Introduction and Ice Breaker
What comes to mind when you hear “spiritual warfare”?
Do you remember a time you noticed that some hardship, loss or emotion if your life was spiritual in nature?
Themes to Consider
Spiritual warfare
Kingdom of God
Kingdom of darkness
Discussion Questions
What do you think about the idea of a kingdom of darkness and an enemy?
How has our culture impacted your awareness of and thoughts about a spiritual enemy?
Do you recognise doubt, fear, hopelessness as a possible attempt of the Enemy to derail your faith?
Are we praying as if we know how the story ends?
Who or what are your Simons? And what does God have to say about them?
Where are the places in your life where you feel attacked? The places where you are battling the enemy’s desire to steal, kill, and destroy? And what does God have to say about it?
And can we pray about those things in the same way that Jesus prayed for Peter, knowing what the end will be?
Do you feel equipped for spiritual battle?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
If God is for us who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Read / Adoration: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Describe to God his greatness And ability to remain our hope. Who is near.
Confession: Confess where you are skeptical of spiritual forces being active. Confess doubt.
Thanksgiving: thank God that He has won the victory on the cross and you can live in that victory.
Supplication: pray for God to show you the spiritual battles you are in. Meditate through the arm our of God and pray for the areas of your life in which you need his kingdom to come.
Silence: End with two minutes of silence and write down what you feel like God is saying to you today.
Supplemental Content
Frederick Douglass said that “power concedes nothing without struggle.”
the enemy comes to steal the things that bring us joy, to kill our faith, and destroy the unique way that we are meant to represent the image and character of God to the world.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” Psalm 34:19 ESV”
Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!””Revelation 12:12 ESV
Be] “not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation…” Philippians 1:28 ESV
From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” (Job 2:2 ESV) Peter advises us: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication...”
Ephesians 6:12-18 ESV
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” John 5:19 ESV
“And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”” John 8:29 ESV
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 ESV
I will lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber (Psalm 121: 1-4).
“the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15 ESV
The adversary wants to destroy us. But we have everything we need. We are victorious.”
