Bridge Life

Spiritual Warfare

The Real Fight for the Family

-Ephesians 5:15-21

-The enemy’s goal with our families is to turn our focus from what we can affect to what we cannot affect (or at least can only affect in a limited capacity.)

-What are some things the enemy can entangle our thoughts in to use as a distraction from attention on our families?

-Ephesians 5:22-24; 33

-Wives…

-This does not mean that women should always submit to men.

-One cultural lie that needs to be identified is when we live to undermine authority for the purpose of gaining control.

-The role of the wife is _helper which is also the role of the Holy Spirit.

-Patriarchal leadership that is abused is always undermined and ultimately condemned by the Gospel.

-Ephesians 5:25-33

-Husbands…

-The love of a husband should be sacrificial, sanctifying and satisfying.

-For men, marriage is a call to die.

-Husbands should love our wives in such a way that they become more like Jesus because of their relation to them.

-In what ways is your relationship to your wife causing her fulfillment?

-Ephesians 6:1-4

-Children and discipleship…

 -Although discipling our children is always challenging, it is always easier than rehabilitating them as broken men and women.

-Ways of provoking your children:

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-Colossians 3:21

-Ways of training them in righteousness:

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-What does this have to do with spiritual warfare?

-What do we do if we have gotten it all wrong?

Spiritual Warfare- Introduction- Personal Warfare

1. What is the most pressing thing that you want to learn about when it comes to spiritual warfare? What do you need help with?

1. When it comes to spiritual battles, what or who are you fighting for?

1 John 3:7-10

Matthew 16:16-20

The purpose of this study is to know our King, ourselves, and our enemy better in relation to daily spiritual warfare. 

Everything is not spiritual warfare.

Almost every person being used by the enemy is unaware that they are. 

If we do not understand and live in light of the war around us, we are losing.

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable. When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. When far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared. Appear where you are not expected. These military devices leading to victory must not be divulged beforehand. Now the general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses the battle makes few calculations beforehand. Thus, the many calculations lead to victory and few calculations lead to defeat, how much more no calculations at all? It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.”- Sun Tzu Chinese Military General and Philosopher 500 BC art of war

If we do not know the enemy, we are already being conquered.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of 100 battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”- Sun Tzu

What causes warfare?

Spiritual battles are initiated when God’s people rise up to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus and there is opposition from the enemy. 

The weapons of warfare- We cannot use natural weapons to defeat spiritual enemies.

Ephesians 6:10-20

How we fight is just as important as the goals we fight for. 

What are some ways you have seen people fighting for right goals with wrong tactics?

Truth- 

Righteousness-

Peace-

Faith-

Salvation-

Holy Spirit-

Prayer-

The mystery and message of the Gospel-

Coming up:

June 12- Family warfare- The real fight for the family

June 26- Church warfare- Nationalism, Denominations, and Genuine Unity

July 10- Community Warfare- How does the church win in Wynne and Cross County

July 24- Global warfare- Free the captives