Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition - Mentor's Guide

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There is a strong connection to the activity associated with these beings and idolatry (cf. Paul’s understanding of the link to idols and demons in 1 Corinthians 10.20-21; 12.2; cf. Rev. 9.20). Paul and John indicate that demonic activity will increase as the end draws near, with very powerful effects of deception and seduction of others (1 Tim. 4.1; Rev. 16.13-14). Christians are to be engaged with these powers, even as our Lord was, as detailed in Ephesians 6.10-18. The Christian must be prepared to combat “rulers . . . authorities . . . powers, this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” What is crucial to emphasize here is that the coming of Messiah was directly related to overcoming the forces of evil, including those effects of the curse and powers of evil which sought to interfere with God’s reassertion of his rule over his creation. These case studies are designed to evoke open dialogues and conversations about some of the implications associated with modern views of suffering, opposition, conflict, and triumph in the Christian life. What is important to note here is that these issues are some of the most common and pervasive in the Church, especially in the American church which tends to think of the Christ victory in terms of health, wealth, and blessing. This view of the Christian life is so common that many take it to be the only credible reading and interpretation of the meaning of Christ’s life and death for us today. To revisit this question is critical, especially for those planting churches and making disciples in neighborhoods amidst populations which are poor, disenfranchised, broke, and dangerous. Encourage your students to wrestle with these concepts, for they lie at the base of an entire cadre of related issues that arise from the different frameworks of Christian spirituality which believers adhere to today.

& 6 page 168 Case Studies

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B i b l i c a l S t u d i e s

In this lesson, which highlights the issues of suffering, opposition, and conflict, it should be plain that an emphasis on prayer is appropriate. If you can, seek to spend a good amount of time in this lesson on prayer, especially since this was Jesus’ surest and most common way to receive

& 7 page 171 Counseling and Prayer