Word of Your Testimony

Community Group Discussion Guide: Word of Your Testimony
Read: Revelation 12:7-11.   NASB95
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. [10] Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
Icebreakers:

• How high of a value do you place on integrity?  (Why is integrity important to you?)
• How would you define the term "integrity?"  
• What are some of the important characteristics associated with integrity?

Big Idea: The Apostle John tells us that in his vision, he saw Satan being defeated.  He then states that the Enemy has been overcome by the "Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."  The blood of the Lamb is pointing to the cross, where Jesus shed His blood and made an atonement for our sin.  The "word of their testimony" is referring to our life in Christ. The "word" (Greek: Logos) is referring to more than just a word that we would speak or write; it is speaking of what is written though the actions of our lives.  In other words, what does "how we are living" say about us?  What epistle is being written by the actions of our lives?
Digging Deeper: John starts the narrative of Revelation, chapter 12, with a vision of a war in the heavens.  It is a clash between the powers of darkness and Michael and the angels against Satan (Dragon) and his allies.   
Read verses 7-9: [7] And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

1. This would totally be speculative, but why do you think that God opposed the dragon and the evil forces through Michael and his angels rather than directly intervening? 
2. What motivated Satan to rebel against God?  (This is a demonstration of why "pride" is so dangerous)
3. What does the Bible tell us about Satan's activity while on earth?

Read verse 10: [10] Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

1. How has the coming of Jesus and His atoning work threatened the powers of darkness?
2. What do you think the following terms and phrases are referring to?  (The Salvation; The Power; The Kingdom of our God; The Authority of His Christ)
3. What was Satan's accusation against Job?  (What are some accusations that the Enemy could make against you that would be accurate?)  Note: We need the covering of God's grace, because we have all sinned and are easy targets for the Enemy to hit.

Read verse 11: [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

1. Describe the atoning work of Christ.  What did Jesus' sacrifice accomplish?
2. What do you think is meant by the phrase, "the word of their testimony?"  ​                                      

Wrap-up: Think of the “Word of your Testimony,” as the legal record of your life.  If you were standing in a court before a judge, what evidence is there in your life that verifies what you living what you profess to believe?  "The Word of their Testimony" is referring to Believers who are living for Christ and willing to die for Him.