This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - The Supernatural Is Real, and You’ve Felt It” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.

SUPERNATURAL — Week 1: The Battle Is Real

Small Group Discussion Guide

Series: Supernatural | Week: 1 of 5 Sermon Title: Spiritual Warfare — The Battle You Can't See Estimated Group Time: 60–90 minutes

A NOTE TO YOUR FACILITATOR

Welcome! This guide is designed to help your group have an honest, meaningful conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life — spiritual warfare. You don't need to be a theological expert to lead this discussion well. Your job is simply to create a safe space for people to explore, share, and grow together.

A few things to keep in mind:

Not every question needs to be asked. Read through the guide beforehand and choose the questions that feel most relevant to your group.
Silence is okay. Give people time to think before jumping in.
You don't have to have all the answers. "That's a great question — what does the rest of the group think?" is a perfectly good response.
Keep it grace-filled. Some people may be in the middle of a very real and painful battle. Create space for honesty without pressure.

OVERVIEW

(For the facilitator — read or paraphrase to introduce the session)

This week, Pastor Greg launched a new five-week series called Supernatural by tackling the topic of spiritual warfare. Using passages from Ephesians 6, 2 Kings 6, and Daniel 10, he made the case that there is a very real spiritual battle happening around us — one that we can't see with our natural eyes but that deeply affects our marriages, families, finances, mental health, and faith. The sermon challenged us to stop fighting spiritual battles with natural weapons and instead put on the full armor of God, trusting that the armies of heaven are greater than the forces against us.

ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Before we dive into the sermon, let's start with something lighter.

Question: Think about a movie, TV show, or book that involves some kind of invisible or hidden world — whether it's a superhero universe, a fantasy world, or something supernatural. What was it, and what made the idea of that "hidden world" so compelling or interesting to you?

[Leader Tip]: This question is intentionally light and pop-culture friendly. It helps people warm up and naturally leads into the sermon's central idea — that there is more going on around us than what we can see. Don't rush this; let people have fun with it before transitioning.

SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Have someone in the group read each passage aloud. You may want to assign these to different readers.

Passage 1 — The Nature of Our Battle

"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." — Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Passage 2 — Seeing Beyond the Natural

"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." — 2 Kings 6:16–17 (NIV)

Passage 3 — When Prayer Feels Unanswered

"'Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.'" — Daniel 10:12–13a (NLT)

Passage 4 — Our Spiritual Weapons

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." — Ephesians 6:10–11 (NIV)

Brief Context Note for the Facilitator:

2 Kings 6 — The prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army. The servant was terrified until God opened his eyes to see the angelic army surrounding them.
Daniel 10 — The prophet Daniel prayed and fasted for 21 days with no visible answer. An angel finally appeared and explained that he had been sent on day one but was blocked by a spiritual force until the archangel Michael came to help.
Ephesians 6 — The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, describing the spiritual armor God provides for believers engaged in spiritual battle.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

Work through as many of these questions as time allows. Questions are organized from lighter and observational to deeper and more personal. Feel free to skip questions that don't resonate with your group.

SECTION A: Opening Observations

(~10 minutes)

1. What was one thing from Sunday's message that stood out to you, surprised you, or that you're still thinking about?

[Leader Tip]: This is a great "entry point" question that lets everyone share without pressure. There's no wrong answer. If the group is quiet, share your own observation first to model openness.

2. Pastor Greg said there are two common mistakes Christians make about spiritual warfare — overemphasizing it (blaming everything on the devil) and underemphasizing it (ignoring it altogether). Which of those two extremes do you think is more common in the church today, and why?

SECTION B: The Reality of the Battle

(~15 minutes)

3. Elisha's servant could see the enemy army clearly, but he couldn't see the army of God surrounding them. Pastor Greg said, "The facts were right, but the conclusion was wrong." Can you think of a time — in your own life or someone else's — when the visible situation looked hopeless but God was clearly at work in ways that weren't visible yet?

[Leader Tip]: This question invites personal storytelling, which builds community. Give people a moment to think. If no one shares right away, you might offer a general example: "Maybe it was a health situation, a relationship, or a job that seemed impossible." Affirm every story that's shared.

4. The passage from Daniel 10 reveals that when Daniel prayed on day one, God heard him and sent a response — but Daniel didn't see anything for 21 days because of spiritual opposition. How does that story change the way you think about prayers that seem to go unanswered?

5. Pastor Greg described spiritual warfare as feeling very personal — attacking our thoughts, our peace, our marriages, our children, and our finances. In what areas of life do you think spiritual opposition is most commonly felt, but least often recognized as spiritual?

[Leader Tip]: This question can open up honest conversation about mental health, relational conflict, or persistent struggles. Be sensitive — some people may be in the middle of a painful season. Remind the group that acknowledging spiritual opposition doesn't mean every problem is a demon, but it does mean we're not fighting alone.

SECTION C: Fighting Back with the Right Weapons

(~15 minutes)

6. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 that "we do not wage war as the world does" and that "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world." What are some of the "natural weapons" people tend to reach for when they're in a difficult season — and why do you think those often fall short?

Examples might include: worry, control, avoidance, self-help strategies, busyness, etc.

7. Pastor Greg listed several pieces of the armor of God from Ephesians 6 — the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit (God's Word), and the shoes of peace. Which piece of armor do you feel most equipped with right now? Which one do you feel like you need to pick back up?

[Leader Tip]: This is a great question to go around the circle and let everyone respond briefly. It's personal but not too vulnerable, so it tends to draw out quieter group members. You might briefly explain each piece of armor before asking the question if your group is newer to the Bible.

8. Pastor Greg said, "You don't defeat the devil with worry." He also said, "Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons." What does it actually look like in everyday life to fight spiritually rather than just mentally or emotionally?

Think about practices like prayer, Scripture, worship, community, fasting, or declaring truth.

SECTION D: Standing Together

(~5 minutes)

9. At the end of the sermon, Pastor Greg invited people to lift their hands if they were in the middle of a battle. A lot of hands went up. What does it mean to you that you are not alone in whatever you're facing — and how can this group be part of the "army" that stands with you?

PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

These questions are for individual reflection. You may want to give people 2–3 minutes of quiet to think before sharing, or invite people to share only what they're comfortable with.

1. If you're honest with yourself, is there an area of your life right now where you've been fighting a spiritual battle with natural weapons — worry, control, avoidance, or your own strength? What might it look like to bring a spiritual weapon to that battle this week?

2. The story of Daniel reminds us that God hears our prayers from the very first moment we cry out — even when we see nothing. Is there something you've been praying about for a long time without seeing an answer? What would it look like to keep praying with renewed faith, trusting that God heard you on day one?

3. Pastor Greg challenged the church not to live like the enemy has won. In what specific area of your life do you most need to "rise up" and stand in the victory that Jesus has already secured?

4. The sermon mentioned that when we move toward God — praying more, pursuing holiness, honoring God in our relationships — opposition often gets stronger. Has that been true in your experience? How might recognizing that resistance as spiritual change how you respond to it?

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

(Choose one — or invite your group to share which one they'll try)

☐ Pray specifically. Identify one area of your life where you've been fighting in your own strength. This week, bring it to God daily in prayer, using Scripture as your weapon. Try praying a verse like Ephesians 6:10 or Romans 8:37 out loud over that situation.

☐ Put on the armor. Each morning this week, take 5 minutes to intentionally "put on" the armor of God. You can pray through each piece: "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation — protect my mind today. I take up the shield of faith..." and so on.

☐ Share the battle. Reach out to one trusted person in your life this week and tell them what you're going through. Ask them to pray with you and for you. Don't fight alone.

☐ Get in the Word. Pick one passage from this guide and read it every day this week. Let the sword of the Spirit — God's Word — be the weapon you reach for first.

PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. Here are some suggested prayer topics. You might pray as a group, break into pairs, or have one person lead.

For those in the middle of a battle — Pray that God would open their eyes to see the armies of heaven surrounding them, just as he did for Elisha's servant.
For unanswered prayers — Pray for renewed faith for those who have been praying for a long time without seeing an answer. Ask God to remind them that he heard on day one.
For the armor of God — Ask God to equip each person in the group with the specific piece of armor they most need right now.
For your community — Pray that your group would be a spiritual "army" for one another — standing together, not fighting alone.
For the series ahead — Ask God to do something specific and supernatural in your group over these five weeks.

Suggested Closing Prayer (read aloud or use as a guide)

Father, thank you that you are not distant from our battles — you are in them with us. Open our eyes, like you opened the eyes of Elisha's servant, to see that those who are with us are greater than those who are against us. Remind us that you heard our prayers on the very first day we cried out to you. Teach us to fight with spiritual weapons, to stand in the victory Jesus already won, and to trust you even when we can't see what you're doing. We put on your armor today. Strengthen us, unite us, and use us for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

(For groups with extra time or who want to go further)

Bonus Question 1: Read Ephesians 6:10–18 together as a group (the full "armor of God" passage). Walk through each piece of armor one by one. What does each piece protect against, and what is the corresponding spiritual attack it's designed to resist?

Bonus Question 2: Pastor Greg shared a personal story about preparing this sermon — experiencing unusual spiritual opposition, strange dreams, and a sense of darkness closing in, which he interpreted as spiritual warfare. He also shared the story of praying for a ministry home for women and seeing God work in a way they never could have orchestrated. How do you personally discern the difference between ordinary life difficulties and genuine spiritual opposition? What markers or signs help you recognize when something is more than just circumstance?

[Leader Tip]: This question can generate rich discussion but may also get speculative. Keep the conversation grounded in Scripture. Remind the group that we don't need to have perfect discernment — our job is to pray, stand firm, and trust God with the outcome.

Bonus Question 3: The sermon ended with a strong call to repentance and surrender — Pastor Greg said, "You can know about the things of Jesus without knowing Jesus." For someone who has been around church for a while, what does genuine, ongoing surrender to Jesus look like in daily life? How do you know if your faith is real and active versus just familiar and comfortable?

LOOKING AHEAD

Next Week in the Supernatural Series: We'll be talking about the Holy Spirit — who he is, how he works, and what it means that Jesus said it was better for him to go away so the Spirit could come and live within us. Invite someone to join you!

Baptism: If anyone in your group hasn't been baptized — or wants to be baptized as a public declaration of their faith — baptism is coming up in two weeks. Encourage them to take that step!

RELATED SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER STUDY

Topic	Passage
The full armor of God	Ephesians 6:10–18
The devil's tactics	1 Peter 5:8–9
Greater is he in you	1 John 4:4
Overcoming through Christ	Romans 8:37–39
The power of God's Word	Hebrews 4:12
Resisting the devil	James 4:7–8
Praying without giving up	Luke 18:1–8
The names and nature of the enemy	John 8:44; John 10:10

This guide was prepared for small group use in connection with the Supernatural sermon series. Permission granted for local church reproduction.

"Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." — 2 Kings 6:16