THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Curious about Ada Bible? Wondering how to take your next step at your church? Join us on February 22 for DISCOVER ADA BIBLE. This one-session class is a simple way to get to know who we are as a church and how you can be part of what God is doing here. We’ll share our mission and vision, introduce you to our ministries and help you find your best next step at Ada Bible Church. Learn more HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This month we focus on FOLLOWING JESUS, a commitment to lifelong trust and surrender to him. Following Jesus means we will have trouble. This world is difficult, and we have an enemy, the devil. This week, we begin a new sermon series on the armor of God and how it’s essential to following Jesus. To resist the devil and the flesh, we need community and we need to be prepared. One way to win the spiritual battle is by storing God’s Word in our hearts. Have your group read Ephesians 6:13 out loud, and commit to memorizing this verse over the next four weeks.
GROW AS A LEADER. Now is a great time to reach out to your Group Life staff for a check-in! You have the joy of helping your peers in their relationships with God. However, there are times when leadership is tiring. This is because you are in a spiritual battle. The victory has already been claimed by God, but you are still responsible to pursue spiritual health. A key way to do that is with a health support system. Your Group Life staff would love to pray for you, provide encouragement and offer feedback on things you may be experiencing in your group.
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the first week of our new series, ARMOR OF GOD. This week we unpack the spiritual battle we’re all in, explore who our enemy is and how Jesus has already won.
ICEBREAKER
When have you experienced something that required the right equipment and you were glad you had it (helmet, safety gear, insurance, etc.)?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Ephesians 6:10-20 aloud.
What stands out to you most from this passage?
Who does Paul say our struggle is against?
What does Paul say is the goal of putting on the armor of God?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer launched our new series ARMOR OF GOD by examining the spiritual battle we’re all in. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
We have an enemy, the devil, who fights using lies and deception. What are some common lies that our culture promotes that contradict what God says?
Satan’s lies can be devastating to those who are not prepared. In what ways have you seen Satan’s lies cause destruction?
The devil acts deceitfully by masquerading as light. What lies are you most likely to believe?
The question is not whether you are in a battle. The question is are you armored up? How prepared and equipped do you feel for the battle you are already in?
If we bring our own armor to battle, we will ultimately fail. Why is it that our charm, goodness, grit or smarts are not enough for this battle?
Have someone read Isaiah 59:16-17. How does knowing that God fights on your behalf encourage you in the spiritual battle?
Jesus wore God’s armor to achieve the ultimate victory—your salvation through his sacrificial death and resurrection. How does viewing Jesus’s sacrifice as a part of God’s battle plan change the way you understand his sacrifice?
WRAP UP
While we know that Jesus has already achieved victory, being in battle can be exhausting. Where do you feel like you’re losing ground? What is one way your group can pray for you this week?