BROTHERS ARMED FOR BATTLE
Ephesians 6:10-18
A MAN’S BIBLE STUDY ON THE CHRISTIAN’S ARMOR
(THIS STUDY IS APPLICABLE FOR ALL, NOT JUST MEN!)
#2 - WORD WISE
Ephesians 6:14a - Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…
· How has God’s Word changed your life?
· How has God’s Word impacted you this week?
· What hinders men from memorizing the Word of God?
· Why is meditation difficult in our society?
We as brothers in Christ are involved together in a spiritual battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. Praise God for the armor that He has provided for us.
The first piece of armor mentioned is the “belt of truth”.
We are to live in truth. Jesus Christ is the truth. The Word of God is truth. When I surround myself in God’s Word, I am surrounding myself in truth.
ABOUT THE BELT
· “When a soldier tightened his belt he was ready for combat, because in the process of tightening he drew up his tunic and cinched it so it could not impede him as he charged into battle. It also firmly fixed his sword in place. To get the feel here, we might think of a football player clenching his mouthpiece in his teeth, adjusting his pads, and hitching up his waist to get ready for the next play. But what the soldier did was even more crucial. His belt held everything in place. Without it, he would be powerless in battle.” - R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Ephesians, The Mystery of the Body of Christ, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books,1990), p. 224
· Having a command of the truth of God’s Word in my life is essential for holding all the armor in place. Why?
THE PURPOSE OF THE WORD
· Why has God given his Word?
· According to the Scriptures below what are some of the things that God will accomplish in His Word.
Psalms 119:11 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 19:7-11 - The
law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is
sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the
heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of
the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and
righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much
fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy
servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.
THE POWER OF THE WORD
· How do the verses above show God’s Word to be powerful?
· How do the verses below show God’s Word to be powerful?
1 Peter 1:23 - Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever.
Psalms 119:89 - Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in
heaven.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
THE PRESENCE OF THE WORD
· How can I make sure that God’s Word is continually with me?
· What does Scripture tell us about memorization of the Word?
Joshua 1:8 - This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.
Jeremiah 15:16 - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and
thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by
thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Psalms 119:16 - I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will
not forget thy word.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
· What are some effective ways of memorizing Scripture?
· Why would it be good to have an accountability partner for Scripture memorization?
THE PONDERING OF GOD’S WORD
· How does one meditate on Scripture?
· What distractions might have to be eliminated for Scripture memorization?
Psalms 1:2 - But
his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and
night.
Psalms 119:97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the
day.
Psalms 119:15 - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect
unto thy ways.
THE PRACTICE OF GOD’S WORD
· Why should practicing God’s Word be the ultimate goal of putting on the “belt of truth”?
Psalms 119:33-34 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
THE PRODUCTIVITY OF GOD’S WORD
· Why should we want to be productive for the Lord?
· How is it that many men don’t seem to care about being productive for the Lord?
· What part will passion have in being productive?
Joshua 1:8 - This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.
Psalms 1:3 - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers
of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalms 119:98-100 - Thou through thy commandments hast made me
wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding
than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more
than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
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