Raising Spiritual Spartans | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, November 9
We are called to stand firm and face our spiritual battles with faith. If you’ve lost your fight or your faith feels weary, this sermon will reignite your courage, teaching you how to use the shield of faith to defend what matters most.
Puntos clave
· Live like a warrior. Warriors don’t live like everyone else; they live disciplined lives ready for war. God’s will is not for you to lose, but to win! Stand firm, be strong, and live like a man!
· Hand the shield of faith to the next generation. Honor the shield of faith that was handed to you and raise up the next generation to be warriors for Christ.
· Honor the shield of faith. Don’t take prayer, faith, Bible-reading, and church attendance lightly. Don’t allow the spoils of war to distract you from honoring the Sabbath and worshipping God on Sundays with your families. Polish the shield of faith in your family by sharing your faith with your family, bringing them to church, and honoring God in your life.
· Don’t run with inferior soldiers. Look at the company you’re keeping; not all of them are strong men. Act like men. Maintain and protect your faith.
Final Thoughts:
Be strong, stand firm in your faith, and act like men. It’s time to raise up spiritual Spartans for battle who live by faith and don’t get distracted by the things of this world.
Introducción
Today we’ll explore the message, Raising Spiritual Spartans by Pastor Jentezen Franklin.The message encouraged us to become strong warriors in faith—believers who stand firm in the middle of spiritual warfare, guard the shield of faith with honor, and raise up disciplined, courageous, loyal generations just like the ancient Spartans who never retreated from battle. Pastor Jentezen reminded us that in a culture that is soft, distracted, and easily shaken, God calls us to “act like men”—to develop grit, courage, and unwavering loyalty to Christ, our families, and the truth of God’s Word.
Through Ephesians 6:13-18, we are reminded that this Christian walk is not casual or passive; it is a battleground. Above all, we must lift the shield of faith—our protection against the enemy’s attacks—and stand firm when the fiery darts fly.
· How would you define faith?
· Who passed down their shield of faith to you?
· How can you “polish your shield” this week?
In Ephesians 6, when God lists the armor, He saves the best for the spotlight—“above all, taking the shield of faith.” That little phrase hits like a thunderclap: this isn’t just another piece; it’s the game-changer. Every lie, every flaming arrow of doubt, fear, temptation, or accusation the enemy hurls your way—faith steps up, catches it mid-air, and snuffs it out cold. One shield, total coverage. Your marriage, your kids, your thoughts, your future—faith wraps it all and says, “Not today, devil.”
Ephesians 6:16 NIV “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
To be effective, this faith must be correctly engaged. The Bible makes it clear that hearing God's Word alone is not enough; it must be mixed with faith to bring profit (Hebrews 4:2). It is by believing and acting on what God has promised that His power is released in our lives. Furthermore, Hebrews 11:6 declares a foundational truth: "without faith it is impossible to please Him." Approaching God requires the belief that his power is released in our lives. As Pastor Jentezen said everything we do for God we do in faith. Believe God over everything because he can defy the odds and faith is the currency of heaven.
The daily application of this shield means operating faith oversight, fear, or circumstances. Our battles are fought not by what we see or how we feel, but by standing firm on the reliable promises of God. When fear or doubt tries to pierce us, the shield of faith deflects the attack because it holds fast to the truth of God's Word, allowing us to walk in victory regardless of the surrounding circumstances.
Questions for the Reader:
1. According to the passage, why is the shield of faith designated as "above all" in the armor of God, and what is its specific defensive function?
2. Based on the two verses from the Book of Hebrews, what two conditions are necessary for God's Word to profit the hearer and for a person to please God?
Pastor Franklin drew from the history of the Spartans to challenge us: raise our young people as warriors for Christ, training them early in faith, discipline, and a holy fear of God. Just as Spartan boys were molded from childhood into unbreakable soldiers, we’re called to instill godly values that stand against the world. Proverbs 22:6 promises that when we train children in God’s ways—rooted in His wisdom and tailored to their unique gifts—they’ll hold fast even in old age.
Proverbs 22:6 NIV “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
True manhood isn’t defined by worldly flash—cars, conquests, or status—but by standing firm in faith, mature and courageous before God. 1 Corinthians 16:13 calls every believer, especially our young men, to rise up with vigilance and strength.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
As a group, let’s expand on these Christian values, building a foundation for spiritual Spartans:
· Discipline: Maintain a strict code of morality—guarding purity in body (sexual integrity), mind (thought life rooted in Philippians 4:8), and actions (obedience to God’s Word and authority). Teach consistent habits: daily prayer, Scripture reading, and accountability to keep the heart aligned with Christ.
· Courage: Stand up for what you believe—rejecting compromise with sin or cultural pressure, boldly sharing faith (2 Timothy 1:7-8), defending the vulnerable, and choosing righteousness even when it costs. Model fearless trust in God over fear of man.
· Simplicity: Embrace a strict belief system—prioritizing church attendance as non-negotiable, honoring the Sabbath, depending fully on God for provision and direction (Matthew 6:33), and rejecting materialism or distractions that dilute devotion.
· Loyalty: Cultivate faithfulness—unwavering trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6), loyalty to family, church, and godly friendships, and a covenant commitment to Christ above all, even in suffering or temptation.
These aren’t suggestions—they’re the training ground for warriors. Every home, every parent, every mentor is called to raise children who carry the shield of faith with honor.
· Which of these values (discipline, courage, simplicity, loyalty) feels most challenged in your home or life right now, and what’s one step you can take this week to strengthen it? · How
· can you intentionally train a young person in your life (child, mentee, sibling) in one of these areas—through example, conversation, or habit?
Honoring the Shield in Daily Life – Raising Spiritual Spartans
God calls us to raise up the next generation as warriors who never drop the shield of faith. Honoring it means polishing it daily through consistent spiritual disciplines—prayer, fasting, worship, and diving into God’s Word. It’s showing up to church even when life gets busy, rejecting distractions like endless activities that steal our Sabbath, and surrounding ourselves with people who sharpen our faith, not weaken it. Quick repentance keeps the shield strong; passing it on means leading our families with courage, teaching kids to stand firm, and living so faithfully that we die on the shield, not bitter but praising God.
Ephesians 6:16 NIV “Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
This isn’t optional—it’s how we protect our homes and build a legacy. Like Spartan mothers handing their sons the shield with fierce expectation, we must raise our children to fight for faith, not fold under pressure. Every choice to prioritize God over the world polishes the shield for the next generation.
· What daily habit (prayer, Bible reading, worship) most strengthens your shield of faith, and how can you model it for your family this week?
· Think of a time you were tempted to drop the shield (compromise, distraction, bitterness). How did God help you pick it back up, and what will you do to pass that resilience to your kids or others?
· What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to ‘act like a spiritual Spartan’—to stand firm, fight harder, or strengthen your faith?
Conclusión
Pastor Jentezen’s message calls each of us to rise as Spiritual Spartans—men and women who refuse to drop the shield of faith, no matter how fierce the battle becomes. We are called to live with courage, integrity, and loyalty, just like the Spartans who vowed never to disgrace their shield or desert their comrades. Spiritually, this means standing strong in holiness, conviction, prayer, and obedience, even when culture pushes compromise.
We honor those who handed us the shield—parents, grandparents, mentors, and spiritual leaders—and we commit to pass it on untarnished to the next generation. Like David facing Goliath, we are reminded that “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47), and when we fight with faith, God fights for us.
Prayer :“Lord, I will not drop my shield. I will stand firm in faith, protect what You’ve entrusted to me, fight for my family, and live as a warrior who honors You in every battle.”
Take courage. Hold your shield high. And live every day as a warrior who pleases God.
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