In a world that fills us with information constantly, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and confused by the narratives and the different versions of the truth. There is a need to see sin for what it is, and to act in allegiance to the risen Son. The goal of this week is to take beginner’s steps as a community group towards fighting the world, the flesh, and the devil. Make a modest goal as a group and invite one another into it. Be patient with yourself and with one another as the Spirit works in you through this.

Gather together as a community group in a comfortable setting. Say a quick prayer to invite God to lead and guide your time together. Then spend a few minutes in silence.

Spend a few minutes catching up on life, then talk through the following debrief questions:

1. Did you listen to the sermon? What did you think?

2. How familiar were you with Daniel 7? What do you enjoy? What frustrates you?

3. How does the idea of spiritual conflict make you feel?

Have somebody read Daniel 7. Talk about the following questions:

1. Jesus takes Daniel’s royal “Son of Man” title as his own, but fuses it with a suffering motif (see Isaiah 53). What aspect of Christ and his kingdom, then, is Daniel predicting in verses 13-14? How does this compare to the other four kingdoms?

2. How is Daniel affected by this vision (vv. 15, 28)? How does he learn its true meaning?

3. Take a look at this chart covering various interpretations of the four beasts in Daniel 7. What do you all think? How do you make sense of the symbolism?

Here’s a way to apply the passage this week:

1. Scripture Intake: Fight the beasts by filling your mind with biblical truth.

   1. Interact with the Scriptures regularly in community (1-2 times a week).

   2. Read the Scriptures on your own and/or as a family (daily).

   3. Develop your ability to understand and apply the Scriptures (e.g., join a Bible study, memorize verses, linger with the text on your own).

2. Confession: Fight the sin within by deepening your circle of friends.

   1. Confess your sins immediately to God. (1 John 1:9)

   2. Practice regular confession with a friend before taking the Lord’s Supper.

   3. Maintain an ongoing circle of friends who confess sin to one another, and remind one another of the gospel.

3. Silence & Solitude: Fight the world by strategic engagement.

   1. Turn off your phone and your radio during your commute.

   2. Buy an analog alarm clock and leave your phone in another room when you sleep.

   3. Pick a day for Sabbath rest (maybe Sundays!) and turn your phone off for 24 hours.

Talk through these discussion questions:

1. What’s your current practice for Scripture intake (i.e., hear, read, study, memorize, meditate), confession, and silence & solitude?

2. What’s the biggest obstacle to these things?

3. How can we as a community support each other in these areas?