“Arming” for Victory

If you had to write a similar text using modern weapons of attack or defence, how would we describe the implements of Christian warfare today? 

The Need for Arming Personally

1. Why can we not manufacture our own armour to fight Satan?  Can psychology / counselling help us?  
2. In what ways do we fight the devil as an army? As an individual?

Girdle of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness

1. How does the girdle of “truth”protect us?  How does deceit leave us vulnerable?
2. Is there any difference between the robe of Christ’s righteousness and the “breastplate” of righteousness?

Preparation and the Shield of Faith

1. Doesn’t “faith” seem like a flimsy shield?  What kind of protection can that provide?
2. What types of arrows is Satan firing at us?

Helmet and Sword

1. How do we choose to put on a “helmet” of salvation?  Can we choose a gift?
2. Is the “Word of God as our “Sword” to be used in defence, or in attack?

Praying Always

1. How can one pray without ceasing when there is so much to do during the day that needs our full concentration?
2. How are the prayers of others for us limited in benefit?

Victory Over Evil Forces

A Stage Set For Our Victory

1. If the cross spelt Satan's doom, why would Satan have been so anxious to kill Jesus?
2. What is this power like that Jesus offers to overcome the power of Satan?

Hope of Victory

1. On what basis does the Holy Spirit decide whom to help if we don't even know what to pray for?
2. Does "all things working together for good" mean that it will end in the best way possible or just ends well?

Christians Versus the Devil

1. Does Christ fight on our behalf, or does he strengthen us to fight the devil?
2. Can you describe the kind of attitude we can adopt that will cause Satan to flee from us?

Examples of Victory

1. Can a demon take possession of a person without an invitation?
2. Can a demon be cast out of a person without his request?
3. Does God ever take possession of a person like the devil does?  Why, or why not, or under what circumstances?
4. In what different ways does Satan afflict humans?
5. What can we do to ward off the devil?  Will such things as sleeping with a Bible under the pillow help?  Reciting Bible verses?  Wearing a cross? Singing a hymn?

Growing in Christ

The Redemption

1. Is it sometimes possible for one to be strong enough to resist temptation with human strength or is it always possible only through divine power?
2. Is it fair or unfair for Christ to suffer in our place?

Slaves Set Free

1. If we find ourselves powerless to help ourselves at times, who's power is holding us? Does there have to be a power?
2. We've all seen other people enslaved to something like a bad habit: Have we experienced that helplessness in our own lives?

Principalities and Powers: Part 1

1. On what grounds could Jesus assist humans in the battle against evil before the cross?
2. How do Satan and his angels make us do what they want us to do?

Principalities and Powers: Part 2

1. Is evil a personal or impersonal force? what is the difference? 
2. What are the various means that Satan uses to frustrate human attempts to do good?

A Murderer Revealed

1. If Jesus gained victory over evil at the cross why is Satan still fooling around with us? Is the victory not complete? If not, what remains?
2. What are the "weapons" that Satan and Jesus use in their conflict?
3. Is there any difference in (a) being given strength to resist temptation, and (b) the removal of temptation? Which is preferable

Salvation: The Only Solution

The Scope of the Problem

1. How big is the problem for God considering that sin is only on one planet among millions in the universe and for a few thousand years compared to eternity?
2. How seriously did God take the problem of sin?

God's Provision: Part 1

1. what came first, sin or the Saviour?
2. Does God's foreknowledge prevent any change?

God's Provision: Part 2

1. If people still had to kill a lamb for each sin, would there be less sinning?
2. What is the difference between sanctification and daily justification? Why did Paul say "I die daily?"

The Experience of Salvation: Part 1

1. What causes a person to feel repentant?
2. Describe the feeling of guiltiness and the feeling of having been forgiven?
3. What do think of this statement: "God will not take to heaven a forgiven rebel?"

The Experience of Salvation: Part 2

1. Is there any sin that is too serious to be forgiven? What is the unpardonable sin?
2. Why is conversion termed a new birth?

Mankind: God’s Handiwork

Creation and Human Origins

1. What do you consider more incredible, the miracles of the creation week or the millions of items that had to be just right for evolution?  Why?
2. Why would people attempt to explain Adam as a legendary figure?

The Image of God: Part 1

1. Why do you think the author of the creation story used the word image (literally, “statue”) to describe the similarity between man and God?
2. Do humans still have dominion over the rest of creation?  Why is the lion called the king of the jungle, and not man?

The Image of God: Part 2

1. Why do you think that God used the plural pronouns in saying “Let us make man in our image?” How do humans reflect that plurality?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do humans reflect the one-ness of God?

A Defiled Image

1. How would you as a creationist explain all the primitive-looking humans described as Neanderthal man, etc.?
2. How much of God’s image do you think humans have retained?

Restoration

1. How much of the image of God do you think can be restored before the second coming?
2. How much application to the this restoration does the saying have "By beholding we become changed?" how much change can be effected by beholding, and what does beholding involve? 

Revelation and the God Revealed in It

1. Does nature teach us anything about God which the Bible does not?

The Doctrine of Scripture

1. What are some reasons why God would want to communicate to humans?
2. We train dogs to understand our words instead of trying to learn theirs, then why does God try to speak to us humans in our language rather than teach us His? 
3. Is the Bible the Word of God, or does it contain the Word of God?  What is the difference?

The Nature of Inspiration

1. What is the difference in the authors of the Bible being inspired rather than the words?
2. If it is only the thoughts that are inspired why should we learn scripture word for word?
3. Why do you think God did not dictate the Bible word for word?

The Mystery of the Triune God

1. How would you explain the trinity to person who accuses Christians of having three gods?
2. Should we always address our prayers to the Father only, or may we pray to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus?

The Attributes of Our Creator

1. How would a God who created us relate differently to us than a God who found us?
2. Can we know about God from personal experience alone without the Bible?

The Activities of God

1. If you were God, how would you try to interact with your created beings?
2. Will God help one who does not believe in Him?

The Great Controversy

Are Adventists more obsessed with the cosmic conflict than non-Adventists? If so, what could be the reason?

The Controversy and Its Players

1. How would you respond to someone who insisted that the cosmic battle was only in the mind?
2. What impact, if any, would polytheism have on the doctrine of the great controversy? 

Lucifer’s Fall

1. How can we tell when a description is going beyond the literal and into the metaphorical – such as from the king of Babylon or Tyre to a description of Lucifer?
2. Is it wrong to be proud of something good?

God’s Weapon

1. What could God have meant when in addressing the serpent, he said, “your seed?”
2. How do we know that God was not referring to literal snakes when he mentioned bruising the head and the heel?

Satan’s Fight

1. How is the great controversy taught through the sacrificial system, and how did Satan pervert the teaching to suit him?
2. Is it possible to be aware of the work of Satan in our minds?  If so, how?

Destinies

1. Is it possible to be neutral in the conflict between good and evil?  Why or why not?
2. Can you think or want to be on one side but end upon the other side?  How could this happen?