CERTIFICATE IN TRANSFORMATIONAL MINISTRY AT THE MARGINS
MODULE TWO-THREE
THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF HOLISTIC LIBERATION & SOCIAL PROPHETIC MISSION
BOB & GRACIE EKBLAD
www.peoplesseminary.org www.tierra-nueva.org
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MANUAL FOR MODULE 3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Informed from above 5 2. Identity and authority in Christ 9 • Holistic barriers to liberation defined and summarized 18 3. Healing of father wounds 22 4. The power of forgiveness 30 5. Unhealthy beliefs: Identifying & replacing false images of God & self 34 6. Healing of mother wounds 40 7. Confession, repentance and receiving forgiveness 46 8. Jesus liberating: case study of Luke 9:37-43 48 9. Biblical cosmology & liberation in the New Testament 55 10. Spiritual warfare & multi-layered, holistic liberation 61 11. Ministry protocol: praying for healing and liberation 70 12. John the Baptist: Exemplary prophet 81 13 The powers in Biblical perspective 85 14. Stewarding the Word: discipleship basics 93
Appendix Steps in interpreting a biblical text 95 Freedom from idolatry and animism 97 Praying Psalms against enemies 101 Kingdom Identity—freedom from nationalism/powers 103 Baptismal renunciations & affirmations 110 Discipleship after healing and deliverance 111
Bible studies Luke 2:41-52 115 Luke 6:27-36 127 The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod--Mark 8:11-21 129 Reading the Bible Beside Jesus: The Woman Caught in Adultery 130
Appendix 2 Ekballo in Matthew’s Gospel 132 Bibliographies 138
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Description of modules
eople engaged in ministry encounter spiritual and structural obstacles to personal and social transformation. In this module we deepen our theology of holistic liberation and practice/learn hands-on approaches to physical and inner healing, personal deliverance and other kinds of prayer ministry. P
rophetic ministry in Scripture is broad, bringing Jesus’ Kingdom perspective to bear on everything from our personal lives and those not yet reached to current events and the movements of the Spirit throughout the world. P
4 Session 1
INFORMED FROM ABOVE
Interpreting current events Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both; but interpret newspapers from your Bible.
“Blessed” is the person who “does not walk according to counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.”
Walk, stand, sit…
“walking in the counsel of the ungodly” “ungodly” or “wicked” = rasha in Hebrew • opposites- “the righteous” and those who pursue justice and righteousness • designates anyone not following the ways of God o the proud and arrogant (Isa 13:11) o rulers (Isa 14:5) o and the rich (Isa 53:9)
Counsel The “counsel of the ungodly” • etsah Hebrew “counsel, advice, political consultation, counsel for war” o Israelite kings often followed bad counsel (1 Kings 12:8,13; Isa 36:5; 47:13; Ezek 11:2) o “For they are a nation lacking in counsel, and there is no understanding in them.” (Deut 32:28) • Boule in OT Greek o advice that is not coming from the righteous, or most importantly from God o “For my counsels (boule) are not as your counsels, nor are my ways as your ways, says the Lord. But as the heaven is distant from the earth, so is my way distant from your ways, and your thoughts from my mind.” (Septuagint Version of Isaiah 55:8-9)
Wise Counsel The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isa 11:2)
Counsel from above Jesus spoke of contrasting sources: • “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth” (John 3:31)
5 • “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23)
Wisdom from above Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)
Word of Wisdom • Gift of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7) • “not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away” (1 Cor 2:6) • God’s wisdom – a mystery, hidden (1 Cor 2:7) • “which none of the rulers of this age has understood”… or they wouldn’t have crucified Jesus (1 Cor 2:8) • “things which eye has not seen, ear has not heard” (1 Cor 2:9) • For to us God revealed them through the Spirit (1 Cor 2:10) • We have received “not the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God (1 Cor 2:12)
Standing in the path of sinners Agreeing and participating in policies and lifestyles informed by unrighteous counsel- “from the earth” and “speaks of the earth.”
The path of sinners derek (path, way) = a literal road or direction but most often refers to choices people make or a particular way of life that may be either foolish/evil or wise/good
God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. (Gen 6:12)
They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers (Judg 2:17)
“Sitting in the seat of scoffers” Lits (– scorn, scoff, deride, mock
“Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.” (Prov 14:9)
The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from your law. (Ps 119:51) • hate and superiority can be intoxicating • mocking or judging • power and control
6 Walk, stand, sit = Shema “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deut 6:4-9)
Alternative source – Torah Delight- chaphets pleasure, desire
“I delight to do Your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Ps 40:8)
“How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” (Ps 112:1)
Law = Torah – teaching, Pentateuch
Meditate haga- “moan, groan, murmur, utter, meditate, muse, imagine”
Haga suggests deep engagement. Meditating is less an intellectual activity and more a deep vocal or silent ruminating, (which seems more possible as a continuous activity).
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Josh 1:8)
“When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches.” (Ps 63.6)
“My tongue also will utter (meditate) your righteousness all day long;” (Ps 71:24)
“I will meditate on all your work and muse on your deeds.” (Ps 77:12)
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your doings; I muse on the work of your hands.” (Ps 143:5)
“Day & night” = Apostle Paul writes: “pray in the Spirit at all times.” (Eph 6:18)
“we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons.’ (Rom 8:23)
7 The term “groan” (stenazo, in Greek) means “to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: - with grief, groan, grudge, sigh”
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Rom 8:26-27)
Praying in the Spirit then can be associated with a kind of internal groaning that overlaps with meditation.
Outcome for those who meditate They will be like a tree, planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season. And its leaf does not wither. And in whatever that one does they prosper.” (Ps 1:3)
See Jeremiah 17:5-8
Outcome for the wicked “Not so for the wicked” = not like those who meditate (Ps 1:3)
Bleak prognosis for the wicked, who “are like the chaff that the wind drives away…” “will not stand in the judgment,” “nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous” “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Ps 1:4-6)
8 Session 2
IDENTITY & AUTHORITY IN CHRIST
True spiritual authority comes when are in right relationship with our Father in heaven as a son or daughter. Jesus brings us to the Father, shows us healthy sonship/daughterhood. The Holy Spirit fills and empowers us for our true identity.
We may need to turn away from false gods who are in the place of the Father (or who pretend to be our “father”), and turn and surrender to the true Father.
Question: “What do you see as the blocks to you living as an empowered son or daughter of the Father? ______
Bible Study on John 1:1-13
Study Guide Notes
Introduction This study focuses on the opening verses in the Gospel of John. John presents the logos (word) as God himself, and as revelation coming as light into the darkness. Receiving this Word revealed in Jesus is directly linked to growing authority as the believer grows towards becoming a son or daughter of God. Let’s see how this works.
Read John 1:1–2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. He was in the beginning with God.”
Explanation Here it says that God’s Word was with God from the start. God’s Word equals God and is called Word to stress that God is speaking.
9 Study Guide Notes
Question 1 Do any of you feel the need to hear from God? Do you need wisdom for some hard decision you need to make or something hard you’re going through?
Read John 1:3–5 “All things came into being through In verses 3–5, notice how the power of God’s Word Him, and apart from Him nothing came brings all things into being as life and light, which into being that has come into being. In cannot be overcome by darkness. Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
Question 2 What else is this Word associated with? Life and light.
Question 3 What does the Word do according to The Word brings light for the people, which shines in this verse? the darkness. The darkness can’t overcome this Word, life, light.
Read John 1:9 “There was the true light which, coming It is easy to lose people’s interest because of the into the world, enlightens every theoretical sound of John 1:6–8. Rather than talking person.” about John the Baptist, focus on how God is speaking and revealing himself in Jesus. To keep this focus, I suggest skipping ahead to John 1:9.
Question 4 According to this verse, who is this It says the word is for every person. Word—the life and true light—for?
Question 5 Are people with multiple felonies Consider asking other questions to clarify who the excluded? Does it include violent Word is, such as legalistic law-enforcers, people who offenders, prosecuting attorneys, look down on others, and sex offenders. political opponents?
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Explanation So no one is excluded. Expect people to be attracted to this Word as desirable and good.
Question 6 Would such a Word be attractive to people you know?
Read John 1:10 “He was in the world, and the world The fact that God’s Word was completely missed or was made through him, and the world rejected by Jesus’ own people relieves some people did not recognize him.” from self-condemnation.
Question 7 How can people miss this Word, life, Let’s check out another verse that gives an light? interesting explanation about why people didn’t recognize Jesus.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Question 8 Do you see any signs that there’s a spiritual power trying to keep you from recognizing God as being there for you or keeping you from knowing Jesus?
Invitation Consider how your faith in God may be under attack. Consider how your faith that God is good and is for you may be under assault.
Question 9 Have you ever felt like you were not seen, noticed or recognized? Have you ever felt overlooked or invisible? What did that feel like?
11 Study Guide Notes
Invitation Does anyone want to share about your experiences of feeling invisible, unrecognized, overlooked? As the leader, you might consider sharing an example from your own life.
Read John 1:11 “He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him.”
Question 10 How did Jesus’ own people respond to Briefly explain how Jesus was rejected by the Jewish him? leaders, who turned the people against him, which led to his execution. This fulfills Scripture from Isaiah 53, which describes people’s rejection of the Lord’s Servant.
Read Isaiah 53:3 Isaiah presents the Servant of the Lord as a future “He was despised and forsaken of men, Savior who accomplishes God’s mission in the world, a man of sorrows and acquainted with but also suffers (see Isaiah 42:1-7; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; grief; and like one from whom men 52:13-53:12). hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
Question 11 Have you ever been rejected by your own people—your family, friends, classmates in school, fellow gang members? What does it feel like to be rejected?
Invitation Does anyone want to share about your experiences of rejection? As the leader, you might consider sharing an example from your own life.
Explanation Many of us know the pain of being ignored, invisible or rejected, but we don’t have to be like the world. The next verse shows us a different path.
12 Study Guide Notes
Read John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them The word exousia, which is usually translated as he gave the right to become children of “right” or “privilege,” means “authority.” God, even to those who believe in his name.”
Explanation The translation of the phrase, “to them he gave the right to become children of God,” is not the best translation, because it sounds like we must earn or qualify this right—kind of like entrance into drug court, a driver’s license, or visitation rights to see children in foster care. In Greek, this word is actually exousia, which means “authority.” As we receive Jesus and believe in his name, God gives us authority to become his children, which begins a process of spiritual empowerment. Note: Be careful to not be overly critical of Bible translations because this can create distrust of the rest of Scripture. Our Bibles were originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament and the Greek translation of the Old Testament—the Septuagint).
Question 12 Do you feel that you have enough Consider offering other comparisons, asking if people authority as you are, based on what would have more authority as the son or daughter of you’ve received from your parents and Bill and Melinda Gates, a president or corporate education, to deal with all your executive. problems? Also consider asking what gives people authority in this world.
Question 13 Would being a son or daughter of God give you more authority potentially than what you have now?
Explanation As God’s children, we have authority over demons and all sickness. Consider reading Luke 9:1 and Matthew 10:1. Let’s look more closely at the contrast John’s Gospel shows between spiritual authority and our human authority through birth.
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Read John 1:13 “Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Explanation Here we can see different kinds of birth: being born “of blood,” “of the will of the flesh,” of the will of man/woman,” and “of God.”
Question 14 Why do you think these different ways John’s Gospel is showing that there is nothing we of talking about birth are mentioned receive from this world (DNA, parents, culture, here? heritage, race, class) that will give us as much authority as we are offered when we are born God.
Re-read John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name.”
Explanation When we receive and believe in the Word, we receive Jesus himself. (See John 1:14: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”)
Question 15 What does someone need to do to be Receiving and believing in Jesus opens the way to being born of God? born of God (Jn 1:12-13).
We can respond to Jesus in ways that are different from the world (those who reject, hate, exclude).
Invitation Consider receiving Jesus and choosing to believe in him as the Word that enlightens everyone.
Question 16 Has anyone felt assaulted by the god of this world? Does anyone need freedom from the blinding god of this world?
Invitation If you do, you can confess your past and present agreement with darkness, renounce the god of this world, and ask Jesus to open your eyes.
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Question 17 Is anyone so attracted to Jesus that you want to receive him?
Invitation If so, you can take a step of faith by telling Jesus of your desire to receive him and believe in him.
Further Invitation You can go a step further in the practice of your new authority by putting your hands on places on your body where you need healing and speak out healing in Jesus’ name.
Authority from “the flesh” vs. identity from the Spirit
• We receive our identity, (which includes our family name, ancestors, tribe, language, religion, nationality) • Question: Who did you receive your identity from? ______- ______o The mother (or grandparent) shows us our father. o This may be our biological father—or a step-father, grandfather, pastor… • Question: How much authority do you get from human “fathers”? ______
False spiritual authority • Authority received from someone being in the place of the Father who is not the father of Jesus (idol, demonic spirit, power, false image of God) • Question: Do you see examples of this? Where?______Identifying and replacing false images of God as Father
15 We can turn away from the true God People can turn away from the true God, as Israel did (Deut 11:16; 29:18; 30:17; Joshua 22:16; 1 Kings 9:6; 11:2-4, 9; 2 Chron 7:19)
We can turn away from the false god But… people often turn away from false images of God—thinking they rightly represent God.
False images of God as Father come from many sources • Our experience of our own human fathers Question: What was your experience of your human father or other man in this role? ______
Question: What view of God would you have based on your experience of your human father.______
Jesus’ authority released at his baptism • baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins • baptismal death—identity according to the flesh goes under water • Heavens opened • Spirit came upon Jesus • Father gives identity: “you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God… (Romans 8:14-16)
Our Spiritual authority is under attack: Jesus’ temptations
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate
16 nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’” Luke 3:1-3
• After his baptism, the Spirit propels Jesus to confront the Enemy. • Jesus has fasted for 40 days and is hungry • Tempter begins by questioning his identity: “If you are the son of God, tell this stone to become bread” (Matthew 4:3) Three temptations: to distrust God’s provision, to abuse power, and to manipulate the Father. Idolatry/false worship and authority.
Enemy’s strategy • Disrupt rapport between Father and Son • Disconnect God’s children from their source of power and authority • Get us to doubt our identity as children of God “If you are the Son of God.” • Command allegiance by giving orders – that is, take the Father’s place “command this stone to become bread.”
Jesus’ counter strategy Jesus confronts the devil as an empowered son of God— • He doesn’t question devil’s claim of ownership of all the kingdoms • Insists on right rapport with God “you shall worship the Lord, your God, and him only you shall serve” • He requires the devil to submit himself to God (that is, himself) • Jesus re-enters the land in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:18-19). • New Joshua (Jesus is the same name). Takes possession of the land in the power of the Spirit
Receiving our inheritance and authority now. • Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” • Ephesians 2:6 “We are “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Look at the love the Father has extravagantly poured out on us that we would be called children of God; and that is what we are. The world won’t recognize us. We are God’s children, though we haven’t even seen what we are becoming, but when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him… (1 John 3:1-2)
17 HOLISTIC LIBERATION & BARRIERS DEFINED
For freedom Christ has set us free—into the glorious freedom of the sons (and daughters of God). This involves identifying and addressing bondage in our lives. To be free we may need to first understand where we are not free.
Just as ants and rats are attracted to garbage, so too the demonic is attracted to unhealed wounds and sin in our lives. We need to take out the “trash” so to speak.
What are the most common “open doors” to demonic oppression? 1) Generational sin 2) Soul ties 3) Deficit of nurture 4) Soul hurts and trauma 5) Unhealthy Beliefs 6) Destructive lifestyle practices (addictions, idolatry, sinful practices…)
1. Generational sin includes lifestyle practices that we inherit with the remaining consequences. What negative behaviors and conditions can you identify that your parents and grandparents also practiced or suffered from. Generational influence to sin is the pressure we feel to repeat sins of the past. Examples: anger, rage, alcoholism, domestic violence, Cancer, heart disease, control, infidelity, murder, deceit, gambling, depression… Generational sin must be identified, confessed and renounced. • Activated by judgments against father/mother & ancestors • Forgiveness, confession, and repentance are required to de-activate. Scriptures (Exod. 20:5-6; 34:6-7; Lev 26:39; 2 Chron. 30:7; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:15-17)
2. Soul ties are invisible connections between the souls of two people or a person and animal that can natural and good (with spouse, child). They can also keep people from freedom when they are unhealthy.
• Good soul ties in Scripture: Gen 2:23-24; • Destructive ties: 1 Corinthians 6:15; • Cutting soul ties in Scripture (John 2:4; Matt 4:19-22; 8:19-22; 10:34-35; 12:46-50; Luke 9:59-61; 14:26; ) Prayer: “In the name of Jesus Christ I confess my unhealthy involvement with _____ and in the name of Jesus I cut every tie with ____ and I loose myself from every tie
18 [with this person]. I bless this person, but I no longer wish to be tied to her/him at the level of my soul or spirit.”
3. Deficit of Nurture. Lack of attachment and nurture during infancy and early childhood opens the door to psychological and spiritual dis-ease, like: • insecurity, fear, anxiety disorders… • abandonment, rejection • substance abuse/addiction • sexual addictions • self-hatred • detachment or unhealthy attachment
4. Soul Wounds and trauma are inner wounds caused by traumatic life experiences, such as: • rejection, abandonment, neglect, perceived failure, job loss, abortion, disability, violence, abuse, threats, manipulation, control, accidents, loss, death of a loved one, illness... • Loss, hate, guilt, self-hate, depression, abandonment… can result. • Inner healing is needed to address wounds of trauma (war, accidents, violence that has instilled fear into our souls).
5. Unhealthy Beliefs
6. Destructive lifestyle practices (addictions, idolatry, sinful practices…)
Spirit, Soul and Body distinguished
Scripture appears to differentiate between three dimension of the human being (a tripartite anthropology): body, soul and spirit.
The Spirit (Hebrew = ruach, Greek = pneuma), soul and body.
God made the human, breathing into his nostrils (body) the breath (nᵉšāmâ) of life, and he became a living being (nephesh = soul). This is stated only of the human.
The following texts refer to the human spirit as distinct from the soul and body.
“Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him” (Zech 12:1).
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“You have granted me life and lovingkindness; and your care has preserved my spirit.” Job 10:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul (psychē) and spirit (pneuma), of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:23).
He (Jesus), however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and he gave orders for something to be given her to eat” (Luke 8:54-55).
The human spirit can receive and perceive things from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:11, 14).
The human spirit can be blessed (see Gal 6:18; 2 Tim 4:22; Phil 4:23; Philemon 25).
“We are living essence from God (spirit), that he gave an expression (soul) in a tangible package (body).” Sylvia and Elizabeth Gunter, Blessings for Life: Words of Hope and Healing, p. 6.
The soul (Hebrew= nephesh, Greek= psyche).
The spirit can speak and lead the soul.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him for the help of his presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; therefore I remember you” (Ps 42:5-6).
See also Psalms 43, 62, 103, 104, 116, 146.
The body (Hebrew = bāśār, Greek = soma).
20 The body houses the soul and the spirit
In the OT and NT, human beings are admonished: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut 6:4-5).
Our spirit should be surrendered to God, and rule over our soul and body, as Prov 25:28 says: “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.” “Your human spirit is the innermost part where the Holy Spirit resides. It is the connection point between God and your soul and body. The roles and relationships of spirit, soul, and body are complex and intertwined. It is not possible to give absolute definitions that “this is only spirit, this is only soul, this is only body.” It is not that clear-cut. As you read the Bible about spirit, soul, and body, it actually becomes less clear. Some will say that your emotions, your mind, your will, and your memories are your soul. The Bible says your spirit also has emotions, will, and mind. Your body can hold memories and emotions. So it is not so easy to define. Here is the great news: we don’t have to. Hebrews 4:12 says that dividing between what is spirit and what is soul is God’s job.” Gunter, Blessings for Life, p. 7.
“The spirit has the responsibility to lead under the direction of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the benefit of the soul and body. As we recognize and nourish our spirit, our soul and body become healthier and more whole as it takes its proper place in God’s design.” Gunter, p. 9.
These three parts of the human person can be oppressed.
The human spirit—through allegiance/worship of anything other than the one true God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
The soul/psyche—through mindsets, emotional attachments, feelings and forces affecting the will.
The body— through reactions and consequences that include mental and physical illness, action/inaction, entrapments…
21 Session 3
HEALING FROM FATHER WOUNDS
What was your experience of growing up in your family?
Key: Pain that isn’t transformed is always transmitted Our experience of family forms or deforms us. Several levels of wounds we acquire in life: 1. We live in a broken world and we get wounded living. 2. We are wounded by others and our families. 3. We self-inflict wounds
Adapted from Free to Be, by Sam and Gloria Thompson A. How did I view my earthly father or whoever was in this role? Circle the description, which describes how you perceived your father. Remember: this is your perception, it may not represent the way he actually is/was.
Critical – judgmental Providing for the family Sensitive Successful Warm Able to show affection Unconditionally loving Self-respecting Good communicator Not loyal Available Accepting Understanding Indifferent Weak Cold Honest/vulnerable Conditionally loving Perfectionist Silent Others-centered Absent Happy Dishonest In touch with feelings Not accepting Responsible Self-centered Trustworthy Unhappy Abusive Not in touch with feelings Self-controlled Lazy Open Unreliable Follows through with commitments Protective
22 Forgiving Out of control Passive Closed Knowing God Unstable Responsible for self Unforgiving Rigid Assertive Outgoing Not knowing God Playful Blaming others Rational Flexible Hostile Not providing for family Relational Not playful Admitting mistakes Self hating Tender
B. What kind of experiences did I have with my earthly father or step-father?
Yes Some- No Often times never 1. Did we talk together, share thoughts, Feelings, beliefs, hurts, needs, dreams… ______
2. Did we play together? ______
3. Did we laugh together? ______
4. Did we cry together? ______
5. Did we make decisions & set goals? ______
6. Did we have conflicts? ______
7. Did he discipline me? ______
8. Did we study and learn together? ______
9. Did we worship and pray together? ______
10. Did we work together? ______
23 11. Did he comfort me? ______
12. Did we listen to each other? ______
13. Did he set guidelines for my behavior? ______14. Did my father love me no matter what? ______15. Did he affirm my strengths & interests ______
C. What kind of relationship did I see myself having with my earthly father?
If my father had these I generally would develop these characteristics with me characteristics in response to him
Open & honest Trusting person
Policeman Prisoner
A boss a worker or employee
An owner Slave
Abusive Fearful
Over-indulging Entitled
A teacher Student
Macho Weak
Critical Rebellious
Absent Lonely
Over-controlling Overwhelmed or out of control
Unconditionally loving Self-loving & giving
Firm, but reasonable Self-assured & secure
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Superior Inferior
Servant-leader Willing follower
Supportive & trusting Secure & significant
Restoring the Father relationship 1. Discerning a father distortion. “I have difficulty praying the Lord’s Prayer because whenever I say, ‘Our Father,’ I think of my own father who was hard, unyielding and relentless. I cannot help but think of God that way.” Martin Luther a. Flawed Fatherhood (Lk. 11:11-13) b. Father Image Distortions 1) The performance-oriented father gives love as a reward for performance in areas such as chores, education, sports, etc. Distortion: The Father demands that you earn His love. 2) The passive father fails to give affectionate love as a result of not being around home much, or simply being non-demonstrative. Fathers who traveled constantly, were workaholics, alcoholics, divorced and left, died at an early age or were emotionally stoic could fit this category. Distortion: The Father is not there. 3) The punitive father gave pain (through some degree of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse) instead of love. Distortion: The Father is dangerous. 4) The pretty good father was basically loving, accepting and motivating. Such fathers are a minority. They greatly enhance our perception of a Father who loves us. 5) There can be mother issues in our life where injury occurred and needs the healing of the mother aspect of the Father’s love (Isaiah 66:13), but the primary influence on the Father image still comes from the father. 2. Diagnosing a father wound. 3. Discovering the love of your Father in Heaven a. Embracing the benefits of good fathering with gratefulness. How was your dad a good dad? b. Forgiving a father for injuring you. Where/how did your father hurt you? Be specific.
25 THE FATHER HEART OF GOD
God as parent Isaiah 1:2 God as Father 2 Cor 6:18; John 20:17; Isa 63:16 God as Father with a mother heart Isaiah 49:13-15; 66:12-14 A Father to orphans Psalm 68:5-6 A Father who adopts the abandoned Psalm 27:10 A Father as Creator Psalm 139:13 A Father who provides Matthew 7:11 A Father who comforts 2 Corinthians 1:3 A Father who loves Jeremiah 31:20; Deut. 33:12 A Father who forgives Psalm 103:8, 12-13 A Father who corrects Hebrews 12:5-11 A Father who repents Exodus 32:14; Jeremiah 26:3
Authority from God (spiritual authority)
The Father of Jesus of Nazareth is the only true Father. Jesus says:
“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. (Matt. 23:9)
Jesus reveals the Father to us.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
Read Psalm 40
The central revelation of the Father is His love. Central to Jesus’ self-revelation is the love of the Father.
What does the Bible say about the Father’s love?
Theology of the Father’s love
I. The Relationship of love within the Trinity A. The Trinity is essentially a love relationship within God (Jn. 17:24).
26 B. Christians are invited to enter into relationship within this community of love and experience the Father’s love. (Jn. 14:23; 1 Jn 4:7-10) II. The Revelation of the Father’s Love A. God the Father revealed his love for the world through the giving of his Son (Jn. 3:16; Rm. 5:8). B. Jesus the Son reveals the Father to us that we might become his beloved sons and daughters. (Lk. 10:22; Rm. 8:15-16) III. The Father’s Love in the Life of Jesus A. The Father not only has divine love (agape) for the Son (Jn. 3:35) but also a demonstrated love (phileo – demonstrated natural affection) for the Son (Jn. 5:16-20) B. The Father’s phileo love for Jesus is obviously demonstrated at his baptism and transfiguration. IV. The Promise of the Father’s Love to His Disciples – because they love and believe in him. (Jn. 16:26-27) V. The Prayer for the Revelation of the Father’s Love – (Jn. 17:25-26) VI. Pentecost and the Father’s Love - Outpouring of Spirit and power (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) is correlated to “Love of God poured into our hearts through the H.S.” (Acts 1:4; Rm 5:5). VII. The Spirit of Adoption – Paul uses theological terminology to describe the experience of receiving the Father’s love. (Rm. 8:14-16)
Jesus’ Baptism: the central event (Mark 1:9-11) I. The Baptismal Event – One of the clearest events of God’s love. A. The Humanity of Jesus – Incarnate God/Man, knew his weakness, needs to pray B. The Anointing of the Spirit – He experienced an insurgence of spiritual power (Acts 10:38; Is. 61:1f). C. The Affirmation and Affection of the Father. D. The Commissioning of Jesus – The Spirit drives/sends him out II. The Personal Event A. Through faith in the name of Jesus we stand alongside him redeemed and adopted by the Father. Being the center of the Father’s loving attention may be what the love of God is all about. Never let the ministry get in the way of the Father’s ministry to you. Question: Have there been any central events in your experience of the Father’s love?
27 B. The fullness of the Spirit empowers us and makes the Father’s loving presence existentially real to us. C. The Father’s love becomes experiential as we feel his affectionate touch and hear his wonderful words of love. “You are my beloved son in whom I am pleased.” Being the center of the Father’s attention a major part of what experiencing the love of God is all about. We need to get in touch with those centering moments. D. By His commission we are sent out to carry the Father’s love in compassion, witness, and work to the world.
A. Realization of the Spirit of sonship/daughterhood (Romans 8:14-16) 1. Characteristics of the spirit of fear. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry Abba! Father!” a. It can be a natural, demonic, religious or cultural spirit. b. It is the spirit that somehow says, “The Father does not love you!” c. It is the spirit that produces fear of the Father saying, “Any failure will be punished!” d. It is the spirit that leads to slavery by saying, “You must work for love!” 2. Causes of the spirit of fear. a. The father of lies seeks to distort the image of God as a loving Father. (Jn. 8:44) b. The failures of important father figures in our life to show us love. c. The father archetypes over nations can pervade and pervert a culture’s image of God’s Fatherhood. 3. Coming into our freedom through the Spirit of adoption. a. Appropriating the power of redemption (Gal. 4:4-6) 1) Through the redeeming blood of Jesus the Father has purchased our salvation so that we might become his adopted sons and daughters. 2) The blood of Jesus has the power to release us from all the works of the father of lies and fallen mankind and free us from the spirit of fear in any form. 3) Through faith and forgiveness we appropriate the power of redemption. b. Actualizing our experience of adoption 1) The Spirit breaks the power of the dominion of darkness to bring us into the Father’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Jn. 4:18)
28 2) The Spirit places us (huiothesia) in the presence of our Father to experience our adoption as sons and daughters. 3) We receive strong evidence from the Spirit that we are God’s beloved children. 4) The Spirit causes us to cry out “Abba, Father!
29 Session 4
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is a gift—a choice—a process that flows from God’s love. Forgiveness is about our freedom as forgivers. True forgiveness is always a work of God.
Scripture teaches that forgiveness is necessary.
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25-26)
Matt. 6:12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matt 18:21-22)
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32)
• Parable on unforgiving steward (Matt 18:23-35). • Those who do not forgive will be turned over to the torturers (demonic oppression). Matt 18:34-35 Luke 6:27-28 The heart of the gospel: Love, do good, bless, pray for, give to, forgive, be merciful, judge not.
Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you.”
Steps in Forgiveness
Only God’s power makes this work possible. It’s a supernatural work, not a natural work. Taking revenge, living in the hurt, hatred…those are natural.
Symptoms of the Need for Forgiveness in our Lives:
30 ! Being hurt or offended by somebody’s actions or perceived actions. ! Thinking negative thoughts about the person(s). ! Repeating the hurtful incident over and over in your mind. ! Speaking negatively about the offending party.
Steps toward Forgiving Others
1. Write down names of those you know you need to forgive and ask Holy Spirit to reveal anyone else you may need to forgive.
2. Beside each name write the specific reason(s) you need to forgive this person.
3. Define what was lost, taken, or denied you (dignity, choice, trust, honor, love, relationship, innocence, betrayal, purity, etc.) Ask: What did I lose? What is at the root of the hurt?
4. Grieve the loss. Grief is a God-given response with stages (denial, anger, depression, acceptance, adjusting to the new reality).
5. Your ungodly participation: Write down your ungodly participation with the offense and your ungodly response towards the person you are forgiving. Our natural response when hurt is to strike back, seek revenge, spew, and wound. This can be passive or active. Examples of possible ungodly responses: > You avoid the person or non-verbally let them know your feelings. > You slander them, gossip about them, etc. > You have negative thoughts about the person. > You’ve spoken negatively about or cursed the person. > You have thoughts of or have taken revenge against them. > You’ve secretly or openly hoped for the person’s downfall, etc.
6. The actual work of forgiving, releasing from judgment, and blessing: In prayer, speak forgiveness over each person on your list specifically for what they did and release them from your judgments. Begin to pray for God to bless that person in specific ways recognizing yourself as a potential vehicle for blessing. This is not easy work. It’s God’s work and requires God’s power. It’s what God has done for you and because God has done this for us we can be empowered to offer it to others. Our capacity to do this reflects the power of God at work in and through us.
Sample Prayer: I thank you, Lord Jesus, for freely choosing to forgive me for all of my sin. I now choose to give the gift of forgiveness to all those who have hurt me.
31
In the name of Jesus I forgive _(name)_ for _(offense)_ (be specific!).
In the name of Jesus, I choose now to release (name) from my judgments and to entrust him/her to the merciful judgment of Jesus. They owe me nothing, not even an apology.
In the name of Jesus I choose to bless ______in the name of Jesus. (pray specific blessings)
Lord, I ask you to forgive me for my sinful responses towards this person (confess these sinful responses). Lord, I ask you now to give me strength to repent of these ungodly responses.
7. Forgiving Yourself
Forgiveness is often not complete until after we’ve asked God’s forgiveness and forgiveness from others we’ve also forgiven ourselves. What do you need to forgive yourself for?
Sample Prayer:
Thank You Lord for the cross of Christ and for forgiving me of all my sins. I choose now to forgive myself in the name of Jesus for ___(specifics)_____. I choose to no longer hold these things against myself. In accordance with your forgiveness, I now receive your gift of forgiveness. I surrender to you all my guilt, shame and condemnation, in the name of Jesus.
Biblical texts of relevance: Luke 6:27-38; 7:38-48; Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:25-32; Colossians 3:12-15; James 5:16; John 1:98-9
BARRIERS TO FORGIVENESS
1. Not understanding I’ve been forgiven 2. Not understanding & trusting God’s justice 3. Expecting life to be wound & scar free 4. Fear 5. Wanting the person to acknowledge their sin 6. Revenge 7. Inability to name the sin. (a) Deprivation (b) Control 8. Avoidance of naming the sin 9. The loss of the reality of Jesus dying on the cross.
32
HOW TO LEAD A FORGIVENESS PRAYER, Lin Button
1. Invoke the presence of Jesus and help the person to name the sin against them and the offender 2. Encourage the person to speak out forgiveness. You may need to lead them in prayer, which they repeat, “Lord Jesus I forgive ______(repeat).. the offenders name______(repeat) for ______against me (repeat). 3. Help them to know that the sin against them is leaving them and going to Jesus on the Cross. Spend time on this seeing all critical words, for instance, leaving the person and being attracted to the Cross—like a magnet. Remove (unbind them) from the sin. 4. Pray for healing where the sin against them has shaped them, wounded them, etc. Loose them from the consequence of sin
33 Session 5
UNHEALTHY BELIEFS: IDENTIFYING & REPLACING FALSE IMAGES OF GOD & SELF
In this session we will look at common unhealthy beliefs about God, self and others that contribute to spiritual oppression. We must identify the false images of God, turn away from them and then turn towards the true God. This is conversion.
Question: What do you believe and what are you listening to and allowing to manifest in your mind? The enemy takes advantage of our false beliefs, sinful inclinations and wounds and exploits them to damage us.
Why do we need to change our beliefs about God?
“The number one healing people need is in their image of God,” (Judith MacNutt). “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:2)
What shapes your thinking? God’s true and living Word or something else? Families are belief shapers without even realizing it
How belief-systems are naturally formed
Experience
Behavior Belief
Expectation
34 Teaching/preaching, our experience of family and life, loss, death and suffering are major shapers of our belief systems.
This cycle needs to be broken at the level of our beliefs. False beliefs bind our hearts.
“The mind that is set on the flesh is death, but to set the mind of the Spirit is life and peace….the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6)
“Set you mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died and life is hidden with Christ in God…Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly (of the flesh)…” (Colossians 3:2-5)
“Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind…”
What else contributes to unhealthy beliefs?
• Generational sins, soul ties, life hurts and traumas contribute to unhealthy beliefs systems • Unhealthy beliefs: “All beliefs, decisions, attitudes, agreements, judgments, expectations, vows and oaths that do not agree with God (God’s Word, nature, character). (Kylstra, p. 112) • Shame will make us magnify the negative words and lies and silence the truth of God.
What are some typical beliefs about God in your community or country that you would consider unhealthy? ______
“The life of Jesus was one of shattering false images of God that people had. The Jews didn’t recognize Jesus as Messiah because they had the wrong image of God.” (C.S. Lewis).
35
Ministry steps to identify & replace unhealthy beliefs/lies
• Identify unhealthy belief(s). • State (write out if possible) unhealthy belief(s) • Verbalize (write or speak) a healthy belief in response to each unhealthy belief o ask God for a belief in keeping with God’s perspective to counter each unhealthy belief • Use Scripture to support and verify new belief. Ask Holy Spirit for help, and offer help yourself to find appropriate Scripture. • Turn away from unhealthy belief, replacing it with one in keeping with God’s perspective.
Replacing unhealthy beliefs with Good News
• Gospel/Good News must be discerned in direct response/opposition to lie(s)/false perception(s). Examples: o “I turn away from the lies that I am bad, and worthy of rejection and embrace the truths that I am made in God’s image, chosen by God as his daughter/son.” o “I turn away from the lie that God abandons me when I sin, and embrace the truth that in Jesus God shows himself a true friend of sinners.” o “I renounce the lie that God does not need me, that my life has no meaning. I accept the truth that God has called me to go out into the world and spread the good news of his grace and love to all creation…”
Typical unhealthy beliefs/lies about God
• God loves other people more than he loves me. • God only values me for what I do. • No matter how much I try, I’ll never be able to do enough or do it well enough to please God. • God is judging me when I relax. I have to stay busy about his work or he will be displeased with me or won’t bless me.
36 • God has let me down before. He may do it again. I can’t trust God or feel secure with God. • God has left me because of my inability to stop sinning. He won’t come close again unless I can truly change. • God helps those who help themselves. • God is holy & therefore distances himself when I sin.
What are some typical beliefs people have about themselves in your community or country that you would consider unhealthy? ______Bible study challenging unhealthy views about God: Read Luke 15:11-24
What image does the younger son of his earthly father in these verses? Do these reflect views of God held by people today?
Read Luke 15:22-24 How does the Father act towards his returning son? What do the Father’s actions tell us about who the Father is?
If the Father here reveals God, what is God like? How does this God differ from the image people have of God today?
Typical unhealthy beliefs/labels about self & others
• I don’t belong. I will always be on the outside (left out). • No one will love me or care about me just for myself. • I will always be lonely. The special man (woman) in my life will not be there for me. • The best way to avoid more hurt, rejection, etc., is to isolate myself. • I am not worthy to receive anything from God. • I am the problem. When something is wrong, it is my fault. • My value is in what I do for my employer or others. • I am unattractive. God shortchanged me. • I must be very guarded about what I say, since anything I say may be used against me. • I am out there all alone. If I get into trouble, it’s up to me to protect myself.
37 • Relationships are dangerous – it’s safer to avoid vulnerability.
Unhealthy beliefs from childhood hurts Examples: • I am not important because my dad does not have time for me. • Significant people in my life will not be there for me when I need them. • Things would be better if I had not been born. My life is a mistake. • It is better to keep my mouth shut and my feelings to myself. If I express them, I will just get in trouble. I’ll just “stuff” or “hide” my feelings.
Healthy beliefs: who am I?
I am accepted… John 1:12 I am God’s child. John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend. Romans 5:1 I have been justified. I Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with him. I Corinthians 6:19, 20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. I Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body. Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint. Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God’s child. Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ.
I am secure… Romans 8:1, 2 I am free forever from condemnation. Romans 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for good. Romans 8:31 I am free from any condemning charges against me. Romans 8:35 I cannot be separated from the love of God. 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 I have been established, anointed & sealed by God. Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God. Philippians 1:6 I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected. Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven. 2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Hebrews 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need. I John 5:18 I am born of God & the evil one cannot touch me.
38 I am significant… Matthew 5:13, 14 I am the salt and light of the earth. John 15:1, 5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life. John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ’s. 2 Corinthians 3:16 I am God’s temple. 2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Corinthians 6:1 I am God’s co-worker, Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship. Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(From “Living Free in Christ” by Dr. Neil Anderson.
Exercise (5 minutes) • Ask the Holy Spirit to show you: o One unhealthy belief about yourself and one about God. Write them down. o A healthy belief to replace your unhealthy belief. Write your Holy Spirit-inspired belief beside the unhealthy belief you have identified. Are there Scriptures that support your healthy belief? o Turn away from the unhealthy belief/lie in prayer, affirming your embrace of the Good News. o Reciting your Godly beliefs regularly is critical, as is spending time in God’s Word daily, being in community with believers and worship regularly.
Prayer for the renewing of the mind Father, I ask that you will renew my mind. I pray that where my mind has not made healthy connections that you will come and rewire me. Eliminate all negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with truth. Help me know that I am welcomed, I belong and I am loved and accepted. Open my mind to receive your love. Amen. (From - from Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 34)
39 Session 6 HEALING OF MOTHER WOUNDS
If we did not get the mother connection of nurture we will seek it later in dysfunctional ways until it is healed.
Example: After Nicolae Ceausescu’s dictatorship ended in Romania in 1989, media revealed the horrors of state-run orphanages. Babies and children were starving, left for hours alone in cribs or chained into high chairs, never touched or cuddled. Emotional crippling resulted, (called reactive detachment disorder), visible in difficulties receiving love and trusting.
Ineffective attachment or separation during infancy and early childhood affects people’s ability to connect and experience deep peace.
“The severity of our wounding determines to what extent we are able to experience feelings of rightness, wholeness, well being.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 22.
Lack of attachment and nurture opens the door to psychological and spiritual dis- ease, like:
• insecurity, fear, anxiety disorders… • emptiness • abandonment, rejection • substance abuse/addiction • sexual addictions • self-hatred • detachment • unhealthy attachment • depression
Deficits in nurture can come from:
• anxiety, insecurity and trauma in mother during pregnancy • lack of connection between baby & mother due to mother’s absence (incarceration, sickness, addiction) or lack of breast feeding. • lack of touch from mother and/or father or provider
40 • neglect • abuse
“Our sense of being comes primarily from our mothers. When a baby is born he doesn’t know he is separate from mummy… A healthy mother is able to make baby feel totally connected, attached whilst separate. Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 25
“A healthy mother looks into baby’s eyes and pours in love. But if she has post- natal depression she often avoids eye contact or pours in depression or despair. In such circumstances when baby starts to look into mummy’s eyes he falls into pools of nothingness instead of pools of love.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 26
How can the deficit of nurture be healed?
• building new relationships of where trust is possible • healthy attachments • community • inner-healing • ministry of the Holy Spirit— Spirit of adoption
“The more secure the bonding the more ability we will have to hold in our being that which we cannot see. This can be called emotional object permanence or constancy.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 27.
Separation anxiety results from having “a damaged sense of security and identity, or no sense of being.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 42.
Separation from our mothers happens for many reasons (physical illness, premature birth requiring incubation, mental illness, children being taken into foster care by the state, death, adoption, incarceration…)
“To begin with there is protest—baby crying, looking for primary caretaker. The crying becomes angry and can develop into infantile rage (*”Why have you left me?”) which then descends into despair. There may be some crying but baby is emotionally weaker and is withdrawing. There will be emotions of gloom, grief or bereavement “Please pick me up.” This despair leads to shame—“There is something wrong with me”, “I am not important”. Baby will often now turn away
41 when mother returns. There may be a withdrawal/detachment that includes not just mother, but everyone, this is the reactive attachment disorder.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, pp. 44-45
Consequences
1. Fear of death 2. Self sufficiency 3. Unhealthy relationships – no sense of being unless in a relationship 4. Neurotic attachment- emotional state of clinging 5. Unhealthy sexuality 6. Masturbation and fantacy 7. Addiction 8. Misogyny
Misogyny
• Strong need for connection with femine whilst keeping her at arm’s length (come here, go away) • In the deep heart there is rejection by a woman • Separation anxiety causes controlling and possessive behavior • Fear of abandonment • Neurotic controlling
“Within marriage, a man may feel frustration with his partner because she cannot fill the emptiness within him. The wife often becomes the mother substitute, whom he equates with his sense of being.” Lin Button, Mother Matters, p. 55
Prayer for healing of the
Ministry steps
1. Recognize and acknowledge wound (sense of abandonment, lack of nurture/connection, separation) 2. Invite lament 3. Choose to forgive whenever possible 4. Affirm true beloved status by faith 5. Prayer for healing of the mother wound
42 Prayer for a sense of being (to be prayed daily)
Place your hands on the place where you feel the emptiness (head, heart, stomach, genitalia). Do not worry if you are unable to identify a place—this probably means you have frozen feelings.
Father God I pray you will fill me up with love and cuddles. Enlarge my capacity to receive from you. Set in place the core of my being. Fill me with security. Give me a firm foundation. Fill in the bottom of the well of my being with your rock of truth and security so that as I am filled with being I no longer leak. Pour in your nurturing presence and peace. Rest in me as I rest in you.
Like a baby content in its mothers’ arms, my soul is a baby content- may it be so for me. Amen and Amen. - from Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 36
Prayer for Children
When as parents we begin to understand the effects of a lack of sense of being we often become convicted of our sins or failures towards our children. It is important this conviction leads to repentance not self-condemnation. Remember whatever age your child is it is never too late for God to work. I would only talk to my child about this if I strongly felt the Lord’s leading- better to pray and wait.
Father God, please give me divine insight into my neglect, ignorance and sin. Protect me from over dramatizing my part or minimizing it. Lead me into truth. I confess my sin and ask that you cleanse and forgive me. Please release my child from the effects of my sin. Please come and fill the empty places in my child’s heart, make up for my lack of love, inability to express and give love. Father, cover my failures with your love I pray. Amen. - from Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 37
Rejection --people can experience rejection from being unwanted at conception, birth, infancy or other stages. -- “Baby ‘knows’ when statements like ‘you are too young’, ‘you’re not married’, ‘we can’t afford it’, ‘it will interfere with your studies/career’ are spoken over the mother. Of course, if mother agrees with this the child can feel this rejection. He believes himself to be a nuisance- in the way and not welcome.
43 - Shame-based rejection when mother not only does not want baby but is ashamed to be pregrant. - We can believe we ourselves caused the damage—leading to deep shame.
Prayer for healing of rejection at conception
“For you formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Thank you, Father God that your works are wonderful and that everything and everyone, including me, are fearfully made.
Thank you that you were present at my conception when you stirred together semen and ovum, the miracle of skin and bone, muscle and brain, giving me life itself. Please come now and heal me in any area where my parents were reluctant participants in your miracle story for my life. I left up to you any fear, shame or reluctance on the mother’s part to receive life through the sperm. I lift up to you any reluctance on my father’s part to give life. Please heal me where, at the source of my being, I received this as rejection. I forgive my mother. I forgive my father. Please forgive me where I have allowed myself to be defined by their sin and have rejected part of myself. As I receive your cleansing blood and forgiveness, please give me the courage to embrace those parts of myself that I rejected. Please heal all separation at the root of my being so that I am fully integrated within myself and with you. Amen. Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 92.
Prayer for healing of rejection in the womb
Father, I bring to you my months in the womb. Please heal me from the rejections I experienced. I bring before you the moment my mother discovered my presence and was not pleased. I bring to you any anxieties and fears, any thoughts of aborting me and I ask you to heal me of her rejection. Wrap your hands around my tiny frame, and just as I was kept physically safe, bring safety to my emotions and spirit, I pray. As I forgive her, please release and heal me from all the effects of her sins against me. Unwrap me from the results of the shame she felt—unwrap me from the secrecy. Speak to me your permission to live, so that I may know you have good plans for me.
44 Heavenly Father, I bring to you my earthly father’s reaction to my presence. I ask you will heal me from the wound of any rejecting words he spoke when mother told him. Heal me, I pray, of those words which pierced my very being, causing me to feel unwanted, not welcome, rejected. I forgive my father- please forgive me where I have believed these words over and above what you have said and continue to say about me. Help me to hear your welcome. Amen. Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 94
Prayer for healing of rejection at birth
Thank you Father that you were there to welcome me when I was born. Thank you that in your eyes I was not the ‘wrong sex’, I was not a disappointment and my physical appearance did not disappoint you. Thank you your word says I am personally formed and made by you.
Thank you I am, body and soul, marvelously made. Thank you, you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was formed into something. You know every bone in my body. You knew all about me, I was not a mistake, and you love, want, and welcome me. Please absorb all my birth rejections into this great truth of your love. Amen. Lin Button, Mother Matters: Finding Contentment in God, p. 9
45 Session 7 CONFESSION, REPENTANCE, & RECEIVING FORGIVENESS
Read Psalm 32
Steps to freedom from sin
1) Ask the Spirit to show us the sin we need to deal with. 2) Acknowledge or confess our sin 3) Repent of it—change our minds. Renounce & turn away from it. 4) Receive forgiveness as a free gift
Recognizing and agreeing that we sin is needed in order for us to receive freedom.
The Holy Spirit brings conviction regarding sin—inviting confession, repentance and receiving forgiveness from Jesus (see John 16:8)
Confessing sin is simply agreeing with what the Holy Spirit reveals about our sin (though our conscience, the Bible, preaching)
‘So it shall be when he becomes guilty in one of these, that he shall confess that in which he has sinned. (Leviticus 5:5)
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
46 REPENTANCE
What does “repent” actually mean? Greek word: metanoeo, meaning “to change your mind” or “have another mind.” “To think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider, repent”
Jesus’ first command: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) • Being sorry for sins (Matthew 11:20-21).
John’s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. • People were confessing their sins (Matthew 3:6)
“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
“Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).
2 Corinthians 12:21—repenting of immoral, promiscuous practices.
HOW TO SPEAK OUT & HEAR A CONFESSION – Lin Button Remember confidentiality!
1. Invite God to be present. Help them to make confession. Person may need to discuss with you first. Avoid life story telling. This is not a counseling session but a specific prayer time. 2. Help them name the sin. Common need to confess self-hatred. 3. Proclaim forgiveness to them in the authority of Jesus’ name. How this is done may vary with different church backgrounds. I normally say, “In the name of Jesus receive your forgiveness” or “Jesus forgives you.” 4. Ask them to see with the eyes of their heart, what Jesus does with the sin. Pray accordingly making sure they are free from the grip/power of the sin. 5. Help them receive the forgiveness and know they are forgiven. John 20:22- 23; James 5:16; Matthew 16:19
47 Session 8 JESUS’ DELIVERANCE MINISTRY: MARK 9:14-32
Study Guide Notes
Background Prior to this story, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the top of a high mountain by themselves, where he is transfigured. Elijah and Moses appear and talk with Jesus, and Peter, James, and John are terrified. As they come down the mountain, Jesus gives them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen.
Introduction In this story, we see Jesus’ last public miracle, which involves casting out an evil spirit from a boy. In Jesus’ first miracle (Mk 1:23–27), he rebukes an unclean spirit from someone in the synagogue. Later, Jesus brings his disciples with him to free the Gerasene demoniac from a legion of demons (Mk 5:1–20). Then he commissions his disciples to cast out unclean spirits (Mk 6:7, 13). Here, Jesus shows his disciples and all who follow him that those who are suffering from lifelong afflictions can be liberated.
Read Mark 9:14–18 “When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And he asked them, ‘What are you discussing with them?’ And one of the crowd answered Him, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.’”
48 Study Guide Notes
Question 1 What happens after Jesus comes back There is a large crowd gathered around his disciples, and with Peter, James, and John to the rest some scribes are arguing with them. Jesus asks them of his disciples? what they are discussing, and a man tells him how he brought his son, who was afflicted by an evil spirit, to the disciples, but they couldn’t cast it out.
Question 2 What was wrong with the man’s son? The boy has an evil spirit that makes him unable to speak, which is an opposite action to the Holy Spirit that emboldens and empowers people to bear witness (Mk 13:11). The spirit seizes the boy and slams him to the ground, where he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and stiffens out.
Question 3 Do you see or experience these kinds of Invite people to share their disappointments and ongoing symptoms today? needs for breakthrough.
Question 4 Have you ever brought someone with Invite people to share any relevant experiences of big problems to Jesus’ followers not receiving healing or freedom from the church or (Christians, the church) and not from God. received the help you hoped for? Another possible question is: has anyone come to you with a difficult problem that you pray for, but see no response? Let’s look at how Jesus responds.
Read Mark 9:19 “And he answered them and said, ‘O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to me!’”
49 Study Guide Notes
Question 5 How does Jesus react? Jesus seems frustrated. He calls all the people the “unbelieving generation.” He seems to expect his disciples and the people themselves to be able to cast out evil spirits and experience freedom. Jesus wonders how much longer he must be with people to equip and empower them to exercise their faith and authority as he does. The failure of Jesus’ disciples does not mean there’s no hope for freedom. Jesus tells the man to bring his son directly to him.
Explanation Jesus includes everyone in his critique—his disciples and the people. Throughout Mark’s Gospel, Jesus highlights the importance of believing. When Jesus returns from the wilderness, he says, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). He tells the synagogue official whose daughter has just died, “do not be afraid any longer, only believe” (Mk 5:36). After the resurrection, when Jesus appears to his disciples as they are eating, he says, “The one who believes and has been baptized shall be saved. . . These signs will accompany those who have believed: in my name they will cast out demons. . . ” (Mk 16:16–17).
Invitation Are there chronic problems that the Invite people to bring their ongoing concerns to Jesus in church or Christians haven’t been able prayer. to help you with? Do you want to bring those directly to Jesus now?
Read Mark 9:20 “They brought the boy to him. When he saw him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.”
50 Study Guide Notes
Question 6 What happens when they bring the boy The evil spirit throws the boy into a convulsion as soon as to Jesus? either the boy sees Jesus or Jesus sees the boy (it is impossible to tell to whom “he saw” refer). Bringing the boy to Jesus and “seeing” is presented here as a confrontation that provokes a reaction from the spirit, which then tries to destroy the boy. There is not immediate and automatic deliverance in Jesus’ presence. Further action is needed that includes the father.
Explanation When people are brought to Jesus or come to Jesus with a problem, things can get worse before they get better. The worsening of a person’s condition can discourage people, and the evil spirit wants to intimidate everyone by demonstrating its power in order to make them feel powerless and lose faith. Let’s see how Jesus responds.
Read Mark 9:21–22 “And he asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!’”
Question 7 Why does Jesus ask, “how long has this Jesus asks the father about the duration of his son’s been happening”? suffering—or the history of the problem.
Question 8 How does the father respond? The father answers that his son has been suffering since childhood. Then he offers more details about how the evil spirit has tried to kill his son by throwing him into the water and the fire. The father shows his discouragement and desperation, but also his weakened faith when he says: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” The father may wonder if Jesus can resolve his son’s chronic problem, since the boy wasn’t immediately delivered.
51 Study Guide Notes
Explanation The boy’s father cries out in desperate intercession: “Have compassion on us! Help us!” In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ compassion leads to healing (Mk 1:41), teaching (Mk 6:34), and feeding (Mk 8:2). The father’s cry for Jesus to “help us” uses the same term (boetheo) as the Greek version of Israel’s prayers in the psalms (See Ps 40:13 [LXX Ps 39:13]; 44:26 [LXX 43:26]; 70:5 [LXX 69:5]; 79:9 [LXX 78:9]; 109:26 [LXX 108:26]; 119:86 [LXX 118:86], 119:117 [LXX 118:117]). Mark’s account helps readers relate this situation to their own chronic, unsolvable problems, inviting hope.
Read Mark 9:23–24 “And Jesus said to him, ‘If you can?’ All things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’”
Question 8 What exactly does Jesus say to the Jesus asks him a question in a way that directly father here, and how does the father challenges his unbelief: “If you can?” respond? Jesus boldly says, “All things are possible to him who believes” (literally, “to the one who is believing). The boy’s father cries out immediately, stating his faith and asking Jesus to help his unbelief. Other passages in Mark also use the phrase, “cry out” (Mk 5:7; 10:47).
Explanation Jesus insists that believing is essential. In Mark 11:23, he states, “whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.”
Read Mark 9:25 “When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.’”
52 Study Guide Notes
Question 9 What happens next and what does The crowd gathers rapidly, so Jesus acts quickly. Jesus do? Jesus rebukes the “unclean spirit” (this is the first time it is described in this way). He speaks to it directly: “You deaf and dumb spirit . . .” He exercises authority over it, commanding it with precise instructions: “come out of him and don’t enter him again,” which suggests that spirits can come back.
Question 10 What does this tell us about Jesus and Jesus represents “the one who believes,” for whom God, since Jesus reveals God? anything is possible (even freeing a boy who has been oppressed since childhood). He is antagonistic towards unclean spirits. He has authority over these spirits. He names the spirits precisely and gives them precise instructions. He cares about the boy and acts quickly to avoid a public scene. He wants his disciples (and us) to learn from him.
Read Mark 9:26–27 “After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead!’ But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up.”
Question 11 What happens next and how does Jesus The unclean spirit cries out and throws the boy into respond? convulsions before coming out. The boy is like a corpse and people say he’s dead. Jesus takes him by the hand and raises him up. The boy gets up.
Read Mark 9:28–29 “When he came into the house, his disciples began questioning him privately, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.’”
53 Study Guide Notes
Question 12 What do the disciples say to Jesus The disciples want to know why they couldn’t cast out about this miracle and what does he the unclean spirit from the boy. After all, they had been teach them? prepared and were successful earlier (see Mk 6:7, 13). Jesus tells them that that casting out this kind of spirit requires prayer. (In Mt 17, Jesus says that faith, prayer, and fasting are necessary.)
Consider Reading Matthew 17:20– 21 “And he said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”
Explanation Jesus teaches his disciples that prayer is necessary in order see breakthrough when casting out unclean spirits in more difficult cases. The father himself is modeling prayer in his communication with Jesus (God). He brings his son to Jesus and cries out for compassion and help. He affirms his belief and confesses his unbelief. Jesus frees his son. When the disciples come to Jesus and ask him a question, this is also prayer. Jesus does not pray to God to cast out the unclean spirit, but rather he himself names the spirit and orders it to go out and not return. Jesus instructs his disciples to cast out unclean spirits, not to pray for God to cast them out. Prayer strengthens disciples in their authority and effectiveness as they put into practice what the Holy Spirit indicates.
Invitation Consider an area in your life where you need a miracle. Confess any unbelief you have and ask Jesus to help you believe. Consider if God is asking you to exercise your own authority in any particular way.
54 Session 9 BIBLICAL COSMOLOGY & LIBERATION IN THE NT
In this session we will first explore the biblical worldview that includes spiritual powers like “the Evil One,” demons and other powers.
As disciples of Jesus, we can experience authority over: • Sinful practices (the flesh) • Demonic oppression • Macro powers that oppress o economic o religious o social class divisions o cultural forces o political o legal
Liberation from oppressive macro powers happens: • legal, social, human rights advocacy • political organizing to change laws • grass-roots mobilization for social change • awareness-raising through education, exposure to people and places, travel • intercession • spiritual warfare for social change
The Problem: the Evil One Rules We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)
Rev 12:9)
(Col 1:13)
55 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12) See also Rev 12:9; Col 1:13; Acts 26:18
God commissions humans to invade enemy territory • Genesis 1:26-28 • The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Ps 24:1) • “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.” (Luke 10:19) • “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…’” (Mark 16:15-18)
Human’s role in God’s mission • “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen 1:28)
What does it mean to be fruitful and multiply? How is this multiplication related to filling the subduing the earth and ruling over the creatures?
People’s role in God’s mission “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…” (Ps 8:5-6)
• Humans placed over animals on fifth day • All creatures under human authority • Other humans not under human authority
God commissions Adam to cultivate and defend the garden • “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it (abad) and keep it (somer).” (Gen 2:15)
“Serve” (abad) • To “serve”, “work”, or “cultivate” both the garden and the world (Gen 2:15) • Defines relationship between humans and creation
56 • Defines Israel’s purpose in the world
“Keep” or “guard” (somer) • We need protection from predatory evil • Jesus says: “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15) • “…taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.” (Eph 6:16) • “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thess 3:3)
Language for “the Enemy” in the Bible
The Enemy: Accuser • “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. (Zech 3:1) • “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Rev 12:10)
The Enemy: Tempter • “And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan.” (Mark 1:13) • Satan tempts you through lack of self control (1 Corinthians 7:5)
The Enemy: Binds, thwarts, and Interfers • “And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day? (Luke 13:16) • “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.” (Luke 22:31) • “For we wanted to come to you – I, Paul, more than once – and yet Satan thwarted us.” (1 Thess 2:18)
The Enemy: Liar and Deceiver • “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he
57 speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) • Ananias – lies to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3) • “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John 7) • “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor 11:14)
The Enemy: Thief • “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. (John 10:10) • “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.” (Matt 13:19)
Jesus: a Good Thief who Invades the Enemy, takes back what Satan stole • “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” (Matt 24:43 and also Luke 12:39) • “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27 and also Matt 12:29)
Overpowering the strong man • “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own homestead, his possessions are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied, and distributes his plunder.” (Luke 11:20-22)
Jesus gives followers authority over the Enemy • “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16:19)
58 • “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 18:18)
Liberation & Deliverance in the Old Testament • Israelite slaves liberated from power of Egyptians • Joshua “takes possession” of Canaan for God’s people • The Lord “casts out” the nations before Israel • In Greek Old Testament, “ekballo” is backdrop for “cast out” in NT • God casts out the nations – Israel’s (and God’s) spiritual enemies – who through their occupation inhibit the establishment of God’s reign
The “casting out” ministry of Jesus • Jesus casts demons from those described as otherwise beyond help • When Jesus casts out a demon: o Because it underlies destructive condition o to separate the condition from the person o the situation is out of the person’s control
Jesus does not always identify the problem as demonic • false views about God are often the problem • judgmental attitudes must be address • Healing of disease or physical condition (blindness) may be necessary.
What kind of spirits does Jesus cast out? • Spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:11) – Note: not all infirmities are caused by demons • Deaf & dumb spirit (Mark 9:25) • Unclean spirit (20+ uses in NT; Matt 12:43; Mark 1:23; 9:25; Luke 9:42; 11:24; Rev 18:2) • Blind and mute (Matt 12:22) • Legion (Mark 5:9, 15; Luke 8:30) • Lunatic (seleniazomai), self-destruction (thrown into fire & water) (Matt 17:15)
Other kinds of spirits • Anger (Gen 4:6-7) • Lying spirit (1 Kings 22:22-23; 2 Chron 18:20-22)
59 • Jealous spirit (Num 5:14; 30) • Spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:3) • Seducing spirit (1 Tim 4:1) • Spirit of divination (Acts 16:16) • Spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7; 1 John 4:18) • Angel of light? (2 Cor 11:14)
Other allusions to destructive spirits in NT • Hatred associated with blindness (1 John 2:11) • “God of this world” blinds unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) • Paul describes flesh as setting its desire against the spirit (Gal 5:16). “deeds” that come out of “flesh” could be interpreted as manifestations, “fruit” or functions of passions/demons: • Immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing (Gal 5:19-22) • Paul identifies practices (fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, swindlers) without mentioning “demons” (1 Cor 6:9-10) • His language in following verse suggests an active deliverance and discipleship ministry – and a high view of the power of the name of Jesus. o “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor 6:11)
Early Church Fathers identified “passions” as demons • Greek Fathers identified 8 deadly passions (gluttony, lust, avarice, sadness, sloth (acedie), anger, vainglory, pride). • Demonic provocations come at us constantly through our thoughts, and through “powers” like media, advertising, fashion… • Guarding of the heart or “watchfulness” is posture to identify and resist attacking passions that keep us from our goal: purity/cleanness of heart.
60 Session 10 SPIRITUAL WARFARE & MULTILAYER HOLISTIC LIBERATION (MARK 4:35-5:20)
SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND MULTILAYERED HOLISTIC LIBERATION
• Read Mark 4:35-41 • Jesus had been teaching in synagogues (Mark 1:21ff; 3:1ff) o among people, scribes & Pharisees & disciples o teaching in parables • Jesus invites disciples to cross to other side (Mark 4:35) • On their way to the land of the Gerasenes they encounter resistance. What happens on their way to the other side?
• Fierce gale of wind arose • Waves breaking over boat • Boat was filling up • What resistance have you experienced as you have crossed over with Jesus?
• Disciples awake Jesus “do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) • “Being aroused, he rebuked the wind and the sea: ‘hush be still!’” (Mark 4:39) o Rebuke (epitimao) = admonish, rebuke, charge, forbid " demons (Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:35, 41; 9:42, 55) " Peter – “get behind me Satan” (Mark 8:33) " fever (Luke 4:39) • lailaps (whirlwind) sign of chaos/evil (Jer 32:32 LXX). Wind (anemos) stops Paul’s missions (Acts 27:4, 7, 14) • “and the wind died down and it became completely calm” • “Jesus said to them: ‘Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?’” • Disciples very afraid; “Even the wind and sea obey him!”
61 Have you experienced opposition on your way to oppose the works of the enemy? If so, when and how? ______NOTES ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
God’s people are at war. You are a target for the enemy. And the more prepared you are, the more fruit you’re going to see in your ministry. Good soldiers are prepared soldiers.
“Finally…” the warfare between the power of the devil and the power of God in the life of believers. Ephesians 6:10-18 has long been recognized as the manual on spiritual warfare.
Strategy of the enemy, or his schemes: To block and crush the advance of God’s people.
Have you ever felt the powers of hell released against you?
Pursue healing for your wounds, which can be open doors to spiritual oppression.
"Be on the alert! Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Pet 5:8)
"Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)
We must never underestimate the danger or be naïve to the nature of our struggle. Jesus called the devil the "Father of lies" (Jn. 8:44). He’s described as a liar, thief and destroyer. He even disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). He loves to take something good and use it to distract us from something better.
"Finally, or from now on, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…belt of truth around your waist…breastplate of righteousness…on your feet the gospel of peace…shield of faith…helmet of salvation…the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God…prayer in the Spirit on all occasions…be alert!”
62 Mark 5:1-20 Study Guide Notes
Introduction After ministering among his own people in Galilee, teaching in synagogues, homes and by the seashore, Jesus invites his disciples to go with him on a mission to “the other side” of the Sea (Mk 4:35). There on the other side a man in deep distress, rejected by society and oppressed by evil spirits comes to meet Jesus when he arrives. Let’s see how Jesus treats this man, brings him into freedom and sends him as a missionary to his own people.
Read Mark 5:1-2 “They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met him.”
Question 1-2 Where does Jesus go and what • Jesus and his disciples arrive at the other side of the sea in happens in this verse? What does the country of the Gerasenes. this tell us about Jesus? • As soon as he gets out of the boat a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit meets him. • Jesus goes directly to places where he has encounters with oppressed people, who are drawn to him. They are drawn to each other.
Let’s see what happens next.
Read Mark 5:3-5 “And he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.
63 Study Guide Notes
Question 3 What do we know about this man? • He was living among the tombs • No one could restrain him, even with chain. • People had bound him before with shackles and chains, which he’d broken into pieces. • No one was strong enough to subdue him • Constantly, night and day he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains—places that were away from people. • He was engaged in continual self-harm- gashing himself with stones.
Question 4 Do we see people like this today in • Many people put into prison and penalized for our community and world? lawbreaking. Many re-offend as legal system is not bringing healing. • Many with mental health disorders continue to suffer • People self-harm through cutting, substance abuse…
Let’s see how he responds to Jesus.
Read Mark 5:6-8 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me!”
Question 5 How did the man respond to Jesus? • He saw him from a distance • He ran up and bowed down before him • He recognized Jesus’ identity as God’s Son • He shouts with a loud voice “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God.” • The man begs Jesus “do not torment me!”
Additional questions • Is the man bowing down before Jesus out of fear, submitting to him as someone more powerful who he fears might hurt him—or out of worship? • In shouting with a loud voice is the man trying to warn Jesus that he is not worthy of his help? • Is the man worried that Jesus will hurt him like others have hurt him (trying to restrain him)?
64 Study Guide Notes
Read Mark 5:8-9 For he had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And he was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to him, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
Question 6 Who is Jesus speaking to and who • Jesus had been saying to him (the unclean spirit) “come out is responding? of the man you unclean spirit!” • Jesus had been asking him (the man) what is your name. • The unclean spirit responded through the man: “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
Explanation Jesus addresses the man who is housing the demons, “saying to him.” Yet he speaks to the spirit as a singular entity: “come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” The man responds to Jesus: “He (the man) said to him (Jesus), my name is Legion, for we are many.” This shows that the man had taken on the identity the unclean spirits have given him. Jesus stays engaged with the man as an individual human being.
Read Mark 5:10-13 And he began to implore him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain. The demons implored him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.” Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea.
65 Study Guide Notes
Question 7 What does the man ask Jesus and • The man begs Jesus to not send them (as separate from what happens? him) out of the country. • There’s a large herd of pigs feeding nearby on the mountain. • The demons implore (beg) Jesus: “Send us into the pigs…” • Jesus gave demons permission to enter pigs. • The herd rushed down the bank into the sea- about 2,000 drown.
Explanation Jews in Israel considered pigs to be unclean animals and were prohibited by the Mosaic law from eating them. The herd of pigs may have been being raised outside the land to supply the Roman troops that occupied Israel with meat. The name “legion” associates these unclean spirits with the Roman occupation. This story shows that this man was directly affected by unclean spirits associated with the practice of supplying the Roman occupation of the land of Israel— symbolic of the Kingdom of God.
Let’s see what happens next.
Read Mark 5:14-17 Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon- possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened. Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon- possessed man, and all about the swine. And they began to implore him to leave their region.
66 Study Guide Notes
Question 8 How did the people of the land • Herdsmen ran away to report in the city and country. respond to all this? • The people came to see what had happened • The people came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed • They saw him “clothed and in his right mind” • They became frightened • They implored (begged) Jesus to leave their region.
Let’s see what happens next.
Read Mark 5:18-20 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon- possessed was imploring him that he might accompany him. And he did not let him, but he said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Question 9-10 What do Jesus and the man do • Jesus gets in the boat to leave next? What is the final outcome of • The man “implores” (begs) Jesus to let him go with him. the story? • Jesus doesn’t let him go with him out of the region but sends him back on a mission. • The man goes and proclaims the great things Jesus had done for him in the Decapolis (the ten cities). • Everyone is amazed.
Explanation The herdsmen go to the city and country to report (apaggello- “bring word, tell, announce) “it”— that is “how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine.” This leads the people to become frightened and they beg Jesus to leave their region. Jesus sends the man to his home and people to “report (apaggello) to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.” The man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis—a larger region than the herdsmen’s city and country. Everyone was amazed.
67 Study Guide Notes
Question 11 What was the mission that Jesus • Jesus sends him back to his home and his people to report gave to the man? What would this all that the great things the Lord had done for him. look like here and now in our • Jesus gives all the credit to the Lord (Kurios). community? • People sharing personal stories of what Jesus has done for them brings amazement (not fear).
Question 12 What is Jesus like in this story? Jesus goes on a deliberate mission to reach out to someone in extreme distress, showing respectful care and authority that brings liberation. Jesus distinguishes between the man and the powers that oppress him. He exercises intolerance and violence against predatory spiritual powers—casting out the demons into the pigs. Jesus restores the man to wholeness. He sends the man back to his community as a missionary.
Invitation Are you drawn to Jesus in this Invite people to express their desire to follow Jesus either story? Would you like to participate silently or aloud. Close with a prayer. in his liberating mission?
Let’s look at multi-layer deliverance in Mark 5
What layers of healing and deliverance do you see here? ______
Multiple levels of liberation
1) POWERS • Kingdom
68 o Death • Economy o Pig herding • Political o Roman dom.
2) HUMANS • Community o Country of Gerasenes o Decapolis o Home & Friends • Human o Spirit o Soul o Body
69 Session 11
PRAYING FOR HEALING AND DELIVERANCE
Old Testament background to healing • “Fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28) • Isaiah 35:4-6 “the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped…” • Isaiah 61 • The Lord “heals all your (soul’s) diseases” (Ps 103:3)
Jesus’ healing = spiritual warfare • Jesus defeats devil in wilderness before ministry • Acts 10:38 “Jesus of Nazareth… went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil…” (see 1 John 3:8) • First miracle: deliverance of man with unclean spirit in the synagogue (Mark 1:23-28; Luke 4:33-37)
“You may notice that writers and teachers often portray these healings as side issues, miraculous enticements to hear his teachings, but the healings and exorcisms were part of the teaching itself. They were why Jesus came. They were his mission. They are why we call him by his main title, ‘our Savior.’ As we have said, his very name, Jesus, tells us his mission: ‘God heals; God saves.’” (Francis MacNutt)
Jesus’ strategy • Jesus goes to the margins – Galilee (Matt 4:13-17) • Jesus recruits disciples to be “fishers of men” • Teaches in synagogues, announces the Kingdom of God • Jesus heals generally “every disease and sickness” and specifically: demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics (Matthew 4:24).
Jesus used direct orders • “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:25) • “He cast out the spirits with a word (Matt 8:16) • And He said to them, “Begone!” and they came out, and went into the swine… (Matt 8:32) • Then He said to the paralytic – “Rise, take up your bed, and go home.” And he rose, and went home (Matt 9:7)
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Jesus engaged people’s faith • “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and began following him on the road (Mark 10:52). • Then He said to the paralytic – “Rise, take up your bed, and go home.” And he rose, and went home (Matt 9:7)
Jesus’ approach & vocabulary of Gospels is varied People healed through direct contact with Jesus • Touched the fringe of his cloak; and as many as touched it were cured (Matt 14:36) o diasozo – rescued completely from danger • “And large crowds came to him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at his feet; and he healed them (therapueo). (Matt 15:30) o therapeuo – to cause someone to recover health, often with the implication of having taken care of such a person " – ‘to heal, to cure, to take care of.’ • Wherever he entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured. (Mark 6:56) o Sozo – healed/saved • Jesus directly healed (therapeuo) (Matt 4:23-24) • Jesus touched people and spoke to them: o And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matt 8:3) • Jesus speaks healing from a distance in response to precise and personal requests o centurion’s servant (Matt 8:13) o lepers – healed as they went (Luke 17:14)
Sins need to be forgiven to enable physical healing (paralytic (Matt 9:4; Mark 2:5ff) • Jesus often attributed afflictions to demonic oppression • Casts out a deaf/mute spirit (Mark 9:25) • Woman bent over double who “Satan has bound for 18 years”
71 Jesus deputizes his disciples, giving them authority to practice his same ministry: • Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. (Matt 10:1-8) see Mark 3:13-15 also. • As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (Matt 10:7-8) see also Luke 9:1-2
“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:1-2)
Luke 10 • 70 = MT’s number of nations (Genesis 10) • 72 = LXX (Greek OT) number of nations • Jesus sends them in pairs ahead • Sent for harvest = “fishers of men” imagery • Cure the sick saying, “The Kingdom of God has come near to you” • The 70 return with joy: “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!”
Jesus assures them: • “See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The Great Commission shows all believers are called to practice imperatives Jesus addressed to disciples • “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore as you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
72 HOW TO PRAY FOR HEALING
Checklist for healing prayer • Ask the Holy Spirit – out loud – to be present with guidance and healing power • Encourage the person not to pray, but to receive • Invite the person to interrupt you if he or she feels physical sensations (heat, electricity, trembling) • Have the person confess any sin and consider praying for emotional healing before physical healing • Pray in dialogue with both the person and the Holy Spirit • Keep your eyes open even when praying. • Maintain a normal tone of voice • Use short, specific prayers • Try different kinds of prayer • Be led by the Spirit (ask, listen and adapt) • Pray in Jesus’ name • If a particular prayer brings improvement, continue in that direction • Stop periodically to ask whether the person is experiencing any improvement • Avoid blaming or too much advice-giving • Be loving and persistent
1) Pray at the beginning: for God to reveal the issues. Invite the Holy Spirit. Receive prophetic revelation. 2) Interview: Determine the condition. Ask the person if they know Jesus. Other questions: o What is your name? o How can I pray for you? o How long have you had this condition? Do you know its cause? Caution: too much information problematic. 3) Diagnose: determine root cause, including: accident, disease, generational, demonic oppression o Ask Holy Spirit for revelation. Listen. o Draw from information received from initial questions 4) Heal: Determine whether to a) yourself command b) invite them to command, c) invite them to receive o Have a prayer partner of the opposite gender if possible. o Keep your eyes open Command
73 " Use commands to address the condition. “In the name of Jesus I command the inflammation in Joe’s back go away/be healed…” " Use command to address the root condition (or when breaking a curse or casting out a spirit) " Be led by the Holy Spirit & receive prophetic revelation regarding specifics Invite " Invite person to position himself or herself to receive " e.g. “This healing is my inheritance because I’m a beloved daughter/son of God. I receive my healing now as a free gift in Jesus’ name.” 5) Be persistent o If nothing happens, interview the person in more depth- " What else happened in your life when this condition first appeared? 6) Stop praying when or if: o Healed o Wants you to stop o The Holy Spirit tells you to stop o You are gaining no ground and receive no other
7) When healing isn’t happening o Determine possible blocks to receiving including: unworthiness, self- hatred, disappointment, unbelief, fear, judgments o If the pain moves around or increases or if the condition has persisted for a long time, consider a spiritual source & need for deliverance o Consider asking questions like: " When/how did this condition start? Whose fault was it? Have you forgiven them or yourself? What else was happening around the time the pain/illness started? " Do you know of anyone who is angry with you? " If pain moves or increases during prayer, deliverance may be needed " Have any members of your family ever had this condition? " Has anyone ever pronounced a curse over you or your family? " Have you ever participated in any kind of Satanic or other occult activity? " Have you had other accidents? (He/she may be accident prone). " Has anyone in your family been a member of the Freemasons? Military? 8) Offer follow-up instructions and encouragement: o Provide exhortations from Scripture
74 o Share helpful lifestyle changes to support healing (exercise, deal with addictions, eating problems, diet, lack of sleep). o Prepare the person to resist further spiritual attacks after healing o If healing is incomplete or unsuccessful, do not suggest that a lack of faith or sin is the reason
Ministry Protocol (Healing and Deliverance)
Open Doors to Demonic Oppression 1) Generational sins 2) Soul ties 3) Deficit of nurture 4) Soul hurts and trauma 5) Unhealthy Beliefs 6) Destructive lifestyle practices (addictions, idolatry, sinful practices…)
Steps to Pray for Deliverance
• Pray/worship • Interview history of bondage • Discern • Take it slowly • Team up • Pay attention • Invite Holy Spirit • Close doors • Maintain eye contact • Invite confession • Safe atmosphere • Repent/renounce • Silence evil spirit(s) • Cast out spirit(s) • Maintain communication • Invite thankfulness and Spirit’s filling • Ascertain desire for • Follow up freedom
Prayer & worship • Continual state of readiness is helped by: o prayer: thanking, lamenting, interceding… o worship: what works for you o contemplative actions (scripture, soaking, silence…) • There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)
Discern • What is God calling you to? (pray now, intercede, pray later…?) • Is the person ready? (believing, wanting freedom, open to facing issues…?)
75 • Are you up for the challenge? • Do you have the time, a safe place, a partner…? • What can you realistically deal with?
Team Up • Minister in a private setting, but ideally not alone • Form a team of 2-3 people • Choose one person to be in charge • Others pray silently, communicating quietly with leader
Invite the Holy Spirit • Invite the presence of Holy Spirit • Reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit through o respectful, loving presence o encouragement o gratefulness
Maintain Eye Contact • Maintain eye contact with person • Do not close your eyes when praying • Be prepared for reactions • Best stance is 10 and 2 o’clock • Tissues & waste basket with clean plastic bag ready (some people may get sick)
Good Atmosphere • Establish an atmosphere of peace and security o secure, private space without interruptions o silence or turn off cell phones o soft worship music helps
Determine person’s desire for freedom • Ask the person from what he/she wants freedom • Be sure she or he really wants freedom • Has the person surrendered their life to Jesus? Are they open to conversion? • Ask if they are part of a Christian community or are open to becoming actively involved in some kind of regular faith community • Invite them to affirm their faith in Jesus • Ask the Holy Spirit to fill them
76 • Interview the person to discover the event or relationship that led to the problem • Determine whether forgiveness of another, confession of sin, renunciation of destructive practices and mindsets are necessary
Interview History of Problem • Interview the person to discover the event or relationship that led to the presenting problem • Determine whether forgiveness of someone is called for (self included) • Determine where confession of sin, renunciation of destructive practices, and mindsets is necessary for freedom
Quiet Evil Spirit(s) • If evil spirit manifests, make it be quiet with appropriate command spoken in a normal tone like: “be quiet” or “I bind you” in Jesus’ name!” • Be firm – but no need to shout • Consider asking person to themselves bind or silence the demon • If they struggle, speak their name, urge them to ask Jesus to help them. “Say Jesus save me…”
Maintain Communication • Establish and maintain communication with the person • Cooperation with person is absolutely necessary: “Joe, can you hear me?” • If evil spirit manifests, make contact with person and urge them to call out for Jesus’ help
Take it Slowly • Be thorough (but don’t count on always completing the deliverance in one session, (1-1/2 hour maximum ideal) • Don’t rush • Discern all open doors (generational sin, curses, soul ties, trauma, deficit of nurture, destructive lifestyle practices or mindsets, idolatry) • Remember that fear (unbelief & judgement) is a common entry point for many demons & sickness
Pay Attention • Pay attention to God’s direction • Expect words of knowledge indicating open doors, names of evil spirits, names of people who need to be forgiven, past traumas • Ask Jesus for revelation when you need it
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Close Doors • Lead person in closing door(s) through which the spirit(s) entered by: o Forgiving (whoever hurt or led into bad choices/lifestyle) o Be precise and thorough in dropping judgments/forgiving specific offenses o Release offender to God, commit to take hands off – to not try to change the offender, and ask God to bless him/her o If seeker is unable to forgive, proclaim healing and blessing, but do not pray for deliverance
Confession & renunciation • Closing doors usually involves confession and renunciation: o Invite confession from specific sins " I confess my sin of ___ (hate, bitterness, sharing my body with ___, coming under the control of ___ etc…) and ask you Father to forgive me. o Invite renunciation audibly and firmly of all spirits involved " In the name of Jesus I renounce and break all agreement with the demons (stronghold) of ___ including all associate demons of ___, ___, … (names of evil spirits/demons) • Closing doors may require leader’s initiative o agreement and participation necessary o winning person over through awareness-raising from Scripture & testimony advised • In the name of Jesus I break the power of the spirit(s) of ___ over (Tom) so that when they are cast out, they will not come back. • In the name of Jesus I break the power of every curse over (Tom) from ___ (father’s careless critical words, father’s Freemasonry, mother’s perfectionism/control, etc.)
Renouncing lies & vows • In the name of Jesus I renounce and break all agreement with the lie that ___ and I choose to believe the truth that ___. • Regarding vows: In the name of Jesus, I confess and renounce the vow I made never/always to ____.
Cast out Spirit(s) • Invite the person to themselves cast out the spirit(s) in the name of Jesus with simple commands, using normal tone of voice
78 • I break the power of ___ (name or function of demon). Come out in the name of Jesus. I order you to come out and go to the feet of Jesus, in Jesus’ name. • Cast spirits out one-by-one • Active participation of leader in exercising spiritual authority is often necessary • With all doors closed, spirits will usually leave quickly and quietly… if they don’t leave promptly, go back to Step 9 (Ascertain desire for freedom) • It may also be necessary for person to make a confession of faith or read a written prayer, Biblical passage, or specific Psalm • See below for possible confessions
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. You redeemed me by your blood and I belong to you. I thank you Jesus for your shed blood which cleanses me from all sin. I want to live for you. I come to you as my Deliverer. I now confess all of my sins, known and unknown. I repent of them and ask you to forgive me. I renounce them all. I forgive others as I want you to forgive me. Forgive me now and cleanse me with your blood. I repent of any way I have given place to the enemy. You know my special need to obtain freedom from things that bind me, torment me, defile, me; from every evil or unclean spirit. I claim the promise of your word. “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be delivered.” I call upon you now, Lord Jesus. Deliver me and set me free. I renounce satan, all his works, and all of his workers. I loose myself from satan in the name of Jesus Christ, and I command you, satan, you and your demons, to leave me now. All this I do in the name, and on the authority, of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen! (from Ministry Tools for Restoring the Foundations)
Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;
79 he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. Invite Thankfulness and Spirit’s Filling • Invite the person to thank Jesus for his/her deliverance • If thanks is not possible or if spirits manifest, more deliverance needed • Invite the person to ask the Holy Spirit to fill him or her and all the places formerly occupied by the evil spirits Follow up • Follow-up should include encouraging the newly delivered person to continue o worship o Bible study o involvement in a faith community o being in a relationship of personal accountability (to pastor, spiritual director, mentor…)
80 Session 12
JOHN THE BAPTIST AS EXEMPLARY PROPHET
Study Guide Notes
Introduction Today we’re going to look at another text from the Bible that is read on the second Sunday of the season before Christmas (Year C) called Advent, meaning “coming.” Before Jesus was born others were notified and commissioned to prepare for his coming. Let’s see how this happened and what this might mean for us today. (See Year A- Matthew 3:1-12; Year B- Mark 1:1-8)
Read Luke 3:1-2 “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.”
Explanation This passage starts by mentioning dates and names of the most powerful and important Roman political leaders and Jewish religious leaders, like in OT prophetic literature. The hegemonic hierarchy is highlighted, but in order to spotlight that God’s Word came to lowly John in the wilderness. • The people at top of hierarchy were against Kingdom of God o Herod locked John up in prison (Luke 3:20) and beheaded him (Luke 9:9). o Others were directly involved in Jesus’ crucifixion (Pontius Pilate, Herod (Lk 23:11), Annas and Caiaphas (Jn 18:24).
81 Study Guide Notes
Question 1 Why are political and religious “In the second year of President Donald Trump’s leaders also mentioned? Who presidency, when… would their equivalents be today?
Question 2 Who did the word of Lord come to John, the Son of Zacharias, who was in the wilderness. and where was he? Note: John was the son of Zacharias (a priest) and Elizabeth (of house of Aaron), called righteous (Lk 1:6). An angel announced his birth as a forerunner to the Messiah. • In spirit & power of Elijah. Turns hearts of fathers back to children and disobedient to attitude of righteous (Lk 1:17) • He was in the wilderness— which in the Bible refers to a place where fugitives flee into, the rejected are cast into.
Question 3 Where would the wilderness be Equivalents could include “the streets,” “jails and today? prisons”…
Question 4 What does it tell us about God that The expression “the Word of God came” is common in the the Word came? Old Testament prophets, where God’s Word is often described as coming to individuals (Gen 15:1; 1 Sam 15:10; 2 Sam 7:4; 24:11; Isa 38:4; Jer 1:2; Ezek 1:3; Jonah 1:1; Zeph 1:1; Hag 1:3; Zech 1:1). God takes the initiative, speaking to people he calls as his spokespersons. They then are often sent to communicate God’s message to others.
Question 5 Do you ever experience the Word of God coming to you?
Question 6 What does this say about God that God speaks to someone outside the system, on the he sends his word to John rather margins (in the wilderness). God’s order of preference is than to the more important power different (like Magnificat- Lk 1:52). figures?
Read Luke 3:3-4 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;
82 Study Guide Notes
Question 7 What was John doing exactly? Came into all the district around the Jordan... preaching a Where did he preach? baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Preaching (kēryssō- to proclaim, herald, preach, announce). Jesus principal activity (Lk 4:18, 44; 8:1;). Jesus sent disciples to proclaim (Lk 8:39; 9:2; 12:3; 24:47).
Repentance = metanoia. “To change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness — ‘to repent, to change one’s way, repentance.” Forgiveness of sins “To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:77).
Note: See Luke 1:76, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways.”
The Jordan is the river that served as border between the wilderness and the land of Israel.
God’s Word came to John, who then announced God’s message to the whole district.
Read Luke 3:4 “as it is written in the book of the • Went throughout whole region of Jordan words of Isaiah the prophet. The • Proclaimed baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of voice of one crying in the sins. wilderness, ‘make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Question 8 How does this verse from Isaiah John is proclaiming baptism of repentance for the relate to what John is doing? Who is forgiveness of sins in the wilderness the voice and where is he crying? Crying (boaō- to cry, shout or scream with unusually loud volume- Nida. See Lk 9:38;18:7, 38)
83 Study Guide Notes
Question 9 Who was to make ready (or Make ready, prepare (hetoimazō). prepare) and make paths straight? • “make ready” is addressed to 2 or more people (2nd person plural) • “make his paths straight” (euthys straight, level, true, at once)
Read Luke 3:5-6 Every ravine will be filled, and Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill every mountain and hill brought shall be brought low: and all the crooked ways shall low; the crooked will become become straight, and the rough places plains. (Isaiah 40:4 straight, and the rough roads LXX). smooth; and all flesh will see the • Lord is returning to Jerusalem in ruins salvation of God.’” • All barriers to seeing him will be removed
Explanation This passage starts with the Word of God coming to one individual (John) in the wilderness. He preaches to the whole district, inviting everyone to be baptized, repent and receive forgiveness. He calls others to prepare the way for the Lord and all the barriers to seeing are then removed. The end result is that all flesh sees the Lord’s salvation.
Question 10 How do we “prepare the way” for people who feel abandoned and devastated to see the salvation of the Lord?
84 Session 13
THE POWERS IN BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
“Principalities and powers” are “creations” in Scripture
Words in NT adapted from LXX • arche – ruler • exousia – authority • dunamis – power • dominion/lordship
God and the Powers Powers were created by Christ and for him (Colossians 1:16)
“For by him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through him and for him.”
“in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority” (Col 2:10)
Idolatry and Demonization “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions” (Rom 1:25-26)
• Coming under authority of the powers = creature
Idolatry and Demonization Coming under powers = being dominated by “unclean” spirits
Jesus’ first miracle, casts out unclean spirits
Jesus Rebukes Disciples’ Unclean Spirit You do not know what kind of spirit you are of? [national spirit? religious?] (Luke 9:42)
Human role in God’s mission “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
85 “…you have crowned hi with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…” (Psalm 8:5-6)
Humans’ role in God’s mission Metaphoric language in Psalm 8:
Image Cosmological meaning
Sheep and oxen (domesticated animals) Economic forces
Beasts of the field Wild animals or predatory forces
Birds of the heavens Powers that snatch away life
Fish of the sea or sea creatures Demonic powers
Humans’ role in God’s mission • Humans placed over animals on fifth day • All creatures under human authority • Other humans not under humans
Powers in rebellion: Psalm 82 1 God takes his stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. 2 How long will you judge unjustly And show partiality to the wicked? Selah. 3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High. 7 “Nevertheless you will die like men And fall like any one of the princes.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is you who possesses all the nations.
Rulers (arche) and powers (dunamis) in Gospel perspective Mark 13:9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors (arche) and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.”
86 Luke 12:11 “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers (arche) and the authorities (exousia), do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;”
Luke 20:20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule (arche) and the authority (exousia) of the governor.
The Powers in Acts 3-4 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered up, and disowned in the presence of Pilate… you disowned the Holy and righteous One, put to death the Prince of life… whom God raised from the dead (3:12-14)
Prophets foretold that the Christ should suffer (3:18)
Repent therefore and return… that he may send Jesus the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient time (3:19-21)
Refers to Moses, who said “the Lord God shall raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to him you shall give heed in everything he says to you. And it shall be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. (3:22-23)
All the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. ‘It is you who are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” (3:24-26)
The Powers in Acts 4 Categories of “place-holder” powers mentioned • The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, o strategos – captain, magistrate (of temple) o hieron – a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts of the Temple
“greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from” (v. 2)
“And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening” (v. 3)
What does this tell us about these powers?
The Powers in Acts 4
87 Categories of “place-holder” powers mentioned • On the next day, their rulers (archon) and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem” (v. 5) o archon o presbyteros o grammateus – scribe, secretary, town clerk
Activity: “gather together” (sunago)
Names and titles mentioned • “Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent” (v. 6)
“Gather together” (sunago) • of Herod, who gathers together chief priests and scribes to determine where Christ was to be born (Matt 2:4) • Pharisees gather together to question Jesus (Matt 22:10, 34) • Chief priests and elders of the people – in court of high priest (Matt 26:3) o “plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him…but not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur.” (Matt 26:4-5) • Scribes and elders gathered. Chief priests looked for false testimony (Matt 26:59) • People before Pilate – ask for Barabbas (Matt 27:17) • Roman soldiers gathers around Jesus to mock/beat (Matt 27:27-30) • Chief priests gather together with Pilate after crucifixion to get permission to seal tomb (Matt 27:63) and give large sum to soldiers (Matt 28:12) • Council of elders of the people gather together to ask Jesus if he is the Christ (Luke 22:66-67) • He says: from now on the son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God (Luke 22:69)
Psalm 2 cited in LXX “The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.” (Acts 4:26)
“Gather together” (sunago) in Acts • Psalm 2 cited in LXX “The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.” (Acts 4:26) • Names mentioned: “For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
Gathering together can be good • “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31) • And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26) • Whole city gathers together to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:44)
88 • “When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27) • “The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter” (Acts 15:6) • “So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter” (Acts 15:30) • Christians gathered together on the first day of week to break bread and hear Paul (Acts 20:7)
“Gather together” (sunago) in Acts 4 Rulers and elders and scribes place Peter and John in the center and begin to inquire: • “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” (Acts 4:7)
What are they concerned about?
How does Peter respond?
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by this name this man stands here before you in good health. “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12)
What does this tell us about prophesy before the powers?
“Gather together” (sunago) in Acts 4 How do the rulers and elders and scribes respond to Peter and John? • observe confidence • understood that they were uneducated and untrained men • amazed • recognize them as having been with Jesus • see man lame from birth healed standing with them – nothing to say • order them to leave the council • “What shall we do with these men?” They don’t deny miracle • worry about “it” spreading any further among people (4:17) • command them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus
How do Peter and John respond? • ask authorities if they should listen to God or men? • “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” • authorities threaten them further…let them go • report to their companions what chief priests and elders said • worship God – look to Scripture for interpretation (Ps 2) • apply Psalm 2 in a detailed way to their circumstances and pray
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“For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your purpose predestined to occur.” (Acts 4:27-28)
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak your word with all confidence, while you extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)
Shaking of the powers “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak your word with all confidence, while you extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)
(Sakueo) to waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite: - Move, shake (together), which can (-not) be shaken, stir up.
• Mountains shaken before Lord (Judges 5:5) • Whole earth – Psalms 17:7; 59:2; 96:4; 98:1; 113:7
A Psalm for Asaph: God stands in the assembly of gods; and in the midst of them will judge gods. 2 How long will ye judge unrighteously, and accept the persons of sinners? Pause. 3 Judge the orphan and poor: do justice to the low and needy. 4 Rescue the needy, and deliver the poor out of the hand of the sinner. 5 They know not, nor understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth shall be shaken. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you children of the Most High. 7 But ye die as men, and fall as of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all nations. (Psalm 81:1-8 LXX)
There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26)
• Acts 16:26 • Hebrews 12:26
The Destiny of the Powers
90 Many New Testament texts describe these non-human, created powers as being placed under human feet, vanquished, and eventually destroyed by Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:24-27
Jesus will destroy underlying powers that embody visible systems • every ruler – arche • every authority – exousia • and power – dunamis • enemies – • the last enemy… death
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” (Colossians 2:15)
Read Ephesians 1:20-23 Here Jesus also has power over every: • Dominion • Every name that is named • Everything, not only in this world, but also that which is to come
1 Peter 3:22 “the resurrection of Jesus, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to him.”
Read Ephesians 2 We are raised up with Christ, seated at the Father’s right hand: • Psalms 110
To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:8-11)
Resistance to the powers Acts 4:1-3 – Sadducees disturbed about preaching of Jesus resurrected – lay hands on Peter and John
Acts 4:4 – Rulers, elders and scribes…
Acts 4:18-20
Acts 5:18ff – apostles incarcerated, angels release them
Acts 5:42 – apostles prohibited by authorities – went right on teaching/preaching Jesus as Christ
91 Session 14
STEWARDING THE WORD: DISCIPLESHIP BASICS
The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8 : 1-18)
Why this Bible study?
Jesus tells us that the parable of the sower is important because if you understand it, you have the key to understand all parables. He said to his followers, “Do you not understand [Greek: perceive?] this parable? How will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13).
The Kingdom of God is to be sown (planted) throughout the world. The Gospel message, like the good seed, is meant to be broadcast everywhere, not kept away in storage.
A little background info:
Before this text, we find that the Pharisees and others are strongly criticizing Jesus for ministering illegally—contrary to Jewish law (on the Sabbath, forgiving sins, interacting with and healing the “unclean” or “sinners”). The religious leaders were plotting to kill Jesus because his behavior threatened their power. For this reason, Jesus changed the way he talked about the Kingdom of Heaven. Parables became his new means of teaching/preaching in public.
Read Luke 8:1-4.
Questions/activities for the group:
1. What is Jesus doing before he tells the parable?
Jesus shows us what advancing the Kingdom of God looks like. He would “go around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and the Good News of the Kingdom.” (8:4)
2. Who are the characters? (8:4) --The first group: The 12 disciples, some women who had been healed from evil spirits and sicknesses, and other women who were contributing to the disciples’ support. --A large crowd that was starting to form plus people from various cities who had travelled to see Jesus.
3. What teaching method did Jesus use in this public setting? Parable. --What is a parable? A parable is a story in which a familiar idea is placed next to an unfamiliar idea to make the unfamiliar idea clear. [Strong’s: “A teaching aid cast alongside the truth being taught. This casts additional light by using an arresting or familiar analogy…”]
92 • Read the Parable, itself. (8:5-9) 4. Summarize the Parable • Who are the characters? --The sower (though not identified by name) --Those “who have ears to hear” • What kind of sower/farmer is this? --The sower does not plant in the usual way (in good/cultivated soil). Instead, he appears to scatter the seed, letting it fall in every type of soil: -beside the road (where it was trampled and eaten by birds) -on the rocky soil (where, without moisture, it withered, ) -among the thorns (where it got choked out) -into the good soil (where it grew up, producing 100 times as much)
• The disciples did not understand the parable. So they asked Jesus to explain.
5. Why do you think about verse 10? Why did Jesus share such “mysteries of the kingdom of God” with his disciples but not with the others in the crowd? Why would he want to conceal such an important teaching from the rest? Jesus seems to like his followers to question him when they don’t understand something. In fact, their questioning appears to be the very thing that causes Jesus to share this treasure!
6. What are some examples of the four types of soil from your context?
7. Which type/types of soil represent your life in the past? Now? Take a moment to ask God how he sees the condition of the soil in your life now. Take a minute to listen to the Holy Spirit and write down anything you think God is showing you.
8. If the seed is the word of God, who is the sower in the parable? How does the story about a sower relate to what Jesus was doing as he was telling the parable?
9. How does verse 15 fit into what Jesus’ call: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” at the end of verse 9?
10. What does it mean to hear the word in an honest and good heart and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance? What kind of battle do we face in hanging on to the slippery little seed (word of God given to us), as suggested by this admonition of Jesus?
11. How does verse 18 fit into what Jesus says in the parable about hearing? What are some possible pitfalls regarding the way we might listen to Jesus?
12. How does the condition of the ‘soil of our life’ and ‘how we listen’ relate to the end of verse 18: “…for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him”? More of what? And what shall be taken away? Could it be the understanding of the mysteries of God as well as relationship with God through Jesus? Spend some time to meditate on this for a couple of minutes of silence and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning to you. Then discuss this together in the group (or in small groups if the group is large).
93 13. How does verse 16 (which could appear to people as a random statement) fit into this passage? Which of the hears of the parable does Jesus address here?
14. Could verse 16 have something to do with verse 10? How does this relate with verse 4?
15. To whom are the mysteries of the kingdom of God revealed? Who are the rest?
16. Is there any hope for people to hear from God clearly if the soil of their hearts is not good? What evidence in this chapter do you have to you have in this.
17. If you have time, read verses 19-21 and discuss how what Jesus said about family could affect our spiritual hearing/listening. What is the fruit of hearing God, through the lens of our family’s influence. How does this relate to the different outcomes of the seed when it was planted by Jesus?
Activations
Closing prayer: Pray that God would show you what it means to hold tight to the tiny seed(s) that Jesus has planted in your heart today (or recently), and to help us be very deliberate about the way we hear. Ask God to show how family/friends might be affecting the way we hear and respond to the word that Jesus has planted in your heart. If you want the soil of your hear to be the kind that produces an abundant harvest, ask God to reveal the things that are blocking it from happening. Welcome the Holy Spirit to dig/weed/cultivate the garden of your heart!
94 APPENDIX
STEPS IN INTERPRETING A BIBLICAL PASSAGE
Twelve steps in Biblical Interpretation
1. Prepare inwardly 2. Determine text’s beginning and end 3. Determine differences between translations 4. Determine literary structure of the text 5. Note how the writer tells the story 6. Consider the historical background 7. Interpret intertextually and determine word meaning 8. Write a verse-by-verse commentary 9. Consult exegetical commentaries 10. Consult early Christian and Rabbinic sources 11. Summarize your findings 12. Use your findings to lead Bible studies
1. Prepare Inwardly • Move towards Jesus in prayer & worship • Invite the Holy Spirit before reading • Gratitude, dialogue, journaling, contemplation • Try practicing the “Prayer of the heart” – “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” • Prayerfully read the text before sleeping
2. Determine Text’s Beginning and End • OT & NT not originally in chapters & verses • Note literary units before & after text (immediate literary context) • Note where text is situated in larger story (broad literary context) • Consider where book is within Scripture (canonical context) • Outline major topics of section or book • Determine the limits of text & key emphases
3. Determine Differences Between Translations • Read through 2-3 translations of text o English: NASB, RSV, NRSV, NIV, NKJV, NJB o Use Hebrew and Greek if possible • Note significant differences • Pursue the origin of key differences
4. Determine Literary Structure • Read through the text carefully, asking: o Who is speaking to or about whom? Does this change? o List characters (explicit and implicit) o Note place names
95 o Note names of titles for God o Note verbs and subjects of verbs o Based on characters, vocabulary, ask: " What changes from beginning to end? " What is the text organized to say? " Where is the center (where the main idea is communicated) of the text?
5. Note How the Writer Tells the Story • Intentionality of style conveys meaning • Writer crafts text to convey theological truth
6. Consider Historical Background • Discover authorship date, and place • Ask questions about the original audience • Study the socio-historical setting
7. Interpret Intertextually and Determine Word Meaning • Determine how key words and images are used in your text (lexicography) • Investigate links to other stories, events, and texts that offer insight (intertextuality) • Tools include: o concordances with Hebrew/Greek equivalents o lexicons
8. Write a Verse by Verse Commentary • Take into account the whole text • Make use of your discoveries as you studied: o translation o structure o literary genre o historical context
9. Consult Exegetical Commentaries
10. Consult Early Christian & Rabbinic Sources • Look at how NT authors used your text • Look at Jewish sources (Septuagint, Targums, Babylonian Talmud, Jerusalem Talmud, Midrash) • Consult Patristic sources
11. Summarize Your Findings • Pull together findings for introduction • Make decisions about meanings • Attempt a one-paragraph summary • Organize your presentation & conclusions 12. Use your Findings to Lead Bible Studies • Lead under the Spirit’s direction • Don’t try to prove anything • Do only what you see the Father doing • Expect words to be confirmed with the signs following (see end of Mark)
96
FREEDOM FROM IDOLATRY & ANIMISM
Idolatry involves worshipping or pledging allegiance to anything other than the Father of Jesus, the Son of the Father- Jesus of Nazareth, and the Holy Spirit.
God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1) • The big light (sun) and the little light (moon) • Animals, birds, fish created on sixth day. • Humans created on the sixth day.
Worshipping and serving the creature rather than the Creator leads to being given over to the passions (Rom 1:23-25)
“But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” (Isaiah 44:17) see 44:9-20
1Cor. 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Col. 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Animism the belief that all natural things, such as plants, animals, rocks, and thunder, have spirits and can influence human events
Man & woman according to Genesis 1 commands addressed to both the man & the woman Image of God = male + female “them” (v. 26) Fulfilling 2nd plural imperatives requires 2 “be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, master it, rule...”
“Then the Lord God said: It is not good that the man should be alone” (2:18). First mention of something being “not good” If human = “male and female” than undifferentiated aloneness is “not good”
97
Must “not alone” be remedied by a female or male partner? God creates and presents animals to man, offering many possible ‘helpers’ “But for the man there was not found a helper fit for him” (2:20).Reader invited to note the creation of the woman
“Then the Lord God said.... ‘I will make him a helper suitable for him’ (2:18). “But for the man (earthling) there was not found a helper for his partner” (Gen 2:20) wíø;d◊g‰nV;k r‰z™Eo translated: “helper for his partner” NRSV “an help meet for him” KJVS, AVS “a helper suitable for him” NASV “companion who corresponded to him” NET bohqo\ß o¢moioß aujtw◊ˆ “a helper like him” LXX
“I will make for it a companion corresponding to it.... But as for ‘adama, it did not find a companion corresponding to itself.”
Helper from verb, ezar rÅzDo noun, r‰zEo n.m. 1). help, succour 2). concr. = one who helps Ezer= companion “Traditionally translated “helper”—“a translation that is totally misleading because the English word helper suggests an assistant, a subordinate, indeed, an inferior, while the Hebrew word ‘ezer’ carries no such connotation” (Phyllis Trible)
Helper ofter describes God as the one who creates and saves Israel (Gen 49:25; Ex 18:4; Deut 32:38; 33:7, 26, 29). d‰g‰n subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to 1. as adv. accus. in front of, -- mentally, = vividly present to. But Mkynp dgh hor yk before your face is = in your view, or purpose. 2. With preps.: a. d‰g‰nV;k acc. to what is in front of = corresponding to, d‰g‰nV;k r‰zEo a help corresponding to him i.e. equal and adequate to himself. b. d‰g‰nVl in front of, before; with dAmDo, in a hostile sense; in the sight or presence of; opposite to
98 (a) adv. off (NIm 1 c) the front, in front, opposite, ex adverso, (b) as a prep. (a) from the front of, away from; ynyo dgnm from before the eyes of, with verbs of removing, cutting off, hiding. (b) opposite to; at a distance from. (g) Vl d‰g‰…nIm from before, in front of.
“corresponding to it” kenegdo, “tempers this connotation of superiority to specify identity, mutuality, and equality.” Trible.
What is “not good”? • Not having a companion is “not good” • Not having a companion “in earthlings face/against him” is “not good” • Human needs community, someone to dialogue with, counter him, be “in his face” • YHWH’s response to man’s aloneness -- forms out of dust (like the man) the animals... brings them to man • Why was there not found a “companion before him” from among the animals?
Why is helper not found from among animals? • While animals were formed from dust by YHWH like earthling, God o did not breath into nostrils breath of life o did not command them to eat/not eat o did not place animals in garden to cultivate and keep o Animals brought to human to see what he would call them • No relationship of equality permitting animal be a helper, “against him”
• God gives human, (biological male and female), the charge:
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth..... While God creates animals and humans, God only speaks of human, male and female, in God’s image and likeness
God speaks to male & female together:
And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
99 (Genesis 1:26, 28)
• If God gave humans authority to subdue animals, an animal helper would remedy “aloneness” • An animal subdued by humans cannot be a helper
Only one in “image and likeness” can be alongside as helper/companion
• Narrative suggests that human/earthling is given choice, but cannot find “suitable helper” • Woman is created by God supernaturally • Earthling does not choose, but is in deep sleep-- God builds/fashions her • Lord brings her to earthling (God’s action) • Woman (‘isha’) is mentioned before the now differentiated man (‘ish’) • “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.”
100 PRAYING THE PSALMS FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. Psalms 9:5-6
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers. Let ruin come on them unawares. And let the net that they hid ensnare them; let them fall in it—to their ruin. Psalms 35:3, 8
For the cursing and lies that they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them until they are no more. Psalms 59:12b-13
Let their table be a trap for them, a snare for their allies. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see… Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them… Add guilt to their guilt; may they have no acquittal from you. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous. Psalms 69:22-24, 27-28
May his children be orphans, and his wife a widow. May his children wander about and beg; may they be driven out of the ruins they inhabit. May the creditor seize all that he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil…May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation.. and may his memory be cut off from the earth. Psalms 109:6-20
Oh daughter Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall they be who pay you back what you have done to us! Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock! Psalms 137:8-9
Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise! Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent! Psalms 140:9- 11
How are we to interpret these Psalms against enemies
• “The wicked” in the Old Testament are often overtly described as the rich or as those who oppress the poor (Psalms 10). • The Psalmist then shows God as being for the poor and “sinner,” not for the “successful” • Enemies in the Psalms are adversaries of God’s people and coming kingdom. • Israel & church’s enemies are spiritual enemies, opposing Israel’s true vocation to be a blessing to all the nations. • Pharaoh, the Amalakites and Edomites are examples of physical enemies who are also
101 spiritual enemies • Enemies may even include religious enemies, like the false prophets or Israelite priests who sided with the wrong people (Amos 7:10-17) • We may still find ourselves desiring the destruction of our enemies, and we may pray the Psalms more literally against them • Important to cry out to God, asking God to take responsibility for our enemies
Reading the Psalms with Jesus “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Lk 9:56) (See Jn 10:10) “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (see Lk 6:27-37) “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Mt 6:14-15). Forgive seventy times seven (Mt 18:21-22, 35) “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34)
Reading the Psalms with Paul “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Rom. 12:14 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Rom 12:19). Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12
Conclusions • As Jesus followers we cannot pray Psalms against flesh & blood enemies. • We must forgive, bless and love human enemies • Jesus exercises violence against spiritual enemies, casting out demons, healing sickness, abolishing the law, hatred and death. • Jesus will destroy Satan and his angels
We can pray cursing Psalms against invisible enemies.
102 KINGDON IDENTITY VS. NATIONAL IDENTITY
• Recovering our identity and authority as God’s children, citizens of Jesus’ Kingdom requires breaking with allegiances that compromise: o Our total devotion to Jesus o Our freedom to respond to God’s Word o Our authority as agents of God’s Kingdom
Entry Points for the Demonic • Demons are given legal rights to enter through areas where we’ve given them an “open door” • Four most common open doors are: o Generational sins and inherited curses o Soul/spirit ties o Physical or psychological trauma and other “soul wounds” o Unhealthy beliefs • Deliverance from macro spirits of nation, party, ethnicity, gang, and other “authorities” is best approached from these four angles • Spiritual oppression is rooted in past generations • Passed down from generation to generation • These can negatively affect descendants: o Ideological practices and allegiances of ancestors to religion, political party, and nation o Heritage of slave-holding, displacing Aboriginal peoples, bigotry… o Gang affiliations o Pride of shame related to class affiliations o People with heritage of family members in the Armed Forces, Masons…
Identify & Confess Sin • Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal generational sin/destructive mindsets or practices regarding national/racial/class identity (that you may or may not be currently participating in) that God wants you to acknowledge (confess) and turn away from: o Silence voices of accusation beforehand. We only want to confess what Holy Spirit is revealing. o Difference between conviction of Spirit and remorse or false guilt from accuser o Use family tree (genogram) to clearly identify ancestors
103 o Knowledge of family issues requires research
Spirit ties • “Ungodly soul (& spirit) ties stemming from covenant or contractual relationships pass sin energy down through the family line… Covenants are contracts which may be written, verbal, or understood… When you enter into a covenant with another person or with God, a soul tie develops which allows the life, energies, and provisions of the two to be shared.” -Mark Virkler, Prayers that Heal the Heart: Prayer Counseling that Breaks every Yoke (Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2001), 31 • Unhealthy spirit ties established and regularly reinforced through regular pledging of allegiance, singing of national anthems…
[Picture – kids pledging allegiance to flag] I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all
U.S. Naturalization Oath A person applying for naturalization must publicly swear: • to support the Constitution of the United States; • to renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen; • to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; • to bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and • to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law, or • to perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law
Since February 2004 immigrants to the U.K. have been required to swear allegiance to Her Majesty Elizabeth Windsor before being granted citizenship: • I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.
104 Affirmation of allegiance to the United Kingdom • I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law. • Pledge I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
All persons enlisting in the British Army and the Royal Marines are required by the Army Act 1955 to attest to the following oath or equivalent affirmation: • I… swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of her Majesty, her heirs and Successors, and of the generals and officers set over me. So help me God.
United Kingdom National Anthem God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen: Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us: God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise, Scatter her enemies, And make them fall. Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all.
Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour;
105 Long may she reign: May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice God save the Queen.
Breaking Unhealthy Spirit/Soul Ties • First, invite Holy Spirit to reveal attachments that provide footholds for spiritual control or oppression • Spirit is the guide that leads us to the truth (John 14:16-17, 26), brings conviction of sin (16:8-9) • Confess and renounce involvements that Holy Spirit reveals as sin • Forgive people in your life who led you into unhealthy allegiance and receive God’s forgiveness in Jesus • Sever unhealthy ties using the following prayer: o In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I supernaturally break all the ungodly ties that have been established between me and ___. I ask you, Jesus, to cleanse me from every negative impact and influence it has had on my life. I ask you Father to place the cross of Jesus between me and ___, to stop the flow of everything ungodly between the two of us. Amen • In silence: o Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you need to cut spirit or soul ties with nation, Queen, ethnicity or ? • Use this prayer in response: o In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I supernaturally break all the ungodly ties that have been established between me and ___. I ask you, Jesus, to cleanse me from every negative impact and influence it has had on my life. I ask you Father to place the cross of Jesus between me and ___, to stop the flow of everything ungodly between the two of us. Amen
Trauma and other “Soul Wounds” • A national spirit can become rooted in a person through trauma from attacks on nation (U.S. soil [Pearl Harbor, 9/11, wars]). What UK equivalents exist? • A terrorist attack or bombing raid may bring trauma that opens doors to fear, shame, guilt, anger, resentment, national pride, other negative spirits
106 • In the USA, Americans regularly commemorate national and personal traumas related to war in a civic liturgical calendar of national holidays (Veteran’s Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, September 11); Americans are encouraged to “never forget” • Your country’s equivalents? • Holidays and other commemorations can strengthen allegiances to national spirits • When life is “sacrificed” to a nation through bloodshed, bonds are strengthened • Bonds reinforced by regular remembrances of “human sacrifice” – caskets of soldiers who die in combat are draped by American flags in the US • War fatalities are blood sacrifices to ideology or principle (U.S. national security, democracy for Middle East, freedom of religion, steady oil supply) • Demonic bonds also formed with ideologies, ethnicities, religions, denominations, corporations or organization through human sacrifice
“The flag symbolizes the sacrificed body of the citizen. This label has meaning only in reference to the group that defines it, the nation. Blood sacrifice links the citizen to the nation. It is a ritual in the most profound sense, for it creates the nation from the flesh of its citizens. The flag is the sign and agent of the nation formed in blood sacrifice. The power of the flag must be sacrificially established.” Blood Sacrifice and the Nation, p.63.
“Blood must touch every member of the group. Merely as an idea, sacrifice has no permanent value. Real stakes are measured in bodies. The value of a sacrificial episode depends on how many bodies touch blood directly and how many other bodies are linked by personal ties of blood and affection to them. Enough bodies must suffer and die so many families will feel the pain of sacrifice that constitutes the stuff of social kinship. When all bleed, everyone is kin.” Ibid, p. 87
Healing of Trauma • Healing of traumas is necessary. Diverse therapeutic approaches help including: o Inner healing and even deliverance o Grieving, confession, renouncing & receiving Spirit- empowered/guided prayer ministry
107 o Changing habitual practices that unhealthily commemorate national and personal traumas
Ungodly Beliefs about nation
• Pledging allegiance, believing untruths about nation, ethnicity… can fit into Biblical category of idolatry • Idolatry prohibited throughout Scripture (Deut 6:6-9; Ex 20:2-5a; Matt 6:22-24, 33) • Belief that any nation is superior goes against teaching of Scripture (Isa 40:16, 17; 42:23-24; Ps 47:8-9, Dan 2:21; Ps 33:10-11; Rev 18:2-3) • Need to re-examine true meaning of traditional texts used to justify subservience to nation-state (Rom 13; 1 Pet 2:15-17) • Many examples in Scripture showing obedience to God trumps calls to obey governing authorities (Dan 3-7; Exodus) • Biblical prophets set above kings (1 Sam 10:1; 16:13; 12:12-15) and constantly critiqued them (1 Sam 13:11-14; 15:1-35; 2 Sam 12; Amos 7:10-11; 1 Kings 16:1-4; 21:17-26; 22:1-23; 2 Kings 1:1-17; Jer 29:17; 32:1ff; 27:12ff; 38:17; 38:6). This continues into the NT (Mark 6:14-32; Mark 7:1-13; Luke 11:37-54). • Apostles regularly disobeyed authorities in favor of God’s call (Acts 4:5, 18, 19-20, 29; 12:1ff, 17:5-9) • Identify and turn away from unhealthy beliefs • Replace them with right theological affirmations • Beliefs about nation-states, obedience to authorities, use of violence must be consistent with the teachings and practices of Jesus • Jesus consistently taught love of enemies; • No support in Jesus’ teaching for myth of redemptive violence against human beings – apart from his embracing of cross as a means of dealing with sin • Jesus depicts nations as at each other’s throats: Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… (Mark 13:8) • Jesus warns believers of persecution by authorities (Mark 13:9) • Jesus’ main concern was that persecuted believers would be a testimony before authorities, and that Gospel is preached to the nations (Mark 13:10) • Paul and Peter’s writings regarding obedience to authorities must be read in light of Jesus’ willingness to face the cross – the final consequence of his ministry of announcing the kingdom of God
108 • Jesus consistently faced persecution by submitting to his enemies (Mark 10:32), calling his disciples to put away the sword (Matt 26:52b-53) • Jesus reveals a suffering Messiah – his identity as the Christ shows us that the cross continues to be the way evil is effectively dealt with
ASK: • What belief systems do you hold that may be contrary to Biblical notions of righteousness and justice?
NOW: • Pause for 5 minutes • Prayerfully journal, asking the Holy Spirit to show you any unhealthy beliefs you hold. In the next week seek God’s wisdom about replacement affirmations.
109 BAPTISMAL RENUNCIATIONS & AFFIRMATIONS
• Baptismal renunciations from the Book of Common Prayer are helpful in breaking from powers and re-affirming allegiance to Jesus and Kingdom of God • Departure from bondage and all deliverance from oppression rooted in Biblical tradition o Abram/Sarai’s departure from Haran “You go for yourself from… (Gen 12:1ff) o Moses and Israel’s departure from Egypt o Israel’s departure from Babylon (Isaiah) • Jesus’ baptism – his move from Israel into the desert and re-entry in the power of the Spirit as one announcing the Kingdom of Heaven o Come out of her, my people, so that you do not take part in her sins, and so that you do not share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her as she herself has rendered, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double draught for her in the cup she mixed. As she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, so give her a like measure of torment and grief. Since in her heart she says ‘I rule as a queen; I am no widow, and I will never see grief,’ therefore her plagues will come in a single day – pestilence and mourning and famine – and she will be burned with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (Rev 18:4-8)
Now, • As you read each of the renunciations below, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal anything specific that you need to confess and renounce… o Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God? o Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? o Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Now, • As you read each of the affirmations below, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal anything specific that you need to affirm.
110 Speak out your affirmations before moving on to the next one…
o Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? o Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? o Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
DISCIPLESHIP AFTER HEALING AND DELIVERANCE
Spiritual attack often follows healing and deliverance. Unless we carefully walk out our healing and freedom we are in danger of losing it to the enemy.
It will take some time for a person who received deliverance to learn to walk in freedom. It may take up to a year to get fully stable. Jesus made it very clear that follow-up care of those delivered from demonic influence was important. He said:
“Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45 (NASB)
When the evil spirit is cast out, a spiritual void results. If that void is not filled and proper follow-up care given, demonic powers may return stronger. Here are some important steps for pre-care and follow-up care of those experiencing deliverance:
1. Fill the spiritual void and expect spiritual attack: When a demon is cast out, he will seek another body through which to operate. A demon is restless and discontent outside of a human body. It is only by indwelling and controlling a human life that a demon is able to fulfill Satan’s evil purposes.
Because of the danger of a demon returning to his former victim accompanied by worse spirits, the spiritual void must be filled. A person must receive Jesus Christ as Savior and be filled with the Holy Spirit. He should continually
111 immerse himself in prayer and the Word of God and immediately become part of a community of believers.
Recognize that one of the most powerful influences in our lives are the people with whom we associate. 1 Corinthians 15:33 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.”
2. Close spiritual doors if they haven’t yet been closed through confession, repentance, renunciation of sins, curses, and unbiblical thought processes: Preferable prior to deliverance but, if that hasn’t happened yet, do so at least after deliverance. Those who have been demonized should be led in a prayer of confession, repentance, and renouncing of any sins, breaking of curses, faulty thinking or involvements connected with demonic activities. • The enemy will look for legal entry points and will use them. Close the doors! • The enemy will do will be to get you to doubt your healing or deliverance. • The enemy will try to temp you back into your old ungodly ways. Get rid of anything in your life that Jesus would not have quickly (drugs, pornography or witchcraft materials, etc.). • Destroy occult items. If the person has occult items (idols, voodoo items, witchcraft equipment, books, etc.), these must be destroyed.
• Avoid any contact with the occult. Do not consult witches, shaman, astrologers, horoscopes, card, palm, or tea leaf readers. Do not serve false gods or allow idols to come into your home (Deuteronomy 7:25- 26).
3. Fill your life with the holy things of God. - Begin regularly, faithfully attending a good church - Make sure you have been water baptized. - Daily spend time reading God’s word and memorize key Bible passages. - If you are new or young in faith, seek out a godly leader who can disciple you over an extended period. - Listen to worship music, sermons. - Devote time every day and throughout the day with prayer (ACTS and listen) - Be filled with the Holy Spirit and keep being filled (Ephesians 5:18). - Put on the armor of God daily Ephesians (6:10-18).
112 - Anoint home and yourself with oil (to set yourself apart holy for Christ's service) - Speak blessings over your home, land, vehicles, and family on a regular basis, and fully cleanse and seal off your property. - Renew your mind regularly, dismissing thoughts that are impure, taking every thought captive to obey Jesus (2 Cor. 10:3-5). - Imagine God's favor and blessing resting upon you and your future and give thanks even when things are difficult. - Find a godly leader who will meet and disciple you if you’re new to faith.
4. Take a strong stand in authority in the name of Jesus over any demons, temptations, feelings from demons, thoughts of demons, or symptoms that try to return. Do not receive it! You can say, "In Jesus' name I command you demons to go! It is written, ‘submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee." Or you can say "In Jesus' name I do not receive this ______that I have been delivered from and I command the spirits trying to bring it back to go now! For it is written, 'submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee! So take your influence and oppression and go to the pit now in Jesus' name!'"
5. Give your testimony: Those experiencing deliverance from demonic powers should testify about their deliverance. Jesus told the demoniac of Gadarene: “And He did not let him, but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.” Mark 5:19-20 (NASB)
Revelation 12:11 confirms that we overcome the powers of Satan by the word of our testimony.
Keep receiving prayer from godly leaders and especially receiving from the Lord. Pray for the Lord to continue to heal your spirit, soul and physical bodies. When there are wounds, there are hurts and emotions that can allow the enemy access to us. When we feel hurt or wounded, we can react negatively out of our hurt which opens the door for the demons to once again invade.
Be patient with the process of walking out your healing and with your spiritual growth. Don’t rely on your feeling. Trust in God’s promises. You may
113 feel saved and delivered one day, but not the next. Don't go by feelings. Go by faith.
Healing and deliverance is an ongoing process. Don’t assume you’re “done.” Renew your mind by seeking the Lord daily. Spend time with Him by talking, praising and listening to Him. Make time to come into His rest by simply putting on anointing music and asking to come into His rest, then sitting quietly soaking in His presence – This is where we receive our restoration. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on your life and reveal any areas that are holding you back. If He shows you an area then confess, renounce, and turn again to Him receiving his forgiveness, and blessing.
114 BIBLE STUDIES
Luke 2:41-52
Study Guide Notes
Introduction Luke’s account of how twelve-year-old Jesus stayed back at the temple while his parents returned to Nazareth without him is often understood as marking Jesus as the uniquely special God-child. Jesus’ earthly life shows his followers what it looks like to live as a child of God.
Read Luke 2:41–43 “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But his parents were unaware of it . . .”
Question 1 Who are the characters and what Joseph and Mary, Jesus’ parents, and twelve-year- happens in this story up to this point? old Jesus go to Jerusalem to participate in the annual Feast of the Passover. After attending the Feast for the full number of days, Jesus’ parents return home while Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, though his parents do not know this.
115 Study Guide Notes
Background The term “boy” (pais) used to describe Jesus here is used in the Greek Old Testament of Isaiah to refer to the “servant” whom the Lord has chosen and placed his Spirit upon (Isa 42:1), who raises up the tribes of Jacob and restores the preserved ones of Israel (Isa 49:6), whose voice must be trusted by those who walk in darkness (Isa 50:10), but who finally is rejected (Isa 52:13).
Explanation Jesus could be seen as “waiting” in Jerusalem, a prayer practice that is highlighted throughout the Bible. The verb “stay behind” (hypomenō) is only translated this way here. Elsewhere it means “endure” or “wait.” In the Greek Old Testament, it is used to describe waiting on God (Num 22:19; Ps 25 (24):3, 4, 21; 27 (26):14; 32:20; 37 (36):9, 31; 40(39):1;1 Mic 7:7; Hab 2:3; Lam 3:21). Jesus waits after the full number of the Passover Feast days are over, suggesting that he is going beyond normal religious traditions, looking for more from God. Jesus waits for God’s word like the Psalmist.
Read Psalm 130:5 “I have waited for thee, O Lord, my soul has waited for they word.”
Question 2 What do you think it looks like to go Other questions might include: “Do you ever wait on beyond being a God-follower? What God for direction, an answer to prayer, or deeper would it look like for you to wait on understanding?” God?
Read Luke 2:44–45 “. . . but supposed him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him.”
1 The Psalms numbers in parenthesis are the numbering according to the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint Version).
116 Study Guide Notes
Question 3 What to Jesus’ parents do next? Jesus’ parents assume he is with the crowd of their relatives and friends. After they look for him without finding him, they assume Jesus is lost or missing.
Another question might be: “Do you ever search for Jesus and have difficulty finding him?”
Read Luke 2:46–47 “Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at His understanding and his answers.”
Question 4 Where did Jesus’ parents finally find He was in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Jesus and what was he doing? teachers, listening to them, asking questions, and responding to their questions.
Explanation Jesus reveals his priorities as the Son of God—which are to pursue wisdom and revelation.
Question 5 How did people react to Jesus? All who heard him were amazed at his understanding. Later, people are described as being amazed by Jesus’ teaching (Mat 12:23) and his healing miracles (Mk 2:12; Lk 8:56).
Explanation The word “understanding” (Greek = synesis) refers to the outcome of seeking wisdom (see Greek OT Prov 9:6, 10; 24:3), which God gives (Prov 2:6), and which God’s people reflect (Deut 4:6). See also Col 1:9: 2:2.
Question 6 According to this story, if we are seeking We might find him listening to teachers who are in Jesus, where might we find him? What places of worship (temple), asking questions of would it look like to do what Jesus is spiritual teachers. doing in this story today?
117 Study Guide Notes
Explanation Notice that Jesus didn’t go back home with the crowd of his relatives and friends. Rather, he followed his spiritual hunger and sought understanding.
Question 7 How might your family and friends react if you shifted your priorities to focus on spiritual growth?
Read Luke 2:48–49 “When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.’ “And He said to them, ‘Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?’”
Explanation There is no mention of the Father’s house here. Jesus says literally: “Did you not know that I had to be in the things of my Father?”
Question 8 How did Jesus’ family react to Jesus? They were astonished and asked why he was treating them “this way.”
Question 9 How did Jesus respond? What does this Jesus asks them a strange question: “Why is it that tell us about him? you are looking for me?” What might Jesus be thinking when he asks this question? Does Jesus expect his parents to do what he is doing—listen to the teachers and ask them questions? Does Jesus expect his parents to recognize his priorities—to be “in the things of the Father”? Jesus was revealing that his heavenly Father was his highest priority.
118 Study Guide Notes
Question 10 What are the things of the Father? Wisdom that comes from God. What were they for Jesus? The Father gives wisdom, as we see in Proverbs 2.
Read from Proverbs 2:1–4 “My son, if you will receive my words, And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures.”
Explanation In Proverbs, the speaker talks as a father to his children, imparting wisdom and understanding.
Read Luke 2:50–52 “But they did not understand the statement which he had made to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth; and he continued in subjection to them; and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
119 Study Guide Notes
Explanation Jesus’ parents don’t understand his statement (rhema in Greek), which is “I had to be in the things of the Father.” Their confusion invites us to seek to understand what Jesus meant then and now.
Jesus’ goes back home with his parents and submits to them. This shows how he honors his parents and works within his community.
Like Mary, we can treasure these things in our hearts. Jesus continually grows in wisdom and stature, suggesting that if we seek his priorities, we also will grow in wisdom and stature.
Favor with God and people comes from humble seeking and submission to those who are in authority over us.
Question 11 How does this story inspire you to seek the things of the Father as Jesus did?
Invitation Consider what it would look like for you to pursue and wait for insight or wisdom from the Father.
Father, give us understanding and wisdom. Make us thirsty for your word and teach us to seek and wait for your revelation.
120 Luke 6:27-36
Study Guide Notes
Introduction Jesus chooses his twelve disciples, comes down with them and a large crowd of his disciples to a level place (Luke 6:17) where crowds of people came to him to be healed and freed from evil spirits (Lk 6:18). “And all the people were trying to touch him, for power was coming from him and healing them all” (Lk 6:19). Jesus then tells his disples core teachings about what it means to follow him (Lk 6:20ff).
Read the first words of Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear…”
Question 1 • “But I say to you who hear.” What are Jesus’ first words here • Jesus is giving them difficult instructions. He highlights and why do you think he starts out here that these words are coming from him to them. this way.
Explanation Jesus addresses not only his disciples who he’s gazing at (Lk 6:20), but specifically to you who are hearing, or listening. • Those who are poor, hungry, mourning, hated, rejected and insulted (Lk 6:20-26) • Jesus addresses “you who are listening” (present, active participle). Prayer = two way communication. • People came to hear Jesus (Lk 6:18).
Read Luke 6:27-28 “… love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Question 2 What is the first action here that • “Love your enemies.” Jesus tells them?
121 Study Guide Notes
Explanation The underlying Greek word for love here is agapao—which means “to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard — ‘to love, to regard with affection, loving concern, love.’
This is the same word used in Jesus’ greatest commandment about loving God and neighbor: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your might, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27) and in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Jesus models love and forgiveness of enemies from the cross when he says: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Remember 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Question 3 Who are people in your life that • Consider people close to you who are difficult to deal with? could be called “enemies”? What • Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind specific people. would it look like to actively love them?
Re-read Luke 6:27-28 “… love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Question 4 • “Do good to those who hate you.” What are the next actions Jesus • “Bless those who curse you.” tells those listening to him to do? • “Pray for those who mistreat you.”
Question 5 • “Those who hate you,” “those who curse you,” and “those Why do you think Jesus who mistreat you,” include different kinds of adversaries. distinguishes these actions Jesus specifies his way of responding to negative behavior: “But I say to you…”
122 Study Guide Notes
Explanation • “You do good” (kalos = favorably value) “to those who hate you.” Miseō; from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute). • “You bless” “the ones who curse you.” • “Mistreat” (epēreazo) literally means to “insult, slander, falsely accuse,” but also to threaten and abuse. • Jesus says to pray for them (proseuchomai), which means “to speak to God, to ask God for, prayer” (Louw & Nida) (see examples of Jesus praying (same verb): Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28, 29; 11:1-2; 22:40-41, 44, 46).
Read Luke 6:29-30 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.”
Question 6 What are specific actions Jesus adds • Offer the one who hits you the other cheek here? • Do not withhold your shirt • Give to everyone who asks of you. • Do not demand what is yours back.
Explanation • Rather than escalating or fleeing the conflict, Jesus calls his disciples to resist enemies by standing vulnerably before them. • Rather than protecting one’s needed possessions, Jesus calls followers to be willing to part with them. • Jesus doesn’t say that his disciples must give exactly what is requested. • Jesus calls his followers away from a normal justice mindset.
Question 7 What are normal, suggested ways • Defend yourself or retaliate against the one who hits you. to respond to these situations? • Demand that someone give back what they’ve taken. Why? • Do not give away what people ask you for (especially if this enables them. • Ask people to give back what they’ve taken.
123 Study Guide Notes
Read Luke 6:31 “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”
Question 8 What would it look like to practice • this instruction towards your enemies, people who hate you, curse you and take from you?
Read Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
Explanation The term credit (charis) = good will, lovingkindness, favor, “contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved.” (Thayer). • Grace will not come to you if you merely love those who love you.
Read Luke 6:33-34 “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.”
Explanation Jesus calls his disciples to not act according to a system of merits, fairness, retribution and human justice.
Question 9 What reasons does Jesus give here • Grace (unmerited favor) will come to you. for doing good to enemies and • If you do not live like Jesus teaches grace, unmerited lending? favor will not come to you (so you can in turn pass it on).
Explanation • Jesus calls his disciples to not act according to a system of merits, fairness, retribution and human justice.
124 Study Guide Notes
Read Luke 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Question 10 How does Jesus summarize his • Love your enemies recommended actions here? • Do good and lend—expecting nothing in return • Be kind to ungrateful & evil people. • Be merciful
Question 11 What reasons does Jesus give his • Your reward will be great disciples for following his difficult • You will be called children of the Most High instructions? • We are to be merciful like our heavenly Father is merciful. Jesus’ disciples represent the family of God. • Jesus’ disciples are called to represent the Father’s kind and merciful heart towards the undeserving.
Explanation Reward (misthos) = recompense
“Each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Cor 3:8).
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev 22:12).
Question 12 What would it look like to practice • Your reward will be great this now towards people we know • You will be called children of the Most High who are enemies, who hate us…? • We are to be merciful like our heavenly Father is merciful.
125 Study Guide Notes
Read Romans 12:18-21 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Question 13 What does the Apostle Paul add • here to what Jesus has already . taught his disciples?
Invitation Pray for God’s love to be poured • into you heart—enough to include . your enemies.
Take a moment to practice choosing to love your enemies. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring them to mind. Consider how you could practice doing good to someone who hates you, blessing someone who has cursed you. Try praying for someone who has mistreated you.
126 Jesus Heals a Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
Why this Bible study?
The story of the paralyzed man who is forgiven and healed when some people can challenge the traditional views of sin, worthiness and healing.
Intro: Before reading the text, give background information (chapter one). Jesus had been preaching/teaching about the kingdom of God in Capernaum, his hometown. He then travelled to the surrounding towns throughout the Galilee region, proclaiming the gospel message, saying “the kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the good news.” (1:12-15). Because he healed so many sick and demonized people, Jesus became very popular and large crowds of people needing healing and deliverance began to follow him every where. For this reason, “Jesus could no longer go to into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.” (1:45)
1. Read Mark 2:1-12.
2. Where does this story take place (precisely)?
3. Who are the characters?
4. Have each person choose a character or one from the 2 groups (like the ones carrying the paralytic or the scribes) in the story and imagine yourself in their shoes. Try to really get into the mentality of that character.
5. Act out the story together with those in your group who are playing the different characters/groups of characters in the story. Imagine the scene in that house, using all your senses. How does it feel to be in the shoes of your character. What would that character likely be thinking? Does it seems fair that the paralyzed man gets priority treatment?
6. Summarize the story together in your group.
7. From your character’s perspective, what do you think about the fact that the paralyzed man was lowered down in front of Jesus? Have each person give his/her thoughts.
8. Why do you think Jesus forgave the paralyzed man’s sins, in public, without the man asking or confessing? Why would Jesus not address the obvious need first—the man’s need to be healed from paralysis?
9. Why did the scribes have such a problem with Jesus forgiving the man’s sins?
10. Why do you suppose Jesus healed the paralytic in public rather than in private (as in the case with the leper, whom he told to go and show himself to the priest but not to tell anybody in 1:43).
11. Talk about the different levels of healing that the paralytic experienced.
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12. What did the paralytic ‘do’ to get healed? What might this mean for other people who can’t reach Jesus without the help of others? Can you think of other types of ‘paralysis’ that block people from reaching out to Jesus for help?
13. What did the faith of the people who carried the paralytic to Jesus, have to do with the paralyzed man being forgiven by Jesus?
14. Why do you think that Jesus declared the paralytic forgiven, when the man didn’t ask for forgiveness? And why would Jesus forgive the man in public rather than in private?
15. What might be the significance of the paralytic receiving his healing at the home of Jesus (‘God’s house’)
16. Why do you think Jesus sent the man home after he was healed (as opposed to asking the man to follow him, like in other miracle stories)?
17. This story takes place in Jesus’ house. What might that symbolize that the paralytic was welcomed, forgiven and healed in “God’s House?”
128 The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod--Mark 8:11-21 (also see Matt 16)
Why this Bible study?
This story warns of the hardness of heart that comes from unbelief. Hypocritical, religious legalism (represented by the Pharisees) and manipulative abusive politics (represented by the Herod/the Saducees) are two toxic attitudes or what Jesus calls the “yeast” to watch out for. They threaten our belief and trust in him as our only God and Savior.
Introduction:
Mark 8:11-12 comes directly after the story of Jesus multiplying 7 loaves of bread and a few fish to feed a hungry crowd of 4,000 people who had been in the desert with him for 3 days without eating.
1. Why was Jesus grieved by the Pharisees who asked him for a sign from heaven, refusing to give one? (11:1)
2. Why do you think “that generation” asked for a sign?
3. As Jesus was in the boat and the disciples realized they forgot to bring bread (only one little loaf), he said, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” (11:14) What did he mean by this? (Keep in mind that a little bit of yeast can make a large amount of dough rise).
4. In what way are the disciples like the Pharisees in this story?
5. How did the disciples hearts become hardened, their eyes fail to see and their ears fail to listen and their memory fail?
6. Can you sympathize with the disciples for worrying about not having enough to eat? How different are you then the disciples?
7. According to Jesus, how does the multiplication of the loaves and fish relate to the disciples in the boat? (11:14)
8. How does the theme of bread throughout this whole chapter relate to Jesus himself?
Activation:
129 Reading the Bible Beside Jesus: The Woman Caught in Adultery
Bible Study: John 8:1-11
• Ask the group for volunteers to act as Jesus, the scribes, the Pharisees, the woman caught in adultery, and the man with whom she was caught in the act of adultery • Invite the person playing Jesus to stand, and ask the others to form a circle around her or him • Ask the individual playing the woman caught in adultery and her partner (if there is someone willing to play this role) to stand outside of the circle • Ask someone to read John 8:3-4a • Ask: “Who are some of the people or groups that you see as contemporary equivalents of the woman caught in adultery? Who are accused of sinful behavior?” • Ask those acting as scribes and Pharisees to bring the one portraying the woman caught in adultery into the circle before Jesus • Ask one of the people playing the scribes or Pharisees to read the accusations in John 8:4-6 • Ask the group whether they know if the scribes and Pharisees are right regarding the Law of Moses • Ask someone to read Deut. 22:22 • Ask the group whether selective enforcement of religious or civil laws only happened in first century, or if it continues today, and where it might continue today • Invite the person playing woman’s partner back into circle • Ask everyone now within circle to reach down, pick up an imaginary rock, and hold it over their heads, ready to stone the woman in center of the circle before Jesus • Interview the “woman” and “people” about their feelings • Keep the momentum of the drama going and shift to the next topic of discussion by telling everyone to lift their rocks high and get ready to stone the woman • Ask: “So how does Jesus deal with scribes and Pharisees who feel compelled to enforce Old Testament law?” • Make sure “Jesus” stoops down before the “woman,” who remains standing in the middle, and begins to write on ground • Have someone read John 8:6 • Invite the people to note what happens when Jesus stoops down • Ask the accused if he or she feels any different as the accusers’ gaze turns away from him or her • Have someone read the first part of John 8:7 • Ask those playing the scribes, Pharisees, and onlookers to observe again what is happening with their eyes • Have someone read John 8:9, inviting people to sit, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest participants • Invite someone to read the first line of John 8:10 • Have the people playing Jesus and the woman enact and read aloud Jesus’ words to the woman, and her response in John 8:10b–11 • Invite people to gather around closer for some final observations and a response • Ask people how they were feeling while holding their hands over their heads all that time with imaginary stones • Talk about the heaviness of carrying around judgments against other people • Invite Holy Spirit to bring to mind any “stones” or judgments that people are still holding, which the Spirit is inviting them to drop before Jesus • Use a whiteboard or large blank paper to write two opposing columns that place the theology of the scribes and Pharisees side by side with Jesus’ theology • Ask the group two questions: o “If you only knew God through the words and actions of the scribes and Pharisees, what would God be like?” o “If you only knew God through the words and actions of Jesus, what would God be like? • Fill in the two columns
130 • Conclude by drawing a line with chalk across the carpet (or a line in the dirt with a stick), continuing from the line on the white board separating the theology of the scribes and Pharisees from that of Jesus • Invite people to stand and place themselves on side of line with the scribes and Pharisees • Pray that Holy Spirit will bring conviction regarding ways in which we agree with the scribes and Pharisees • Invite people to confess or acknowledge verbally their unhealthy agreements before breaking away from these agreements verbally or silently in their hearts • Formulate a prayer and invite others to join in acknowledging how they see themselves embodying the practices and thinking of the scribes and Pharisees • Lead people to take a further step of turning away from unhealthy beliefs and practices; this brings greater definition and resolve into the response • Allow a few minutes for people to renounce attitudes and actions • Pray that Holy Spirit will bring to mind anything into which God is now calling people • Invite people to speak out what they are feeling drawn by Jesus to do • End in prayer for those who feel called to advocate or in some other way accompany people on the margins • Invite people who are feeling drawn away from the dominant theology that was made visible in the drama by the accusing and judgmental scribes and Pharisees to move into Jesus’ way of grace and defense and physically step over the line to the side of the whiteboard, where we have listed Jesus’ way of life
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APPENDIX 2 Appendix: “cast out” (ekballo) in Matthew’s Gospel
The first three uses of “cast out” (ekballo) are in Matt 7:4. They prepare the disciple for further study of the remaining 24 usages.
“Do not judge lest you be judged… How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out (ekballo) of your eye,” and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out (ekballo) of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out (ekballo) of your brother’s eye.” (Matt 7:1-5)
Why do you think these are the first three times “cast out” (ekballo) are used? What is Jesus teaching here?
The 4th use of “cast out” (ekballo) in Matthew 7:22-23
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
• This shows that many people cast out in Jesus’ name without knowing him. Casting out demons may be
A sign of God’s kingdom OR A counterfeit action
• 5th use of “cast out” (ekballo) in Matthew 8:10-12 “And I say to you, that many shall come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out (ekballo)into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt 8:10-12) Warning: “insiders” are not immune (Adam first to be cast out of garden (ekballo) LXX of Gen 3:24)
132 • Gentile centurion is praised for faith – heirs of the kingdom are paralleled with “demons”
• Summary of first five occurrences of ekballo: Jesus’ introductory teaching on deliverance o Any exorcist must not try to cast anything out from another person without first having cast out what needs to go from themselves (Matt 7:4-5) o The Father’s will must be sought before healing and casting out is done in Jesus’ name (Matt 7:22-23) o Membership as an insider (Israel, church, disciple) does not assure entrance into God’s kingdom; outsiders may have praiseworthy faith (8:10-12)
Use of “cast out” (ekballo) in the rest of Matthew
• Matthew presents many people possessed by demons coming to Jesus in the evening • Matthew contrasts those enthralled by demonic power with Jesus who casts out with simply a word • “Casting out” associated with “taking our infirmities” in a citation from Isaiah 53 o “And when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘He himself took our infirmities, and carried away our disease.’” (Matthew 4:24-25) • People with demons were people for whom no one else could do anything o Jesus cast out the spirits with a Word (8:16) o Twelve given authority to cast out: " “And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” (Matt 10:1) o Jesus also “casts out” the following: " a mute spirit (9:32-33) " a large crowd (9:25) " laborers into the harvest (9:38) " those selling and buying in temple (21:12)
133 • In Jesus’ parable, he is described as the true heir being cast out and killed by the vine-growers (21:39) o Jesus warns followers that they, like he, will be cast out and persecuted (see Matt 5:10-12) o Finally, Jesus teaches that imposters will themselves be cast out.
“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Matt 22:13; see also 25:30)
Reference list for “cast out” (ekballo) in the Gospels
• Matt 7:4, 5, 5, 22; 8:12, 16, 31; 9:25, 33, 34, 38; 10:1, 8; 12:20, 24, 26, 27, 28, 35, 35; 13:52; 15:17; 17:19; 21:12, 39; 22:13; 25:30 • Mark 1:12, 34, 39, 43; 3:15, 22, 23; 5:40; 6:13; 7:26; 9:18, 28, 38, 47; 11:15; 12:8; 16:9, 17 • Luke 4:29; 6:22, 42, 42; 9:40, 49; 10:2, 35; 11:14, 15, 18, 19, 20; 13:28, 32; 19:45; 20:12, 15 • Acts 7:58; 9:40; 13:50; 16:37; 27:38 • John 2:15; 6:37; 9:34, 35; 10:4; 12:31 • Pause || 10 min Small group discussion of ekblallo use and meaning in Mark, Luke, Acts & John
Watchfulness over heart key to deliverance
“The provocation comes first, then our coupling with it, or the mingling of our thoughts with those of the wicked demons. Third comes our assent to the provocation, with both sets of intermingling thoughts contriving how to commit the sin in practice. Fourth comes the concrete action – that is, the sin itself. If, however, the intellect is attentive and watchful, and at once repulses the provocation by counter-attacking and gainsaying it and invoking the Lord Jesus, its consequences remain inoperative; for the devil, being a bodiless intellect, can deceive our souls only by means of fantasies and thoughts. David was speaking about these provocations of the devil when he said: ‘Early in the morning I destroyed all the wicked of the earth, that I might cut off all evildoers from the city of the Lord’ (Ps 101:8. LXX); and Moses was referring to the act of assent to a provocation in his words; ‘You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods’ (Ex 23:32). (St
134 Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness and Holiness, The Philokalia Volume 1, #46).
“Watchfulness is a continual fixing and halting of thought at the entrance to the heart. In this way predatory and murderous thoughts are marked down as they approach and what they say and do is noted: and we can see in what specious and delusive form the demons are trying to deceive the intellect. If we are conscientious in this, we can gain much experience and knowledge of spiritual warfare” St Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness and Holiness, Philokalia Vol 1, #6, p. 163.
“For everything lies at the innermost recess of the soul. When the devil has been chased away from it and when sin is no longer in charge of it, then the kingdom of God is established there. This is what the evangelist conveys to us when he says, ‘The kingdom of God will not come as something to be observed nor will people cry ‘Here it is! There it is!’ Amen, I tell you the kingdom of God is within you’” Luke 17:20-21). John Cassian, Conferences, p.46
“It is impossible for the mind to remain undisturbed by thoughts, but anyone serious about the matter can certainly permit them entry or drive them away, and although their origin does not lie entirely under our control we can choose to approve of them and to adopt them.” Cassian, Conferences, p.51.
Hesychast Monastic tradition emphasized Jesus’ Prayer
“The more closely attentive you are to your mind, the greater the longing with which you will pray to Jesus; and the more carelessly you examine your mind, the further you will separate yourself from Him. Just as close attentiveness brilliantly illumines the mind, so the lapse from watchfulness and from the sweet invocation of Jesus will darken it completely.”
“To invoke Jesus continually with a sweet longing is to fill the heart in its great attentiveness with joy and tranquility. But it is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Himself God, cause and creator of all blessings, who completely purifies the heart; for it is written: ‘I am God who makes peace’ (cf. Isa 45:7).” St Hesychios the Priest, #90-91.
135 Spiritual Discernment & resistance “The roots of these passions should be clearly known to everyone, for they were revealed in the teaching of the elders, but since every one of us is ravaged by them and they are inborn in every one, we must begin by uncovering them. “I will go before you. I will humble the powerful of the earth, I will break the doors of bronze and shatter the bars of iron; I will open to you hidden treasure and the deepest secrets (Isa 45:2-3). We are guided by the word of God; let him first humble the powerful of the earth, that is those evil passions against which we strive, which exercise their dominion and relentless hold over our mortal bodies; let the Lord make them bow before our searching gaze; let him burst the gates of our ignorance and shatter the bars of vice which exclude us from true knowledge; let him lead us to the deepest secrets, and as the Apostle says, (2 Cor 4:5) let him reveal to our enquiry things which are hidden in darkness, and make known the thoughts of our hearts. Thus may we with clean hearts penetrate the darkness of vice, open it up and bring it out into the light. Let us be able to expound the roots and nature of sin.
136 Bibliographies
Books on Watchfulness
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, Trans. By Benedicta Ward, SLG, (Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1984)
The Philokalia: The complete text, compiled by St Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St Makarios of Corinth, Volume 1, trans and edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware, (London and Boston: Faber and Faber, 1979).
The Philokalia: The complete text, compiled by St Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St Makarios of Corinth, Volume 2, trans and edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware, (London and Boston: Faber and Faber, 1984).
The Philokalia: The complete text, compiled by St Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St Makarios of Corinth, Volume 3, trans and edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard and Kallistos Ware, (London and Boston: Faber and Faber, 1986).
John Cassian, Conferences, Trans. Colm Luibheid, The Classics of Western Spirituality, (New York, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1985).
John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Trans. By Colm Luibheid and Norman Russel, The Classics of Western Spirituality, (New York: Paulist Press, 1982). 290 pp.
Douglas Burton-Christie, The Word in the Desert: Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Early Christian Monasticism, (New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993).
Books on Healing Prayer
Bosworth, F.F. Christ the Healer. New York: Flemming H. Revell, 1973.
137 Chevreau, Guy. Turnings: The Kingdom of God and the Western World. Kent: Sovereign, 2004.
Clark, Randy. Power to Heal: Keys to activating God’s healing power in your life. Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 2015.
Johnson, Bill and Randy Clark. The Essential Guide to Healing. Bloomington: Chosen, 2011.
MacNutt, Francis. The Healing Reawakening: Reclaiming Our Lost Heritage. Grand Rapids: Chosen, 2005.
Stibbe, Mark and Marc Dupont. Healing Today: When the Blind See and the Lame Walk. Milton Keynes: Authentic, 2006.
Books on Deliverance
MacNutt, Francis. Deliverance from Evil Spirits. Grand Rapids: Chosen, 1995.
Devenish, David. Demolishing Strongholds: effective strategies for spiritual warfare. Milton Keynes: Authentic, 2000.
Lozano, Neil. Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance. Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2003.
Wagner, Doris M. How to Cast Out Demons: A guide to the basics. Ventura: Hammond, Frank D. Demons and Deliverance in the Ministry of Jesus. Kirkwood: Impact Christian Books, 1991.
Wagner, Doris M. How to Minister Freedom: Helping others break the bonds of sexual brokenness, emotional woundedness, demonic oppression, occult bondage. Vertura: Regal, 2005.
Kylstra, Chester and Betsy. An Integrated Approach to Biblical Healing Ministry. Tonbridge: Sovereign Word, 2003.
Murphy, Ed. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
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