Prayer Part 2: Using the Gift of Prayer

Before I begin, let me thank you for your sweet and encouraging comments about my new studies (both the David study and the Proverbs study). Wow! I am amazed at how God has drawn women to this blog and to these studies so that together we can learn more about Him and His Word. I am so very thankful for each of you!

Thank you for signing up for The Heart of a Mighty Warrior: A Study of the Life of David (beginning in mid-late September) and for purchasing All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom to Everyday Life (available for purchase on the Proverbs 31 website) In just a three days, we have sold 30!!

Please continue to share the David study and the Proverbs study with your friends. They can contact me at Deuteronomysix@aol.com if they are interested in either one.

The winner of a copy of All Things Wise and Wonderful is Sherry Hallauer! Congratulations!!! Sherry, please e-mail me, and I will get you your copy of the study.



Really, I did not plan on writing a part 2 to the blog post I wrote on August 19th, The Gift of Prayer. But last Tuesday, the Lord laid it on my heart to pray for my children, my friend's children, and our local schools.

My time spent with Him in prayer that morning refreshed me and filled me. Sitting with Him quietly for so long reminded me of why our Father wants us to meet with Him in prayer. There is nothing like it!!! To hear His voice, to sense His leading, to experience His very presence...it is precious.

I put my prayer to paper and felt led to share it with you. The prayer is long, but I pray the Lord will lead you to take whatever parts touch your heart and pray them for your own children.

Please join me in prayer....

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of children. Thank You that before time began You knew these families and friends would be interconnected through Your Holy Spirit. We humbly come before You today recognizing these children are only on loan to us. As each year passes, they become more and more yours, not ours. We ask You to help us release them to You so that You can accomplish Your will for their lives. How hard it is to let go. Help us as parents, families, and friends to get out of the way so that You can accomplish Your work in their lives. Help us to trust You. Give us the grace to wait on You. Your timing, Father is perfect.

Father, we pray that each one will know the depth of Your great love for them and know that You gave Your Son so that they could have life forever with you!

Father, we pray that they will call upon Your Son Jesus and confess Him as Lord and Savior of their lives.

Father, we pray they will develop a great love for You and a deep desire to have a personal relationship with You.

Father, we ask that You cultivate in each one a heart of prayer. Lead them to depend solely upon You for their every need.

Father, we thank You that You created them with a specific plan and purpose for their lives. Thank You that they are valuable and precious in Your sight. Father, give them the mind of Christ that is theirs in You and help them to fully know and love who they are in You and this great plan You have for them.

Father, we pray Your protection over them by the covering of the blood of Jesus. Give them discernment to recognize Satan's lies and temptations. Grant them extraordinary wisdom and strength to combat Satan's work through the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Father, may each of them know how extravagantly and unconditionally You love them...that You will never leave them or forsake them no matter what they do. May they be secure in that knowledge. Show them in very personal and powerful ways how wide and high and deep and long is Your love.

Father, we pray that they will treasure Your Word above all the riches in this World. Give them a hunger to read it and learn it. Teach them to love it and live their lives according to it.

Father, write Your Word on their hearts. Give them a heart to understand and obey it above all else. Move their hearts to live their lives according to Your Word...to live a life that honors and glorifies You in all they say and do.

Father, we pray that they will honor their bodies as Your temple and keep themselves pure in every way. Instill in them that they are created in Your image and are worthy of Your highest and best for their lives.

Father, teach them to submit to those placed in authority over them. Father, give them hearts of humility. Protect their hearts; keep them free of rebellion and disobedience.

Father, draw godly friends and mentors into their lives. Give them friends who are true, wise, kind, and encouraging. Give them great discernment as they choose those whom they will date. May all dating relationships make You the center and honor You.

Father, we ask that Your Truth will reign supreme in their hearts and minds. May they base their lives on the Truth of Your Word and not the lies of this world. We ask that they daily renew their minds with Your Truth and keep their thoughts on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Father, teach our children to trust in You with all their heart, lean not on their own understanding, and in all their ways acknowledge You so that You will direct their paths.

Father, fill our children with Your joy...not happiness...but true joy found only in You.

Father, consume their hearts so that they desire only You. Protect them from being people pleasers. May they stand confidently in who they are in You!

Father, we pray the armor of God over our children: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel of peace.

Father, plant Your love, Your presence, and Your Word deep within their hearts. May Your Word reach into the marrow of their bones and ignite a passion that is unquenchable. Cause them to love You with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and let NOTHING override that passion.

Father, as they spend their days at school, let them be stand apart. May they be light in darkness, joy in sadness, peace in discontent, and order in chaos. Let their character and integrity shine forth like the sun!

In their schools, Father, we pray that Your Word and the fear of the Lord would be the basis of wisdom and instruction. Father, we ask that You take our prayers and blanket each school, placing them under the shadow of Your wing.

For those teachers that believe in You, strengthen them and uphold them with Your mighty right hand. Father, give them an extra measure of wisdom, knowledge, and revelation to excel as teachers and shine in darkness. Provide them with opportunities to share their faith with faculty, staff, and administration and give them the courage to do it.

We pray for every level of administration. We pray for wisdom beyond comprehension as they make decisions for school districts. We pray divine direction. We pray that You would direct the steps of those making decisions for our children. Make Your way clear and place those who walk with You in places of authority and decision-making. Bless their efforts. Give them favor.

Through Young Life and student ministries, use leaders and students to sweep each school with revival and evangelism. Guide, bless, and empower the leaders and students through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Go before them and open doors. Father, we boldly ask for many to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and yield their lives to Christ.

Father, as we end our time in prayer, we boldly as that you would grow each of our children in wisdom and stature and favor with God and with man. Thank You in advance for all you will do in and through our prayers. We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord!


Standing with you in prayer,

Proverbs Study Now Available for Purchase

It is with great joy and excitement that I announce my new Bible Study, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life, is available for purchase!!

God birthed this study out of a difficult time in my life. As I cried out to Him for answers, He took me directly to the book of Proverbs and answered the cry of my heart. He used His Word to speak directly into my circumstances and transform them for my good and His glory.

It is now available for purchase on our Proverbs 31 Website as an e-book. The cost is $10.00. When you purchase the book, you will receive a pdf to print off on your own computer.

I taught this study last year in Charlotte. It is great for small group study as well as personal study.

All Things Wise and Wonderful is a five week study that helps make Bible passages understandable and applicable. It will bring God's Word alive and bring perceptible transformation in...

•Your relationships

•Your attitudes

•Your speech

•Your priorities

•Your whole being

If you like what you have read, please order this study and share it with your friends, neighbors, churches, and small groups.

Also, in mid-September I will begin a new on-line study entitled The Heart of a Mighty Warrior: A Study of the Life of David. It is a six week study that will have a 8-10 minute video message as well as homework questions each week. If you would like to join us for that study, please leave a comment with your name and e-mail address or e-mail me at Deuteronomysix@aol.com. You can keep up with the study easily by subscribing to my blog.

Please help me celebrate today and leave a comment. I will select one name from the comments to receive a free copy of the All Things Wise and Wonderful.

Thank you for all your encouragement as I have been working on and finishing this study. You are why I do what I do!!!

Blessings to you today!

The Gift of Prayer

What a privilege it is to pray.

Did you know that under the Old Testament Covenant the Israelites had no direct access to God's Holy Presence? Jewish law allowed one Israelite the privilege of direct communication with God. The law gave this privilege to the High Priest, and even he was only allowed access one time a year.

When Solomon built the temple, God directed that it have two rooms separated by a heavy veil. One of those rooms was called the Holy of Holies. Once a year Jewish law allowed the High Priest, chosen by God, to enter into the The Holy of Holies to offer up sacrificial prayers for the sins of the people. That was the only place to be in the actual presence of God, and only the High Priest was allowed in there.

In the New Testament, under the New Covenant, God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross. Jesus' death and resurrection gave His children the access they needed to enter in to the Presence of God. Now every believer in Jesus, no matter her title, position, or denomination, may enter into God's presence any time, any place.

Scripture beautifully explains this:

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Luke 23:44-45

The tearing of the curtain served as a powerful symbol revealing that God's people were no longer separated from His presence. Jesus' death allowed all men (and women) free access to God. They no longer had to go through the High Priest. They no longer had to rely on another's sacrifice on their behalf. Jesus was the only sacrifice needed to enable people to have a “new covenant” relationship with God.

Listen to the words of Hebrews:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22

God paid a high price for us to have this gift of prayer. Scripture gives us full assurance that when we pray, God is listening and receiving every word we speak.

Do you exercise this beautiful gift of prayer?

Colossians 4:2 directs...

Devote your house to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

James 5:15 promises...

The prayer of a righteous man [woman] is powerful and effective. James
5:16

Concerning prayer, Scripture tells us...

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 46:10

Sometimes prayer is not about "getting" answers. Sometimes God just wants us to sit at His feet, absorb His presence, and rest. We should not always focus on looking for God to be at work in our prayers. Looking and seeking may distract us from what God wants us to experience by just sitting and soaking in His Presence.

I invite you this week to spend a few minutes each day in prayer. Let the sole purpose of your prayer be to focus on and meditate on the One to Whom You are praying.

Friends, God is so pleased when we choose to be with Him. If you commit to this and find yourself getting distracted, do not feel guilty and give up. Simply ask God through His sweet Spirit to draw you back into His Presence.

Let's start right now! Will you join me for one week? Find find a quiet place and pray. Ask the Lord to help you carve out a special time to be with Him each day for the rest of this week...even if only for a few minutes. Make it the same place every day (lying in your bed, sitting in your favorite chair, relaxing on your porch, hiding in your walk-in closet). Take your Bible and a notebook or journal.

Let me steal from Nike and say.... “Just do it!”

Please share your experiences with me. If you have done this in the past, share what God did. If you join us this week, share what God does. I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings,

The Beauty of Spiritual Mentoring - Meet Author Jill Beran

Friends, today I want to introduce my friend Jill to you and share with you her wonderful book on mentoring. God teaches in Titus 2 that older women are to teach the younger women. Jill and Leanne's book shares the blessings and beauty of the mentoring relationship. If you have been a mentor or if you have been blessed by a mentor, please leave a comment on Jill's blog. We will choose one winner from the comments to receive a free copy of her book, Letters from Leanne.


Joining me today are Jill Beran and Leanne Anderson, co-authors of Letters from Leanne - The Beauty of a Spiritual Mother-Daughter Relationship.

Jill, tell us a little about yourself - I’m an ordinary girl in love with my family. My husband, Job, and I have been blessed with J.D., Joy, Jaylyn and Jed. I am the coordinator of our local MOPS group, part of the Rise and Shine women’s ministry team, and a graduate of Proverbs 31 She Speaks. You can connect with me on my blog - Titus24U

Leanne, how about you - My husband, Ed, and I have 3 grown children, Shelby, Taylor and Kaytlyn along with their spouses, Tim and Amy, with Josh joining the family this summer. I am a fabric designer with my own kit and pattern company, The Whole County Caboodle. I have spent many years leading high school youth and enjoy my current role in youth ministry at Orchard Hill Church. I am also excited to be part of the Rise and Shine women’s ministry team as well.

Tell us a little about the book - Letters from Leanne is a look at what the Titus 2 relationship looks like today. The book is basically the story of our friendship over the last ten years and how God has worked through it in wonderful ways. As you read, you will share in the joys and get a glimpse of the trials we have encountered on our walk of faith, but ultimately we pray you will see God’s hand in every situation. Letters from Leanne is a real life look at how we don’t always know the plan God has for our life, but when we trust Him, He will provide, strengthen and bless.

Jill, why did you write this book? - To be honest, my initial thoughts about writing this book were in reference to a comment I made to Leanne in attempt to thank her. I knew I had been blessed by her presence - the perspective she offered as a Mom, the acceptance she gave as a friend, the guidance she provided as an older woman and especially the love she poured out as a Christian. But as the writing process progressed it became more than that - this isn’t just a thank you for Leanne, it’s also one for God. I once heard someone say, “The best way to thank God is by sharing what He’s given to you.” Spiritual mentoring has been and still is a gift in my life and I pray by reading the story of our friendship, readers will be encouraged to build similar relationships in their own lives.

I also believe this book is an answer to prayer. For a few years, I’ve been asking God how I can better share my faith and with the words on these pages He’s given a quiet girl a voice. The book is not simply about spiritual mentoring, but ultimately about our relationship with Christ.

What do you hope readers will gain - As women read our story, our prayer is they will be encouraged in their faith and inspired to find a mentor or be one. We also hope they see a clear picture of what mentoring is all about - not having all the answers, but simply sharing your life with one who is following in your steps. Along with that we want readers to see the power God has when we simply surrender to His plans and follow His ways.

What unique elements are part of your book - As God put this project on my heart, one of the first things I did was really look into resources already available on mentoring. There are numerous beneficial materials on the shelves, but we believe our book is unique for two reasons. One it is a look at a specific spiritual mother-daughter relationship and takes you on the journey of how the friendship grew. The other unique factor is for the most part the story is told from the younger women’s viewpoint, which is beneficial for all women to understand.

We have also included questions at the end of each chapter to help women make our story personal. Rather than simply reading a story of two friends, you will be encouraged to slow down and take a look at your own life and find lessons in the letters.


Jill and Leanne, thank you for taking the time to share the heart behind this wonderful book. Friends, I hope you have enjoyed their visit. Please stop by Jill's blog and say hello. Share a word of encouragement, a mentoring story, or just leave your name and e-mail to enter for a chance to win a copy of Letters from Leanne.

Sweet Blessings,

Ephesians Study Wrap Up and New Study Announced

The Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference was such a blessing in so many ways. But especially because I met many women who have participated in our Ephesians Study. How it made me wish we could have met in one "big" small group!! This study has been one of my most favorite ministry experiences...EVER!! I cannot wait until the next one!!

Below please find a short message sharing some exciting upcoming Bible Study opportunities.



If you are not able to view the video, I will begin a new study in mid-September, The Heart of a Mighty Warrior: The Life of David. We will meet weekly on the blog like we did this time. Please leave a comment and let me know if you will join us. In a few weeks, I will announce our start date. To be sure not to miss the start date, please subscribe to my blog. Also, I would love for you to share this with a friend. Please invite her to leave a comment with her e-mail address or she can e-mail me directly at deuteronomysix@aol.com if she would like to join us.

I am working with a web designer to change my blog to make it more user friendly for our Bible studies. Hopefully soon I will be able to e-mail you directly so please be sure I have your e-mail address.

Now to the winners of our Great Giveaway!

aquie 2009 who posted on July 26th at 1:21 p.m. winner of Starbuck's giftcard

anonymous (donna) who posted on July 27th at 8:12 a.m. winner of Proverbs Study

donna who posted on July 27th at 9:30 p.m. winner of Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner

doni j (donita) who posted on July 29th at 12:13 p.m. winner of Proverbs 31 gift certificate

julie church who posted on July 30th at 4:16 p.m. winner of LeAnn Rice's cookbook

Congratulations ladies!! Please contact me at deuteronomysix@aol.com with your address so I can send you your gift.


I look forward to studying God's Word with you again next month. Until then, please stop by and visit so we can keep in touch.


Sweet Blessings to you,

Celebration Week for Ephesians Study with The Great Giveaway

Where do I begin? This has been an INCREDIBLE few months!!Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I am proud of you. You have worked so hard! Even if you have not yet completed every week's homework, you set your heart on gaining wisdom and knowledge and have been faithful to do it. I pray that through this study you have grown closer to the heart of God and that you have experienced Him in new and fresh ways that have changed and transformed your hearts and lives forever.

Time and time again, your comments have brought tears to my eyes. They show how far you have come since the first day we opened His Word. For just a moment, let me pray over you,

Abba Father, thank You for instructing us and teaching us in the way we should go. Thank You for taking each one of us deeper still with You. Thank You that each of these women is a display of Your splendor. I am humbled beyond words for the privilege of walking alongside these beautiful women. As we end our time together, I ask that You continue to counsel and watch over these precious sisters in Christ. Thank You that even now You rejoice over them with singing, You celebrate their faithfulness. Father, I thank You that Your eyes will be upon them and Your ears attentive to their cry. Thank You that You will remain close to those who are brokenhearted, that You will comfort those who are crushed in Spirit. Thank You that though they will encounter troubles, You will deliver them from them all. May they continue to hunger and thirst for Your Word. Bless them as they faithfully continue their journey with you. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.





Many of you have said that you do not want this study to end, and neither do I!! That God could work this way in the lives of women who have never met face to face reveals the majesty of our God and the power of His Holy Spirit. He connected hearts from Hawaii to Seattle to Canada to Texas to Panama to Florida to the United Kingdom to Austria to Africa to Malaysia and everywhere in between. Although our study is ending, please do not let it be the end of your daily time with the Lord. You have spent this year nurturing your relationship with the Lord. I encourage you to continue cultivating it by daily reading this love letter written just for you. He has fanned the flame in your heart, now continue to fuel it.

I want to celebrate your hard work with The Great Giveaway. To be eligible to win one of our fun prizes listed below, please share your thoughts to one or more of this week's questions. I will choose five winners. If you REALLY are drawn to one of the prizes, leave that in your comment as well as your e-mail address so I can contact you.

A Starbuck's Giftcard

A copy of my dear friend (and INCREDIBLE cook), LeAnn Rice's cookbook, Sharing Grace

A Proverbs 31 Giftcard

A copy of my book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner (to read a sample chapter, click here)

A copy of my new Proverbs Study, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Word to Everyday Life.

My new study will be available soon. Many of you have already e-mailed me about it, and I have you on a waiting list. Please e-mail me at deuteronomysix@aol.com if you would like would like to learn more.

Below you will find questions to reflect on what you have learned. Please take time this week to prayerfully answer these questions.

Questions for the Week:

1.Paul ends Ephesians chapter six calling his audience to “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” This refers to praying out of a heart indwelt, illuminated, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Spending time in God’s Word illuminates our hearts and minds with the things of God. It is what teaches us to pray God’s will rather than our own. We learn to “pray” the Bible and plead God’s promises. If you have never done this, here are some hints on how to begin.

a.First Read Romans 8:26-27. Share what this verse speaks to you. Have you ever experienced this in your own life?


b.Invite the Lord to join you as you open the Bible to read His Word. For example pray Jeremiah 29:13 and Jeremiah 33:3: “Lord, You promise that when I seek You with all my heart, I will find You. I want to find you and hear You today. Please reveal to me great and unsearchable Truths and Promises I do not know.”


c.Search the Scriptures, asking God what direction to take in His Word. Perhaps you are struggling with a particular issue. Look for Scriptures addressing that issue in your concordance. For every hurt, burden, trial, need, and circumstance, God has a promise or Truth that speaks to it. Pray from Psalm 119:18: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart that I may see the wonderful Truths and Promises in Your Law.”


d.Write out the verses you find. I challenge you to memorize a few. Pray another verse from Psalm 119:11, “Lord, I am hiding your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” God delights to fulfill His Word!! Read the following verses and state the promises:

1. John 15:7

2. John 14:13-14

3. 1 John 5:14-15

4. Ephesians 3:20



2.Read 1 Peter 1:4. Share how this summarizes what we have learned this semester in Ephesians.




3.How will your life change or what will you do differently as a result of the time you have spent in this study, immersed in the book of Ephesians?




Let me close our time together in prayer:

Father, thank You for my salvation. Thank You for the great love You lavish upon me… unconditionally. Thank You that You are my Redeemer and Savior, my Deliverer and Provider, my All in All. Thank You that in You I am a new creation having the mind of Christ.

Today, I pray on Your armor.

Father, strengthen me with Your Helmet of Salvation…the Mind of Christ… so that I can stand against worldly thinking and the lies of the evil one.

Father, cover my heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness. Thank You that Jesus defeated the power of sin at the cross and forgave me of all unrighteousness. Jesus died for me sins; He covered me with His blood, and He made me righteous in Your eyes. There is no greater gift!

Father, gird me with the Belt of Truth. I believe with all my heart that Your Word is Truth and it is that Truth and that Truth alone that sets me free. I choose to believe Your Truth and reject the lies of the evil one. I stand against his temptations, his deception, and his accusations. I only want to hear Your voice.

Father, I put on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. Make me ready to march into any battle set before me. Fill me with Your peace and help me live in peace with everyone. I choose to be an instrument of Your peace, and I stand ready to give an account for the faith I have in You today. I choose to always forgive and not harbor anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness in my heart.

Father, I hold up the Shield of Faith. I trust and believe You at Your Word that You are the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Great I AM. You alone are the Author and Perfecter of my faith. I trust You to meet all my needs. I do not have a spirit of fear…but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Finally, Father, I take up the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus is the Word of God living in me. I am Your child. I am filled with Your Spirit. I choose to live my life according Your Word. I choose to believe TRUTH over lies. Pour out Your Truth and Your Spirit over my life. Fill me with all wisdom and understanding. I choose this day to serve You and You alone.

Thank You, Father, for Your mighty weapons. Thank You that You have already won this battle. Thank You that in You I am a VICTOR. Thank You that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank You that You who live in me is greater than he who lives in the world. Today I live in complete and utter dependence on You and You alone. Father, fill me with the fullness of Your Spirit. Father, use me to do Your Kingdom work. Father, show me Your Glory!!! I ask all this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Since we have She Speaks this weekend, I will not be able to get a post up by Monday morning. So please check back in the middle of next week to learn the winners. I am speaking Friday morning and covet your prayers!

Although our study has ended, I hope you will continue to stop by my blog. I plan to host a Proverbs study, using my new curriculum soon!

Blessings to you,

All Things Wise and Wonderful: Discovering the Riches of Christ (Week Five Lesson)

CONGRATULATIONS my sweet sisters in Christ!! You have completed or are in the process of completing five weeks of lessons and homework. You should be so very proud of yourselves. You truly inspire me. It would have been easy to blow off this study because you have no small group leader holding you accountable. But you have been faithful. You have spent many hours mining the riches you learned in the very first chapter. Your comments reflect that you have done your work, listened for God's voice, heard what He said, and obeyed what you heard. You will now be recipients of His wonderful promise that blessings follow obedience. He is changing you. He is growing you. He is making you more like Him.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL CELEBRATE YOUR WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT! Tune in to check out the celebration and the giveaway.

Below you will find our last week of homework. Dig in and dig deep. This is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture because Paul teaches us about the Armor of God. Every night since my children were young, we have prayed the Armor of God. First, I prayed it over them, but when they were old enough to pray, they prayed it over themselves. Bo, my twelve year old, still ends his prayers with it every night! If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or siblings, I encourage you to share this chapter with them. Teach them to pray God's Armor over themselves. It is a powerful visual of God's promised protection.

Below please find the fifth lesson and the homework and reading assignment for next week.

In addition to our celebration next week, I will post some closing thoughts, questions, and a special prayer on the Armor of God written specifically for this study.



Reading Assignment: Ephesians Chapter Six

Homework Questions: Please do as many questions as time allows. It is in your reading and studying that God will do His greatest work.

Prayer:

Father God, this is my last week of Bible Study. Thank You for all that You have taught me these past few months. Thank You for opening the eyes of my heart to see the wonderful things in Your Law. Thank You for teaching me new Truths that have changed my life. Father, I give You my heart this week. Take Your Word, the double-edged sword, and pierce my heart. Mold me and change me to be more like You. Use me, Lord, to do great things that will bring glory and honor and praise to You. Teach me to stand strong in my faith, to be a Light in this dark world. Give me courage to live out my faith no matter the cost. I love You, Lord, lead me down paths of righteousness, fill me with everlasting joy, use me, Lord, use me for your glory!! I ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN

1.AUTHORITY. This word makes me think of the lyrics in the song by John Mellencamp: “I fight authority. Authority always wins.” Are you someone who finds it easy or difficult to obey someone in authority over you? Does it depend on the person? The situation? If you struggle with authority, share your reasons.


2.Before we move on, please remember what Paul said in Ephesians 5:18, “…be filled with the Spirit.” Everything we are talking about presupposes a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled life. Philippians 4:13 says, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God has established patterns and principles by which parents are to raise their children. Obedience plays a huge part in God’s plan. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord. Read Ephesians 6:1-4.

a.Read Colossians 3:20. What does it say?


b.Read Ephesians 6:1b. What is the reason children are to obey their parents?


c.Read Exodus 20:12. What is it? What does it say?


d.According to Ephesians 6:2-3, what is unique about this Commandment? What is the specific promise?


e.What about compliant obedient children whose lives are taken in childhood? How do you reconcile this verse with their deaths? Do you think perhaps it states a more general principal? If so, what is it?


f.Read 1 Samuel 2:12-34. Relate this to our discussion. What does this speak to you about parents’ responsibility to raise their children to respect God and respect them?




3.I am sending you to a passage in Deuteronomy 21 that is very hard to read, but I want you to see how important this concept is to God. He made it one of His Ten Commandments, and He enforced it with the most severe of punishments. Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

a.How does Moses (the author) describe the son?


b.How does the son respond to his parents’ discipline?


c.What did the law instruct the parents to do with their son?


d.What additional information does verse 20 reveal about their son?


e.According to verse 21, why does the law require such a severe punishment?



4.Read 1 Samuel 15:10-23.

a.What does this teach about obedience?


b.What descriptive words appear in Deuteronomy 21:18 and 1 Samuel 15:23?


c.What happened to Saul in this story?



5.Why do you think God is so consistent about the sin of disobedience and rebellion?



6.Think back on your childhood and answer the following questions.

a.Were you raised in a godly home where you received godly training? If not, describe the kind of home in which you were raised?


b.Who did most of the training and discipline in your home?



7.If you have children, answer the same questions above as they pertain to how you have raised/are raising your children? Did how you were raised effect this decision?



8.Dr. David Jeremiah teaches that the primary word in the New Testament for the correction of children is not the word punishment, but paideia, (Greek word for training or discipline), which comes from paidueo – to train children, to chasten, to correct. Scripturally, punishment seeks retribution to right a wrong and is usually directed at those who stand in opposition to God. Discipline also seeks to right a wrong but it is focused on the future…to correct the wrong so it will not happen again. Discipline seeks to correct by means of instruction or discipline NOT punishment. Read Hebrews 12:3-12 and share the Biblical Truths you learn below.



9.To what must our instruction always to be tied? (See 2 Timothy 3:13-17). Why?



10.Do you think it is a coincidence that children are to obey “in the Lord,” and parents are to train and instruct “in the Lord?” Explain.



11.Today we study one of my MOST FAVORITE passages in all of Scripture and truly one of the most powerful and practical.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20. In this passage of Scripture, Paul tells us God has the power, identifies the enemy, instructs us to stand against him, and commands us to put on the full armor of God.

a.What does Paul instruct a believer to do in verse 10?


b.To what does Paul compare a Christian life in verse 12? Read Revelation 12:4, Daniel 10:13-20. How do these verses support Paul’s words?


c.What does Paul tell us to put on in verse 11? Why?



d.What are some of the Devil’s schemes and strategies? What does John 10:10 tell us the devil came to do?



e.Read Romans 8:31-39 and share how this passage relates to these verses in Ephesians.




12.Read James 4:6-10. Read Isaiah 14:12-15 (scholars believe these passages describe Satan’s fall).

a.What fleshly character trait is discussed in these passages?


b.What does God say about that trait in James 4:6?


c.According to James 4:7, when we do humble ourselves and submit to God what will the devil do?


d.According to James 4:10, when we humble ourselves what will God to?



13.Since we are fighting against enemies in the spirit world, Paul tells us that we need special equipment. In Ephesians 6:13-17 God has provided the “whole armor” for us. Paul commands us to put on the armor, take the weapons, stand strong, and pray.

a.Name each piece of armor and explain how each piece helps us in our battle against the devil.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

b.How does the final piece of armor in verse 17, the Sword of the Spirit, differ from the other pieces of armor? (Hint: Read Hebrews 4:12). Also, read Luke 4:1-13 to see how Jesus uses the Sword.



c.When my son, Bo, was just a baby, I began praying the armor of God over him each night. As soon as he was old enough to pray out loud, the very first thing he prayed was the armor of God over himself and our family…every single piece in the armor he recited. He is now 12 years old and prays it over himself every night. Practically, how can you use each piece of armor to help you and your family stand against the devil’s scheme?


14.Read the following Scriptures and share how they relate to this passage in Ephesians.

a.2 Corinthians 10:3-5

b.1 Peter 5:8-9

c1 John 3:8

d.Hebrews 2:14

e.Isaiah 54:17

f.1 John 4:4

Blessings to you,