Sink or Swim
We studied their vision in scripture as they were guided through the river by "The Shining Man".
Who is Prophet Ezekiel?
The main book and chapter studied for this lesson
What is Ephesians 5
The Great Commission comes from this passage.
What is Matthew 28:16-20?
Who is King Saul?
These individuals tried to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus, but were sent running, beaten, and defeated because they had no personal relationship with Him.
Who were the Sons of Sceva?
The anchor passage from this lesson.
What is Ezekiel 47: 1-12?
Who is the Church of Ephesus?
Before becoming a Disciple of Jesus, this was Matthew's profession.
What is a Tax Collector?
King Saul made these 2 decisions that valued optics over obedience
What is hasty action & partial obedience?
1 Samuel 13 & 15
The 3 main passages we studied when discussing this lesson
What is Acts 19: 11-16, Romans 8:11, and 1 Corinthians 4:20?
In Ezekiel 47:3–6, this spiritual principle is symbolized by Ezekiel following the guide deeper into the water from ankle to a place where he could no longer stand. It reflects the necessity of surrendering control and discerning spiritual seasons.
What is: Yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to grow spiritually and discern when it’s time to go “another measure”?
Paul teaches that to be imitators of God, we must walk in these ways.
What is walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom?
What are answers may vary?
According to 1 Samuel 13, this was Saul's first failure in his downfall
What is offering the sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel?
The difference between the power of God working in you versus working through you.
What is God's power through the Holy Spirit, causing transformation within the person, versus the power of God moving through you for the glory of God for someone else? Think of how God spoke through a donkey. Numbers 22:22-35
The river flowing from the Temple in Ezekiel 47 is both literal and symbolic. In the New Testament, it parallels Jesus’ words in John 7:38. Explain the dual significance of the river and what it reveals about the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
What is: The river represents the flow of the Holy Spirit from the heart of the believer, as prophesied in John 7:38. Just as the river in Ezekiel brings healing, restoration, and fruit, the Holy Spirit transforms the believer's life, producing visible evidence of God’s presence when the believer yields fully to Him.
"Staying in the room" signifies this, leading to this.
What is it signifies the secret place leading to sanctification and purification.
In Matthew 28, Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him before commissioning His disciples. Explain why this divine authority is essential to the mission He entrusts them with, and how the role of the Holy Spirit ensures that the mission is more than just spreading information.
What is: Jesus’ divine authority ensures that His command to make disciples of all nations carries the full weight and power of heaven. This authority guarantees the effectiveness and integrity of the mission. The Holy Spirit empowers believers with boldness, wisdom, and endurance, not just to preach the Gospel, but to disciple others. The Spirit transforms the mission from outreach to lasting spiritual impact.
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul offers a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, an act that cost him God’s favor. Explain how this seemingly logical action reflects a deeper spiritual issue, and why it serves as a warning to modern believers about leadership and impatience.
What is: Saul’s action revealed a deeper issue of impatience and a lack of reverence for God’s divine order. By stepping into the priest’s role, he dishonored God’s command and placed human logic above divine instruction. For modern believers, this is a warning that even well-intended actions are disobedient when done outside of God’s timing or order. True leadership requires trust and submission to God, even under pressure.
In Acts 19:11–16, the evil spirit exposes the Sons of Sceva’s lack of spiritual authority with a chilling question. Explain how this moment reveals the danger of spiritual imitation without transformation, and contrast it with the source of Paul’s effectiveness
What is: The Sons of Sceva attempted to imitate Paul’s works without the inner transformation that comes from salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The evil spirit’s question, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?", exposes that spiritual authority cannot be faked. Paul was effective because his identity was rooted in Christ, giving him true access to power through relationship, not ritual.
Name the 11 Prophetic Declarations given by our Lead Pastor, Pastor Dara.
What are
Individual:
Supernatural Acceleration (Speed)
Supernatural Capacity (Expansion)
You Will Learn to Swim
The Lord is Bringing Clarity to Your Journey
God is Going To Heal Through You
Your Faith Will Be Tested (Dependence On God)
The Church:
We Will Be A House of Miracles, Signs & Wonders
We Are Going to Experience Pressure, but There’s a Launching
We Will Experience Diverse Growth
We Must Get Used to Being Sent Ones (It’s time to evangelize)
The Lord is Solidifying Marital Destinies
In Ephesians 5, Paul calls believers, already commended for their faith and love, to “awake, O sleeper.” Explain what it means for believers to be spiritually asleep while still in the room, and how this connects to the process of sanctification, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the preparation of the Bride of Christ.
What is: Being spiritually asleep in the room refers to believers who are present in God’s presence and active in church but lack spiritual sensitivity, allowing unresolved sin, past wounds, or distractions to dull their awareness. This state hinders sanctification and leaves the “door” of their heart open, preventing full surrender. True transformation happens only by yielding to the Holy Spirit in the Secret Place—allowing Him to purify, awaken, and prepare the Bride of Christ to be holy, blameless, and ready for His return.
Matthew 28:19 speaks to this aspect of the Great Commission. Provide a definition and an example.
What is discipleship? Discipleship is teaching the Word of God and how to obey it. Ex. Mentoring, Small Groups, Sunday Service, answers may vary
In 1 Samuel 15, Saul spares King Agag and the best livestock despite God’s clear instructions to destroy everything. Using this moment, explain how partial obedience is actually disobedience, and what it reveals about Saul’s heart. How does this relate to God’s statement that He desires obedience over sacrifice?
What is: Saul’s decision to spare King Agag and the livestock, even with the excuse of offering sacrifices, showed that his heart was not fully submitted to God. Partial obedience is disobedience because it places personal reasoning and preferences above God’s explicit commands. This reveals that Saul feared optics and approval more than he feared the Lord. God’s desire for obedience over sacrifice highlights that He values the posture of our heart more than the appearance of worship.
Using Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 4:20, and Philippians 2:13, explain why operating in true Kingdom power is impossible without internal submission to God. How does this contrast with the Sons of Sceva’s external use of Christ’s name?
What is: True Kingdom power originates from the Spirit of God dwelling within believers, bringing transformation and authority. Romans 8:11 confirms that the Spirit that raised Jesus gives life to us. Philippians 2:13 shows that God works in us first, producing desire and power to do His will. In contrast, the Sons of Sceva used Jesus’ name externally, without internal submission or relationship, so they had no access to His power, proving that Kingdom authority comes from being with God, not just speaking about Him.