Though we live in a physical world, the Bible teaches that there is another world. There is a spirit world, where there is a war raging – the kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness. Stronger is an 8-week discipleship course designed to challenge you to consider biblically and engage practically the spiritual war happening all around us every day.
The Apostle Paul highlights this spiritual war in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 when he tells us that “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.”
In this eight-week course, you will learn how to put on the full armor of God listed in the New Testament Book of Ephesians and how to overcome the spiritual forces that seek to hold you back and destroy your life as a Christian.
The Battle Ready Book and Workbook, as well as the Stronger course workbook are available for purchase at the Energy Bar in the Commons of your location during weekly services.
SESSION ONE
Know Your Enemy
Though we live in a physical world, the Bible teaches there is another world. There is a spirit world, where there is a war raging – the kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness.
Complete Session One by watching the teaching video, completing the Session One Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter One in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION TWO
The Belt Of Truth
As human beings we fear and as a response seek peace in our circumstances, but Jesus says peace is only found in Him. The Roman belt held together all of the other pieces of armor and served as an essential part of the Roman armor. The Apostle Paul compares the Roman Belt spiritually to the Word of God.
Complete Session Two by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Two Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Two in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION THREE
The Breastplate Of Righteousness
It is fitting that the breastplate is associated with righteousness because it is our righteousness in Christ that guards our heart, and the heart is very important because everything flows out of it. Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead didn’t just purchase our forgiveness but gave us His righteousness.
Complete Session Three by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Three Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Three in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION FOUR
The Shoes Of Peace
“Preparation” in the Greek means to give “footing” or “basis.” to give a secure foothold to those who would stand firm. Shoes represent travel. We travel every day. To work, to school, to lunch, to practice, whatever. We’re always traveling. God has called us to go somewhere, and we need peace to get there.
Complete Session Four by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Four Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Four in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION FIVE
The Shield Of Faith
Up until now, Paul's description of the armor of God has been limited to items we wear. We put on the belt, the breastplate, and the shoes, and they essentially hold themselves up. The shield is different. Paul tells us that the shield is something we must take up, something we are required to raise.
Complete Session Five by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Five Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Five in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION SIX
The Helmet Of Salvation
The helmet of salvation is a symbol of our identity in Christ. How can we have confidence while we’re still a work in progress? It can be tempting to fall back and rely on control but that didn’t work for the early church and it won’t work for you. The key that unlocks freedom in your life is to live from Christ and to remain in Him.
Complete Session Six by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Six Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Six in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION SEVEN
The Sword Of The Spirit
The sword is the only item listed by Paul that serves in a primarily offensive capacity. Even if we have all the rest of the armor equipped perfectly, without our sword, we amount to little more than heavily armored moving targets.
Complete Session Seven by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Seven Study Guide in the Stronger Workbook, and reading Chapter Seven in the Battle Ready Book.
SESSION EIGHT
The Spear Of Prayer
Looking at the Roman, anyone listing the armor, would have immediately noticed that one of the deadliest pieces was missing, the Roman Spear. The Roman solider would have had many types of spears for different situations. The same goes for Christians and prayer.
Complete Session Eight by watching the teaching video, completing the Session Eight Study Guide in the Together Workbook, and reading Chapter Eight in the Together Book.