NEXT WEEK'S CONTENT
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Scroll down for small group content. Go past the small group selector. Selecting a small group online will help you communicate and get updates. You can do that right here. Hit the banner above to watch/listen to the message.
Remember our small group rules...
1. No Cross-Talk
Let each person finish sharing without interruption.
Avoid jumping in with your own experience while someone else is speaking. After someone shares, others may respond to what was said, not redirect the conversation to themselves. This creates space for every voice to be heard.
2. Share — Don’t Fix
Our small groups are not counseling or teaching sessions.
We will do our best to refrain from solving one another’s problems or “fixing” each other. The goal is presence, listening, and encouragement — not advice unless it is specifically invited.
3. Stay on Topic
To respect everyone’s time, we will stay focused on the planned content for each week.
If important questions or side conversations come up, we will “park” them (write them down) and revisit them later during a large-group gathering or another appropriate setting. We will save in-depth theological debates or complex doctrinal discussions for large-group environments where church leadership can help guide and steward those conversations.
4. Slow Down and Make Space
Take time to think, ask questions, and wait for responses. Silence is okay. Small groups are not about getting through material quickly but about creating space for connection, reflection, and trust. You are encouraged to share but never forced. Listening is participation.
5. Trust and Accountability
We will guard these groups and hold to confidentiality. Our small group leaders will only be communicating with the pastor about the prayer needs that are communicated in our small groups. We will address anyone who is not being trustworthy and confidential when it comes to the information shared in our small groups.
Remember the Purpose of Small Groups
Small groups exist to build relationship, communication, and spiritual community.
By remembering that this is not a teaching or counseling environment, we help create a safe space where people can share honestly and grow together.
********SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE*********
Small Group Guide: Spiritual Warfare - Closing the Doors
Based on John 10:10 - "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts, reveal areas where the enemy has gained access, and give courage to make necessary changes.
Icebreaker Question
Choose one:
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. Know Your Enemy and Know Yourself in Christ
The enemy has devices and patterns he uses against us. We must be established in Christ to recognize and resist these attacks.
2. The Enemy's Schemes
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message (15-20 minutes)
Going Deeper
Personal Reflection
Practical Applications
Individual Action Steps (Choose 1-2 to commit to this week)
For Establishing Yourself in Christ:
Group Accountability
Prayer Time
Suggested Prayer Format:
Closing Encouragement
Read together: Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord."
Final Thought: Victory doesn't come from our own strength—it comes from Christ's righteousness in us. When we submit to God and close the doors we've left open, the enemy must flee.
Before Next Week
Leader Notes
1. No Cross-Talk
Let each person finish sharing without interruption.
Avoid jumping in with your own experience while someone else is speaking. After someone shares, others may respond to what was said, not redirect the conversation to themselves. This creates space for every voice to be heard.
2. Share — Don’t Fix
Our small groups are not counseling or teaching sessions.
We will do our best to refrain from solving one another’s problems or “fixing” each other. The goal is presence, listening, and encouragement — not advice unless it is specifically invited.
3. Stay on Topic
To respect everyone’s time, we will stay focused on the planned content for each week.
If important questions or side conversations come up, we will “park” them (write them down) and revisit them later during a large-group gathering or another appropriate setting. We will save in-depth theological debates or complex doctrinal discussions for large-group environments where church leadership can help guide and steward those conversations.
4. Slow Down and Make Space
Take time to think, ask questions, and wait for responses. Silence is okay. Small groups are not about getting through material quickly but about creating space for connection, reflection, and trust. You are encouraged to share but never forced. Listening is participation.
5. Trust and Accountability
We will guard these groups and hold to confidentiality. Our small group leaders will only be communicating with the pastor about the prayer needs that are communicated in our small groups. We will address anyone who is not being trustworthy and confidential when it comes to the information shared in our small groups.
Remember the Purpose of Small Groups
Small groups exist to build relationship, communication, and spiritual community.
By remembering that this is not a teaching or counseling environment, we help create a safe space where people can share honestly and grow together.
********SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE*********
Small Group Guide: Spiritual Warfare - Closing the Doors
Based on John 10:10 - "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to open hearts, reveal areas where the enemy has gained access, and give courage to make necessary changes.
Icebreaker Question
Choose one:
- What's one security measure you take seriously in your physical home? Why?
- When have you felt most fortified and secure in your faith journey?
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. Know Your Enemy and Know Yourself in Christ
The enemy has devices and patterns he uses against us. We must be established in Christ to recognize and resist these attacks.
2. The Enemy's Schemes
- Blackmail: Using what we won't surrender to God against us
- Squatters: Lies and false beliefs that take up residence in our minds
- Pawn Shops: Trading God's promises for temporary relief
- Repo: Losing what God gave us (peace, joy, purpose) through neglect
- Motive: The enemy hates us because we're made in God's image
- Means: Lies, unforgiveness, hidden sin, isolation
- Opportunity: Open doors we leave through carelessness and lack of spiritual discipline
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message (15-20 minutes)
- What stood out to you most from this sermon? Why?
- The pastor mentioned Sun Tzu's quote: "If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." How does knowing who you are in Christ change the way you face spiritual battles?
- Read 2 Corinthians 2:11 together. Paul says we should not be "ignorant of Satan's devices." What are some common "devices" or patterns of attack you've noticed in your own life or in the lives of others?
- Which of the four schemes (blackmail, squatters, pawn shops, repo) resonated most with you? Why?
Going Deeper
- Spiritual Blackmail: Is there something from your past that the enemy uses to keep you from living in freedom? How does this affect your worship, service, or relationships? (Allow people to share only what they're comfortable with)
- Spiritual Squatters: What lies have taken up residence in your mind? (Examples: "I'm not good enough," "No one cares about me," "I'll never overcome this sin") How can we evict these lies?
- The Pawn Shop Trap: Have you ever traded something God gave you (peace, integrity, purpose) for temporary relief or comfort? What was the result?
- The Repo Problem: What has the enemy "repossessed" from your life because you stopped fighting for it? (Examples: joy, peace, purpose, consistent prayer life, healthy relationships)
- Read 1 Peter 5:8. The enemy is "seeking whom he may devour"—meaning he doesn't have access to everyone. What makes someone vulnerable to attack? What makes someone fortified?
Personal Reflection
- The pastor asked several diagnostic questions. Discuss one or two that apply to your group:
- What opportunities am I giving the enemy?
- Is there a lie about my identity that I've believed?
- Is unforgiveness leaving a door open in my life?
- Am I isolating myself from people who could help me?
- Is fear keeping me from trusting God in an area of my life?
- Am I comparing my life to others instead of trusting God's assignment for me?
- Has busyness distracted me from prayer, God's Word, and serving Him?
- What does it practically look like to "submit to God and resist the devil" (James 4:7) in your daily life?
Practical Applications
Individual Action Steps (Choose 1-2 to commit to this week)
For Establishing Yourself in Christ:
- [ ] Spend 15 minutes daily in God's Word this week
- [ ] Start each day declaring who God says you are (write out 3-5 Scripture-based identity statements)
- [ ] Memorize Isaiah 54:17 - "No weapon formed against you shall prosper"
- [ ] Identify one "open door" in your life and take specific action to close it
- [ ] Confess a hidden struggle to a trusted Christian friend or mentor
- [ ] Practice forgiveness: write a letter (you don't have to send) releasing someone who hurt you
- [ ] Commit to attending the weekly prayer gathering
- [ ] Join or continue in a small group for accountability
- [ ] Turn off entertainment for one day and make it "the Lord's day" with worship music and prayer
- [ ] Have a conversation with your spouse about fortifying your marriage through prayer
- [ ] Schedule a specific date night or family time that's been neglected
- [ ] Pray with your children or family members daily this week
Group Accountability
- Share one specific commitment you're making this week with the group
- Exchange contact information with at least one person for mid-week encouragement
- Agree to check in next week on how these commitments went
Prayer Time
Suggested Prayer Format:
- Praise and Submission (5 min)
- Thank God for being the "strong man" who fights for us
- Submit every area of your life to Jesus
- Confession and Closing Doors (5 min)
- Confess areas where doors have been left open
- Ask God to reveal any blind spots
- Binding the Enemy (5 min)
- Pray together: "We bind the enemy's work in our lives, families, and church"
- Claim Isaiah 54:17 over each person
- Intercession (5 min)
- Pray for specific people in the group who are under attack
- Pray for those who are sick, struggling financially, or facing trials
- Pray for anyone considering walking away from their calling
Closing Encouragement
Read together: Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord."
Final Thought: Victory doesn't come from our own strength—it comes from Christ's righteousness in us. When we submit to God and close the doors we've left open, the enemy must flee.
Before Next Week
- Follow up with your accountability partner mid-week
- Attend the Wednesday small group at 6:30 PM
- Consider attending the prayer gathering (6:00 PM Sundays)
- Reflect on what doors you've successfully closed and what battles you're still fighting
Leader Notes
- Create a safe environment for transparency—remind the group that what's shared stays in the group
- Don't force sharing on sensitive topics, but encourage honesty
- Be prepared to offer additional prayer or pastoral support for anyone dealing with serious spiritual attacks
- Emphasize hope and victory in Christ, not just awareness of the enemy
- Consider having resources available about spiritual warfare, identity in Christ, or freedom from past sin