Cord of Three Strands – Study #8
Strand #3 – A Savior Who’s Defeated our Foes
Hebrews 2:14-18
In week 8 of A CORD OF THREE STRANDS, our focus for the final 3 weeks (#7, #8, and #9) will be in the New Testament letter written to the Hebrews. Our teaching highlighted that our Savior has taken out our worst enemy and his primary weapon (the devil, the power of death), has released us from the slavery of fear (of death), and is an experienced, immediate Helper in the tough stuff of temptation. The key idea —
We can finish well because the Lord Jesus Christ – the Savior Himself – Has disempowered our most formidable foes
[The Devil, the Fear of Death, the Trap of Temptation]
GETTING STARTED – of the three “formidable foes” listed above (and addressed in Hebrews 2), which foe in your judgment is the “most formidable”? What examples do you see?
is the Devil, Satan himself and his activity the most sobering foe we face?
is the fear of dying enslaving people’s lives?
is the entrapping power of temptation in our culture often overwhelming?
IN THE SCRIPTURES – What do the following Scriptures teach us about our formidable foes?
#1 What do these Scriptures tell us about the devil as our foe (how he opposes, his work)?
Job 1:6-12, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 8:12, Ephesians 6:10-12, 1 Peter 5:8, Rev. 2:10
Have you experienced any of these kinds of things? “Devil”-ish opposition? Explain. How as the Savior helped you?
#2 How do the Scriptures describe the foe of death and how we can confidently face it?
Deut 13:6-11 (from the Law), Proverbs 14:27, Isaiah 8:12-14, Daniel 3:16-18, Matthew 10:27-29, 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, Revelation 2:9-11
What unique confidence is found in Jesus’ words – John 11:25-26 – and what question does Jesus ask about our confidence?
#3 What hope do the Scriptures give us for successfully, and consistently, defeating temptation?
Those who successfully faced temptation – Joseph (Gen 39:1-10), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)
Understanding the source/nature of temptation – James 1:12-15
Looking for God’s escape from temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:6-14, Psalm 119:10-12
SUMMARIZE – Let each group member take a moment and write out a paragraph summarizing his/her answer to “How can we successfully overcome our formidable foes?” THEN…share your paragraph.
SOME TIME TO APPLY – Finish by sharing a personal favorite Scripture passage which helps you in the spiritual battles you face. Which one would you turn to? How do you apply such a passage?
NOTE: Next week, we finish the Cord of Three Strands series. Are you finding the devotional helpful?
Series key truth — In a world of unavoidable tough stuff, we are unbroken conquerors when woven together with God and godly companions.
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