The Christian Warfare: The Provision of Strength

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This passage calls Christians to combat using the strength that God provides. In order to draw on this strength, we must be sure of our union with Christ, be convinced of His eternal power at work in us, recognize that we are not alone, be committed to obediently living the Christian life, and be well aware of the constant danger.

Outline

1. Be Sure of Your Union with Christ

2. Be Convinced of God’s Power

3. Recognize You’re Not Alone

4. Be Committed to Obedience

5. Be Aware of the Danger

Study Questions

1. The source of our strength comes from a clear understanding of our union with Jesus Christ, expressed most explicitly in Ephesians 1:3-14.

   1. How many references are made to being “in Christ” in Eph 1:3-14?

   2. Read through this passage and list all the benefits that we receive in Christ.

   3. How can we be sure that these promises are ours in Christ (see 1:13-14)?

2. Having explained God’s glorious provision of salvation through union with Jesus, Paul prays, among other things, that they would know the immeasurable greatness of God’s power towards us who believe (1:15-23).

   1. What does Paul use as an example of the extent of that power in 1:20?

   2. What does verse 21 tell us about God’s power compared to the power of our enemies in 6:12? (Note where Christ is seated in 1:20, and where the spiritual forces of evil are in 6:12.)

   3. According to Paul’s second prayer in Ephesians 3, what is the source of this power, and where does God’s power manifest itself in the lives of believers? (see 3:16)

3. After establishing the truth of our position in Christ and praying that we would be strengthened with God’s power, Paul exhorts Christians to live worthy of the calling we have as children of God.

   1. How would you explain the connection between the access we have to God’s power and our call to obedience?

   2. What does Romans 6 teach us about the nature of true saving faith?

   3. What does Peter tell us our response should be to the divine power God has given us through the knowledge of God? (2 Pet 1:3-11; the main command is in 1:5)

4. Ephesians is a book about the church rather than individual Christianity. It reminds us that we are called not only as individual sons and daughters, but as God’s people.

   1. What does Ephesians 2:11-22 tell us about the nature of our relationship with other believers in Christ?

   2. What is God’s purpose for the church in 3:10-11?

   3. How can we encourage one another in the battles we face? (see Heb 3:12-13; Eph 4:15-16).

5. Ephesians 6:12 (and 1 Pet 5:8) explicitly states that we are in a spiritual battle, and we have an enemy working to undermine God’s purposes in us and in His church.

   1. How is being aware of this danger a necessary part of understanding the strength God provides for us?

   2. What does 2 Cor 10:3-5 tell us about the nature of our warfare?

   3. What are some ways the enemies listed in 6:11-12 seek to undermine the purposes of God in His church?