Lesson 14: Christian Communion and Conduct (Ephesians 6:17-24)

Introduction: Last week we studied all the armor that God has created
for us except for the “Sword of the Spirit.” This week we finish up
both our armor study and our study of the book of Ephesians. I’m
sorry we are coming to the end of this great series. One last time
let’s jump into our study of Ephesians!

1. Sword of the Spirit

1. 1. Read Ephesians 6:17. Is a sword an offensive or defensive
    weapon? (Offensive. We now come to the one clearly
    offensive weapon in God’s arsenal for us.)

1. 1. 1. Paul makes several logical links we need to explore.
      Why would Paul refer to the Bible (“the word of
      God”)as a “sword?” (Read Hebrews 4:12. The Bible cuts
      through our nonsense. It cuts through our stubborn
      pride. It cuts through our excuses. It lays bare our
      sins.)

1. 1. 1. 1. If the Bible cuts through our defenses, is it
        really an “offensive” weapon? (When I think
        about “offensive” weapons, I think about beating
        up unbelievers with the truth. Do you like to
        make “killer” arguments about how unbelievers
        are wrong and the Bible is right? As much fun
        as that might be, I have the feeling that Paul
        advises us to turn the “Sword of the Spirit” on
        ourselves. Let it convict you and me of our
        short-comings and excuses.”)

1. 1. 1. 1. Why is the Bible linked to the “Spirit” as in
        “the sword of the Spirit?” (Read 2 Peter 1:21.
        It was the Holy Spirit who inspired the writers
        of the Bible. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks
        to our conscience.)

1. 1. 2. Read Ephesians 6:12. Recall that our battle is
      against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
      realms.” Being reminded of that, tell me about how
      you would use your ( Ephesians 6:17) “sword of the
      Spirit?” (Putting together these two ideas reinforces
      the conclusion that our sword is to be used in this
      spiritual war against demons. Recall that the demons
      attack us with temptation. Thus, our sword is used to
      fight against temptation. It is not (at least not
      principally) a weapon to be used against other
      people.)

1. 2. How often do you practice with your sword? How often do
    you study or read the Bible? How often do you ask the Holy
    Spirit to open up your understanding of the Bible or help
    you to resist temptation?

2. Prayer

1. 1. Read Ephesians 6:18. How effective is prayer without
    having your armor in place? (The New Bible Commentary
    says, “Prayer warriors with no real grasp [of the gospel]
    may be spirited, but no more useful on the field than a
    soldier without weapons.”)

1. 1. 1. In what situations should we pray? (Paul tells us to
      pray “on all occasions.”)

1. 1. 1. Paul suggests that there are “all kinds of prayers.”
      What kinds of prayers are there? (Read 1 Timothy 2:1.
      We find reference to prayers that ask God to
      intercede in life, prayers that ask God for
      something, prayers that thank God and prayers that
      are simply communion with God.)

1. 1. 1. 1. Why would Paul suggest that we make “all kinds”
        of prayers and requests? (Have you considered
        your prayers? Perhaps you are in a rut and are
        only requesting things from God. We need to be
        sure that our prayers praise God and thank God
        and just spend time together with Him so that we
        can recognize when God responds.)

1. 2. When Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:18 to “pray in the
    Spirit,” what is he telling us to do? How is this done?
    (Read Romans 8:26-27. If you find that you are having
    trouble praying, you should turn to the Holy Spirit for
    help. Romans teaches us that the Holy Spirit aids our
    prayers – both in helping us to know what to pray and
    interceding in behalf of our prayers.)

1. 1. 1. When Romans 8:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit
      “intercedes” for us in our prayers, does this mean
      that Jesus has a helper in His intercession for us?
      (The Bible Exposition Commentary draws a wonderful
      picture of what the Holy Spirit is doing to intercede
      in our prayers. Remember that in the sanctuary
      service the priest daily burned incense? (See Luke
      1:8-10 and Revelation 8:3-4.) This incense
      represented the prayers of the people going to
      heaven. “The fire on the altar is a picture of the
      Holy Spirit, for it is He who takes our prayers and
      “ignites” them in the will of God.”)

1. 2. Ephesians 6:18 also counsels us to “be alert.” It
    introduces this counsel with the phrase “with this in
    mind.” What should we have in mind that encourages us to
    be alert? (Paul has described the spiritual battle in
    which we are soldiers. Being alert would seem to be
    obvious advice in battle.)

1. 1. 1. How about you? Are you “alert” in your prayers?

1. 1. 1. Read Mark 14:37-38. Is this an accurate
      representation of your prayers at times?

1. 2. Last, Ephesians 6:18 tells us to “always keep on praying”
    for all of the saints. When can we stop praying? (When we
    all get to heaven!)

2. Fearless

1. 1. Read Ephesians 6:19-20. Can you imagine Paul being fearful
    in sharing the gospel?

1. 1. 1. Does this make you feel better to know that even the
      great Paul experienced anxiety in sharing the gospel?

1. 1. 1. 1. What is the difference in his situation and
        yours? (Paul could be killed – and tradition has
        it that he was – because of his witness.)

2. Peace

1. 1. Read Ephesians 6:23-24. After this description of war and
    the counsel to prepare for war, what does Paul wish for us
    in closing? (Peace.)

1. 1. 1. How is that possible? (Faith in our armor and our
      Armorer. Paul tells us Jesus and the Father love us.)

1. 2. Friend, do you have on your spiritual armor? Is your sword
    in hand? Are you in contact with our General through
    prayer? These are the things that make a difference for
    eternity.

Next week: Begins a new quarter and a study on “Families.”