6 Armour to Put On

6 Armour to Put On

Hook The Armour of God is for spiritual warfare. There are six pieces of this Armour. They protect the believer from the attacks of the devil. It is very important that you put on the whole Armour and not to leave any piece out. Look 1 Belt of Truth 2 Breastplate of Righteousness 3 Shoes of the Gospel of Peace 4 Shield of Faith 5 Helmet of Salvation 6 Sword of the Spirit Key Verse “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:13-18 Book 1 Your enemies in life are not people but are the wickedness, evil powers and the devil. Never fight with people; always fight against evil. 2 Do not think that you are under spiritual attack only when there is demon oppression or obsession. All your problems are fundamentally spiritual in nature. When people accuse you unjustly, when danger threatens you, when you meet with failure, all these indicate that evil forces are also at work, attempting to cause you to sin. They want you to say things and behave without truth, righteousness, faith, and peace. 3 This does not mean that once you solve the spiritual dimension of the problem you solve the whole problem. But it means that you must solve all your problems using spiritual means. In other words, you must always solve all your problems with the strength of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10 and 1:19.) Putting on this Armour is the way we appropriate God’s strength for spiritual warfare.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. – Epehesians 6:10 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, - Ephesians 1:19

4 Note that this Armour is the Armour of God. In other words it is His Truth, His Righteousness, His Peace, etc.. Never rely on your own strength, your own truth, your own righteousness, etc.. 5 The way that you put ont this Armour is by praying in the Spirit. This means praying by the strength, power and authority of the Spirit. Pray in truth. Pray in righteousness, etc.. Often you will not feel like praying. That’s when you really need to pray. 6 The Belt of Truth holds the entire Armour together. Without this belt, all the other pieces will fall off. Therefore it is the first piece that you put on. Pray and ask God to make you realize the truth of what Christ has already accomplished in your life. 7 For example, Christ has accomplished peace for you. But something or someone may cause you to quarrel with a Christian brother. You will be in danger of losing your unity and peace with him. There is no way you can change that brother’s mind. Instead you need to pray that God will help you maintain peace because that is a truth taught in God’s word. (Ephesians 4:3)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:3

8 The shoes are not just the shoes of peace. They are the Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Gospel means ‘good news’. The shoes prepare you to bring good news of peace to others. 9 The importance of the Shield of Faith cannot be over-emphasised. Do not attempt to fight wickedness with arguments and strategy. Use the Shield of Faith instead. Have faith in Christ’s work in you and in the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome evil and sin. 10 The Helmet of Salvation is the promise of ultimate salvation for all God’s people in the future. (Isaiah 59:17)

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. – Isaiah 59:17

11 Our Lord Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) to defeat satan when He was tempted in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4

12 We are called simply to stand against evil spiritual forces. We are not called to attack them. They will come and attack you! You know you are under attack whenever you face temptation, evil and wickedness. 13 As you put on God’s Truth, you should also be transformed to become completely truthful. As you put on God’s Righteousness, you should live righteously. As you put on the Gospel of Peace, you should live peacefully with others, etc. Took Key response: Stand 1 List the opposites to the six pieces of Armour. For example, the opposite of Truth is deception. Truth – Deception, lies, secrecy Righteousness – Peace – Faith – Salvation – Spirit’s Word – 2 Consider the problems that are facing you right now in your workplace, your family, your church and your neighbourhood. What “fiery darts” are the devil shooting at you?

3 Have you put on the whole Armour of God? Which piece of the Armour do you think you are most likely to forget to put on? Number them in the order from most likely to least likely. ___Truth ___Righteousness ___Peace ___Faith ___Salvation ___Word

5 Prayers to Ask

5 Prayers to Ask

Hook
Christians often pray with their two palms together. Of course there is nothing magical about this posture. But when you put your hands together this way, your five pairs of fingers can help you to remember the five (pairs of) things that our Lord Jesus taught His disciples to ask God for.

Look
- God's Name and Holiness
-God's Kingdom and Will
-Bread, for today
-Debts and Debtors
-Temptation and Evil.

Key Verse
"Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be dine in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."- Matthew 6:9-13

Book
1 "Hallowed" means to treat as holy. Treating God's name as holy means treating God as holy.

2 Prayer is not magic. The words of this prayer are not magical words that have special power when yuo repeat them correctly. If you do not understand and mean what you say in this prayer, the prayer will be powerless and worthless. But when you mean what the prayer says. the prayer becomes extremely meaningful and powerful.

3 When you pray sincerely, you become drawn closer to God and you start to change. For example, when you sincerely pray that God's name be hallowed, you become more willing to treat God's name as holy by living a holy life.

4 When you pray that His will be done on earth, you will know more and more about what He wants you to do in your life and you will become more and more surrendered to do His will.

5 When you as God for your bread for today, you will become more and more thankful to God for the necessities that He has given you. You will enjoy all good things as God's gifts to you. Note that you are not to ask God for tomorrow's bread.

6 The more you ask God to forgive your wrongdoings, the more readily you will forgive others of their wrongdoings against you.

7 The more you as God to lead you away from temptation, the more aware you will become of the evil around you.

8 Prayer is not just speaing to God; it is listening to God as well. Do not come to God simply with a long list of requests and after you have made your requests, you go away without listening to God's answers. For example, when you pray that God's will be done, you need to listen to God (in the Bible and in your heart) and think about what His will is for you to do today.

9 Remember not to forget to pray for these things daily.

10 Set aside time every morning, throughout the day, and then at night to pray for these five things. For example, you can pray for the first two things in the morning before you get out of bed; the third thing every time before you eat; the fourth before you sleep; the fifth before you work and meet with people.

11 Do not pray lie those outwardly religious people who pray to be seen by men.

12 Also do not use mindless repetition in your prayers lie those pagans who think they will be heard for their many words. Instead, pray with understanding, meaning every word you say.

13 Some Christians only pray for people who are sick, or for God to help them solve their problems. They have forgotten to pray for these five things. Their spiritual lives have become weak.
There is nothing wrong with praying for sick people or for your problems. But do not neglect to ask God for these five things because God considers them as the five most essential things that He wants you to pray for.

14 Be sure to pray for these five things for the rest of your life, even when you are an old Christian.

Took
Key Response: Ask.

1 Compare the differences between Christian prayer and the prayer of other religions. What are the important differences? (Read Matthew 6:5-8 for Christ's answers.)

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not eep on babbling lie pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. - Matthew 6:5-8

2 Decide and write down the time when you will pray these prayers every day:

Morning: ________am to __________am

Afternoon: _________pm to __________pm

Evening: __________pm to __________pm

3 Decide what you can do to help yourself remember to pray for these five things. (For example, you can agree with your husband/wife or other family member to pray together everyday. Or you can carry a cross to remind you to pray these prayers.)

• Covenant with my husband/wife
• Agree with a friend
• Carry a cross/boomark
• Set an alarm
• ___________
• ___________

4 What are the two reasons why God is your Father? (See Malachi 2:10 and Isaiah 63:16.)

Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another? - Malachi 2:10

But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. - Isaiah 63:16

God is my Father because He _____________ me and because He _______________ me from sin and death.

5 If one day you become very rich, why is it very important that you continue to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread"? (See Proverbs 30:8-9 for the answer.)

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. - Proverbs 30:8-9

6 "Daily bread" are the necessities in life. They do not include luxuries. Which of the following do you consider as proper to ask God for? In other words, which of the following may be considered as equivalent to "daily bread" in your times and which may not?

• jogging shoes to wear
• telephone for busines
• TV for entertainmen
• schooling for children
• medicine for illnessess
• car to drive
• toys for children
• vacation trip
• hot water for baths
• house to own

7 Read the following verses and consider if you need to cahnge any of your answers to Question 6.

"Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" -Matthew 6:31

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" - 1 Timothy 6:8

8 Read Matthew 6:14-15. Write down the names of the people that you have to forgive:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:14-15

Name of Person	Reason I need to Forgive him/her	Date I Forgave him/her

9 Case study: A recent convert to Christianity comes up to you. He tells you that all women are the devil's way of tempting men to sin. He shows you the verse (Matthew 6:13) which says, "And lead us not into temptation" and he tells you that he is asing God to take away all the women in his life (except his mother and sisters.) What should you say to this brother-in-Christ? Is the way he applies Matthew 6:13 correct? (Read James 1:13-15 before you write down your answer below.)

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:13-15

10 Case study: Two Christians in your church come to you to ask you to settle a quarrel among them. One man has agreed to sell his refrigerator to the second man for a certain sum of money. After one week, the first man decided not to sell because he felt that he was selling it too cheaply. Both of them are praying that God will change the other man's heart. Both are accusing the other of not praying the Lord's Prayer properly. What advice do you have for them on how to pray properly? (Read James 4:3)

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - James 4:3