Breastplate of Righteousness
Breastplate of Righteousness
Armor of God, Lesson 3
Read other parts of this study:
Overview - Lesson 1 - Lesson 2 - Lesson 3 - Lesson 4 - Lesson 5 - Lesson 6 - Lesson 7 - Bonus
Read the Minecraft Version of Lesson 3
Reminder: This is intended to be a small group discussion. Ask the leading questions to the group and invite discussion. For questions with Bible verses, read the verses to help answer the question. Potential answers and key takeaways are provided as a leader’s guide.
We learned in Lesson 2 that God’s word is the source of truth, and we can use the truth of his Word to help us overcome temptation. By knowing who we are in Christ and by knowing the final outcome for Satan, we can be confident that we can use God’s truth to defeat sin. This week, we will look at the next piece of armor in the list: the breastplate of righteousness.
Ephesians 6:13-14: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
Breastplate and Minecraft
What is the purpose of a breastplate (bulletproof vest) in life?
It protects the vital organs.
o Heart
o Lungs
Why do the vital organs need to be protected?
Physical:
o They are required to maintain life.
Spiritual:
o Proverbs 4:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
o Matthew 6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
o Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Key takeaway: Our heart defines our passions. We will pursue what is important to us, and what is important to us will influence how we act.
Biblical Foundation for Righteousness
What is righteousness?
The quality of being morally right
Acting according to divine or moral law
What does the Bible say about our righteousness without God?
Romans 3:10-12, 20: As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” ... Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
Isaiah 64:6: All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Key takeaway: Without God, we cannot be righteous. Anything that seems like it might be righteous is not if we do not know God.
What does the Bible say about God’s righteousness?
Psalm 11:7: For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.
Romans 10:4: Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Key takeaway: God is the source of righteousness.
Where does our righteousness come from?
Isaiah 61:10: I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Romans 3:21-22: But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
2 Corinthians 5:21: God has made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Key takeaway: Our righteousness comes from God alone. It is given to us the moment we have faith in Jesus.
Breastplate of Righteousness
How does righteousness protect us?
Ephesians 4:22-27: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Key takeaway: When you put your faith in Jesus, you put off our old self (sin) and put on our new self (righteousness). This righteousness helps heal you from past sins, helps you not give the devil a foothold for future sins, and allows God to hear you when you pray.
How do we put on the breastplate of righteousness?
2 Timothy 2:22: Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Key takeaway: We put on the breastplate of righteousness by fleeing evil desires, seeking God’s kingdom, and thinking about things that are excellent and praiseworthy.
Final Application
Have you accepted the gift of God’s righteousness?
What can you do today to put on the breastplate of righteousness?
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