Key Bible Passage(s):

Eph.6:11-20; Dan.10:1-20; Acts 16:16-24; Col.2:15; Rev.6:2

Tier 1:

This is a huge session, and depending on how much you decide to do, you may feel you need a longer session than usual, or to spread it over a couple of sessions. The critical idea when reflecting on the spiritual forces that oppose the Christian disciple is that at the Cross, Jesus has already won the victory (Col.2:15); and that we participate in the victory as we proclaim Christ and His death on the cross; and live in the light of it.

Tier 2:

There is a great deal of confusion on these matters, and we must re-double our efforts to not go beyond what is written (I Cor.4:6). Whilst we are given a glimpse into the unseen dimensions of creation, we are not given a mandate for that to become the focus of our own discipleship. Those ‘principalities and powers’ d however impinge on the life and mission of the Church, and it is important for us to be aware of what that will look like, and how we should respond. Satan seeks to disrupt our trust in and relationship with the Scriptures as the Word of God, and to hinder our responding to what the Lord says in the Bible with worship and obedience.

Tier 3:

Alongside temptation, there are examples of both possession and oppression in the Bible. These are briefly considered in the light of Scripture and we begin to outline what our response to such phenomena should be in terms of our own discipleship and experience of the Church’s worship and mission. The connection with evangelism is underlined.

Spiritual warfare is not about naming territorial spirits, claiming the ground, or binding demons. It is all about the gospel. It is to live a gospel life, to preserve gospel unity and to proclaim gospel truth. It is to do this in the face of a hostile world, a deceptive enemy and our sinful natures. And it is to pray to a sovereign God for gospel opportunities. Advance comes through godliness, unity, proclamation and prayer.

Tim Chester

Group Discussion:

What do you believe about ‘spiritual warfare’? 

Have you ever had any experience of evil / demonic spirts?

How do you think the reality of ‘sin, the world and devil’ affects our experience of discipleship?

How should we respond to the reality of ‘spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’?

and later in the session:

Read: Acts 16:16-24

What does it mean to talk about someone being ‘possessed’ by a spirit in this way?

What is Paul doing that provokes the attention of the spirit in the slave girl?

Why is Paul annoyed by the spirit’s telling people the truth about who they are and what they are doing?

Why does Paul not engage with the spirit ‘for many days’?   And when he finally loses patience, what does he do? 

Do you think there is a connection between the spirit leaving the girl, and the persecution that follows?

How is this different from Hollywood’s / popular culture’s depiction of possession and exorcism?

p.s.

I Peter 5:8 – what does a devoured Christian look like?

PRAY together in our groups

Homework:

Over this half-term we have been working to memorise Matthew 5:33-37. You will have to keep refreshing Matt.5:1-32, Matt.6:5-34 and Matt.7:1-28 whilst you do this.

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)

To Be A Christian Read Appendix 2 (pp.123-125), A rite for admission of Catechumens

Organize a day of Prayer and Fasting either for those on DTP, or for the whole Church. This should be followed by something specifically evangelistic, such as running Christianity Explored, or 321, or an more focused event.

Revisit the Pilgrim’s Progress Blog. There are a number of articles reflecting on the question of Spiritual Warfare, and it would be worth reading them again in the light of this session.