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.