Week 4: The Shield of Faith

Memory Verse for this week: Ephesians 4:1 – I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.

Piece of Armor: The Shield of Faith

Day One Summary: Knowing What Faith Is
What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1 says it is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.  Faith is not just someone’s opinion or emotional or unrealistic hope.  It is a solid conviction resting on God’s words that make the future present and the invisible seen.

God is the shield and the refuge.  He goes before us, watches over us, and protects us in times of trouble.  He gives us the faith that protects us.

Using Scripture to combat the enemies attacks
Question: Do you believe God’s Word to be true?

Discouragement – Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go
Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
False Teaching – 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Persecution – Matthew 10:28-31 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Doubts – Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Day Two: Living on Offensive Faith

We are not called to be fortresses
A church standing still can’t be obedient to the Great Commission because it’s certainly no threat to the Enemy.  Some churches have become fortresses.  Their members never go out into the community.

Question: Why do you think some Christians have this fortress mentality?  Can those perceptions be changed?  If so, how?

The Shield is an offensive weapon. – Sometimes we best stand against the Enemy when we press forward in obedience to deflect the Enemy’s arrows
Faith is an action Word.

Hebrews 11 – The Hall of Faith Chapter

Question: What is the most risky thing that God has called you to do by faith?  Why do you think you had the faith to believe?

Faith on the offensive is going where God asks, regardless of the cost.

Day Three: Following the Example of Others

Abrahams Call to Faith in Genesis 12:1-3
Question:  If you were Abraham, how do you think you would react?
How willing are we to trust God with the unknowns in our life?

Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance, he went  out, not knowing where he was going.

Question:
Where does your Faith struggle?  What has God called you to that frightens you?
Who’s watching you?  Have you ever thought about such a thing?

Day Four: Understanding attacks on Faith

The Enemy attacks Faith through Worry

  • He wants us to focus on temporary not eternal
  • He wants us to think worry will somehow make a difference
  • He wants us to think that somehow God doesn’t know what we need
  • He wants us to be consumed with the possibilities that have not yet happened; he wants us to be worried about tomorrow

Questions to ask yourself:
Are you worrying about temporary things?  Is your worry adding one moment to your life, or taking it away?  Does your worry imply that God doesn’t know what you need, or that He is unwilling to meet that need?  Are you worried about the current reality of things, or about what might happen?

The Enemy Attacks Faith through Fear and Doubt
Matthew 14:22-26

Day Five: Increasing Our Faith

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith comes by Trusting the Word

Genesis 15:1
Deuteronomy 20:1
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 41:10
Jeremiah 46:27
Luke 2:10
Hebrews 13:6

Questions: What do those verses have in common?
How are we living by faith?
What are we doing that shows that we are living by faith?
Do we live by faith in the easy times, or just the hard times?

Review:
Wearing the Belt of Truth means knowing and living the Word of God
Wearing the Breastplate of Righteousness also requires knowing and living the Word of God.  The Word revelas God’s standards of righteousness for us
Wearing the Sandals of Peace means that when we know God’s peace, we stand firmly and march forward to tell others about Him
Standing firmly and marching forward demands that we carry the shield of faith
Carrying the shield of faith requires hearing, knowing, believing, and living God’s Word.

Next Week: The Helmet of Salvation

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