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Ephesians 6: The Armor of God
What should children do if their parents are abusive?
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Ephesians 6:1 Children should obey their parents, for this pleases the Lord.
King James
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
In what ways can we honor our parents?
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Ephesians 6:2–3 Honor your parents, for that is the first commandment with a guaranteed benefit, as it is written: Honor your father and mother as God has commanded, so you may live long and it will go well with you.
King James
Ephesians 6:2–3 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
What are the benefits of honoring our parents?
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Ephesians 6:2–3 Honor your parents, for that is the first commandment with a guaranteed benefit, as it is written: Honor your father and mother as God has commanded, so you may live long and it will go well with you.
King James
Ephesians 6:2–3 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
What are some examples of parents being too demanding?
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Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, don’t be so demanding of your children that they are angered and become disobedient, but help them grow up understanding the benefit of hearing and obeying the Lord.
King James
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
How can you serve bosses wholeheartedly when what they are asking is unreasonable?
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Ephesians 6:5 If you are a slave or employee, obey your masters, supervisors, or bosses with great respect for their positions, serving them wholeheartedly as you would serve Christ.
King James
Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Is it ever appropriate to seek to please people and not the Lord? Why or why not?
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Ephesians 6:6–7 Don’t work only to look good in the eyes of people. Know that you are first servants of Christ, needing to please him, so have a heart to do God’s will more than the will of people.
King James
Ephesians 6:6–7 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
What would be the impact of an attitude that God is the one who is mainly responsible for the amount on our paychecks?
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Ephesians 6:8 No matter whether we are slaves, employees, or business owners, know that the Lord will always reward us when we do good work for him.
King James
Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
In what ways are employers sometimes being unkind and inconsiderate in their demands?
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Ephesians 6:9 If you have people who work for you, don’t be too demanding, but be kind and considerate, knowing that your Master in Heaven values them as much as he values you.
King James
Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Paul celebrated his weakness. When should we be concerned about our weaknesses and not celebrate?
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2 Corinthians 12:7–9 To protect me from thinking too highly of myself in the abundance of revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan sent to keep me humble. I prayed at three different times for the Lord to remove my affliction. But God said no. “My grace is sufficient,” he said. “In your weakness, your dependence upon me makes you strong.” Therefore, I will boast of this affliction if it makes the power of Jesus Christ alive in me.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my friends, may your weaknesses not matter because of the mighty power of the Holy Spirit working in your lives.
King James
2 Corinthians 12:7–9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
What are the dangers of being only partially protected?
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Ephesians 6:11 To stand against all the forces of evil, you need to put on the whole armor of God.
King James
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Why might the influence of Satan and his demons be of less concern than the spiritual influences of authorities on Earth?
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Ephesians 6:12 Our struggle is not with people but with the forces that influence our desires. We are pressured by spiritual wickedness in high places of authority—social prejudices, government leaders who tell people what they want to hear, and the media that filters, distorts, and spins the “truth” to suit their agendas.
King James
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
What will people do to protect themselves if they don’t have the armor of God?
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Ephesians 6:13 That’s why you need every piece of God’s armor to stand strong in the battle and protect yourself from the evil.
King James
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
What parts of the full armor of God are for defense and what parts are for offense?
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Ephesians 6:14–17 So stand ready, wearing the bullet-proof vest of righteousness, truth buckled around your waist, fitted with marching boots perfect for sharing the good news of peace. Keep your shield of faith raised to block the flaming arrows of the wicked, and put on your knowledge of God and assurance of salvation like a helmet. Wield the truth of God’s word as a sword in the Spirit.
King James
Ephesians 6:14–17 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
What reasons do we have for believing our prayers will make a difference?
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Romans 8:26 The Holy Spirit will help us in our weaknesses. For example, we don’t always know the Lord’s will and what to pray for, but the Spirit prays through us with groaning that English words cannot express.
Ephesians 6:18 Always be praying, your hearts open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and relentless in your prayers for believers everywhere.
James 5:16 Confess to one another your inability to make it on your own, recognizing your failures and need for God’s help. Pray for one another so you may be changed. When people come to God with a genuine desire to change, transforming power begins to work in their lives.
King James
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Why did the Paul want the Ephesians to know and pray about his topmost concerns?
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Ephesians 6:19 Remember me in your prayers as well, that I will speak the right words with boldness, making the mysteries of the gospel known.
King James
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
What do you think Paul had in mind when he expressed a need for boldness in his speech?
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Ephesians 6:20 Even now as a prisoner, I am God’s special messenger, needing to boldly speak exactly what needs to be said.
King James
Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
With God’s special messenger imprisoned, what could Tychicus say that would encourage Jesus’ followers?
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Ephesians 6:21–22 To bring you up-to-date on how I am doing, Tychicus is delivering this letter and will give you a complete report. He is my good friend in the Lord, a faithful servant, sent to encourage you as well as to explain what is going on.
King James
Ephesians 6:21–22 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
How can we know that Paul’s wishing the Ephesians well was heartfelt and not just a courtesy?
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Ephesians 6:23–24 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ bring you faith, peace, and love. May God’s unmerited favor be with all of you who really love our Lord Jesus Christ.
King James
Ephesians 6:23–24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.