Fighting The World, The Flesh, & The Devil
Pause & Reflect: The Devil
by Bethany Allen & Gavin Bennett
Begin with prayer (5 minutes)
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting (around a table, on the couch, the floor of a living room, etc.). Have somebody lead a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Read this Overview
Taking time and space to pause and reflect is an integral rhythm in the life of an apprentice of Jesus. Doing so gives us better perspective into where we have come from and where we are going. With that in mind, we want to take time and inventory how the first part of this Practice—Fighting the Devil—has changed us and to consider how we need to integrate its truths into the rhythm of our lives. With so much new information, it can be tempting to let truth wash over us without letting it transform us. The goal of our time together tonight is to call to mind those truths God revealed to us during this Practice, and distill them into actions that will help us in our journey of spiritual formation as apprentices of Jesus.
Do this Practice as a Community right now: (30 - 45 minutes)
1. Reflect On What You’ve Learned
Begin your time tonight with a discussion around some of the most impactful ideas that you have learned in the first part of this series. Work through some or all of following questions together:
What is something new that you have learned about the devil and the way he comes against you as a follower of Jesus?
While talking through the problem of evil, we learned that nothing evil (e.g.sickness, death, abuse, war, etc.) comes from God. Upon reflection, what are the evil circumstances in your life for which you need to shift blame away from God, who has come to bring life to the full, and onto the devil, who has come to steal, kill, and destroy?
What is one influential lie that the devil has been using against you in your life that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you during this series? What truth has the Holy Spirit shown you to replace that lie?
What is one foothold that you, knowingly or unknowingly, have given the devil that the Holy Spirit helped you see? After repentance, what practical steps have you taken (or, do you need to take) in light of this foothold?
2. Talk Through Next Steps
Next, break into smaller groups of 3 or 4 and spend some time discussing the following questions.
In response to all that you’ve learned, what is one thing that you need to change in your life regarding your discipleship to Jesus?
In tandem with the Holy Spirit, how are you going to make this happen? What help might you in need in order to make this happen (from God, Community, or other sources)?
3. Pray
Lastly, spend some time in your smaller groups praying for each other. Ask Jesus to continue to break off the lies that are holding us back, to reveal negative spiritual strongholds that we may not be aware of, and to give us the strength and discipline to put into place any changes we need to make in our lives, as revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Close in prayer (5 minutes)
