Army of Us

23 November - 7 December 2025

Does everything seem like a battle to you? As conflict and war take the headlines, and in life where so many things seem a battle, join us for an important 3-week series about being the right kind of army.

What does it mean to fight the good fight? And how do we do it?

• 23 November · What kind of battle?

  Ephesians 6:10-13 · What battles are you fighting, and why? Maybe we should choose the right battles! And maybe we should remember who we fight with.

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  Group Study

  1. When you read the phrase ‘the devil’s schemes’, what different names or descriptions for the enemy come to mind from the Bible?

  2. Without looking ahead (if possible!), which pieces of the ‘armour of God’ can you remember? What do you think each one represents before Paul explains it?

  3. Paul says our struggle is not against flesh and blood. How does that reshape your understanding of who (or what) the real enemy is?

  4. If people are not our true enemies, what does that mean for how we think about revenge, conflict, and forgiving those who hurt us?

  5. Jesus says ‘the gates of hell will not prevail.’

     Do you think this means (a) we will not be overcome by evil, or (b) that the forces of evil cannot withstand the advance of God’s people?

  6. When Paul talks about the ‘day of evil’, do you think he is referring to a specific future event, a recurring reality in the Christian life, or both? Why?

  7. What might be some of the devil’s more subtle strategies that Christians often overlook?

  8. Do you have a verse or passage of Scripture that you lean on in moments of spiritual pressure or discouragement?

  9. Paul says to ‘stand’ and ‘keep on praying for all the saints.

     Who do we know who may feel unable to pray right now, and how can we stand with them in prayer this week?

• 30 November · How do we fight?

  Ephesians 6:13-17 · Sadly, throughout history, the church has done a lot of harm. But maybe its because the church has picked the wrong weapons.

  Maybe we should choose some different weapons to fight the good fight?

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  Group Study

  1. What is your favourite genre of movie, and what draws you to it—bravery, mystery, humour, hope, or something else?

     Read Ephesians 6:13–17 together.

  2. In these verses, do you think Paul is calling Christians to be mainly defensive (standing firm) or offensive (advancing)?
     What clues do you see in the text?

  3. Why do you think Paul describes the enemy’s attacks as “flaming arrows” rather than just arrows?
     What does that imagery suggest about the nature of spiritual attacks?

  4. The Bible often speaks about battles coming from the world, the flesh, and the devil.
     Which of these three directions can you see reflected in this passage?

  5. Read Isaiah 59:17.
     What pieces of armour does God wear in Isaiah that aren’t listed for us to wear here?
     What does that reveal about what God takes responsibility for—and what we are invited to do?

  6. Why is it encouraging that the “breastplate of righteousness” and the “helmet of salvation” come from Christ’s work, not our performance?
     How might this help someone who feels they’re “failing” in the Christian life?

  7. The Roman shield worked best when soldiers locked together.
     What does this teach us about how Christian community helps us “stand firm” in seasons of doubt, temptation, or discouragement?

  8. What does it look like in everyday life to use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”?
     How might Scripture help us resist lies, fear, or shame?

  9. Spend time praying for one another—especially for anyone who feels tired, under attack, or unable to stand on their own right now.
     Pray that each person would “relax into Jesus’ victory” and be strengthened to keep going.

• 7 December · The not-so secret weapon

  Ephesians 6:18-20 · It’s easy to forget the hidden weapon for the battle. Maybe we could remember just how powerful this army really is.

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  Group Study

  Read Ephesians 6:18-20

  1. Can you think of a time when you found yourself praying with unusual intensity or urgency? What prompted it?

  2. What do you think Paul means by “praying in the Spirit”? How might that be different from simply saying prayers out of habit or routine?

  3. Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt compelled to pray—almost as if you had to? What did that feel like?

  4. As Paul writes from prison asking for courage, what do you think he might have been most afraid of—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

  5. Paul urges “all kinds of prayers and requests.” What different types of prayer can you think of—from Scripture or from your own experience?

  6. Have you ever wanted to pray and not been able to? What do you think makes prayer difficult in those moments?

  7. Are there parts of your faith story that you usually don’t share? Why do you think that is?

  8. When you pray, do you tend to use structure, spontaneity, or a mix of both? What helps you stay engaged in prayer?

  9. To finish, pray for the person on your right, or for someone you know. Ask God to guide you to pray for what he wants for them right now.