Leader Packet
Getting Started
1. Imagine you’re hiking on a trail filled with various obstacles and challenges. What strategies or tools would you use to overcome these obstacles to safely reach your destination? How would anticipating the experiences awaiting you at your destination influence your mindset and help you overcome the obstacles? When you hike (for example, hiking Half Dome in Yosemite), the trail can often be strenuous and challenging – maybe even moreso than you’d anticipated. However, the amazing views you will get to experience at the end will be worth all the effort you put into the hike! The purpose behind this question is to help us understand that knowing the amazing things to come can help us persevere when times get tough in the present.
Digging Deeper
1. In Revelation 20:1-3, the devil is referred to by four different names. How do each of these names contribute to our understanding of the devil’s character and role in the future? How does understanding who the devil is help us navigate the challenges and adversity we face?
a. The Dragon - This name emphasizes the devil’s power, fierceness, and destructive nature. Dragons are often portrayed as formidable and fearsome creatures, symbolizing the devil’s ability to instigate chaos and wreak havoc in the world.
b. The Serpent of Old - This name harkens back to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. It highlights the devil’s cunning and deceitful tactics and his role that led Adam and Eve astray from God’s plan.
c. The Devil - The term “devil” comes from the Greek word “diabolos,” which translates to “slanderer” or “accuser.” This name speaks to the devil’s role as the accuser of God’s people, seeking to undermine their faith and sow doubt.
d. Satan - The term “Satan” originates from Greek and means “adversary” or “opponent.” This highlights the devil’s opposition to God and His purpose, as well as his role as the enemy of righteousness and truth.
2. In Luke chapter 8, Jesus casts out demons from a possessed man. The demons pleaded with Jesus not to send them to the Abyss. What does this interaction reveal about the nature of evil and the authority Jesus has over it? Share a time when you experienced that power and authority of Jesus in your own life. Luke 8 is a vivid reminder of the spiritual warfare that is happening all around us, and Jesus’ absolute authority and power over everything. The struggle we as Christians face is not just worldly, but also against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). It is encouraging to know that we can rely solely on the authority and power of Jesus to overcome.
3. In Revelation 2:10, Jesus warns the church in Smyrna about the devil's scheme to persecute believers. How do you see the devil's influence manifesting in the issues in our world today? Satan is working overtime to promote division, hatred, and chaos, seeking to undermine God’s purposes for our lives. Every year, thousands of Christians are being martyred for their faith, and many more are facing increased violence and imprisonment. However, amid all this chaos, we are reminded to remain faithful (James 1:12). By standing firm and remaining steadfast in prayer we can overcome the schemes of the devil. We can engage in the spiritual battles all around us with courage and perseverance, trusting in the promise that God will ultimately triumph and reign over this earth!
4. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the Apostle Paul says that the devil is the “god of this age.” However, in the “Coming Golden Age” we know that he will lose his dominion here. How does this fact encourage you in your Christian walk? Knowing the war is already won reminds us that our hope is not in this world, but in the promises of God’s Word. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust in His unfailing power and love.
Applying the Message
1. Imagine a world where the devil is bound, and his influence is absent. How do you envision life being different? Gone will be Satan’s ability to amplify sexual temptation and marital infidelity (1 Cor. 7:5). While we may be tempted, we’ll not have to confront the supercharged enticements of Satan (Matt. 4:1–10). We’ll not have to contend with being sifted as wheat by his evil designs (Luke 22:31). Nor will he fill our hearts to lie to one another as he did Ananias in Acts 5:3. We’ll be able to better forgive one another because we’ll be free from Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11). He’ll not swoop down on listening souls and snatch the Word out of their hearts (Mark 4:15). Nor hinder the workers of God as he hindered Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Nor will he physically and spiritual bind people as he did the poor woman in Luke 13:16 or oppress the poor and needy as he did in Acts 10:38.
2. The hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” reminds us that God is sovereign and will prevail over the Devil and evil in the end. Take a moment as a group to recite the hymn and discuss which verse resonates and encourages you.
“A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.”
“Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle.”
“And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, we will not willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.”
“That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever.”