Week 3

Week 3

Use Your Authority (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

Begin your study by reading “Use Your Authority” by Barbara Yoder (SpiritLed Woman magazine, April /May, 2006).

Introduction

Many women do not realize the authority they have in God. And sadly, many of them are not aware that God’s Word reveals and endorses it! In these times of uncertainty, God is calling women, like Deborah (from the Bible), to face problems of the age head-on and to move in His authority to make a difference!

What God Says

Read Judges 4 and 5. Be aware of Deborah and what similarities there are between then and now. Can you learn anything about her life, to apply to yours?

Write out Judges 5:12.

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of how each Scripture reveals God’s authority and power.

Judg. 5:12: _____________________________________________________

Judg. 7:7: ______________________________________________________

Hosea 2:14: _____________________________________________________

Phil. 2:10: ______________________________________________________

Application

Often when we minister to other women about having faith in the authority of God, it might be even more effective if we can draw upon what God’s Word says. Examine what the Scriptures reveal about His ever-present authority and our authority in Him.

Below are three powerful Bible verses taken from the Deeper Insight section (NKJV). See if you can recall the theme of each one. Write it out in your own words. Then look it up to see how you did. For further application, attempt to “rehearse” or role play how you would minister to another woman, drawing upon the theme of each verse.

Hosea 2:14

Phil. 2:10

Judg. 5:12

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Philippians 2:10. Go around the group and ask each member to think of a scenario or situation where this Scripture could be used to minister that Jesus and His name are above all other names and “ways’ and beliefs (example: when ministering to a rebellious teen who is dabbling in New Age).

Close the group session in prayer, thanking the Lord for His authority that is present wherever they go, whatever or whomever they encounter. Thank Him that He is giving each member of the group new confidence and a sense of His presence and power when they minister to others.

Prayer

Memorize Phil. 2:10. Ask the Lord to touch your heart to understand more deeply than ever the sovereign authority of Jesus Christ, the name above all names. Ask the Lord to give you the words and the anointing to present Him to others as the name above all names—sovereign and mighty.