REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

"Arm Up!"

ICEBREAKER: If you had to defend yourself against what you believed to be an immanent life-threatening attack, what would be your weapon of choice to defend yourself? (“Think Home Alone movies”, frying pan, pepper spray, letter opener, firearm, sword, hair brush, keys, knife, slingshot, hairspray, spoon, baseball bat, broom, broken glass, brass knuckles, hot water, remote control, your fists, etc....)

CONFESSION: I am fully armed and ready for battle. The Word of God is my offensive weapon and the shield of faith is my defensive weapon. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. My weapons are technologically far more advanced than anything the enemy has at his disposal. Preparation for combat is not a one-time event. It is a mandatory daily discipline. I am being trained for engagement in the theater of war located on the battlefield of the mind. I am fully equipped in Jesus’ name for every attack.

DEFINITION: Arm Up: to prepare to defend yourself; to load up your weapons; to have an offensive and defensive strategy; to know your enemies’ strategies, weapons, strengths, and weaknesses.

OUTLINE: 7 Devices the Devil Employs Against Us

1. The Enemy Said: The enemy speaks, accuses, lies, boasts, tempts, belittles, demeans, verbally intimidates, flatters, gossips, slanders, demands, twists, miscommunicates, confounds, etc....

2. I Will Pursue: The enemy chases us off of our path, drives us out of our destiny, tracks us down, follows us in order to attack or seduce us

3. I Will Overtake: The enemy catches up to us and goes beyond us to steal our destinies and harvests. He tries to enter our future and rewrite our times and seasons, he runs ahead of us in order to set traps and snares.

4. I Will Divide the Spoil: The enemy takes possession or control of your goods, valuables, treasures, or belongings stolen or taken by force.

5. My Lust Shall Be Satisfied Upon Them: The enemy will be satisfied with your spoil. He will be satisfied with your pain, grief and loss. The word spoil comes from the word plunder. The word spoil in the Latin speaks of skinning an animal. Literally to so plunder you, that you are left uncovered, like Adam and Eve. Not just to have your spoil, but to destroy it so you don’t have it. In other words, to be satisfied at your dissatisfaction and defeat. To take what is valuable, even sentimentally valuable, to you.

6. I Will Draw My Sword: The enemy has weapons and is skilled at using them. He is armed and ready to do fatal damage and is waiting for the most opportune moment when your guard is down.

7. My Hand Shall Destroy Them: The enemy is clear about his intent. His desire is total annihilation. Destruction of you, your seed, your fruit, your impact, your influence and your testimony.

TEXT: Exodus 15:9; Isaiah 54:17

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Identify some of the names, metaphors and titles of Satan. (Clues: Revelation 9:11; 12:10; Job 1:6-10; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 John 2:18-22; 2 Kings 1:2; 1 Samuel 30:22; 2 Corinthians 6:15; James 4:7; Ezekiel 29:3; Psalm 91:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 27:1; John 10:10; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; Matthew 13:21; John 10:12)

2. The Bible says our weapons are not carnal, but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of Christ. What are our weapons as believers in Christ?

3. Describe a reoccuring thought or negative phrase the enemy has spoken to or about you, your future, or your family. Renounce it!

4. The enemy often uses weapons such as fear, deception, pride, depression, lust, bitterness, slander, confusion, isolation, affliction, shame, theft, intimidation, mainpulation, discouragement, etc.... If you had to pick one, which of the above listed weapons of the enemy would you most like to see destoryed?

5. Why do you think so many Americans do NOT believe in a literal devil?

6. What is usually your first reaction to a vicious attack from the enemy?

a. Cry

b. Run

c. Hide

d. Pout

e. Fight

f. Self-Evaluation

g. Worship

h. Call for support

i. Fear

j. __________

PRAISE & PRAYER REQUESTS:

ACTION POINT: This week I will identify at least three ways the enemy has historically attacked my family.