can you get better?
What are some good things we could do that might be limited by traditions or culture?
Do you have any traditions that you’ve adopted that might be contrary to a more important or underlying Biblical principle?

Moving Forward – Application

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20

What could you do this week to become more observant of other people and their needs?
Think of some ways that you might hold others accountable to a higher standard than you hold for yourself? How will that change your attitude and behavior this week?
Is there something you could do to ease someone’s pain and suffering this week?
How could you become a better listener this week?
How can you carve out some more time alone with Jesus so you are better able to hear His voice regarding others in need?