The Holy Spirit equips believers to stand strong and to share God’s Word.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; 2 Timothy 4:2-5 

Central Truth

Although you can’t see it, you’re in the middle of a spiritual battle that’s raging all around you. But the Lord gives us what we need to fight: the armor of God

2Key Question

We are told to “flee” from sin, but Paul also tells us what to pursue. How do we pursue what Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 6:11?

Keep in Mind

In today’s culture, we have to stand for truth. This can be incredibly difficult for students. They are surrounded by peers, friends, social media, and even educational doctrine which encourages a different perspective from the Bible. These ideas challenge core biblical truths, like the teachings on gender identity, marriage, and sex. And the world can sometimes give really convincing reasons why God’s Word doesn’t apply to these topics since it’s an ancient text written to a different culture. We can encourage our students that God’s Word and character never change. And while it can be difficult or make us uncomfortable, believers must stand for what God says. 

APPLICATION

Why is it tempting to accept an “easier” gospel? In what areas of your life are you ignoring God’s Word and choosing your own thinking?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: It’s so much easier for our students to accept a cultural version of the gospel. This version makes excuses for our sin, and it tells us to chase after our desires. But embracing biblical truth enables our students to confront sin, prejudice, selfishness, pride, and misleading desires.   

FOR THE LEADER: Leaders can sometimes embrace a cultural gospel as well. We can begin to think certain passages pertain more to our students than us. But all Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17), so all of it applies to all of us. We can choose to ignore parts of it, but we are robbing ourselves of true freedom—the freedom to live according to God’s Word and be made more like His Son.