
Series: The Battle
Title: Who Do We Fight?
Passage: Ephesians 6:12
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)
Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.
Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose
- Did you ever get into a fight in your younger days? What is the biggest lesson you learned from the conflict?
Growth-Thinking About Spiritual Matters
Which wars in your lifetime would you consider to be “just wars?” How did they meet the following criteria: Is this war a last resort? Is there a just cause? Is there a just goal? Is the response proportionate? Is the war legitimate?
Are you more likely to support a conflict on a national level or on a personal level? What is the difference between the two?
Look up the following passages: Proverbs 24:17; Exodus 23:4-5; Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:20; Matthew 5:43-45. Which treatment of an enemy would be hardest for you? Why?
How do personal enemies react to kind treatment? How does their response impact your willingness and/or your commitment to “turning the other cheek?”
Read Ephesians 6:12. Who are our real enemies? List some examples of their presence or influence in today’s culture…and in your own experience.
If Jesus has already won the victory, why do you think these spiritual forces continue their battle? Does their ultimate defeat make them more formidable or less scary? Explain your answer.
Read Romans 5:8. When you encounter someone who still aligns with the real Enemy, how can this verse adjust your attitude? How can you demonstrate Christ’s love to them in person?
Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God
- Prayer for the discernment to see the real source of evil behind people’s actions. Pray for a current victory over these spiritual enemies that already face future defeat.