Discipleship Notes

A series of short discipleship notes for young Christians.

21 – The belt’s connection to the breastplate

By / Discipleship Notes / 3 minutes of reading

​Reading:   Colossians 3:1-17
God’s Armour (Ephesians 6:10-20)
The reason for God providing spiritual armour is that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11).

Our perception of strength is not as important as knowing the source of our strength. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Eph 6:10).
Truth is the applied absolutes of God which is discovered through Jesus Christ in the Bible. The Holy Spirit uses these truths to convict and grow us.

As part of the Roman armour the belt had an extension which Paul doesn’t mention. This extension was a large leather strap that diagonally joined the front of the belt over the shoulder and connected to the belt again on the back.

This strap was critical as it connected and located the attached items of armour (Belt, breastplate, and sword scabbard).
The strap was, in reality, part of the belt. It is NOT for looks only.
So it is in the believer’s life, the belt of truth is not an isolated item, but connects to other items. God’s truth makes the correct strong connections in our lives when it is believed, actioned, and shared with others.

The breastplate of righteousness
having put on the breastplate of righteousness (Eph 6:14b).

Roman soldiers would never go to battle without a breastplate. It was a tough, sleeveless piece of armour that covered his full upper body. It was often made of leather or heavy cloth, onto which were attached overlapping slices of animal hooves or horns or pieces of metal. Some were made of metal moulded to the shape of body. The purpose was simply to protect the critical internal organs.

Righteousness, which is applied truth, is to be intentionally wrapped around our whole lives. This righteousness is NOT self-righteousness, and it’s NOT Christ’s imputed righteousness. Rather, it is differing expressions of righteousness that come about as the result of God’s truth in the believer’s new life.

John MacArthur:          The breastplate of righteousness that we put on as spiritual armour against our adversary is the practical righteousness of a life lived in obedience to God’s Word.

Practical observations:
The believer is responsible for putting this righteousness on throughout their living.
We need to remind ourselves of the connection the breastplate has with the belt.
This breastplate is to protect from the enemy and should not be allowed to harden our attitudes towards others.
The breastplate of righteousness as not a weapon and should not be thought or for self-confidence.
It only protects. It is the product of Christ’s imputed righteousness and Holy Spirit sanctification.
A false application sounds like this; “it doesn’t matter how you think, talk, or act, because all our sins – past, present, and future – are covered by Christ’s blood.” This is presumptuous and makes you vulnerable to the enemy. The connection with TRUTH is missing.

Romans 14:16-19 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
The breastplate of righteousness protects us from being ravaged and victimised by sin and Satan.

With Col 3:1-17 in your minds – Questions:
How can we track our righteousness’s without becoming self-righteous or legalistic?
List realistic acts of righteousness which Paul could have had in mind?
How can we encourage others to put on the breastplate of righteousness?

 

 

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20 – The belt of truth

By / Discipleship Notes / 5 minutes of reading

God’s Armour (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Satan operates as the unrivaled master of disguise (2Co 11:13– 15). He makes the bad appear good. He decorates sinful behavior to look righteous. His lies sometimes sound attractive and better than truth. Satan preaches perversion that makes wrong to sound right and right to sound wrong. He remains the messenger of darkness while masquerading as an angel of light. He falsely gives a polished appearance of authenticity to all that is spiritually counterfeit.

The Devil offers worldly things that give people instant pleasure. He camouflages his lies to be so appealing to people that they want to reject God’s truth. He elevates thoughts of self to such a height that people then worship the creature rather than God the Creator (Rom 1:25).

Satan mimics and imitates the holy things of God, while all along, his cheap substitutes continue as the abominable lies of the prince of darkness. Preachers during the Reformation period called Satan “God’s ape,” who mimicked God by disguising the false to appear genuine, thus luring sinners to himself and away from God.

Who we are on the inside determines who we are on the outside. Satan attempts to corrupt our minds so he can corrupt our lives. Satan’s chief activity in the lives of Christians is to cause them to think contrary to God’s Word and thus act disobediently to God’s will.

Read Ephesians 4:17-25    The Christian walk of truth

Since Satan’s primary place of attack is in the mind and heart, it makes sense that the information of the mind and heart be strengthened and protected by truth.

Truth – the 1st piece of armour   (1st in order and 1st in priority)
Eph. 6:14a           Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

First century dress comprised of a loose-fitting outer garment. Whenever action was required, a person would gather up the garment and tuck it into the leather belt. This allowed full and unhindered movement. All the other pieces of armour grow out of and are dependent upon this one. Truth is not only the believer’s foundation, but truth holds together our entire armour of belief and expression of faith.

Truth was the means of salvation:
Eph. 1:13   …you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…

Truth is the means of maturity:
Eph. 4:15   …speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

What is truth?
In the Greek language of Ephesians, the word is alētheia. It literally means not hidden, unconcealed, actual, accurate, true to fact, real, ideal, genuine. Truth can refer to both the accuracy and quality of the facts presented as well as the attitude of truthfulness.

The contrast:
John 14:6 Jesus said… “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…
Jesus praying to His Father said, your word is truth (John 17:17).
Jesus does not simply possess truth, He IS truth.

Likewise, God’s Word (the Bible), is truth. God has not given us a book with lots of different ideas for us to choose from. He gives us absolute, dependable, truth.
John 8:44 To a group of would-be Jewish believers (Jn 8:31-33), Jesus said, you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Truth is challenged in the believer by many things…
A lack of Bible knowledge – either wilfully or through being deprived of Bible teaching.
Not understanding the knowledge that they do have – either wilfully or because they have not had Scripture explained well.
Lack of application of the knowledge they have – either wilfully or unconsciously.

Truth develops dependency upon Jesus Christ as our Truth and His written Word as the vehicle which carries His truth to us. The Holy Spirit uses Christ’s truth to convict us.
Truth enables growth, maturity, and service for the Lord.
Truth sanctifies, protects, guards, and preserves the believer during spiritual attacks, both the subtle and the confrontational attacks.

Ephesians 4:20-24   Practical implementation of truth – both positive and negative.
But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Every believer experiences the same challenge. To remain without a growing knowledge of God, or, to regularly take in God’s truth through the Bible and have the way they think changed. Ongoing inner change is the life-long ministry of the Holy Spirit in us. We all… beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Every Christian should recognise and welcome this work of God’s Spirit. This is the only way believers grow to be more like Christ. Truth was essential for our salvation and truth is equally essential for our sanctification. Without first putting on the belt of truth the child of God will not grow, no matter how many other disciplines they bring into their lives – truth is piece of armour that is 1st in order and 1st in priority.

Questions:
What are some of the different sources of God’s truth?
What are some of the different ways we can “fasten” truth on?
In what ways can we ensure truth remains “fastened” to us?

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19 – Know your armour

By / Discipleship Notes / 3 minutes of reading

William Randolph Hearst was a very wealthy newspaper publisher who had an incredible collection of art. The Hearst mansion in northern California is a testament to his insatiable desire for artistic treasures. On one occasion he learned of some artwork he was determined to obtain. He sent his agent abroad to search for the treasure. After months of investigating, the agent reported that the treasure had been found. To further sweeten the find, Hearst learned that the relic wouldn’t cost him a dime. He already owned it. The rediscovered piece was in Hearst’s warehouse with many other treasures that had likewise never been uncrated.

The desire for acquiring more can sometimes blind us from what we already possess.

———————————-

Many Christians live in blissful, yet stressful, ignorance of the resources available to them. John MacArthur says: “where the Lord’s work is genuinely being done Satan will not fail to oppose it.”

Read Eph 6:10-20 (Focus verses: 6:10, 13-14a)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened…

Emphasis:
Verse 13 begins with “Therefore” – because you know your enemy and can identify his activity, this is what you should do.
If we fail to recognise the seriousness of our enemy and his schemes against us, we will fail to recognise the importance of knowing our spiritual resources and our spiritual armour.
Spiritual resources are not a one-shot fix-it-all solution to life’s difficulties.

take up
This is a call to action. This does not happen by itself. It’s not an automatic part of being a believer.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2Co 10:3-5).

the whole armour of God
Partial armour still leavings you defenceless.
When God provides armour, it is a full armour intended for full protection.

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day
God’s resources, His armour is not intended to turn you into a wild worrier who causes death and carnage.
God’s armour is designed to preserve and strengthen life.
God’s armour is intended to be used to make the believer “stand.”
God’s resources are (Eph 4:11-14)  …so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
ONLY God’s armour can armour us in advance for the days of evil.

and having done all, to stand firm
The end result is that when the day of evil is done and gone, the armoured believer is left standing.

Stand therefore, having fastened…
Note the time tense, “having” – past, those who have in the past lived in the pattern of being armoured, will stand firm in the Lord.
Notice also, how well the armour is to be fitted to your life, “fastened” – to gird all around, tightly attached.

Questions:
How is it that we can be unaware of our spiritual resources?
What begins happening within us when we stop “taking up” the armour?
What practical ways can we make “being armoured” a pattern of our lives?

 

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18 – Know the enemy

By / Discipleship Notes / 6 minutes of reading

​When World War One broke out, the War Ministry in London, England, sent a coded message to one of the British outposts in the inaccessible areas of British controlled Africa, saying, “War declared, arrest all enemy aliens in your district.” The prompt reply came back, “Have arrested ten Germans, six Belgians, four Frenchmen, two Italians, three Austrians, and an American. Please advise immediately who we are at war with.”

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

God’s enemy is our enemy – he is formidable, aged, well resourced, tireless, and well experienced in the craft of making war against God’s children in a way that many will not even recognise the battle they’re caught up in.

Our Champion is Jesus Christ, and we give as little acknowledgement, as little attention, and no glory to the enemy of our Champion.

Our Primary objective in the battle of life is to focus …our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… (Heb 12:2).
As our Champion, Jesus never identified individual demons by name, nor did demons give their individual names, ranking or function to Jesus.

Therefore, putting on the armour of God is:
NOT an enemy focused activity.
NOT a “me” centred teaching.
NOT an ego enhancing mind-set.
NOT a ritual or enactment we go through in order to stay safe in Jesus.
NOT a last resort when all else fails to remove the struggles of life.
NOT a magic formula for victory or success.
NOT a prescription that forces God to do what we want, for our benefit or pleasure.
NOT a spiritual medication that releases all God’s niceties upon us.

Rather, the “Armour of God” is a humble confession that God alone is our spiritual strength. Therefore, we can be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Eph 6:10). We understand that …the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1Jn 4:4).

The purpose of God’s Armour is:
NOT to take us out of the battle.
NOT to remove all discomfort.
NOT to give our emotions a sense of supremacy.

Rather, God’s Armour is to make us STAND UNMOVABLE in the battle, in those days of evil.
Ephesians 6:11-18 are verses that often get taken out of the context in which Paul wrote them. We need to be careful not to isolate these verses and build a belief on them without the required framework of the Ephesian letter which correctly fits them into context.

The Context of being an Armoured Believer
The starting point, and permanent foundation of the Christian life is dependency upon God and preparation for living an ever-increasing Christlike life (2Co 3:18).

Paul’s theological premise: believers are not self-sufficient, and they are not self-dependant. A prepared Christian gets themselves familiar with their resources in Christ. Our understanding is the start line, as Paul explains in Ephesians 1-6:9 – who we are in Christ and how Christ wants to live through us. The amount of strength we possess is NOT as important as the source of our strength.

Paul’s prayer:      (Ephesians 3:14-21) For this reason (What reason? Eph 3:10-12) I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Eph 6:10   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
“Finally,” highlights an accumulation of all previous truth taught in this letter to the Ephesians, and now this is going to top it off. A bit like a final sign off statement.
We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power by putting Eph 6:11 into practice; Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Satan’s schemes are worked out, through and by, his underlings. For we (Christians) do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
In Ephesians 6:12, we see 1 spiritual enemy, yet presented in 4 groupings, or rankings.
They are not flesh and blood (not human, and don’t have our limitations) – yet they strive to influence and effect humans. All 4 facets of the spiritual enemy is preceded by “against” – They are only ever against us!

Putting on armour signifies preparedness and readiness for battle (:13a).
Putting on armour is acknowledgement of our vulnerability and inability to naturally be able to withstand the attacks of the devil’s schemes (:11).
Partial armour is ineffective and useless (:13), Partial armour is planned failure.
The armour is NOT some type of ritual the believer is to perform daily as if this will protect you in some mystical way.

Peter identifies these spiritual forces:
Peter tells us in 1Pe 3:19-20, that in-between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection, Jesus …went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared… (Gen 6).

Question:   What did Jesus proclaim?
Answer: 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit…
1 Peter 3:22, Jesus, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Colossians 2:15   These are the …disarmed …powers and authorities, (that) He (Christ) made a public spectacle of… triumphing over them by the cross.
They are included in the ones Paul speaks of in Php 2:10, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
So, these rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces, are the remaining free agents under Satan’s leadership who were not locked away for their rebellion during Noah’s time. They are permitted by God to battle against Him and His children within His predetermined boundaries while they wait for the final day of judgement and eternal incarceration in hell (Rev 20:10, 12-15).

 

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17 – Dependency on the bible

By / Discipleship Notes / 5 minutes of reading

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, totally true, and absolutely reliable. It is the final authority for all we do as Christians, and as a church. It will transform your attitudes, speech, and actions.  It encourages us and guides us into God’s way of living.

The Bible is God’s only written message to all people, for all of time. It is made up of 66 books, all written by men as God led them to write (2 Timothy 3:15-17). When first written, the Bible did not contain any mistakes and it has only one true meaning (John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Bible is able to meet everyone’s spiritual needs as they read and obey it (Proverbs 2:1-10).

The Bible is:

  • Perfect (Psalm 19:7, Proverbs 30:5)
  • It is without error (Psalm 119:138, 144)
  • Authoritative (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 33:9,119:4)
  • Eternal; it is just as applicable today as it when written! (Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 119:89, 160).
  • Unchanging! (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 6:17-18)

We can rest with full assurance in God’s Word because God remains faithful to His Word and fulfils all His promises.

It is essential to read God’s word
When we become a Christian, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), born-again (John 3:3).  Spiritually you are like a baby who is just beginning to grow.  God’s Word is food for our lives.  The Word of God tells us, “Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). The milk referred to here is the Word of God, the Bible.  We need to read it regularly, meditate on it, and obey it.  

The Christian life is a walk with the Lord, that’s why God’s Word is described as, “A lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). It gives us instruction, plus it helps us understand God and who we are from His perspective.  It shows us how to please God in every area of our lives and how to serve Him.  God speaks to us through the Bible, and He guides us if we read and obey on His Word.

Reasons for knowing God’s Word

  • It makes us wise (Psalm 119:98-104)
  • It gives us the light of understanding (Psalm 119:130)
  • It gives us peace and stops us from stumbling (Psalm 119:165)
  • It builds us up and gives us an inheritance in Jesus (Acts 20:32)
  • It enables faith (Romans 10:17)
  • It teaches us, gives encouragement, and enables hope (Romans 15:4)
  • It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in right living (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow (Hebrews 4:12)
  • It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)

Ways to know God’s Word

  • HEARING: Take time to attend Bible teaching/preaching. Listen to recorded Bible teaching, personal or group Bible reading aloud, gospel witnessing.
  • READING: When we read, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  It can be helpful to follow a Bible reading plan, attend a Bible teaching Home Group, or get in a Discipleship relationship.
  • STUDYING: Make time to study your Bible.  Once again, ask God to bring an older Christian into your life who will be willing to disciple you. It may be helpful to follow a Bible study lesson. Write key notes into your Bible so that you can be reminded of the truths you have learned. Write down anything that God teaches you. 
  • MEDITATING: This is taking a verse, or verses, and spending time prayerfully thinking about and thinking through the passage making application to your life. Ask yourself these questions:
  • What does this passage say about God?
  • Is there something God says is true of you?
  • Take note of how God sees you?
  • Is there a command to be obeyed?
  • Is there a sin that you should turn away from?
  • Spend time talking with the Lord about what you have been meditating on.
  • MEMORISING: Memorise Bible passages for the following reasons:
  • To use when being tempted to sin. “I have hidden your word is my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
  • To help you remember lessons learned from Scripture
  • For use when meditating without a Bible
  • For quoting to others, including witnessing
  • For quoting when praying

God wants us to know Him and His will (John 17:3).  That is why we must study the Bible to understand His intended meaning. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth, Your Word is truth.”

Galatians 1:11-12 “I want you to know brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something made up.  I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Bible explains specific attributes, standards and the origin of truth.  In Scripture, we find only two forms of knowledge, TRUTH and ERROR.  Truth originates from God (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 96:13, James 1:17-18), while error and wrong attitudes originate from Satan and human wisdom (John 8:44, James 3:15, 1 John 4:1, 4-6).

It is God’s will for your life, that you develop your faith and grow your trust in God’s Word. This growth is accelerated by treating His Word as authoritative, as absolute, and as literal truth.  Your relationship with the Lord will flourish as you discover more of Him through His revelation of Himself in the Bible.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7). The law of the Lord (The Bible), is able to give you spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Likewise, the statutes of the Lord (The Bible), equips you by producing wisdom. Wisdom is the actual applying of Scripture to every area of your life. Therefore, it is important that you regularly store up God’s Word in your heart. Without it, you will become weak and malnourished. It is indeed your Daily Bread.

God’s Word is sufficient to meet every spiritual need you have in Christ Jesus!

 

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