In this session we continue our study of Be A Godly Man with Joby Miller. This week we learn a bit more about a famous portion of scripture and it is vital for us if we strive to be a godly man.
Have you ever lost a game of “Tug of War”? What caused you to lose?
What are the most important tactics to the game? (firm grip, strong stance, perseverance, etc.)
No one wins a game of “Tug of War” without standing firm. If you want to win, you’ve got to hold tight, dig in, and out-pull your opponents. In many ways, this is true for our spiritual lives as well. God calls us to stand firm in our faith, but not in our strength. Rather, He has given us spiritual resources, which is what we’re going to study today.
How did your upbringing influence your dreams for the man you wanted to be, especially as it related to the idea of standing firm?
As Joby pointed out in the session, despite Clint’s physical and mental strength he still struggled with the question facing many men today—do we have what it takes? Even after all his accomplishments, Clint made it clear that the Word of God was and continues to be what gets him through each day, not his own abilities.
What insecurities do you struggle with? In what ways could you invite other believers into your life to help you face those insecurities?
Up to this point, we’ve already seen the importance of community and that’s certainly a part of this discussion as well, but we as believers are called to stand firm in our faith. That’s not something any of us can do in our strength, but only through the strength of God.
What did Joby point to as a “blueprint” for standing firm in our faith against the enemy? (The armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.)
What observation did Joby emphasize based on Ephesians 6:10?
The command “to stand” appears three times in Ephesians 6:10–14, which is the preface for the section detailing the armor of God. In other words, it is the armor of God—and nothing else—that provides us with the strength and ability to stand firm against our true adversary. And every piece is critical. When we neglect any part, the whole suffers.
For years, Blake struggled with his father’s abuse and drug addition. As a result, he had a hard time loving his parents the way he knew he should.
How did Blake’s story demonstrate the ways we make ourselves vulnerable when we neglect the armor of God?
What were the tangible changes Blake made in his life as a result of the conviction he received from God? What impact did it have on those around him?
If every man fears whether or not he has what it takes to carry out his responsibilities in life, then we can be sure that’s a legitimate fear. The truth is none of us has what it takes, but where we are lacking God has provided us with His strength. That’s what putting on the armor of God is all about.
The Truth
As committed Christ followers, we are called to stand firm, but our enemy is not that of flesh and blood, which means we cannot effectively stand firm with any of the world’s resources. That’s why God has provided us with spiritual armor, which the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10–18 where we will spend the rest of our time together. Someone read those verses and we will take a look at them a little more deeply.
Out of the 6 parts of the Full Armour of God, what stands out to you the most?
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Shoes made ready by the gospel of peace
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
The first item is the “belt of truth.” When it comes to the idea of truth, it likely has two meanings in this context. First, it means wearing the revealed truth of God, but it also means exhibiting a life of personal truthfulness. Because of God’s truth revealed to us, we should live lives of integrity that reflect truth and honesty.
Why is truth such a critical part of the armor of God?
We must clothe ourselves in truth because we have been saved by the revealed truth of Christ and we reflect that truth through our lives to those around us.
As you think on the areas of life where you have influence (family, work, neighborhood, etc.), would you say you model truthfulness well? How could you improve in this regard?
Moving on from the belt of truth, Ephesians 6:14 says that we must also put on the breastplate of righteousness.
How did Joby describe “righteousness” in the session
Once again, this reference likely includes two aspects—the righteousness we receive through faith in Christ and our responsibility to live lives that reflect righteous conduct to those around us.
How do you strive to model righteousness? Where do you struggle most in this regard?
How could you be more intentional about reminding yourself of the righteousness you have received in Christ? What could you do to be more intentional about reminding your family of this truth?
From the belt and breastplate, verse 15 moves to the feet and calls us to put on as shoes “the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” In other words, wherever we go we must be adequately prepared to bring with us the good news of peace in Christ.
How does the gospel of peace clothe us in readiness?
As Joby said, everywhere we go, the gospel of peace should go with us. It should be a reflection of everything we do and say.
In what ways do you model a gospel of peace for others? What are some areas of your life that are in need of peace?
What would it look like for you to be a peacemaker in those areas? What would have to change?
Verses 17–18 describe the two final defensive items in the armor of God—the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation.
What specific defense does the passage say the shield of faith provides?
What observation did Joby make about the function of a shield? (It is not meant for the protection of an individual alone. Rather, linked together, shields help a collection of warriors fight together.)
Our enemy is cunning and on watch for where our defenses are vulnerable. What are some ways you find yourself particularly vulnerable to the “fiery darts” of the enemy?
How could community help to strengthen your defense in those times?
What could you do to more intentionally make yourself available to bearing the burdens of those who have vulnerable defenses?
Along with the shield of faith, we must be outfitted with the helmet of salvation. Joby challenged us to consider whether or not salvation is the highest value in our home and life.
What role does salvation play in terms of your conversations at home with your family? How about in your workplace? What would it look like for you to better reflect the salvation you have in Christ through your life in those arenas?
The final item listed among the armor of God is the only offensive element—the sword of the Spirit.
According to verse 17, what is the “sword of the Spirit”?
What are some ways to “wield” the Word of God? (Memorize it, preach it to others, trust it as truth, etc.)
When we step back and think about the armor of God, it should be clear to us that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Rather, we face a spiritual enemy, which is why God has given a spiritual armor anchored in His character and nature. It’s also why the Apostle Paul closes this section describing the armor of God by telling his readers to pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
Who in your life would you consider disciplined in the practice of prayer? What stands out to you about their prayer life?
In what ways could you invite them to help you grow in your own prayer life?
LAST WORD
Apart from Christ, we cannot stand firm. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, which is why we need more than we can create for ourselves. The good news is that Christ’s death and resurrection have disarmed the enemy and won the war. In Christ, we no longer fight for victory. We fight from it in the strength of God.
So how are you using the strength God has given you through His Spirit? As you reflect on this session, invite others to help you see your blind spots. Ask that the Lord would use what you have learned to prepare you for where He has called you to stand firm.
LIVE IT OUT
Pray: Ask the Lord to reveal to you the ways in which you depend on your own strength rather than His. As He does, be quick to confess and repent in order to walk in the true strength of Christ.
Invite: If you are lacking in community, invite mature believers into your life to help you carry whatever burdensome circumstances you face. Allow them to come alongside you as a strength and defense.
Evaluate: Over the next week, evaluate your life in comparison to the list of the armor of God. Note areas where you need to grow and take the necessary steps to do so.
Serve: Use the strengths God has given you in service to other men who need them, like Blake does for the young men in youth detention centers. Find a way to intentionally serve someone over the course of this next week.
Memorize: Commit to memory the various pieces of the armor of God, as listed in Ephesians 6:10–18. As you do, ask that God would help you to depend on Him and His resources for your spiritual strength as opposed to your own.