Where do you turn for strength when you are going into battle? Some find confidence in their training, their equipment, or in the person standing right beside them. These external things give them composure when the pressure is on. Others might find an extra dose of power internally. They dig down deep within themselves and muster up the courage to dig in and fight. Whether you turn to the right, left, or even inside, there should always be a mental decision when going into battle to look up. God has the power to deliver us from our enemies when we draw strength from Him. This Small Group study looks at what it takes to find victory in the midst of our battles.
What is one of your favorite war movies, and why?
1. What type of battles do people face today in our world?
2. Read Exodus 17:8-16. Why do you think God might have led the Israelites out into battle? What lesson was God trying to teach His people?
Exodus 17:8-16 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
Exodus 17:8-16
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”
3. What is the significance of Moses holding up the staff? Why might this detail be so important?
4. Why was writing God's instruction and building an altar so important for the people? How does looking back and seeing how God came through in the past prepare us to go into battle?
5. What is one battle that you are currently facing right now? In what ways do you need God's help?
6. What insights to the following verses provide about finding victory in the midst of our battles? 1 Samuel 17:45-47 // 1 John 4:4 // Proverbs 3:5-6 // 1 Corinthians 15:57
1 Samuel 17:45-47 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel 17:45-47
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”1
John 4:4
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. How can your small group be a place to lean on one another as you fight these battles this week?
In preparation for your group, go down to the Dollar Store or Target, and buy a package of inexpensive plastic toy soldiers. Get enough for each person in your group to have one. When your group is wrapping up, pass out a toy soldier to your members. Encourage them to keep the plastic reminder with them all week or to put it in a place where they will see it in the morning. The hope is that it would be a reminder of the battle that we are currently in as followers of Jesus. Challenge them to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ every time they see the soldier.
Wallpaper available for download in the Sagebrush App.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
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