THE DEVIL GOES TO CHURCH
PRAYER AS SPIRITUAL WARFARELesson 2: Jesus and Spiritual Warfare
The life of Jesus is the perfect example of the importance of having balance in your life as you deal with spiritual warfare. Jesus was aware of everything Satan was up to, but still kept His focus on the kingdom of God.
In this lesson you will:
- see that Jesus walked in regular awareness of spiritual battle.
- learn how Jesus used the Word of God to battle Satan.
- discover how Satan attacks when we are weak.
Reading:
• Luke 13:10-17
• The Devil Goes to Church – Chapter 1 pgs. 18-19
• Matthew 4:1-11
• The Devil Goes to Church – Chapter 6 pgs. 68-77
Video 2: Jesus and Spiritual Warfare
Discussion Questions:
1. Consider the woman bound by Satan for 18 years. Many people struggle with temptations or afflictions for years without the relief only Jesus can deliver them from. Consider someone you know struggling with an addiction of some kind…or perhaps it is a battle you are in personally. What would it feel like to have Jesus heal you or someone else you know and redeem you/them from affliction, temptation or sinful behavior?
2. Why do you think the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where he was tempted?
3. Have you ever felt like the roaring lion, Satan, has been seeking to devour you? If yes, what does that feel like? If no, describe how have you been fighting this battle successfully.
4. How have you have dealt with temptation in your own life?
5. Have you ever considered using the Word of God in prayer to deal with Satan? Why or why not? How does it make a difference to know that this is how Jesus dealt with temptation?
6. Is praying the word a regular part of your life? Have you ever viewed this activity as significant warfare? What steps can you take to make praying the word a more effective weapon?
Watch Dave’s Summary Video (2-3 minutes)
Spending Time in Prayer
Consider a temptation you struggle with, or that someone else you know has difficulty overcoming. Imagine yourself, or this person out in the wilderness as Jesus was, and the devil comes to bring this temptation once again. Jesus fought back using the Word of God, which is the template for His followers.
Individual: Pray using the scriptures below.
Small-Group: One or more of the group can be invited to share a temptation he or she faces. Pray for each person using one or more of the scriptures below:
• Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:10: “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
• Hebrews 2:18: “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
• Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Next Steps:
Praying Scripture is a powerful way to pray. As we do, we are submitting to God. James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This week, and into the future, find Scripture to pray over yourself, your marriage, your family, and your church. Remind yourself that this is how Jesus insulated Himself from attack and resisted the devil. Also, check out 8 Ways to Beat Temptation in the Supplemental Material section below.
Supplemental Material for Lesson 2:
8 Ways to Beat Temptation
1. Pray before you are tempted. Jesus instructed his disciples to ask God, “Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.”
2. Flee. A good run is better than a bad fall.
3. Quote Scripture That’s how Jesus overcame the tempter.
4. Pray in the midst of temptation.
5. Get a brother or sister to pray with you.
6. Ask someone to hold you accountable.
7. Remember God’s faithfulness.
8. Remind yourself that sin has consequences.
Adapted from a blog by Mark Altrogge: https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/mark-altrogge/8-ways-to-beat-temptation.html
Optional Consultation/Question-Answer Session
With every PrayerU course, there is an option to have a one-hour Zoom session with your instructor(s). This is your opportunity to engage your instructor(s) on a personal level with either a question-answer session, a deeper level conversation about the course content, or both.
There is an additional cost for the consultation session and scheduling is subject to availability.