Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Peter 5:8-11; James 4:7 (8)
Memory Verse: "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:14(Pre-K to grade 3)
Evil is real. There are spiritual powers of evil in the world as well as the sinful things people do. There is a phrase that sums it up, "the world (apart from God), the flesh( sinful human nature) and the devil". C.S. Lewis says equal and opposite errors are to think Satan isn't real or to give him too much credit and attention. The "world" and "the flesh" account for a great deal of evil in the world. People have a choice about temptation but the more they give in the less their ability to resist till it comes to a place where only God can set them free. The spiritual powers of evil are created beings who rebelled against God (fallen angels, devil, evil spirits). (A possible hint about this is found in Isaiah 14:12-14.) They are NOT EQUAL to God (Dualism as in Zoroastrianism). Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11-12 to stand against the devil's schemes for our struggle is not against flesh and blood (people) , but against the rulers, against the authorities ... against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." At the final judgment God will put an end to them forever. Satan is already defeated by Jesus' cross and blood but the war isn't over yet so he is still active.
But God has made provision for us. In the prayer Jesus taught us, he tells us to pray daily "Deliver us from evil/the evil one" and "Do not bring us into hard testing/temptation" In Gethsemane he told his disciples "Pray that you do not enter into temptation." In addition to prayer there is the power of the Holy Spirit, God's armor and the Name of Jesus.
Jesus himself had to confront and battle with the devil's temptations. This testing/temptation was allowed by God to strengthen and prepare Jesus for what he would face in his ministry. Look at Matthew 4:1-11. (Testing and temptation are the same word in Greek.) Notice how Jesus dealt with temptations and hard testing. First he fasted and prayed. Then he answered each temptation with "the sword of the Spirit" -- which is the Word of God. He said, "It is written..." and quoted God's Word each time. The devil can quote scripture too, BUT he always puts a twist and spin on it. In quoting Ps.91 (9-12) he left out "If you make the Most High your dwelling" and "he will command his angels to guard you in ALL your ways." Jesus knows about resisting temptations and the devil by experience and he will help us if we ask. "Because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) (Satan is a liar and we need to know God's truth.)
Jesus knew God's Word. That's why we also need to know God's Word. Word received: Jesus ran to My WORD. Run to My WORD. (God's Word is both his inspired word in Scripture and Jesus THE WORD.) Word received: Hide My Word where you can get at it when you need it--in your mind and heart. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you." That is why we urge children -- and adults to memorize Bible verses. Word received: I want My children to be firmly grounded in My Word so they can stand their ground against the evil one. Have you ever had a verse you learned years ago pop up when you needed it? Share.
In Ephesians, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God. We need to put it on daily when we get up. Look at 6:10, "Be strong in the Lord, in the strength of HIS might." Word received: The only way you can be strong is in Me. When you cast your burdens and cares on Me, you are letting Me be your strength. The only way to win the battle is to rely completely on Me. Word received: Do you see the plan here? I tell you exactly what to do. Don't ignore it! Take it seriously. The whole world is in a struggle of spiritual battle. There isn't one gun that can help you. You need My Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Read My Word and do what it says.
In the armor God offers the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" as the only offensive weapon in the armor. "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews4:12) (In the book of Acts we see that the Name of Jesus has power to heal people and defeat the devil. See Acts 3:16, 9:34, 16:16-18)
Word received: The armor is there to protect you; the armor you are putting on is My character. Look at each piece of armor and see My character. Have the children identify stories from the Bible that illustrate My character in each piece: Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of Go. Think about the Memory Verse "Clothe yourself in Jesus Christ." Put on Jesus' character through the power of the Holy Spirit and "abide" in him, live in him and obey him and ask him to live in your heart. (John 15) Then don't make any allowances or room for sinful desires. The Holy Spirit helps us to know when we are confronting sin and evil. He will also show us how to deal with the temptations. One of his names is the Helper.
Now look at 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your enemy/adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith." Word received: Just as I have established boundaries for the sea, I have established boundaries for Satan. He cannot go beyond the boundaryof My Word. Verse 9 says, "Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world." You are NOT ALONE. Everyone is tested. God is faithful and he will see us through!
Now compare James 4:7 and Romans 13:14. Look at the order in these verses, it is very important. Do what the order says and you will be protected. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) "Clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14). Word received: The two go together: submitting to Me and resisting the devil.
At the end of the description of the full armor of God comes the strong appeal, "Having done all, stand." Paul repeats it three times. "That you may be able to withstand in the day of evil", "and having done all, stand", "stand therefore "(having put on God's armor). We are to stand, to hold the ground God has given us to hold. We are also to "Keep on praying", with all kinds of prayer. Look at how many "alls" there are; all occasions, all kinds of prayer, for all the saints (other Christians). That means we should be praying all the time--that is, having a running conversation with the Lord throughout the day.
Another warning the Scriptures give us is to never give the devil a foothold--don't take the bait. For example, Ephesians 4:26 says "when you are angry do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger." That is, don't go to bed angry, it gives the devil a foothold. Other footholds that can open you up to Satan are things that are part of his kingdom of evil, such as Fortune telling/divination (Deut.18:10), Spiritualism, Tarot cards, Ouija boards, consulting the dead, astrology, horoscopes, witchcraft and other occult things. If you or someone you know has gotten involved with these things, even if it was done innocently, the person needs to repent, ask forgiveness and renounce them in the Name of Jesus and ask for Jesus help and protection. Another tactic of the devil is to raise doubts as in "Did God really say…?" and then comes the temptation. The devil has done this since the Eve and to Jesus himself, "If you are the Son of God…"
Everyday sin needs to be brought to Jesus quickly, as soon as you realize what you have done, repent, and ask for and receive Jesus' forgiveness. (Keep short accounts with God.) Then ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to keep from falling into that sin again--however many times you need to.
We don't need to be afraid. God is stronger and He wins in the end. But we should not be careless about resisting temptation.
NOTE: How does all this relate to the Bible Fund? The Word of God is called the Sword of the Spirit. When you send a soldier into combat, don't give him a BB gun but the best weapon possible. One of the ways American Christians can help Christians in poor countries to be well equipped for battles against "the world, the flesh and the devil" is to send them Bibles to read. For $4 the Bible Society can send one Bible to someone in another country who can't afford one or even borrow one.
Right now in China, for the first time in many years Bibles are not illegal and are BEING PRINTED IN CHINA ITSELF. The Amity Press has printed over 50 million and has distributed 42 million of them since 1988 .(In the 1960's and 70's Bibles were banned, confiscated, burned and destroyed) We need to be steady in helping equip our fellow Christians for the spiritual battles they fight. The American Bible Society has a program of subsidizing Bibles with Amity so that they cost $1 each, the same as eggs! There are still one and a quarter billion Chinese who do not have a copy of the Bible.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 28
Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class. Make sure they know what happened in the story or verses. Get them to tell you.
Special Bible story: David said to the Philistine, Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45) David did not use Saul's armor (vs.39) but chose the Name of God for his armor.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Evil is real but God is more powerful and has not left us alone or without weapons.
Satan must bow down before the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no need to be afraid.
2. When Jesus himself was tested, he used the Word of God to attack and protect himself against Satan's lies. Knowing the scriptures is important so we can recall it in a time of trouble and stand on it.
3. Praying in the Name of Jesus is also successful in battling the devil and spiritual forces of evil. The Name of Jesus is the most powerful name there is.
4. Put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 each day to protect yourself from evil and in times of temptation.
5. The only way to be strong is in Jesus, to rely completely on him in the battles of life.
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