FALL 2017 LEADER GUIDE THE DARK SIDE SECOND NATURE

Transcription

1 FALL 2017 LEADER GUIDE THE DARK SIDE SECOND NATURE

2 LEADING SOMEONE TO THE GREATEST DECISION OF ALL One of the great joys of leading a group in Bible study is seeing group members deepen their walk with Christ. Everyone s walk with Christ begins with an initial decision to follow Him in repentance and faith. There may be people in your group who have not made that decision yet. Take advantage of your time with them to talk about becoming a Christian. As you tell your own story about coming to Christ, share these key truths: 1. We are all sinners, and each of us needs to acknowledge before God that we are sinners. That acknowledgement involves repentance, which is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Refer to Romans 3:23, 6:23, and Acts 3: The only way a person can receive the gift of forgiveness is by faith in Jesus as God s Son. Use verses like Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 14:6 when talking about faith in Christ. 3. Confessing your faith in Jesus Christ means confessing Him as Savior and Lord. Share Romans 10:9-10,13. Invite the person to pray a prayer similar to this: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against You in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sins, and that only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. A Special Note about Andrew: Active Witness (p. 135). As your group studies and discusses the invitations Andrew extended to others to meet Jesus, use the time as an opportunity to lead unsaved group members to faith in Christ. Use You re Invited on the inside front cover of the Personal Study Guide to connect Andrew: Active Witness with each member s own need to trust Christ and receive His gift of salvation. The inside cover is a guide for understanding how Jesus acts as the Great Physician to forgive and give us eternal life.

3 CONTENTS The Dark Side SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF Don t Miss This A Word from Our Team Using Bible Studies for Life The Attributes of Discipleship Introduction September 3 Session 1 Satan September 10 Session 2 Demons September 17 Session 3 The Paranormal September 24 Session 4 Fear Not! October 1 Session 5 Battle Armor October 8 Session 6 Battle Plan Article: 5 Things New Group Leaders Need to Know Article: Lay Out the Welcome Mat Second Nature.... Introduction October 15 Session 1 Caleb: Unwavering Faith October 22 Session 2 Solomon: Unfailing Wisdom October 29 Session 3 Ruth: All-In Commitment November 5 Session 4 Barnabas: Ongoing Encouragement November 12 Session 5 John: Single-Minded Focus November 19 Session 6 Hannah: Trust-Filled Prayer November 26 Session 7 Andrew: Active Witness Article: 4 Actions to Improve as a Teacher Article: 3 Keys to Being a Better Listener Join the Conversation Coming Next Quarter

4 Don t miss this! Social Media The App Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Life users. Post responses to questions, share teaching ideas, and link to great blog content. Facebook.com/BibleStudiesForLife Get instant updates about new articles, giveaways, and Simple and straightforward, this elegantly designed app gives you all the content of the Personal Study Guide plus a whole lot more right at your fingertips. Available in the itunes App Store and for Android devices; search Bible Studies for Life. Blog Every week, you ll find helpful add-ons and additional suggestions in our Leader Extra posts. You ll also find teaching tips, links to magazine articles, insights from our editorial team, and sermon outlines to complement every session. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Warren McWilliams wrote the Bible commentary for The Dark Side sessions. Warren is the Auguie Henry professor of Bible at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A.), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Vanderbilt University (M.A., Ph.D.). Warren attends University Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Eli Landrum wrote the Bible commentary for the Second Nature sessions. Eli is retired from LifeWay Christian Resources where he served as an editor of adult Sunday School materials for 24 years. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi (B.S.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (B.D., Th.D.). Eli attends First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Bible Studies for Life: Adult Leader Guide Volume 5, Number 1 Fall 2017 Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Lynn H. Pryor Team Leader Sam O Neal Content Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by at sam.oneal@lifeway.com; mail to Content Editor for Bible Studies for Life: Adults, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments online at BibleStudiesforLife.com. Printed in the United States of America. Bible Studies for Life: Adult Leader Guide (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay. For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@ lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. ESV All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.(R) HCSB Scriptures taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.esv All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.(R) CSB Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible. Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

5 A Word from Our Team The Bible Studies for Life Team I m in a Bible study group that s probably much like yours, and I have the privilege of using Bible Studies for Life. Just three years ago, my wife and I launched a new group at our church. Our group has been through a lot in a short time. We ve served together in the community, seeking to use our time and energy to help others see Christ in us. We ve ministered to one another as we ve experienced death and loss. We regularly welcome guests, setting out extra chairs and Personal Study Guides for them each session. Of course, at the center of it all is our study of God s Word. I m also proud to serve each day with a group of men and women your Bible Studies For Life team. These incredible people lead and serve in their own churches. Just like you, we all seek to teach God s Word, reach new people for Christ, and help people connect with others in our Bible study groups. May the Lord richly bless you and your group as you study The Dark Side and Second Nature this Fall. Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible KenBraddy.com BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 5

6 USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Invite the Holy Spirit s Guidance Because God is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times with the Holy Spirit showing you its meaning and application. Personal Study Guide Then read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for the Bible discussion and study by your group. Leader Guide Follow the simple directives in the group plan, which will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage. Read the commentary to help you understand the passage. Share insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Leader Pack The optional Leader Pack is designed to enhance the group experience, especially for visual learners. Use the professional designed Leader Pack items as referenced in the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a CD-ROM with: > > JPEG files of the two main study images that you can use with any presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint). Promote the study by placing these images into an announcement slideshow or display the images during the sessions to reinforce the study topic. > > PDF file of each pack item, so you can create multiple posters. During your session, display the image on a screen using any presentation software, or post the image on social media to promote the study. > > Sample Twitter and messages to post prior to your Bible study time in order to raise awareness and promote the session topic. > > > > An electronic version of the group plans that you can customize and print. > > Leader articles to assist you as you lead your group. > > Biblical Illustrator articles that allow you to go deeper in your study. A promotional video for each study in the quarter to help spread awareness in your church and community. 6 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

7 Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and teaching suggestions for leaders are available online at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra. You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide. Prepare Your Group Members Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read it after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect.) Encourage them to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLife), our blog (BibleStudiesforLife.com), or on Twitter (@BibleMeetsLife). For Those Who Want to Go Deeper The Advanced Bible Study is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of key words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive exposition of each session s Scripture passage. Specific attention is called to items in the biblical text that readers would miss without a commentary. This commentary is based on the King James Version but interacts with all major English translations. Each quarter, Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps and graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to lifeway.com/biblical illustrator or by calling Forty additional articles (in PDF form) that support this quarter s Bible studies are available for purchase at lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

8 My g roup's prayer requests 8 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

9 My g roup's prayer requests BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

10 My g roup's prayer requests 10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

11 My g roup's prayer requests BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11

12 THE ATTRIBUTES OF DISCIPLESHIP How do you measure discipleship? Research conducted by LifeWay revealed eight factors that are consistently present in the lives of believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. These attributes of discipleship form the foundation for the scope and sequence of studies used in Bible Studies for Life. By regularly engaging these studies, your group will experience an intentional plan for discipleship in the following eight ways: Bible Engagement Transformation can be recognized when our mind is sharpened by the Bible, our perspective is shaped by the Bible, and our actions are directed by the Bible. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, csb). Obeying God and Denying Self Discipleship is the process of obedience to One who is in authority over you. Transformation can be seen when we progressively set aside earthly delights for kingdom priorities. If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23, csb). Serving God and Others Transformation is evident when personal needs and even dreams are set aside for the needs we see in others. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40, csb). Sharing Christ Even with the need to live out the effects of the gospel, maturing believers know that speaking about the message is a necessity. Transformation is evident when we talk about the source of it. Ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15, csb). 12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

13 For more details about each of the eight attributes, go to BibleStudiesforLife.com/8attributes. Exercising Faith Transformation is seen in believers when risk-aversion is set aside and our lives are characterized by faithful obedience to God s will. See page 14 for more details. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:19b-20, csb). Seeking God Transformation is seen when our desire is to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matthew 6:33, csb). Building Relationships Our faith is personal but it is not intended to be private. Our horizontal relationships should develop just as our vertical relationship with God does. Transformation is occurring when relational maturity is evident in our lives. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42, csb). Unashamed Transformation is evident when a believer is unashamed in presenting their own life as being aligned with Christ. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16, csb). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 13

14 EXERCISING FAITH BY PHILIP NATION Can you measure a person s faith? Probably not. But you can recognize that faith when it s put into action. It s a mysterious process to know if a person s faith is increasing. It can only be seen when life is in motion and choices must be made. Believers participating in the Transformational Discipleship research project noted that they knew the importance of living by faith as opposed to living by personal strength. This difference is like an internal mechanism that switches a machine from operating on back-up batteries to accessing the full strength of a city s electrical grid. Living out our faith on our own power is ineffective and short-lived. But exercising faith and trusting in God s provisions to fulfill God s will is joyful and powerful. We can witness transformation in ourselves and other believers when riskaversion is set aside. Maturing believers concern themselves with bold faithfulness to God s work. The thoughts of personal cost become less concerning. The transformation that occurs because we put faith in God s power results in faithful obedience. In the Transformation Discipleship research, growing believers had a high agreement with the statement, I believe that God has a purpose for all events in my life, regardless of whether I perceive each event as being good or bad. Our faith in Christ gives us both new life in the eternal sense and a new perception about life here in this world. Faith is too often perceived as wishful thinking or just a hopeful attitude. When we engage our faith in everyday living, it allows us to have a longer view of life s events. Rather than wishing our way out of difficulty, faith gives us the opportunity to simply trust God s goodness no matter what we face. 14 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

15 Similarly, growing believers gave strong agreement to the statement, I express praise and gratitude to God even in difficult circumstances. Believers who exercise faith can look beyond their current circumstances to the greater issues at work. It s not that they ignore what s happening around them or inside of them. Rather, by engaging faith in God s work, they see life in light of all of God s providence. Faith looks beyond difficulty and always trusts in the character of God. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This is a beautiful summary of how we exercise our faith. Rather than sinking into the doldrums when things go wrong, we keep our eyes lifted toward Christ. Exercising faith is a result of God s transforming work in our lives. The more we are made holy by Him, the more we re able to follow Him more closely. Philip Nation is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida, and is the author of Habits for Our Holiness. FaithBIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 15

16 16 THE DARK SIDE

17 The battle is on. Join the fight! Few people want to be in a battle. As followers of Christ, however, we re in the middle of a conflict that has been raging for thousands of years whether we know it or not. Ours is a spiritual battle, and it s critical for us to know the stakes. Anyone with military experience will tell you the value of knowing your enemy and determining what you re up against. In The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis identified two wrong attitudes people often hold about evil: There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. 1 In this study, The Dark Side, we ll take a deeper look at the truth about Satan, demons, and the pervasive evil in the paranormal world. Yes, those are dark subjects, but they re also critical for those of us who need to know what we re up against. Thankfully, this study will also examine everything we ve been given in Christ to stand against the forces of evil. We don t need to be afraid! In fact, through the truth of who we are in Christ and the armor He has made available to us, we can stand confidently against the devil s schemes. Yes, Satan is mighty, but our God is Almighty! JEREMIAH J. JOHNSTON Jeremiah J. Johnston is Professor of Early Christianity at Houston Baptist University and President of the Christian Thinkers Society. He is the author of Unanswered. Jeremiah is married to Audrey, and they are parents to five children including triplet boys! Follow Dr. Johnston on Twitter (@_jeremiah) and via the web at ChristianThinkers.com. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 17

18 The Dark Side Session 1 Satan Revelation 12:7-12 Session 2 Demons Mark 9:17-29 Session 3 The Paranormal Deuteronomy 18:9-18 Session 4 Fear Not! 1 John 4:1-6 Session 5 Battle Armor Ephesians 6:10-20 Session 6 Battle Plan Matthew 4:1-10 Find additional tools and resources to support this study, all available online at BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra. 18 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

19 SESSION 1 SATAN The Point Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. The Passage Revelation 12:7-12 The Bible Meets Life We can t deny evil exists. It s all around us. That reality struck home when I saw the shoes piles of children s shoes. I was visiting the infamous Nazi concentration camp known as Buchenwald. Over 250,000 people were cruelly imprisoned there, and conservative estimates put the death toll between 40 and 50 thousand innocents. Seeing the ovens left little to the imagination, but it was the shoes of the countless children who died that hit me with the harsh reality of evil. Unfortunately, evil isn t something we just see in fiction. Evil is no illusion, and while it can certainly reside in the hearts of people, such evil is most clearly seen in the one who seeks to inspire it: Satan. The Book of Revelation shows us exactly who this Satan is, the one who seeks to harm us. Thankfully, the Book of Revelation also tells us of Satan s defeat. In this study, we ll see what Christ has done for us and how we can stand against Satan s schemes. The Setting The apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation. John was exiled to the island of Patmos. While on the island, John received the revelation he recorded for us. (See Rev. 1:9 11.) His first-century readers included the seven churches in Asia (what is modern Asia Minor, v. 11). One of John s purposes was to encourage believers who faced persecution for their belief in Jesus. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 19

20 What does the Bible say? Revelation 12:7-12 The dragon (v. 7) The dragon is identified as the devil and Satan, God s chief adversary. (See 12:9; 20:2.) That ancient serpent (v. 9) Another description for the dragon, the serpent recalls the snake who tempted Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. (See Gen. 3:1 7.) The blood of the Lamb (v. 11) The victory of God s people over the devil is due to the sacrificial death of Jesus, the Lamb of God (see John 1:29), on the cross. 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short! 20 Session 1

21 THE POINT Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 1, The Dark Side, to introduce the major theme of this study, along with the specific focus of each session. Notes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 13 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG): What monster or fictional villain best represents evil to you? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Prior to the group gathering, print out several pictures showing how Satan has been represented in history and in our current culture. (Think red horns with a trident, as one example.) Pass these images around the group and encourage people to discuss these questions: 1) What do these images communicate about Satan? 2) How do these images compare and contrast with a biblical view of Satan? Want to know about biblical culture, people, archaeology, and history? Biblical Illustrator has articles that tie to each session in this study at lifeway.com/bi. Note: Be sure to use restraint when selecting the images to show your group members. Avoid pictures that would be offensive or unnecessarily unsettling. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 14 of the PSG. Introduce the reality of evil (and of Satan, as well) by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 14 of the PSG: Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. PRAY: Transition into the study by acknowledging the reality of evil in this world. Pray that God would guide you and your group members to a biblical understanding of this reality and that each of you would be confident in what makes a biblical response. TIP: When helpful, use this Notes column to record additional discussion questions, concepts, and activities that connect the study content with your specific group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 21

22 15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Revelation 12:7-9 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. READ: Revelation 12:7-9 on page 15 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. GUIDE: Use the Commentary material for verse 9 to help group members understand the different terms used to describe Satan in these verses. RECAP: In order to set the stage for exploring a portion of Revelation, read aloud the first paragraph after the Scripture on page 15 of the PSG: Revelation is a prophetic book full of visions and symbolism, which has given rise to a few disagreements in interpretation. Thankfully, John s apocalyptic vision is crystal clear about several key truths: God remains sovereign, He brings redemption to its complete fulfillment, and His eternal kingdom is firmly established. Revelation also reveals Christ as our victorious King. ALTERNATE QUESTION: In what areas of life are we most susceptible to Satan s lies? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 15 of the PSG: What have you been taught about the devil? Note: In most cases, this will not be the appropriate time to correct what group members have been taught. Allow them to express what they ve heard, and then use the remainder of this session to teach truth. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 16 of the PSG: Where do you see evidence of Satan s deceptive work in the world today? TRANSITION: Verses 7-9 reveal Satan to be a deceiver who has been thrown down in his battle against God. As we continue with verse 10, we ll see that Satan also functions as the accuser of those who follow Christ. 22 Session 1

23 THE POINT Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. Revelation 12:7-9 Commentary Satan seeks to deceive us. [Verse 7] The Book of Revelation was written to first-century Christians who were facing persecution. Revelation reveals that such persecution occurs within the broader context of the overall conflict between good and evil between God and those in rebellion against Him. John described a major event in this conflict in Revelation 12, where he stated, Now war arose in heaven. On one side of this heavenly war are Michael and his angels. Angels are spiritual beings who were created to serve and worship God. Scripture identifies Michael as the archangel who challenged the devil about jurisdiction over the body of Moses. (See Jude 9.) Michael is also mentioned in the Book of Daniel. (See Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1.) Michael and his angels are good angels who faithfully serve God. On the other side in the heavenly war are the dragon and his angels. Elsewhere in Revelation, the dragon is identified as Satan, the chief adversary of God. (See Rev. 20:2.) The angels that fight alongside Satan are those who did not remain faithful to God, choosing instead to follow Satan. [Verse 8] The dragon and his supporters could not win this battle and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Since the evil angels could not defeat God s representative Michael and his angels, they were forced out of heaven. [Verse 9] John used three key terms to describe the dragon. First, the dragon is that ancient serpent. The imagery of a serpent links the dragon with the crafty snake that tempted Adam and Eve to sin. (See Gen. 3:1 7.) Second, John noted the dragon is called the devil. The Greek word translated devil means accuser or slanderer. Third, John identified the dragon as Satan. This word appears in both the Old and New Testaments. Both the Hebrew and Greek terms translated Satan mean adversary. In addition to these three names, John described the dragon as the deceiver of the whole world. Deception was one aspect of Satan s dealings with Adam and Eve. Jesus called the devil a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). The devil and his angels were thrown down to the earth. Bible scholars present a wide range of interpretations about when this war in heaven occurs. Some contend this text is about the fall of Satan and his angels before the beginning of human history. According to this view, the fall of Satan happened before Satan tempted Adam and Eve. Others suggest the heavenly war happens during the tribulation of God s people near Jesus return at the end of time. Another view is that the heavenly war occurred at the time of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection. Whatever the timing of this battle in heaven, John s main concern was to remind us that the devil is a deceiver and that he has been defeated. That Jesus defeated the devil through His death and resurrection is a clear teaching of the New Testament. For instance, John said Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). The author of the Book of Hebrews added that Jesus came to destroy the devil as the one who held the power of death. (See Heb. 2:14.) BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 23

24 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Revelation 12:10 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. READ: Revelation 12:10 on page 16 of the PSG. ALTERNATE QUESTION: How would you compare the Messiah and the accuser as described in this verse? GUIDE: Divide your study of Revelation 12:10 into two sections. Start by asking a volunteer to read the three bullet points on pages 16 and 18 that describe how Satan operates as our accuser. DISCUSS: Next, discuss Question #4 on page 18 of the PSG: How should we understand Satan s role as our accuser? GUIDE: Finally, ask a volunteer to read the second set of bullet points on page 18 of the PSG to show how Jesus functions as our Advocate, working on our behalf to contradict Satan s accusations. DO: Direct group members to complete the activity Not Even Close on page 17 of the PSG. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share how they would like to see the church better communicate God s superiority over Satan. People often view God and Satan as opposing forces of equal strength good and evil locked in an eternal struggle. In reality, God is superior to Satan in every way. It s not even close. Use the chart below to list some of God s attributes, along with how Satan compares. (An example is provided.) God Satan - Omnipresent (He exists everywhere) - Exists only in one place at a time How can the church better communicate the reality of God s superiority over Satan? 24 Session 1

25 THE POINT Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. Revelation 12:10 Commentary Satan seeks to accuse us. [Verse 10] God s victory over Satan and his followers is announced by a loud voice in heaven. John did not identify the speaker here, but the message is a clear affirmation of God s sovereignty. For those who will repent of their sins and put their faith in God s Son, Jesus, salvation is assured by His death and resurrection. The power of God is His omnipotence. Satan had challenged God s right to rule over all of heaven and earth, but God defeated Satan and threw him out of heaven. God determined the bounds of Satan s activity. John s readers might have recalled how God allowed Satan to test Job s faith but kept Satan under His ultimate power. (See Job 1:12; 2:6.) The heavenly voice also mentioned God s kingdom and the authority of his Christ. Announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God was a major theme in Jesus preaching and teaching. When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). The heavenly voice echoed Jesus statement by affirming that the kingdom has come. The voice connected the coming of salvation, the power and kingdom of God, and the authority of Christ with Satan having been thrown down to earth. Two overlapping issues deserve some attention here. First, what is the nature of God s kingdom? Jesus primarily used parables to describe the kingdom. He did not offer a dictionary-style definition of the kingdom. Many Jews hoped for a national, political kingdom. The Zealots were Jewish political revolutionaries who were willing to use violence to overthrow the Roman rulers. Jesus insisted God s kingdom was not a political realm. He told Pontius Pilate that His kingdom was not like a human kingdom. (See John 18:36.) Instead, the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, established by God, through which people are delivered from the powers of sin, death, and Satan. It is God s reign or rule over His people. The coming of the kingdom of God also involves the end of the rule of Satan and the judgment of the wicked. Second, when did the kingdom of God arrive? Many Bible scholars suggest the kingdom was inaugurated during Jesus earthly ministry, especially through His death and resurrection. In this scenario, the kingdom will be completed or perfected at Jesus return. The overall witness of Jesus ministry and the New Testament writers is to balance the already and the not yet elements of the kingdom the kingdom of God has in one sense arrived, but in another sense will not be fully consummated until Jesus second coming. Jesus disciples did not always comprehend what He said regarding the nature of His kingdom. For instance, they were still asking about the kingdom in Acts 1:6, right before Jesus ascension. Even though Satan had been cast out of heaven, signifying his defeat and the advance of God s kingdom, he still works to oppose God and His people. The voice described Satan as the one who constantly accuses God s people. This suggests Satan seeks to bring charges against God s followers. It might also mean Satan uses half-truths and deception to discourage God s people. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 25

26 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Revelation 12: And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short! READ: Revelation 12:11-12 on page 19 of the PSG. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Verse 11 speaks of Christians who were willing to give their lives for the kingdom of God. Consider using this moment as an opportunity to inform your group members about the many Christians in today s world who still make this choice because of persecution. For example, read a brief story of someone currently imprisoned because of their faith in Christ. Or review some statistics from Voice of the Martyrs. (See persecution.com.) SUMMARIZE: Highlight the main points from page 19 of the PSG: ALTERNATE QUESTION: How should these verses shape our lives each day? > > So far we ve seen that Satan is relentless in his deceit and accusations. That can feel overwhelming when we remember how powerful he is. But don t > > > > lose heart! Satan may be powerful, but God is all-powerful. Best of all: he is already defeated! One of the blessings of the gospel is that we don t have to bring about Satan s defeat; we only have to stand in the victory we receive through Jesus. > > According to Revelation 12:12, Satan knows that his time is short! That s why he stays after us and that s why we need to stay vigilant. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 19 of the PSG: What are some ways we can defend against Satan s accusations? GUIDE: Refer back to The Point for this session: Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share any final thoughts or questions. 26 Session 1

27 THE POINT Satan fights against us, but we can stand in Christ. Revelation 12:11-12 Commentary Satan is relentless but he is defeated. [Verse 11] The heavenly voice continued to explain the significance of God s triumph over Satan, declaring, They have conquered him. The They here refers to God s human followers, believers in Christ, who were victorious by the blood of the Lamb. The word picture Lamb appears frequently in the Book of Revelation. For example, the risen Christ was worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll because He had died like a sacrificial lamb as an atonement for sin. (See 5:1 14.) Jesus sacrificial, substitutionary death on the cross, which achieved forgiveness of sins and salvation for those who place their faith in Christ, gave believers the confidence to confront Satan. The believers defeated Satan by the word of their testimony. The Greek word translated testimony means witness ; it s the root for our word martyr. John s first-century audience faced the real possibility of death for their faith in Christ. In His messages to the seven churches, Jesus recognized this reality (see Rev. 2:9 10,13) and mentioned one martyr by name ( Antipas, 2:13). John saw other martyrs under an altar in heaven, who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne (6:9). The heavenly voice added, they loved not their lives even unto death. These believers chose faithfulness and death, knowing that eternal life was theirs in Christ. Jesus call to follow Him completely and faithfully, even to the point of death, is as true for us as it was for the Christians of the first century. We overcome evil in our lives as we die to self and follow Christ completely. [Verse 12] The heavenly voice proclaiming the defeat of Satan was an occasion for rejoicing in heaven and for those who dwell there. However, the heavenly voice pronounced, woe to you, O earth and sea. Satan was defeated and driven from heaven, but he would be relentless in his pursuit of evil, injustice, and chaos on earth against humanity particularly against followers of Christ. Later John noted that Satan s great wrath would be poured out against those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:17). The heavenly voice added that Satan s great wrath was partly due to his awareness that his time is short. Satan is a created being; he is neither eternal nor omnipotent like God. Having been driven out of heaven, Satan realizes his time to oppose God s people on earth is limited. So what have we learned about Satan in this session? Satan exists. We need to avoid the non-biblical depictions of Satan or the devil in popular culture and affirm a biblically-based view of Satan. Satan is a limited being; he is finite. He is a fallen angel, the evil counterpart to Michael, not a true equal to God. Satan is neither omniscient (all-knowing) nor omnipresent (present everywhere). Satan has been defeated by God. However, while Satan is our defeated enemy, he still works hard to hinder God s people. We need to be aware of Satan s activity. Our basic response to Satan is to follow Christ completely. We might not be required to die for our faith, but we need to be bold in our witness for Christ. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 27

28 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 20 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider the following suggestions for walking this week in light of Jesus victory over Satan. > > Confess. Turn from sin and give Satan no grounds for accusations in your life. Place your trust in Christ for forgiveness and freedom. > > Read. Make Scripture reading a daily habit. Let the truth of Scripture fill your mind rather than the deceit and lies > > of Satan. Test every thought to see how it stands against the truth of Christ in His Word. Speak. When you see others living in false guilt because of Satan s lies, point to the victory they can have in Christ. Lead them to embrace the truth and walk in victory. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the Conclusion from page 20 of the PSG: Don t fall into the trap of believing evil doesn t exist or believing that evil only impacts the world in faraway places. Satan is a clear and present danger to God s people. Thankfully, our status as God s people means we can claim the victory He has already won. PRAY: Conclude by affirming the truth that Jesus has already gained victory over Satan. Declare that truth. Ask for God s Spirit to remind you of that truth each day as you walk with Him. Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife 28 Session 1