Notes
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12
How do we operate in the name of the Lord? How do we stand strong and bring light into the darkness? It is when we participate in God’s plan that we can experience God’s power working through us. The same power that resurrected Jesus is available to us through Him.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17
Learning to put on God’s armor is like learning to dress ourselves or tie our shoes; we have to know about the individual pieces and practice putting them on. These pieces of armor tell us who we are in Jesus!
For example, the belt of truth tells us that in Jesus, we are a new creation and are fully forgiven, and the shoes of peace show that there is peace between us and God, giving us a sure footing to face any circumstance.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray bold prayers. Be on the lookout for things that threaten to distract you from your God-given purpose. Remember that our battle is not against other people; either someone is a follower of Jesus and is on the same team as you, or they are living in need of a Savior. Together the Church is to advance the kingdom of God, which means being close enough to help one another in the midst of the battle.
Group Questions
- How can we participate in God’s plan and not just be spectators?
- Name a few things the different pieces of armor say about someone who wears them.
- What are some ways we can practice putting on God’s armor?
- How can we, as members of the Church, help and support one another in the middle of this spiritual battle?
Prayer
Thank you for not only saving us, but for letting us be a part of your plan and equipping us with your armor so that we can fight in the battle. Teach us about the armor and help us practice putting it on