GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

October 9, 2012 Week 4 – The Armor of God Review Scripture Memory – Proverbs 17:17, 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, Romans 15:13, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 126:6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Review Homework – Ephesians 6:10-18 – The Armor of God We are in a battle. A spiritual battle. Whether we want to recognize and accept it or not, a battle rages all around us and at some point or another, we will be drawn in. We have two choices: 1) get prepared by putting on the armor God has given to us, or 2) go through life unarmed and unprepared. Choice 1 assures us ultimate victory, even in the midst of the fiercest battles. Choice 2 keeps us vulnerable to continual attack and leads to our defeat as we wander, wounded, through the rest of our life. Here is the good news: Along with His armor, God has given us His battle plan! 1. Be strong in the Lord and in His Power. Strength in battle has nothing to do with our physical strength. It has everything to do with trusting God and standing beside Him on the battle field. We stand under His banner, fully armed. And if we stand firm, we will be victorious because God never loses. 2. Put on the full armor. Twice Paul says to put on the full armor – every piece of it. This is the only way we can withstand the attacks of Satan. Each piece of armor serves a specific purpose and we need each one on at all times to ensure there is no hole in our armor that can be exploited by the enemy. 3. Stand firm. We are not called to run ahead and be a scout. We are not called to be a vigilante. We are not even called to advance. God calls us to do one thing only: stand firm. Hold the line. Stand our ground. Don’t retreat. Don’t sit down. Don’t give up. Stand, and when we have done everything else. Stand. How? By trusting God. He is the commander. He is the victor. We are under His protection and His strategy. And because we know that He will always prevail, so will we. If we stand. 4. Be alert and keep praying. The enemy is sneaky. He has been at this battle far longer than we have and he can predict our every move. He is continually watching us, waiting for us to take a break, let down our guard, make a move outside of the battle plan. We must stay alert and know that the enemy is waiting to pounce. We must keep praying so that the Holy Spirit can lead us. We must keep praying so that we unleash the power of God through our continual requests. This is why we must keep praying for ourselves and all believers. Why does God give us the battle plan and armor? “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 So that – for or the very purpose. God has specific purpose in giving us this armor. 1

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

You – believers. Every believer will face battles in life. We should be fighting for God. If we’re not, we’re hindering the efforts of the believers who are fighting around us. Can take your stand – each of us will be in the middle of Satan’s schemes at some point or another. God wants us to be prepared. Preparation brings confidence, good decisions, strength and victory. The enemy does not limit his attacks to the weak and wounded. In fact, the stronger we are in our walk of faith, the more difficult and frequent the attacks may be. We should never be surprised. God isn’t. God knows exactly when these battles will happen and what the scenario will be. And so He is equipping us with His armor and His battle plan. Our job is to put on the armor, continually practice wielding our weapons as the warrior princesses we are, and be ready. God gives us 5 defensive pieces of armor and 1 offensive weapon in our armor. He also gives us the secret weapon of prayer (which can also be like a bugle call for help and reinforcements!). Defensive: 1. Belt of truth – surrounded by truth – Satan fights with lies that sound like truth 2. Breastplate of righteousness – protect our heart – our emotions – we have God’s approval 3. Feet with readiness of gospel of peace – motivation to spread the Gospel of Jesus 4. Shield of faith – extinguishes Satan’s flaming arrows, i.e. disarms them completely 5. Helmet of salvation – protect our mind – salvation is never lost – no doubt Offensive: 6. Sword of the Spirit – Word of God – weapon for combat – Jesus used this when tempted by Satan and showed us how to defeat Satan as a human. We must know the Word because Satan knows it too and tries to twist it. Secret Weapon: 7. Prayer – unleashes the power of the Holy Spirit and His army of angels. It opens the door to God when we submit our plans to His. It calls upon God and asks for His help, guidance and presence in our situation. It unites us with other believers who are praying. Here comes the cavalry! How do we help our warrior princess sisters? - help each other suit up in each piece of armor and cover any gaps - continually spar with the weapons of prayer and God’s Word – this is our warrior training - stand side by side on the battlefields of life - keep our shields of faith inter-locked so that nothing can penetrate - wield the weapon of prayer, praying for protection, guidance, and resolve to stand firm - wield the weapon God’s Word as we disarm the enemy’s attacks with truth and encouragement How fabulous is our armor! Time to suit up! 2

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life October 9, 2012 Week 4 – The Armor of God Consider journaling – Permanent Markers, Scripture, Thank You Journal, Letters to God Consider sharing Your Story with me. It can remain confidential. Share Journaling stories

Scripture Memory: 1. Psalm 91:1 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2. Ephesians 6:13 – Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Book Review: Beginner’s Guide to Hearing God by James W. Goll

Each week’s lesson will also be posted on the Rising Above Real Life website www.RisingAboveRealLife.com – go to the Freebies page and scroll to the bottom

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

October 9, 2012 Week 4 – The Armor of God

PRAYER REQUESTS:

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

October 9, 2012 Week 4 – The Armor of God Homework: Prayer and Praise 1. Psalm 25:12 – Who, then, are those that fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 2. Read “Finding Clear Guidance” devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries (attached) a. How do you think God speaks to people today?

b. Has there been a time in your life when you knew for sure what God was saying to you? If so, how?

c. What is your greatest challenge in hearing God?

d. Dr. Stanley proposes 4 steps to finding clear guidance. Why is each important? i. Clear the pathway –

ii. Exercise patience –

iii. Persist in prayer –

iv. Search the Scriptures –

e. How does this devotional relate to prayer as a weapon (or bugle to call reinforcements) in our armor of God?

f. What does the last line of the devotional, “Don’t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will” mean to you?

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

3. Read Matthew 6:9-15 (attached) a. Jesus taught His disciples to pray what we now commonly call the Lord’s Prayer. Do you think it’s important to use these specific words when you pray? Why or why not?

b. Write what you think each line means and why Jesus included it in His prayer: i.

Our Father in heaven

ii.

Hallowed be Your name

iii.

Your kingdom come

iv.

Your will be done

v.

On earth as it is in heaven

vi.

Give us today our daily bread

vii.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

viii.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

c. Why do you think Jesus followed up His prayer by talking about whether or not we are willing to forgive others (verses 14-15)?

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” a. What is this Scripture telling us to do?

b. How do we give thanks in our circumstances if we’re not happy where we are? 6

GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life

c. What do prayer and praise have to do with each other?

d. What does this say about God’s will?

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life In Touch Ministries by Dr. Charles Stanley (www.intouch.org) Finding Clear Guidance Read | Psalm 25:12 How can you be sure you’re making the right decision? Sometimes it may seem as if God plays hide and seek when we’re trying to know His will, but that’s not the way He operates. He wants to give us clear direction. The real question is, What do you need to do to hear His voice? Clear the pathway. We have two main obstacles that hinder our discernment: sin in our life and our own strong desires about the situation. To receive the Lord’s guidance, we must repent of all known sin and make our desires secondary to His. Exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to stand still when everything within you is shouting, “Hurry! Time is running out!” But if you rush ahead of God, you may miss His will. Persist in prayer. The Bible clearly instructs us to keep coming to the Lord with our concerns. As we continue to pray, He will gradually weed out anything confusing until we come to His conclusion about the matter. Search the Scriptures. The Word of God has an answer for every need, and the Holy Spirit knows just how to point us in the right direction. I remember times while I was reading the Bible that a verse jumped off the page and supplied the exact answer I needed to make an important decision. So often when we’re faced with a critical choice, all we want from the Lord is a quick answer. But He delights to meet with us in order to deepen our relationship with Him. Don’t let the urgency of your need keep you from enjoying the intimacy of His presence as you seek His will. Copyright 2012 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

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GPS WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY THE BONDS OF SISTERHOOD Real Relationships for Real Life Matthew 6:9-15 9

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 14

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