We Have Been Given a Spirit of Discipline

Part IV

The Disciplined

Warrior

We have been given a spirit of discipline.

The Mission:

Engage in the spiritual war with a disciplined, sound mind.

Ch.1

Warriors Are Disciplined

“ It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

Zig Zaglar

Digging Deeper 1

Romans 12:11

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

1. The Greek word here for “zeal” is “spoude” meaning earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything. Would you say that you have spiritual zeal? Why would such a thing be important to God?

2. “Keeping your spiritual fervor” could refer to the fervor that the Holy Spirit provides, or it could refer to building up the determination and passion in our soul for spiritual matters. The Greek word here for “fervor” means to boil with heat. Write out three ways that you could practically apply yourself to the instruction in this verse.

Digging Deeper 2

2 Corinthians 3:12

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

1. Write out this verse.

2. Read Exodus 34:29-35 and then 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Write a short summary of the verses in 2 Corinthians.

3. What is the hope we have that should make us bold?

Digging Deeper 3

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

1. The Greek word for “bold” here refers to confidence, trust, free of care, security, and hope.(blueletterbible.com) If we have entered the New Covenant with Christ, we are considered righteous, and therefore, according to this verse, we are bold. Examine your behavior and demeanor in the season you are in right now. Determine whether or not you’ve been acting as a righteous woman with boldness, and then write a prayerful response.

2. Wikipedia says that wild male lions have a lifespan of only 10-14 years, as opposed to the 20 years they might live in captivity. The shorter life span in the wild is a result of continual fighting with rival males. It appears that lions are unafraid of a fight. List some similarities between lions and the Christian warrior.

Ch.2

The Meek Warrior

“I still remain convinced that truth, love peaceableness, meekness, & kindness are the violence which can master all other violence. The world will be theirs as soon as ever sufficient number of people with purity of heart, with strength, & with perseverance, think & live out the thoughts of love & truth, of meekness & peaceableness.”

~Albert Schweitzer

Digging Deeper 4

Luke 22:24-30

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

1. Pinpoint a time that you were in a dispute with someone(s), either internally or externally over who was the greatest.

1. Examine a leader in your life who you admire. List a few traits about them that you like.

1. Is this leader you admire a person who lords their position and authority over those they lead, or do they serve the people they have authority over?

1. Do you believe that when you serve Jesus by serving those around you, that you will be rewarded?

1. Why should the reward not be our only reason for serving? Have you ever been tempted to make the reward the whole reason you serve? Explain.

1. If you were to live life desiring to serve, would you get sad if you weren’t recognized? Would you ever be disappointed that there was no opportunity to serve?

Digging Deeper 5

Luke 22:42

42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

1. What is the “cup” Jesus is asking God to take from Him?

1. If Jesus was God, wouldn’t His will be the same as the Father’s? Explain your answer.

1. How does Jesus, equal with the Father, provide the perfect picture of submission?

1. Recall what you know of Jesus’ life and write what you remember of His behavior regarding submission. Who did He submit to in his human lifetime? Who did he NOT submit to? End your answer with a sentence summing up Jesus’ pattern of submission.

1. Is there an authority in your life who is asking you to do something contrary to your convictions, or is leading in a way that you don’t agree with? What is the Lord's instruction on handling yourself in this matter? Prayerfully answer that question. Refer to biblical examples such as Esther, King David with Saul, Abigail, etc.

Digging Deeper 6

John 13:3-17

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

1. I really appreciate the way that the New Living Translation says “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything, and that he had come from God and would return to God; so he got up…” WHY was Jesus okay with washing feet? Did this action disgrace Him or make Him less God because it was the job of the lowest servant?

2. There was no servant there who washed the men's feet when they came in. And none of the disciples volunteered for the job, because it would be admitting that they were “inferior.” Why did Jesus do it Himself instead of instructing someone else to do the job?

3. Jesus did the job completely. In this study about becoming a warrior, I am referring to the discipline to actually do. It’s a call to action. Do the thing, and do it completely. Write down all the steps Scripture describes that Jesus took when washing the disciples’ feet.

4. This was an extremely awkward situation in this culture, to have the teacher/master washing feet. Have you ever chosen not to serve someone in a situation where it would be awkward and uncomfortable?

5. Did you notice that Judas was at the table? The text plainly says that Jesus knew about Judas’ betrayal. Did Jesus choose to skip Judas as He was going around the table to wash feet? Write out some of your thoughts regarding this.

6. What position does Jesus say is the greatest?

Digging Deeper 7

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

1. Research the word “meek.” Find and write out three different definitions.

1. What are some common misconceptions concerning this word?

1. Describe one way that Jesus modeled meekness.

1. What does Jesus mean when He said that the meek will “inherit the earth”?

1. What are two ways you will display meekness in the next 24 hours?

Ch.3

To The Letter

“Well-behaved women rarely make history.”

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Digging Deeper 8

1 Samuel 24:3-22

3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.

14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lorddelivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”

22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1. If you are unfamiliar with the relationship between Saul and David in Scripture, do some research or ask someone who has some biblical knowledge to inform you about it. (1 Samuel is filled with the history of these two men. It’s a fantastic book of stories, not just about these men, but also about many of our ancestors and our faith.)

2. Do you believe David did the right thing in this encounter?

3. If you were one of David’s followers, what might you have thought about David’s actions? Why did his men submit to David’s lead?

4. Why do you think David behaved the way he did?

Digging Deeper 9

Numbers 12

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.

3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

4 At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud;he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:

“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”

9 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.

10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous[a]—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”

14 The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.

1. Have you ever found yourself speaking against one of the Lord's servants?

2. According to this Scripture, what can we assume God thinks about such dishonor?

3. In a society where disrespect for leaders is prevalent, how can you honor God with your thoughts and words towards His appointed leaders?

4. Write out a prayer of repentance for the dishonor you’ve shown God regarding the leaders in your life. Pray that the Spirit would empower you to overcome your flesh and to respect the authority over you.

Digging Deeper 10

Acts 4:1-22

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”