Here are some pictures of these verses taken off the Internet. Discuss what impact each picture has on you. Try to draw a picture or make a model of the armour of God as a group.
2) Do you believe in
spiritual warfare or a heavenly battle? Why or why not
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3) Share stories of myths or unexplained events in your life or culture. (In some cultures the supernatural is more real than the natural) How would putting on the armour help or prevent this situation?
4) How would you go about
putting on the full armour of God each day?
5) Read 6:19-20 Do you have friends you would like to
share your faith with? Do you see their conversion as a spiritual event? How
would the armour help?
6) Why is prayer so important? Pause for prayer.
Discussion for a multicultural group
Talking about listening well maybe an important pre-discussion if there are people in your group with strong opinions. You may find this useful :http://bytheirstrangefruit.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/listening-well-as-person-of-privilege.html
1) Being educated in NZ, there is a particular need to learn from Kiwi Christians and talk to Kiwis who have never had a Christian friend. Kiwis in the group need to share your own experience growing up in NZ and talking about God with your friends. Bearing in mind the limitations of cultural descriptions, discuss this article taken from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/new-zealand.html
Kiwi Society & Culture
There can be marked differences between Maori and NZ European (Pakeha) societies and culture. This is particularly apparent when moving in tribal (Iwi) circles. Due to colonisation and tribal differences, there can also be subtle but important variations in protocols. The following sections outline aspects most likely to occur when doing business with tribal groups but can also equally apply to any group that includes Maori.
Kiwi Demeanour
. New Zealanders are friendly, outgoing, somewhat reserved initially yet polite, and enjoy extending hospitality.
. They are quite easy to get to know as they say hello to strangers and will offer assistance without being asked.
. Because they do not stand on ceremony and are egalitarian, they move to a first name basis quickly and shun the use of titles.
. Kiwis dress casually, but neatly.
. Most restaurants do not have dress codes and except in business, dress is decidedly casual.
. Business dress is conservative, although jackets may be removed and shirtsleeves rolled up when working.
Maori demeanour
. Maori are generally friendly and reserved and place great value on hospitality.
. They will generally offer (often to the point of going without) assistance to their guests and will attempt to hide the inconvenience as much as possible.
. Maori will spontaneously launch into speech and song. Even though they may not have met each other, they will know many songs they can sing together and often use these to close or enhance speeches.
. They will often call for visitors to do the same and it would be wise to have 2-3 practised songs from your own country to reply with.
Environmentalism
. Kiwis are environmentally concerned and have a strong desire to preserve their country's beauty.
. One of the major local issues is the importing of predators.
. Border controls are very tight and there are huge fines for importing food or other natural products such as wood, cane etc.
. The local attitude towards the environment is largely influenced by the viewpoint of the indigenous population, the Maori.
. They believe that all things have a 'mauri' - a life force.
. Damage to this life force, or human attempts to dominate it, result in the mauri losing its energy and vitality, which affects the lives of people as well as the resilience of ecosystems.
. Maintaining the mauri of the environment and ecosystem resilience are equally important for sustainable development.
Egalitarianism
. The country has no formal class structure.
. Wealth and social status are not important to Kiwis.
. They take pride in individual achievements and believe that opportunities are available to all.
. As a 'welfare state' unemployment benefits, housing and access to health is all available free of charge to those who can't afford it.
. Maori have a hierarchy especially apparent in formal situations.
. For example, the elder (male or female) is seated in a specific area and will be asked to open or close a meeting. Mostly they are men but not always.
There is more to the article and pray over which aspects of Kiwi culture would be open to God. Pray that God would give you opportunities to mention God in your interaction with your Kiwi classmates each day for one month.
2) As you can tell NZ is traditionally bi-cultural and treaty issues are an important part of NZ history. There are multiple views on such issues, you may like to look at the following and pray over them:
From Google docs:Why Maori led revival resulted in societal transformation?
Pray for peace and mutual understanding in bicultural issues in NZ.
Discussion for a multicultural group
Talking about listening well maybe an important pre-discussion if there are people in your group with strong opinions. You may find this useful :http://bytheirstrangefruit.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/listening-well-as-person-of-privilege.html
1) Being educated in NZ, there is a particular need to learn from Kiwi Christians and talk to Kiwis who have never had a Christian friend. Kiwis in the group need to share your own experience growing up in NZ and talking about God with your friends. Bearing in mind the limitations of cultural descriptions, discuss this article taken from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/new-zealand.html
Kiwi Society & Culture
There can be marked differences between Maori and NZ European (Pakeha) societies and culture. This is particularly apparent when moving in tribal (Iwi) circles. Due to colonisation and tribal differences, there can also be subtle but important variations in protocols. The following sections outline aspects most likely to occur when doing business with tribal groups but can also equally apply to any group that includes Maori.
Kiwi Demeanour
. New Zealanders are friendly, outgoing, somewhat reserved initially yet polite, and enjoy extending hospitality.
. They are quite easy to get to know as they say hello to strangers and will offer assistance without being asked.
. Because they do not stand on ceremony and are egalitarian, they move to a first name basis quickly and shun the use of titles.
. Kiwis dress casually, but neatly.
. Most restaurants do not have dress codes and except in business, dress is decidedly casual.
. Business dress is conservative, although jackets may be removed and shirtsleeves rolled up when working.
Maori demeanour
. Maori are generally friendly and reserved and place great value on hospitality.
. They will generally offer (often to the point of going without) assistance to their guests and will attempt to hide the inconvenience as much as possible.
. Maori will spontaneously launch into speech and song. Even though they may not have met each other, they will know many songs they can sing together and often use these to close or enhance speeches.
. They will often call for visitors to do the same and it would be wise to have 2-3 practised songs from your own country to reply with.
Environmentalism
. Kiwis are environmentally concerned and have a strong desire to preserve their country's beauty.
. One of the major local issues is the importing of predators.
. Border controls are very tight and there are huge fines for importing food or other natural products such as wood, cane etc.
. The local attitude towards the environment is largely influenced by the viewpoint of the indigenous population, the Maori.
. They believe that all things have a 'mauri' - a life force.
. Damage to this life force, or human attempts to dominate it, result in the mauri losing its energy and vitality, which affects the lives of people as well as the resilience of ecosystems.
. Maintaining the mauri of the environment and ecosystem resilience are equally important for sustainable development.
Egalitarianism
. The country has no formal class structure.
. Wealth and social status are not important to Kiwis.
. They take pride in individual achievements and believe that opportunities are available to all.
. As a 'welfare state' unemployment benefits, housing and access to health is all available free of charge to those who can't afford it.
. Maori have a hierarchy especially apparent in formal situations.
. For example, the elder (male or female) is seated in a specific area and will be asked to open or close a meeting. Mostly they are men but not always.
There is more to the article and pray over which aspects of Kiwi culture would be open to God. Pray that God would give you opportunities to mention God in your interaction with your Kiwi classmates each day for one month.
2) As you can tell NZ is traditionally bi-cultural and treaty issues are an important part of NZ history. There are multiple views on such issues, you may like to look at the following and pray over them:
From Google docs:Why Maori led revival resulted in societal transformation?
Google online document: Maori Spirituality, Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction
by Moira McLennan
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
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