CGMI NATIONAL BIBLE STUDY MANUAL – 15 May 2024 | Topic: THE CHRISTIAN ARMOUR
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CGMI NATIONAL BIBLE STUDY MANUAL
TOPIC:
THE CHRISTIAN ARMOUR
LESSON 5:
THE SHIELD OF FAITH (God’s word used defensively)
TEXTS: Eph 6:10-18; Psa 3:2-3; 35:1-3,9; 1Jn 5:4-5
KEY VERSE:
Ephesians 6:16
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”.
INTRODUCTION:
The shield of the soldier is for defense, to protect him from the enemy’s attack weapons. The Bible says with the shield of faith, we can quench all the fiery darts (such as lies, accusations, blasphemous thoughts, lust, doubts, trials/temptations, greed, impatience, anxiety etc) of the devil.
In listing the different pieces of the armour of God, Paul says “Above all, (take) the shield of faith”. The shield of faith is very important and protect us in many ways. Faith means more than just believing that God exists. It includes a firm belief that everything God does is truly for our good. Also, faith is the absolute conviction that God will always do what He has promised (Rom 4:18-21).
The shield of a soldier is the first line of defense. To get to any other piece of the armour or to get the soldier, the enemy has to get past the shield first. So the shield not only protects the body of the soldier but I he other piece of armour as well. It is the first thing that the opposing warriors will see when they come to battle. Often, the shields are painted in such a way that it identifies a soldier.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION.
QUESTION 1A. WHAT IS A SHIELD ?
I. A large oblong-shaped material held by the left of a soldier
II. To cover, guard, deflect and protect from danger
QUESTION 1B. WHAT IS FAITH ?
I. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1)
II. Faith believes God and acts on it. The result is fully trusting and obeying God
III. What eyes are to the physical realm, is what faith is in the spiritual
IV. The believer’s certainty
QUESTION C. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “SHIELD OF FAITH” ?
I. This is the covering a believer gets by putting trust or having confidence in God through Jesus Christ
II. The shield of faith means trusting God for all that He has promised for us in Jesus Christ. The shield of faith is not in oneself or faith in positive thinking. It is faith in Christ Jesus
III. The body of truth in which we are to place our confidence. It stands for sound doctrine, the truth of God’s word
QUESTION 2. WHY IS FAITH ASSOCIATED WITH A SHIELD ?
I. Just like shield protect physically, faith protects spiritually
II. Faith is a shield and without it we are exposed to the attacks of the enemy
QUESTION 3. HOW CAN A BELIEVER TAKE THE SHIPED OF FAITH ? (Heb 11:6)
I. Know God (Dan 11:32)
II. Feed your faith and starve your doubts by trusting God wholeheartedly
III. Hear and believe the word of God. Find the promise that counters a particular fiery fart (Rom 10:17)
IV. Confess the word of God. Use the word of God to describe the situation not your words (Rom 4:17)
V. Speak light when you see darkness (Gen 1:1-3)
VI. Live by faith (Acts 17:28; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38)
VII. Seek and apply godly counsel
VIII. Obey God’s command
IX. Depend on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance
X. Trust in the name of the Lord (Prov 18:10)
XI. Strengthen and build up others with your faith. The shield of faith is not just for personal protection. The Roman soldiers had a strategy of joining their shields together
QUESTION 4. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF TAKING THE SHIELD OF FAITH ? (Rom 14:23;1Jn 5:4; 1Pt 1:6-7)
I. It allows us to stand our ground in the midst of spiritual attack
II. The shield of faith protects and allows the believer to live a victorious life over trials and temptations
III. We take refuge behind the shield
QUESTION 5. HOW CAN WE USE THE SHIELD OF FAITH TO EXTINGUISH THE FIERY DARTS OF THE DEVIL ?
I. Confess God’s word
II. Stand on the promises of God (2Pt 1:3-4)
III. Resist the devil (James 4:7)
IV. Be fervent in prayers (James 5:15-17)
CONCLUSION
The armour is the shield, while the principle is faith. The Bible is full of stories of believers in overwhelming situations but they trusted God and they were delivered. In some other cases, some were imprisoned and others died in faith. But whether they were delivered or died in faith, the bible recorded that they believed God and His sure word (Heb 11).
With the shield of faith, no weapon forged against you will prevail and you will refute every tongue that accuses you (Isa 54:17)
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