The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. JOHN 10:10 NLT

I must recognize I have a personal enemy

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 PETER 5:8 NLT
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. LUKE 22:31 NLT

My enemy is personal but not physical

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 6:12 NLT

My enemy wants to:

● Steal my joy
● Kill my hope
● Destroy my life

I must figure out how the enemy sneaks into my life

I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! JOHN 10:1 NLT

My enemy sneaks into:

● My thought life
● My family life
● My dating life
● My work life
● My church life

I must invite Jesus to guide my life

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. LUKE 22:31-32 NLT
“But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. JOHN 10:2-10 NLT

Jesus wants to:

● Show me how to have joy
● Give me hope
● Rebuild my life
● Save my soul

I came so (you) can have real and eternal life, more and better life than (you) ever dreamed of. JOHN 10:10 MESSAGE

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. As you look back over your years, which specific one would you describe as the “best year of your life” and what made it so good?
2. Read John 10:10. What are some of the specific things that Satan has stolen, killed or destroyed in your life?
3. In what specific ways does that stand in contrast to what Jesus has done for you? What have you seen God bring into your life now?
4. Read John 10:1. In what ways or areas do Satan and sin sneak into your life? Does there tend to be a unique pattern there for you?
5. Read John 10:2-5. What are some of the ways you determine when you are hearing the voice of Jesus guiding you? What has happened when you have listened to that voice?
6. What in your life needs to change to be sure you are following Jesus’ voice and plan for your life? How can we help?

Personal Reflection Guide

Spend some moments quieting yourself, getting rid of all distractions and resting in the presence of God. When you are ready, ask God to reveal his voice to you. Ask him how he desires to guide your life for good, and when and where the enemy is trying to steal your joy, kill your hope and destroy you. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like you “hear” anything. As a word, phrase or picture comes to mind, hold that prayerfully before God. Close your time by taking a moment to ask God to be present and at work in any of the areas that came to mind during your time of prayer. If this time has held mostly silence for you, simply thank God for your time together and know that sitting in silence is a valuable way to learn to slow down enough to hear God’s voice. Consider making this prayer a more regular part of your daily/weekly routine as an opportunity to practice awareness of your enemy’s plans, as well as finding victory in God’s power and plans for you.