Where Satan Came From and What He Did – Isaiah. 14:12-20; Ezek. 28:11-18; Gen. 3; Job 1
Preparation for the Teacher
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand where Satan came from and what he did to cause God to kick him out of heaven along with the rebellious angels.
2. Explanation of the Aim: Satan is the archenemy of God. Since everything God creates is good the Lord created all angels at good servant spirits. God did not create a devil, but he made an angel, who led a rebellion against God among the angels in heaven and was thrown out of heaven. We are to fight the good fight of faith against the devil and all forms of evil with the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18)
3. The Bible Story: Tyrants tend to sacrifice their true interest to their lusts and passions. This is the basic reason why God expelled the devil from heaven. Satan wanted to be like the Most High God. Peter wrote, “He humbles those who exalt themselves.” (I Pet. 5:5,6) It is clear that those who refuse to cease from sin God will destroy.
One day the devil will be thrown into the pit of hell forever and ever. Sadly, all those who follow the devil’s pride, lust and evil desires will follow him into a Christ less eternity in hell. All sin must be punished. The devil was filled with pride and deceit thinking that he could become like God. Pride always goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling. Learn from all this, that the seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned.
Application: When a person is not willing to let God’s Spirit renew them through Christ’s atonement they too will be swept from the face of the earth into eternal destruction in hell with the devil and his demons.
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION gives the people an opportunity to share what they know about the devil. Ask the people where the devil came from and what he did to be thrown out of heaven? Ask the people what are the three main areas that tempt a person to sin? (I John 2:15,16)
“All that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.” Ask the people how the devil fell into sin through each of these areas?
The BIBLE STORY describes where the devil came from and what he did to be expelled from heaven. The Bible lesson helps the people discover some of the main evil deeds that the devil is presently engaging in.
The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES allows people to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people what they need to do to fight the good fight of faith? Find out if the people can describe how the devil tempts people to sin? Why do some people make a mistake when they blame the devil for all forms of sin? How does the devil use one’s evil desires in one’s sinful nature to tempt a person to do wrong? What can be done to help others become better equipped to overcome the devil and his schemes?
CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)
Introduction
INTRODUCTION gives the people an opportunity to share what they know about the devil. Ask the people where the devil came from and what he did to be thrown out of heaven? Ask the people what are the three main areas that tempt a person to sin? (I John 2:15,16) “All that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.” Ask the people how the devil fell into sin through each of these areas?
The Bible Story
God has all power over the devil, but he uses Satan for the working of His Sovereign will in the world. Yet, it is important to know the enemy so we can properly wage a spiritual warfare that will lead us to victory in our lifestyle, our relationships and in our ministries activities.
We know that the devil was cast out of heaven for his prideful rebellion against God. John wrote, “There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon (Satan) was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him.” (Rev. 12:7,8) Peter wrote, “If God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgement.” (2 Pet 2:4)
Satan continues to accuse the Christians day and night in attempt to oppose God and His works. Even today he is referred to as the god of this world who controls the affairs of this world. (I John 5:19) Satan lives to tempt people into sinning against God. Paul wrote, “I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.” (I Thes. 3:5) Satan also afflicts people with illnesses.
“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.” (Job 2:7) Satan is responsible for tempting Adam and Eve that led to the origins of all sin. (Gen. 3:1-7) Satan incites people to sin as in the case when
“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. His own actions indicate that he was motivated by pride in the size of his empire so that he had come to rely more on the security of his army than on God.
The Lord does not want us to glory and grow dependent on human power instead of His mighty protection. Satan knows our weaknesses and seeks to tempt us in our areas of greatest vulnerability. Satan also tries to keep people from worshipping God. “Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan, for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Then the devil left him and angels came and attended to him’. (Matt. 4:8-11)
The devil wants people to worship him instead of the Almighty God who made heaven and earth. James instructs us in how to deal with the devil, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) The devil tries to thwart the presentation and believing of the gospel. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4)
Satan is the unseen power behind unbelief and ungodliness.
Those who follow the devil are unwittingly making him their god. Satan masquerades as an angel of light to pose as a counterfeit god who deceives many. Paul wrote, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
Beware of many false teachers who are actually posing as servants of God but are actually serving their own desires and the devil. Satan uses many schemes to defeat God’s people as Paul wrote, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” (Eph. 6:11,12)
We are not to fight against human opponents as thought they were the real enemy but against all forms of evil. Satan continually persecutes the church and believers who are serving God. John wrote, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) We do not have to fear the devil because we can rejoice since we have the power to overcome evil because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
Memory Verse: Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
The Meaning for Our Lives
Allow people to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people what they need to do to fight the good fight of faith? Find out if the people can describe how the devil tempts people to sin?
Why do some people make a mistake when they blame the devil for all forms of sin? How does the devil use one’s evil desires in one’s sinful nature to tempt a person to do wrong? What can be done to help others become better equipped to overcome the devil and his schemes?
Response:
Song: “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you to improve in your ability to fight the good fight of faith against the world, the sinful flesh and the devil.
At Home: Ask your parents how they are able to refuse to be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good?
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