Sermon Tone Analysis

“Sword of the Spirit" Thursday, July 11th

“Sword of the Spirit" Thursday, July 11th

Ideally, each teacher will have a sword or image of a sword to show the various parts.

(Object lesson: Have two swords and get an assistant so you can demonstrate a “fight.”)

SWORD PARTS AND PURPOSES:

This “Sword of the Spirit” lesson is designed to help us look at the various parts of a typical sword, with which the common man of Paul’s time would have been familiar.

Then how they compare to God’s word.

This “Sword of the Spirit” lesson is designed to help us look at the various parts of a typical sword, with which the common man of Paul’s time would have been familiar.

The Handle: Grip/ Handle: This is where all the control of the sword is.

Q: what will happen if do not hold on to the handle tightly?

A: You have to hold it tightly or you could lose the sword or it could hurt someone.

(Story of man losing his sword.)

You have to hold it tightly or you could lose the sword or it could hurt someone.

It is important that we handle God’s word properly.

If we do not study it and know it very, very well we might use it wrongly and hurt someone unintentionally.

The Pommel: The pommel is piece (typically a metal ball or similar) at the end of the handle.

Q: What do you think this was used for?

A: Not just to help soldiers grip, but it also provides counter balance and can be used to strike offensively.

The pommel is piece (typically a metal ball or similar) at the end of the handle

(Demonstrate counter attack…) God’s Word can be used to counter the attacks of the enemy.

For example: if you are angry and you think you want to say something ugly to someone God’s word says to “be angry and do not sin.”

The Blade: the double edge sword has a blade on both sides.

Q: What is this part used for?

A: It is used for cutting and the double edge sword can cut both one way and another.

Not just to help soldiers grip, but it also provides counter balance and can be used to strike offensively.

says God’s word is like a double edge sword but even sharper.

Q: HOW DOES THE WORD OF GOD CUT AND PIERCE?

The Word of God is even more powerful in that the Holy Spirit uses it to cut through to our hearts, getting through justifications and causing us to be convicted.

God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up.

They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful.

The King was “cut” by the word of God because He knew that He was not living the way that it said and the people were not either.

The word of God showed Him how they were not pleasing God.

The Tip of the Sword: it is used to pierce.

The verse we just read says God’s word pierces to the the deeper parts of our hearts.

It can convict us or tell us what we are doing is wrong or right and get us to change.

TRAINING WITH THE WORD OF GOD

Q: BEFORE USING A SWORD IN BATTLE, WHAT DID SOLDIERS HAVE TO DO TO GET READY?

Q: WHAT DID A SOLDIER NEED TO DO TO BE GOOD WITH A SWORD? Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice).

Q: Do any of you have to practice music or sports?

How often?

They had to train.

They had to

Q: HOW DO WE PRACTICE WITH GOD’S WORD?

We read it, study it (Q: What is the difference between reading it and studying it?

Study = understanding it’s meaning.)

Meditate on it.

Q: What does that mean?

Think about how it applies to your life.

USING THE SWORD OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Q: WHEN DO WE BATTLE USING THE WORD OF GOD?

Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice).

We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it.

Q: Do any of you have to practice music or sports?

How often?

Q: HOW DO WE PRACTICE WITH GOD’S WORD?

We read it, study it (Q: What is the difference between reading it and studying it?

Study = understanding it’s meaning.)

Meditate on it.

Q: What does that mean?

Think about how it applies to your life.

Q: HOW DOES THE WORD OF GOD CUT AND PIERCE?

The Word of God is even more powerful in that the Holy Spirit uses it to cut through to our hearts, getting through justifications and causing us to be convicted.

God’s Word can get through the barriers we tend to put up.

• Soldier must be comfortable with it (practice) • The handle must be easily accessible and is 1st thing the soldier grabs • We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it • Bible references: o - Rightly handling the Word of Truth ▪ We need to use it properly – Study it o - Always be prepared - ▪ Our military trains continually.

Use illustration of a military, firefighter or other first responder that you know.

Training is always required so they are prepared.

• Question: How prepared do you feel to share your story of faith with others o (Our personal testimony is one of the most powerful tools God has given us.)

o No one better at handling the Word than Jesus himself whom says IS the Word incarnate.

▪ Read and look at the Temptations of Jesus • Question: How does this passage pertain to The Cross guard of the sword?

o (Reference the cross guard on the sword and continue to next section as you answer...) Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards • Bible References: o Temptations of Jesus ▪ Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context • (Good place to talk about the importance of context, especially w older ones)

They found the Word of God and the Word pierced the heart of Josiah – God was Merciful.

2 kINGS

The King was “cut” by the word of God because He knew that He was not living the way that it said and the people were not either.

The word of God showed Him how they were not pleasing God.

2 kINGS 22:

THE WORD OF GOD IS USEFUL FOR ALL THE BATTLES IN LIFE.

The handle must be easily accessible and is 1st thing the soldier grabs.

If we learn it and know it, and understand what it means the word of God will be a help to us in every situation we face.

We must have quick access to the Word (study, memorization) and be able to wield it •

For teaching, reproof, correction, ready for every good work.

God’s word is like a lamp.

Q: HOW IS GOD’S WORD LIKE A LAMP? A: It shows us where we need to go and what we need to do in the decisions we make and things we do.

Meditating on God’s word.

- Rightly handling the Word of Truth ▪

Q: WHY DID SOLDIERS ALWAYS HAVE THE SWORDS STRAPPED TO THEIR WAISTS?

They had to always have it ready to use their sword.

(They couldn’t say, wait, hold on)

We need to use it properly Study it - Always be prepared -

WHEN WE ARE BEING TEMPTED TO DO WRONG

JESUS USED GOD’S WORD TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION.

Training is always required so they are prepared

Question: How prepared do you feel to share your story of faith with others.

(Our personal testimony is one of the most powerful tools God has given us.)

o No one better at handling the Word than Jesus himself whom says IS the Word incarnate.

Read and look at the Temptations of Jesus

MT 4:1

JESUS understands through scripture that living by God’s word is what brings good in life not just fulfilling physical wants.

(Reference the cross guard on the sword and continue to next section as you answer...) Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards • Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context • (Good place to talk about the importance of context, especially w older ones)

Cross guard: • One use is the Cross Guard provides balance • Main purpose is that it guards •

Devil misused three scriptures and Jesus was able to guard against the misuse he knew the script and the context.