Sermon Study Guide | Series: Inspired and Uncomfortable | Sermon: Why does God seem to want so much war?
Scripture: Joshua 6; Deuteronomy 20:10–18; Matthew 5:43–48; Revelation 19:11–16
Date: July 6, 2025

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

The theme of war and divine justice is deeply emotional and often confusing. It stirs questions about fairness, suffering, and the nature of God. Take a moment to reflect:

Have you ever struggled reading stories of war or violence in the Old Testament? Have you struggled to understand both the love and justice of God? Share honestly with your group, recognizing that God meets us in our discomfort. This is a safe place for questions, not just answers.

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

• Scripture gives examples of Divine law and love; wrath and rescue: Have you ever held a view of God that you later realized was incomplete or misinformed? 
  
  • What changed your perspective?
    
    
• In Matthew 5:43–48 Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. 
  
  • How have you applied this in your own life?
  • What are some ways that love and justice can coexist in your own life and relationships?
    
    
• Many people struggle with the violence in the Bible and wonder if God is truly good. (Deuteronomy 20, Joshua 6)
  
  • How have you personally wrestled with this question?
  • How would you contextualize these texts?
  • How would you respond to someone who asked about it?
    
    
• The idea of spiritual warfare can feel abstract. But when you think about the “battles” in your life right now—emotional, relational, or internal—where do you need to trust that God is fighting for you? Share with your group

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…the spiritual forces of evil.”
  
  •  What would it mean for you to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13–18) in your day-to-day life? Write it down
    
    
• When have you tried to fit God into your personal expectations? 
  
  • How might you take a step toward trusting God’s justice—even when it’s uncomfortable?
    
    
• Consider the phrase: “Don’t let a caricature of God keep you from the character of God.”
  
  • What are ways you can deepen your understanding of who God truly is?
    
    
• Are there areas of spiritual compromise or cultural influence in your life that you’ve ignored or underestimated? 
  
  • What would it look like to fight for holiness, not through judgment, but through surrender to Jesus?
    
    
• What would it look like to live with a deeper awareness that we are in a Spiritual war? 
  
  • How can you practically lean into the truth that Jesus has already won?

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

God of justice and mercy, You are not silent in the face of evil, nor are You indifferent to our pain. Thank You for the reminder that Your actions in Scripture—though at times hard to understand—are always guided by love and truth. Help us to trust that You are working for redemption, even when the path is uncomfortable. Open our hearts to see You not through the lens of our fear, but through the full story of Your grace. Teach us to rest in the victory Jesus has won and to live as people of peace in a world of conflict. Amen.