Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Bible Study

Thursday, December 4, 2018

Bold Moves – Part 1

“Coming Out of Your Comfort Zone to Find Your Calling”

Matthew 14:22-33 

This lesson is designed to help MHMBC discern God’s Call for their life.

 

Context

In Matthew 14:22-33 we see Jesus immediately command the disciples to get into a boat after the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Jesus sent theminto the Sea of Galilee knowing they would encounter a great storm. Verse 24 says, “But the ship was now in the middle of the sea, tossed with waves for the wind was contrary.”Mark’s Gospel gives the same account but adds another detail. Mark 6:48says, “And he saw them toiling in rowing”. Jesus watched them toiling in the sea for some time then He went unto them walking on the sea. They thought He was a ghost and began crying out because they were afraid. Jesus spoke to them and said,“Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Peter spoke up and said, “If it’s really you bid me to come.”Jesus said, “Come.”When Peter stepped out of the boat he walked on water to go to Jesus. He was doing what was impossible to do but he began to look at the wind and he became frightened and he began to sink. Peter cried out, “Lord save me!”Immediately, Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught Peter and said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  When Peter and Jesus got into the ship, the wind ceased. The text closes by saying that all of those in the ship began to worship Jesus saying, “Of a truth thou art the son of God.”

Group Questions

1. After feeding the crowd of five thousand people, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples?
2. Where did Jesus go after He dismissed the crowd? Why?
3. What did Jesus do on the mountain?
4. Where were the disciples when evening came?
5. What conditions were the disciples encountering?
6. What miracle did Christ perform?
7. How did the disciples react to what they saw?
8. How did Jesus try to calm the disciples’ fears?
9. What did Peter ask Jesus to do?
10. How did Jesus respond to Peter’s request?
11. What happened to Peter as he made his way toward Jesus?
12. What did Jesus do and say when Peter got in trouble?
13. What was the consensus reaction to this amazing sequence of events?
14. According to this passage Peter took a risk. What was the key factor that helped him make his decision?

Think About It, Discuss it, and Answer What You Think It Means

• Too Much Comfort Is Dangerous Because It Robs Us from Change
• Change Is What Most People & Churches Fear
• Fear Robs Us of Our Future
• The Future Is Determined by the Risk You Take
• The Risk of Obeying God Will Guarantee a Powerful Reward
• The Risk of Disobeying God Will Turn Your Comfort Zone into A Danger Zone

Church Application

1. How does Peter’s experience apply to the life of a congregation?
2. Is it ok for a church to be different and try new approaches to ministry?
3. How does a church get out of the boat?
4. Name 3 “Bold Moves” MHMBC can take in 2019?

Personal Application – Homework Assignment for Next Week

1. Write down the 3 most important decisions you will make in life. Be ready to explain.
2. Write down 3 “Bold Moves” you need to make in 2019. (Explanation in class is optional)

In Him!

 

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Rights Reserved by Dr. Oscar T. Moses – W.A.R. Bible Study 2018 – “Bold Moves” 12-4-18

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago

W.A.R. Bible Study

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

 

“The Urgency of Now” – Bible Lesson #5

THE UNGODLY IDENTIFIED

2 Timothy 3:8-12

 The goal in this lesson is to educate the membership on biblical truth concerning the worlds behavioral identity towards Christians and God’s expectations for the church in the last days.

Introduction

         Paul has made it clear in the previous verses that in the “last days” before Jesus returns there would be unbecoming behavior that would emerge in the church. In the previous verses Paul identifies ungodly behavior in the world and church. This is interesting for although these behaviors would emerge there is no hint that the Christian should abandon the church. Hypocrites are everywhere. The true Christians must endure the behaviors that surface in a godly manner. There will be false teachers that will continuously surface to dispute what has been established in God’s Word and to attack and accuse those who hold fast to it.

However, Paul encourages the church that the efforts of these false prophets will not be successful in the end. He uses his own life persecutionsto confirm his authenticity as a true teacher of God and concludes these verses with a promise that we don’t like to hear: “All that live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”

Text Study

              Vs. 8– Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.According to Jewish tradition, these were the two magicians in Pharaoh’s court who attempted to duplicate Moses’ miracles (Exodus 7:11; 9:11). Paul names the two magicians who were nameless in the Exodus account. The legend of these men must have been passed on. The point is, false teachers will oppose the truth as these two magicians opposed Moses. There minds are corrupted. Paul was making reference to false teachers who were perverting the Church with false doctrine and questioning the authority of Paul.

Vs. 9 –  But they shall proceed no farther—Such teaching and teachers shall never be able ultimately to prevail against the truth.Their folly shall be manifest—False doctrine cannot prevail long where the sacred Scriptures are read and studied.

Vs. 10– Thou hast fully known my doctrine—  Paul’s teaching was known and those whom he taught were capable of judging between him and the false teachers. They could easily discern the difference between false and true doctrines.

Vs. 11– Persecutions—which came unto me at Antioch—Antioch is where the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts; but they shook of the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

Vs. 12– All that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution —  Christianity will stand in opposition to the world. Those who make a decision to live for God, study the scriptures and attend church will be reviled.

Group Discussion Questions

1. As a member of a local church name 3 reasons why it is essential to study what you have been taught by the pastor?
2. Why is group bible study important?
3. How does the following scripture refer to verse 9? (1 Peter 1:24-25)
4. Why is it important to know what your pastor believes in scripture?
5. How does the Holy Spirit help Christians discern when false doctrine is being taught? Give an example.
6. What are the dangers of not knowing the scriptures?
7. How will the godly suffer in the last days?
8. How will church people play a role in the persecution of the godly?
9. How do the following verses apply to verse 12? (John 15:18, 1 Peter 4:12-14, Matthew 5:44, and 1 Peter 3:14.)

 

Action Steps

10. Name 3 ways families in MHMBC can study the scriptures together that will educate each other?

 

11. What creative approach can MHMBC take towards a more meaningful bible study of the scriptures?

 

12. How does Acts 17:10-11 encourage the church to study God’s Word?

 

13. How can the church support those who are being persecuted for living godly in third world countries?

 

14. Individual question: Give an example of how you have been persecuted for trying to live godly?

 

In Him!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

 

Rights reserved by Dr. Oscar T. Moses – W.A.R. Bible Study 2018

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago

“The Urgency of Now” – Bible Lesson #4

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

 THE UNGODLY IDENTIFIED

2 Timothy 3:6-7

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The goal in this lesson is to educate the membership on biblical truth concerning the worlds behavioral identity towards Christians and God’s expectations for the church in the last days.

“The last days” – We are in the last days now. Some think that the world will get better before Jesus’ return. This passage shows the exact opposite. There will be a lot of difficulties and sin will increase and become “marks” of the last days. We see this happening all over the world in the church. Many Christians are Christians in name only. They want the psychological comfort of calling themselves Christians. It makes them feel safe. It makes them feel as if they are good. For many it is a tradition or a culture.

In this passage Paul describes those who take advantage of the weak. They play on the emotions of women, use people and then cast them aside and move on to something else. He also describes those who are deceived as “Always learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth,”

Let’s examine verses 6 and 7

2 Timothy 3:6– “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.”

What does this mean? “Silly women”: Silly in integrity and the knowledge of the truth, and weighed down with emotional and spiritual guilt over their sins, these women were easy prey for the deceitful false teachers (see notes on 1 Tim. 2:13-14; 5:11-12).

Thought:“Silly” can be applied to both men and women and it connotes people who are not grounded in the Word of God and easy to follow false teachers.

Small Group Questions

1. What does “lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lust” mean?
2. How does this statement make you feel seeing that most churches are populated with women?
3. Read 1 Timothy 2:13-14 and explain what it means.
4. Do you see this in the church? Explain.
5. What do we become loaded with sins?
6. When are we more vulnerable to spiritual manipulation?
7. What can Christians do to battle against being manipulated?

2 Timothy 3:7– “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

What does it mean to be “ever learning and never being able to come to the knowledge of the truth?”

Hint: This statement suggests that “learning” is supposed to lead us knowledge. Hence is the reason why we come to Bible Study.Paul’s suggestion means that these people were always studying but not retaining what was taught. They would be consistent in the “Class Room Setting” but void of knowledge.

Thought: Most church attending “Christians” are biblically illiterate. “The knowledge of the truth”: (1 Timothy 2:4), uses this same phrase, equating it with being saved. Here Paul identified those women (verse 6), and men who were often jumping from one false teacher, church or cult to another without ever coming to an understanding of God’s saving truth in Jesus Christ.

Small Group Questions

1. Why do you think people are not learning? Give 3 Examples
2. How does 2 Corinthians 4: 3-4 pertain to this verse?
3. How can you assure that you (personally) are coming to the Knowledge of the Truth?
4. What is the evidences of one learning God’s Word? Give 3 Examples.

Life Application

 If this lesson was a sermon what would your 3 Points be?

 

Because of Him,

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

 

 

 

 

Rights reserved by Dr. Oscar T. Moses – W.A.R. Bible Study 2018

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

MHMBC W.A.R. Bible Study

Tuesday, May 3, 2018

Get Busy – Time Is Winding Up

Matthew 25:14-30

This lesson is designed to teach the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago how God holds us accountable for taking care of His business.

 Big Thought: Imagine Yourself Standing Before God To Give An Account At The End.

Context

Jesus dealt with “the end” in His preaching. He preached short ordinary simple stories that explained the extraordinary nature of God. Matthew 25 entails three apocalyptic parables. The 10 Virgins,the 3 Stewardsand the Kings Final Return. Each parable points to “the end”, the return of Jesus, the status of our lives when He returns and finally, our reward or our regret.

Jesus gave these parables because of two questions His disciples asked on the Mount of Olivet in Matthew 24:3– “What wil be the sign of your coming and when will the end of the world come?” Jesus described the signs of His return but He does not reveal when He shall return. In Matthew 24:14 (KJV) Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Preaching the gospel has a great part in speeding up that day.

 The Parable of the 3 Stewards

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a wealthy man going on a long journey. He called three servants before him and gave each of them a responsibility. The first he gave five thousand dollars, the second two thousand and the third one thousand, according to the abilities that each one possessed and then he left far a long journey. Immediately, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second servant did likewise. However, the third man with the single thousand dug a hole and buried deeply his master’s money.

One day the master returned, unannounced, unexpected, and to their unawareness, to settled his accounts. The man with five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. The master said, “Well done! You did your job well. From now on you will be my partner.” The man with two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. The master said, “Well done! You did your job well. From now on you will be my partner.” Then here comes the third man. He immediately started making excuses: “Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. The master said, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: you should have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.nFor unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Thought #1 – A Relationship With The Master Is Everything – Your relationship with God will determine how you handle what he gives you.

1. How does this statement apply to the parable?
2. What is a steward? ( 1 Corinthians 4:2)
3. How does James 4:8 apply here?

Thought #2 – The Master Only Gives Us What We Can Handle –

4. Does everyone have a gift? (1 Corinthians 12:7)
5. How does Romans 12:6 apply here?

Thought #3 – Don’t Bury What God Has Designed To Bless You –

6. How does God use your gift to your advantage? (Colossians 3:23-24)
7. How does God use your gifts to bless others? (1 Peter 4:10)
8. How would the third servants gift been a blessing to him at the end?
9. Why does God expect us to enhance the gifts He has given? (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Thought #4 – Life Has End-Time Expectations & Excuses Are Not Acceptable:

10. How does Ephesians 5:16apply to this parable?
11. What does God expect from the church? Name 3 Things:
12. What should the world expect from the Church? Name 3 Things:
13. What should the next generation expect from you? Name 3 Things:
14. What does God expect from you personally? Name 3 Things:
15. What should the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church expect from you? Name 3 Things:

Final Thought: Each generation is straying further away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a time that many people consider the “Post Christian” era. If we fail to share our faith with the next generation God will use a church that will. God never changes His plans. The Church Will Win! But He does change partners.

Action Steps– Explain each point.

1. Get Closer to The Master – James 4:8
2. Work with What You Got. – John 9:4
3. Stop Looking at Everybody Else – Do What You Were Told to Do – Galatians 6:4-6
4. Make The Best of Your Time – Ephesians 5:16

Notes

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Rights reserved by Dr. Oscar T. Moses – W.A.R. Bible Studies 2018

 

In Him!

Pastor Moses

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Deeper Bible Study

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Spiritually Equipped for Battle – Lesson #8 

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

This is our final lesson on the “Armor of God.” The Apostle has listed six pieces of the Roman Soldiers armor. He now urges us to pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Let’s discover how “prayer” ties into this overall lesson.

Every Christian should know how important prayer is on a day-to-day basis. It is as vital to the Christians growth and strength as oxygen is to the lungs. Prayer is a weapon of spiritual warfare. At the core of every successful spiritual battle is prayer. It is absolutely essential to one’s spiritual survival. Why would Paul place prayer after listing the six pieces of armor?

Thought #1 – Barnes’ Notes comments, “No matter how complete the armour; no matter how skilled we may be in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by prayer, he may be sure of a triumph” (Heritage Edition, Vol. 12, p. 133).

Questions

1. Why is it essential to keep a steady line of connection with God?
2. Explain Luke 18:1-8
3. What is supplication? (See Philippians 4:6)
4. What roles does the Spirit play when the Christian prays according to Romans 8:26-27?
5. What does Acts 2:38 and Romans 8:14 teach us about the Holy Spirit?
6. Matthew 6:9-13 is a model prayer. How does Relationship, Restoration, Reconciliation and Revelation apply to this prayer?
7. Explain the A.C.T.S. of prayer?

Thought #2 – Luke 21:36 says, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

8. Why should we pray for ourselves as well as others?
9. According to James 4:3, how do we pray wrong?
10. Explain the privilege of prayer given to us in Hebrews 4:16?
11. How often should we pray?

Thought #3 – “The Church and each of us individually, moves forward on our knees. Praying reminds us of the battle, reminds us of the source of our strength and defense, and reminds God that we are fully committed to following Him as obedient and faithful soldiers. Prayer and Bible study are the most powerful tools for combating Satan’s weapons.”

12. What does the Apostle mean when he says, “praying in the Spirit?” –
13. What does the Apostle mean by “watching thereunto?

Group Question

 What do you think our church would be able to accomplish if we prayed together on one accord?

In Him!

Pastor Oscar T. Moses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Deeper Bible Study

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Spiritually Equipped for Battle – Lesson #7

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)

17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The sixth piece of armor is the “Sword of the Spirt”, which is the Word of God. The critical question is how does a soldier’s sword apply to our sword, the Bible, and how does it help us win spiritual battles?

The Roman soldier’s sword was called the “gladius.” It has been called “the sword that conquered the world.” It was the weapon, when sharpened and used at close range was most effective. When it’s edge was sharpened it could penetrate heavy metal armor. The Roman soldier would have his sword and also a dagger, the “pugio” but his main means of attack was his sword. The sword is the only WEAPON that Paul lists as part of the Christian arsenal. He symbolizes the sword of the Roman soldier to the sword of the Christian, which is the Word of God.

 Thought #1 – God’s Word is like a sword that is accurate, precise and able to conquer and destroy. God’s Word is straightforward, plain and simple when applied rightly can give us new life and confidence. We can also be destroyed if we have not the “Word.”

1. Explain how God’s Word gives us life? Give 2 scriptures:
2. Explain John 17:17 –
3. How can we be destroyed by not having God’s Word? See Hosea 4:6 and explain.
4. How does God’s Word help us see? Give a scripture.
5. How does Luke 11:28 describe we will be blessed?
6. How does 1 Peter 3:15 encourage us to study God’s Word?

Thought #2 – The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defense our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow. When wielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter and uncover the truth.

7. Explain why Hebrews 4:12 is so important when we are under satanic attack?
8. How does the Word of God, the Sword, defend us against the lies of the enemy?
9. How did Jesus defend Himself against Satan in the wilderness in Matthew 4?
10. How does God’s Word help us fight the battle in our minds according to 2 Corinthians 10:4-5? –

Thought #3 – Paul implies that this is our most valued weapon because there is no enemy the Word of God, with the Spirit cannot defeat. And so, armed only with our sword, we step out to fight our enemies head-on. The struggle is real. We cannot play or become careless about studying and knowing God’s Word. Why? Our future in God’s Kingdom is on the line, and we take up the battle so that we may hold fast to the future He has promised us.

11. How does Matthew 24:13 apply to this lesson?
12. Name 3 ways the “Word” helps us win spiritual battles?
13. Name 3 reasons why Bible Study is so important?

Final Thought

A sword needs to be sharpened if it is to remain useful—and it certainly won’t sharpen itself. Bible Study Is Life!!!

 

In Him!

Pastor Moses

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Deeper Bible Study

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Spiritually Equipped for Battle – Lesson #6 

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)

The Helmet of Salvation

The fifth piece of armor is the helmet which Paul describes as the “Helmet of Salvation.” The helmet is very vital to the Christian soldier. When one thinks of a helmet it is usually thought of as protective gear for the head. Sports athletes that participate in strenuous physical sports wear helmets. Skateboarders wear helmets, football players wear helmets, and hockey players wear helmets. The purpose for the helmet is to prevent the athlete from serious head injury that can harm or damage the brain and save life.

For the Christian soldier the “Helmet of Salvation” is not a piece of equipment to be discarded. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the “Helmet of Salvation” they were familiar with the use of a helmet called the “galea.” “In the book of Isaiah, a description of God shows Him as having put on both the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation. (Isaiah 59:17)”

The Roman Soldier wore a helmet to protect from head attacks against the enemy. All it takes is one blow to the head to render the rest of your armor useless. Paul is relating the helmet to salvation. Here is the very important point. The analogy of the “Helmet of Salvation” is an invisible spiritual helmet to protect the mind against lying (blows) assaults from Satan that attack the assurance of our Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Thought #1: The enemy wants you to doubt your salvation. The helmet helps us fight within the battlefield of the mind.

1. What is salvation? (See Exodus 14:3 Micah 7:6-8, and Romans 6:23).
2. Think of a bird trapped in a cage and apply John 8:36 and explain it.
3. How does one become saved? Give 3 scriptures. See Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, John 3:16, Romans 5:8.
4. Can you lose your salvation? Explain – (See John 10:28) –
5. How does 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Matthew 10:22 apply to the Helmet of Salvation?
6. What does the helmet have to do with salvation according to 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11?

Thought #2 – Heaven is the ultimate goal for the Christian. The armor to keep our minds focused is the “Helmet of Salvation.”

7. How does the enemy attack the mind?
8. How do we put on the Helmet of Salvation? Give 3 scriptures:
   1. Phil 2:5
   2. Romans 12:1-2
   3. Hebrews 12:2
   4. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Thought # 3 – The helmet also protected the eyes of the soldier, enabling him to sustain his physical vision. Likewise, the “Helmet of Salvation” sustains spiritual vision for the Christian solder to keep his or her eyes stayed on portraying Jesus Christ as their example and goal.

9. How does Hebrews 12:1-2 and Philippians 3:13-16 support the “Helmet of Salvation?”

Because of Him!!!

Pastor Oscar T. Moses

 

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Deeper Bible Study

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Spiritually Equipped for Battle – Lesson #5

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The Shield of Faith

The Roman soldier carried into battle a fourth piece of armor called the “scutum”. It was a shield, very large, slightly curved, rectangular in shape and within its center was a large piece of metal called a “boss”. The shield was much needed to defend the body. Because it was huge (some 3 ½ feet tall and almost 3 feet wide) the soldier was given a great deal of protection from the enemy’s fiery darts and arrows. It was impressive for the soldier’s defense. The “boss”, the metal knob, allowed the soldier to deflect the more vicious blows and also served in a offensive capacity to knock the opponent backwards.

For the Christian, we must realize that Satan shoots fiery arrows at us that have a desired affect. Satan shoots spiritual darts of doubt, despair, lies, fear, hatred, temptation, indulgences, wrong thinking and wrong behavior. When we experience wrong thought patterns and wrong behavior it is a result of the enemy’s arrows that have been shot our way. When these darts penetrate us the enemy (Satan) is doing a “happy dance”. He is tickled and ecstatic. One of the enemy’s favorite arrows is convincing Christians to interpret the scriptures wrong and casting doubt on the foundation of God’s Word.

Key Thought #1 – To this point, Paul has described armor that we wear. The shield is something we must take up and use. Paul is emphatic that we “take up” this piece of armor. Just holding it will be useless; you must make an effort to use it. The “Shield of Faith” is a crucial piece of armor for the Christian soldier to defend him or herself from injurious attacks that leads to harmful, doubtful and sinful behavior.

Questions

1. What is faith? Give a scripture defining faith and explain it.
2. Why does Paul say, “Above All Taking?”
3. Why is it that faith never seems to come easy?
4. Where does God’s saving grace come from according to Ephesians 2:8?

Key Thought #2 – If faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” then this has far-reaching implications. Substance is tangible, and evidence is solid proof. Faith is, by definition, not some hazy emotion without any grounding in reality. It is the irrefutable truth. It is real. Faith means believing what God says is true.

Questions

5. How does God give us deeper faith?
6. How was the shield of faith applied to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3: 1-18?
7. Describe the difference between the physical shield and the spiritual shield. Give an example.

Key Thought #3 – A shield deflects. Satan is always hurling darts (arrows) of worry, doubt, and fear in our direction. The only time they can hit us is when we let our Shield of Faith down – when we stop believing God is in control.

Questions

8. Read Matthew 14:28-31 and describe how Peter let down his “Shield of Faith?”
9. How does James 2:20 teach us that faith cannot just be in our minds?
10. How do we use our shields under attack? Give 3 Steps or more on how to use the Shield of Faith to protect.

Key Thought #4 – The Roman military had a very effective tactic that made use of their large shields. When the enemy began firing arrows and other projectiles at the army, the soldiers would close ranks into a rectangular array—called the testudo, or “tortoise,” formation—and those on the outside would use their shields to create a wall around the perimeter. Those in the middle would raise their shields over their heads to protect everyone from airborne missiles. The result was a formidable human tank that could be stopped only through a tremendous effort.

Questions

11. How can the church come together and join shields to guard from attacks? Give Examples.
12. How does Jude 1:3 and II Timothy 4:7 apply to this lesson?

Final Scripture and Final Thought

Psalm 119:165 (KJV)
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Our faith is founded on the promises of God. How familiar are we with these promises? Do you know what God has promised you? If our knowledge of and trust in them are unsteady, we will be too.

Keep your faith strong. Stay in the Word. Pray Without Ceasing. Stand.

In Him!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

 

Dr. Oscar T. Moses

W.A.R. Deeper Bible Study

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Spiritually Equipped for Battle – Lesson #4

Ephesians 6:15

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

The second piece of armor Paul mentions is the “Breastplate of Righteousness.” The breastplate provided protection to the Roman soldier for arrows that might “slip through”. This piece of armor protected the vital organs of the soldier in the heat of battle. In spiritual battle the “Breastplate of Righteousness” protects the soldier’s virtues and integrity. It is a reminder to pursue that which is right in the sight of God and to guard his or her heart from sin.

The third piece of armor is the foot gear of the soldier. The Roman soldier’s shoes were called “caligae”. They were designed to keep the soldier’s feet healthy and protect against blisters or disease. The sandals or shoes of the Roman soldier “Often fitted with nails, or armed with spikes, to make the hold firm in the ground’ (Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible). The job of the Christian soldier is to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. We have “marching orders” to spread the good news. “Preparation” is the operative word in this text. It means to be ready and it would be more clear if it read “preparedness.” This means that the state of the mind of the Christian soldier is that his or her mind is prepared to spread the good news.

There were many trying to convince Paul not to make his missionary journeys. They told him of enemies that awaited him and that he should abandon any travel plans. Paul knew that the good news of Christ is peace to those who would receive it.  The Christian soldier has his/her feet prepared with the gospel of peace and says, “I am ready! I have my traveling shoes on and I have prepared myself. I am equipped! I know what I am talking about.”

Group Questions

Key Thought #1:  Try to envision a soldier in the heat of the battle with all armor on except the shoes. The soldier is in big trouble trying to fight on a rocky terrain or a ground filled with sharp objects without shoes. Just imagine a soldier trying to fight barefoot with nothing to protect feet that are hurting. The soldier will become hesitant to take the next step, fighting and watching where the feet land. Think about it. Shoes allow us to move freely without tip toeing and looking down. We can give our attention to the battle without worrying about our feet and we are prepared to move without impediments.

Questions

1. What is the purpose of a Christian soldier’s shoes?
2. Why is it called the Gospel of Peace according to Isaiah 52:7 and Luke 2:10?
3. What is the correlation between the gospel and feet?
4. How do spiritual shoes help the Christian stand firm according to 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Philippians 1:27?
5. How does Romans 10:14-15 apply to this passage?
6. How does Acts 20:24 apply to this passage?
7. How does Romans 3:10-18 inspire us to put on our “gospel shoes?”

Key Thought #2: Shoes allow us to firmly walk on difficult paths without fear of injury. Having one’s feet shod with the gospel of peace allows otherwise painful experiences we may encounter to be met without fear. The gospel must be firmly stood upon without fear. The believer must stand firmly of his or her testimony of Christ.

8. How does the gospel prepare us to spread the good news? Give 2 examples.
9. Why do you think Paul injected the word “preparedness” which means readiness?
10. What does “standing” have to do with preparedness and spiritual shoes? We need to stand firm against evil and protect our mission.

Key Thought #3: God has given each believer a tremendous responsibility to be prepared to carry the gospel message. Many people within the local church are not prepared. Unfortunately, given the opportunity to share the gospel of peace with family members and friends has been a lost opportunity.

Group Action Steps

Give 1 biblical example of being prepared to deliver the gospel of peace.

Give 3 steps to being prepared to deliver the gospel of peace.

Probing Question

Why is it so difficult to keep the peace in church? 

Final Thought

“If you are going to talk the talk you also have to walk the walk.’

In Him!

Dr. Oscar T. Moses – W.A.R. Bible Studies 2017