Discussion Guide Our Enemy – Part One

1 Discussion Guide Our Enemy Part One Lesson Objective: To discover the origin and character of Satan Main Passages for Lesson: Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-18, I Peter 5:8 Getting Started As a disciple who is taking seriously the command of Jesus to make disciples, you need to know that you have an Enemy . When Jesus sends out his disciples in Luke 10:3, he gives them instructions but in the beginning of the instructions he also tries to prepare them letting them know they would be opposed.

2 He says to them (and to us), Go your way; behold, I send you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Pretty sobering word picture. Here s another picture of our Enemy in I Peter 5:8 Be sober minded, be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Our Enemy is Satan and he wants nothing more than to render you ineffective as a disciple. Group Discussion : When you think of Satan, what images come to mind? What are some things you have been taught about Satan?

3 About his relationship to God? About his relationship to us? Throughout the NT we witness and are told that as disciples of Jesus we will at times be rejected, maligned, persecuted, misunderstood, lied about, and opposed. It s not that people are our Enemy , but rather Satan, who the Bible refers to multiple times as the ruler of this world. Standing behind the evil face of sin we see all around us and that opposes us is the power of evil. Digging In The Origin of Satan Satan means adversary he is God s ultimate adversary and in turn as children of God, as a disciple, he is our ultimate adversary.

4 He, along with his demons, have been given authority on the earth he hates everything true, good and right he is the Father of lies and he sets himself against everything and everyone that pursues Jesus. Group Discussion : Read Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-18. Where did Satan come from? Was his nature and character always evil? Explain Satan is a created being, he was a chief angel (cherubim) and pride captured his heart and he wanted to be like God, in his attempt to overthrow God, he was cast out of heaven with a third of the angels (which are now believed to be his demons) and he is now at work on the earth.

5 He is not equal to God and although he is powerful, his power pales in comparison to God. Group Discussion : Now that you understand a little of Satan s origin, take some time as a group to read the following verses to build a character sketch of Satan from the Bible. Next to each verse write a couple words that capture the idea of the verse(s) Genesis 3:1-5 Matthew 4:3 John 8:44 John 12:31 2 Corinthians 4:4 2 Corinthians 11:14 Revelation 12:9 Take Away As we conclude this lesson, keep in mind that although you have an Enemy that is looking for ways to defeat you and render you ineffective as a disciple, you have the God of the universe living inside of you.

6 It is true that we have all been born into sin. But through the precious blood of Jesus and our acceptance of his sacrifice on the cross for our sin, we have been rescued from sin and death. The bible further states that when we were rescued, we were given the Holy Spirit who is God within us. I John 4:4 states this: Little children, (speaks of our identity and also our dependence) you are from God and have overcome them (the evil forces of this world), for he who is in you (the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world.

7 God will protect and Guide you as his child. Yes, you do have an Enemy and yes you do need to be on guard but you also have nothing to fear because God is greater. In Part Two of our Discussion on our Enemy , we will look at his strategy against us and how we defend his attacks. Group Discussion : How does knowing the origin and nature of Satan impact you as a disciple? This Lesson s Action Step As you walk through the next week, make a list of where you see your Enemy at work. Break down your observations in two ways: his opposition in the lives of others, his opposition in your life.

8 As you identify his activity, explain your reasoning.