1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2012 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2012

2. Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide An Appeal Dear User…. This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, change fonts, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. P LEASE U SE A S I S.

3. Kwabena Donkor Principal Contributor

4. Growing in Christ Contents 1. The Great Controversy: The Foundation 2. Revelation and the God Revealed in It 3. Man: God’s Handiwork 4. Salvation: The Only Solution 5. Growing in Christ 6. Victory Over Evil Forces 7. “Arming” for Victory 8. The Church: In Service to Humanity 9. The Church: Rites and Rituals 10. The Law and the Gospel 11. The Christian Life 12. Last Things: Jesus and the Saved 13. When All Things Become New

5. Growing in Christ Our Goal {169} THE goal of the quarter is to help us to not just believe the Truth (John 14:6), but to love Him even more and to grow in His grace.

6. Growing in Christ Lesson 7, November 17 Growing in Christ Lesson 7, November 17 “Arming” for Victory

7. Key Text Ephesians 6:13 NKJV “THEREFORE take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

8. “Arming” for Victory Initial Words {243} THIS lesson focuses on the Christian’s armor. Putting on all of God’s armor is our only protection. Therefore, we need to understand the nature of that armor because, without it, we would surely fall prey to the enemy; with it, our victory is assured.

9. “Arming” for Victory Quick Look 1. Girdle and Breastplate (Ephesians 6:14) 2. Shoes and Shield (Ephesians 6:15, 16) 3. Helmet and Sword (Ephesians 6:17, 18)

10. “Arming” for Victory 1. Girdle and Breastplate Ephesians 6:14 NKJV “STAND therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

11. 1. Girdle and Breastplate Arming Personally {244} “Wrestle.” Paul describes the Christian life as a struggle. “We.” Every Christian is brought into the picture. “Put on.” It is with God’s armor that we are to equip ourselves, and it has been made available for our use.

12. Paul links the concepts of truth and righteousness. Doing right and practicing righteousness, or living out the “truth,” is vital to Christians in the battle with powers of evil. When we turn our backs on what we know to be the truth, we are leaving a wide open hole in our armor. 1. Girdle and Breastplate Truth and Righteousness {245}

13. We must always remember that the righteousness of Christ remains the believer’s only hope of salvation. As long as we cling to this truth— that our salvation rests in Jesus—we can be protected from one of Satan’s most efficient spiritual assaults against us: discouragement. 1. Girdle and Breastplate Truth and Righteousness {245}

14. “Arming” for Victory 2. Shoes and Shield Ephesians 6:15, 16 NKJV “HAVING shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

15. 2. Shoes and Shield Preparation and Faith {246} THE gospel of peace as a “prepared foundation” is the peace a Christian experiences as a result of having been reconciled with God through the blood of Christ. This reconciliation gives the Christian a firm foothold from which to engage in spiritual battle.

16. 2. Shoes and Shield Preparation and Faith {246} “Shield of Faith” This kind of faith is primarily faith in action, a faith that, while including doctrinal truth, goes beyond mere belief. It is a faith that manifests itself in an active defense against the assault of the enemy. It is to daily choose the Lord and His ways.

17. “Arming” for Victory 3. Helmet and Sword Ephesians 6:17, 18 NKJV “TAKE the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….”

18. 3. Helmet and Sword Salvation and God’s Word {247} WHEREAS the previous items may have been laid out for the soldier to be picked up, the helmet is handed to him. Perhaps this is to emphasize the total “giftedness” of salvation. The victorious helmet that God (Isa. 59:7) wears is given to the believer as a protection.

19. 3. Helmet and Sword Salvation and God’s Word {247} Because the ultimate goal of the of the devil’s attack is to deprive Christians of their salvation, the present assurance of salvation that is “given” to them apart from their own works becomes a powerful weapon for surviving the conflict.

20. 3. Helmet and Sword Salvation and God’s Word {247} The temptation of Christ as recorded in Matthew 4:1-10 is a beautiful illustration of how the Word of God can be an effective weapon. The passage should also provide an incentive to Christians to buttress themselves with the truths that are revealed in the Word of God.

21. 3. Helmet and Sword Praying Always {248} “Prayer is not another weapon; rather, it is the spirit, the manner, in which the whole armor is to be worn and the battle fought. Paul is here urging it as a perpetual state of mind, a continuous attitude of communion with God.” —The SDA Bible Commentary 6:1046.

22. Sons and Daughters of God 328 Final Words {249} “IN every soul two powers are struggling earnestly for the victory. Unbelief marshals its forces, led by Satan…. Faith marshals its forces, led by Christ…. Hour by hour…the conflict goes forward. … Which shall obtain the mastery? … Each must decide for himself. … All must take a part…. There is no release….”