Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione (27 page)

C
HAPTER
2

1. Answer based on personal experience.
   
2. The tournaments bring to remembrance Kendrick’s painful past. However, once he recognizes the intensity of evil in Sir Casimir, Kendrick realizes the depth of what he is facing and the importance of his mission for the Prince. This recognition brings a renewed willingness to do what is necessary to find the information that brought him to the tournament. This applies to us as believers because we need, as 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, to “Be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We need to be able to see with clarity as Kendrick did and be willing to do what it takes to stand up to evil, even if it means doing something we dislike.
   
3. One possibility is 2 Corinthians 5:17.
   

C
HAPTER
3

1. The word
   evil
   is contrasted with the word
   single. The Message
   paraphrases Matthew 6:22–23 like this: “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in
   greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”
   Single
   in this verse refers to having your focus and direction set on God and God alone—singularity of vision.
   
2. Read Romans 12:17–21. (Rest of answer based on personal experience.)
   

C
HAPTER
4

1. Duncan wants to prove himself as a knight to Kendrick and the Council of Knights in order to get the respect he feels he deserves as a Knight of the Prince. He should be content with his identity in the Prince and know that his own achievements can do nothing to elevate himself any further than being considered worthy to be called a Knight of the Prince.
   
2. The giant man may be frustrated or perhaps even angry with Duncan for his impulsive behavior and for risking the mission by acting alone without counsel.
   

C
HAPTER
5

1. A few choices include Mark 6:7 and Luke 10:1; Proverbs 12:15; 15:22; and 20:18; and also Genesis 25:29–34 and Hebrews 12:14–17.
   
2. Answer based on personal experience. Though it’s not easy, the Bible clearly tells us that we must die to ourselves (Galatians 2:20) and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). John the Baptist put it this way: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Kendrick puts the mission of the Prince first. Since Duncan and Kendrick have obtained the information they needed, further participation is not only unnecessary but a waste of time and energy and a pointless risk of injury and discovery.
   

C
HAPTER
6

1. Ra + Bel Lione = RaBelLione (rebellion). The vice or stronghold of rebellion is visible in the conversation between Brack and his friends, in the tavern when a father expected that his daughter would sneak out and attend the festival if he didn’t allow her to go, in Hamlin’s leaving in the middle of the night to join his friends at the festival, and in the fact that Hamlin and the youth of Bel Lione refuse to discuss the festivals with adults.
   
2. The festival represents the temptation to rebel against authority, and going to the festival represents rebelling. No one can attend just once because once a person tastes the “adventure” of choosing to sin, he or she finds it difficult to refuse in the future, especially if it is seen as acceptable in the culture. Consciously choosing to walk in darkness changes a person.
   

C
HAPTER
7

1. When we focus on the Lord, our priorities fall into proper alignment. Not only do our relationships with others improve, but we also begin to see positive changes in our attitudes, reactions, choices, and our lives in general. When we make God our top priority, we become spiritually mature. See Matthew 6:33 and Ephesians 4:14–15.
   

C
HAPTER
8

1. First, Duncan went alone. Second, he did not have his sword or his armor. The sword represents God’s Word, which is our only offensive weapon in our battle against Satan (as described in Ephesians 6:10–17). Duncan was injured because he didn’t have his full armor.
   
2. Answers based on personal experience. The best way to deal with temptation is the same way Jesus dealt with it—with the
   sword of God’s Word. Matthew 4:1–11 gives us an account of how Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and how Jesus quoted Scripture in every instance to defeat Satan. It is important for us to read God’s Word and to memorize Scripture so we are ready to use it when the tempter comes our way. Also see James 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 10:13.
   
3. 3. John 1:3 says Jesus (the Word) made everything, including all heavenly beings. Satan and his demons know the power of Christ and tremble, for they also know their future. Matthew 25:41 says that the everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. Christ’s ultimate victory over Satan occurred at the cross and through His resurrection, when the works of Satan were destroyed. See James 2:19; 1 John 4:4; Romans 16:20; 2 Timothy 1:7–12; 1 John 3:8; Romans 8:37.
   

C
HAPTER
9

1. Kendrick is not afraid because he has something great and powerful to draw upon. The resource he draws on is his identity as a Knight of the Prince, who confers His power and authority on those who follow Him. This represents the power and authority given to us by Jesus (see Matthew 16:19; Luke 10:19; 1 John 4:4; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 1:23–25; and Revelation 12:11).
   
2. Isaiah 14:12–20 and Revelation 12:1–11.
   
3. Bronwyn is deeply affected by Lucius’s insurrection since his best friend was won over by the darkness. Answers based on personal experience.
   

C
HAPTER
10

1. People “play in the shadows of darkness” by choosing to participate in sinful activities as a result of peer pressure. For young
   people, the “fun” but mischievous activities they participate in can often quickly lead to a stronghold that they may struggle with for the rest of their lives. Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, viewing inappropriate movies or images, and gambling are just a few examples of activities that can lead to life-destroying addictions.
   
2. This is dangerous because Satan is crafty and effective in using this attitude to capture people into living a lifestyle of sin. It is the hook that is not easily dislodged.
   
3. The stronghold of rebellion is manifested in the youth as they participate in getting drunk, showing inappropriate affection with each other, and reveling in violence.
   

C
HAPTER
11

1. Kendrick’s actions finally convinced Landor when words could not. He displayed mercy (by not striking Landor when he had the chance), vulnerability (by opening his arms and lowering his sword when he could have continued the duel), and trust (by removing his breastplate and allowing Landor to advance in spite of the obvious risk of attack) to demonstrate his intention of peace. Our witness as Christians is much more effective if we “walk the talk” and are courageous enough to befriend those who need Christ.
   

C
HAPTER
12

1. Kendrick is speaking of the Prince (Jesus). One choice is John 6:28–58.
   
2. Answers based on personal experience.
   
3. Hypocrisy (Hypoc), lying (Deceptor), intoxication (Toxica), partying (Revel), self-indulgence (Plezior), pride (Arrogoy), destruction (Destroyer), death (Carnage), turmoil (Chaos),
   and affliction (Tormentor). Rebellion breeds destructive behavior just as Lord Ra breeds the beasts. This behavior in turn guards the darkened heart from allowing the righteousness of the Lord to enter in, just as the beasts guard the walls of the castle to help secure this evil stronghold from good entering in and triumphing.
   
4. Jesus faithfully faced and overcame the obstacles of being tempted to sin, being completely separated from the Father for a time, and having to endure extreme suffering on the cross to pay for our salvation and triumph over evil. While all this was difficult and His humanity cried out against doing these things (see Mark 14:32–36), He was faithful to the end and loyal in accomplishing His mission.
   

C
HAPTER
13

1. Second Timothy 1:7 is a good verse about overcoming fear. We don’t have to be afraid because the Holy Spirit lives within us and is greater than “he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)!
   
2. Satan uses many devices to try to hinder our work for the Lord. He can (and does!) use fear, mental distraction, sickness, procrastination, temptation, disagreements among believers, and a variety of other tools to hinder our work with the ultimate goal of terminating it.
   

C
HAPTER
14

1. Answer based on personal experience. Jesus tells us that there are many lost people ready to be brought to salvation, but the workers in this spiritual harvest are few, so we should pray that God will send more workers. We should pray for ourselves as workers, too, so that by the Holy Spirit we’ll be able to see the opportunities when God presents them.
   

C
HAPTER
15

1. There are three roads a person can take once he decides to enter the stronghold of rebellion:
   

   1. The most common response is to get caught up in the indulgences and pleasures and to become discontented with the world outside of the rebellion. This will strain the person’s relationship with authority figures. When this person grows up, he may leave the worst of the indulgences behind but still expect his own children to rebel against him. He may even consider this normal and healthy—not realizing how close he came to destruction and how he is allowing his children to do the same. Because sin is pleasurable for a time, he is blinded to the enduring goodness of walking in the light instead of the darkness. In our society, this response looks normal to many who expect rebellion from youth. Many teenagers happily dabble in illegal activities while their parents pretend not to know. Youth disrespect their parents by breaking or bending their rules, and parents wait in frustration for their children to grow up and become responsible. The effects of their rebellion may follow them as they continue to be discontent with a “boring and responsible” life and have trouble with authority figures like bosses, law-enforcement officers, the government, spouses, and even God.
      
   2. The second response is to become so taken with the sinful activities of rebellion that a person can think of nothing else. The person who responds this way eventually abandons everything in his former life (including things like relationships and future dreams) and chooses to live in complete darkness and sin. He becomes a prisoner of the devil, so weak and vulnerable to the power of the pleasure
      that he is unable ever to leave under his own power. The devil sets “snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27) for people in our society with drugs, alcohol, fornication, and other activities. However, the power of God can break these strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).
      
   3. The third response is to grow strong from the rebellion rather than weak. This is most desirable to the powers of evil because these people can be used to spread and cultivate evil. These people are represented by the Vincero Knights. Some examples of who these people might be in our society include drug dealers, murderers, slave traders, and sex traffickers. The good news is, the transforming peace of Jesus’ love can save even one such as this.
      
2. A fourth response would be to refuse to enter the stronghold of rebellion in the first place. Youth in our society make this response by respecting the authority of their parents and choosing to walk the path of righteousness. Ultimately, maintaining a good relationship with the Lord is the only thing that will protect us from the schemes of the devil. Elise is an example of a character who chose this response.
   
3. Two good choices are John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9.
   

C
HAPTER
16

1. No one can fathom the richness of God’s good plans, both here on earth—in Christ—and in heaven. Rest of answer based on personal experience.
   
2. Kendrick’s call to battle symbolizes the need for Christians to unite in Christ in order to reach the lost and to stand against evil. We battle against evil not with worldly weapons but with the Word of God and the power of prayer in the authority of Jesus’ name. Personal and corporate prayer is one of the most powerful and effective weapons to use against Satan.
   Revival begins with God’s people dedicating themselves to prayer. Acts 2:42–47 is an excellent example of the power of prayer, fellowship, and unity in the cause to further God’s kingdom.
   
3. One choice is Gideon. In Judges 7–8 you can read the amazing story of how God used this meek servant and only 300 men to defeat an army of 135,000. God did and still does this so that no one will wonder whose power accomplishes the goal. If the vessel God uses is fully capable of succeeding on his own, God does not receive any glory. God loves to use unlikely candidates. This tactic builds great faith and blesses both the person (or people) and God!
   
4. Some possibilities are Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Galatians 5:1; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:11.
   

C
HAPTER
17

1. Duncan made a “deliberate decision to embrace the pain, to let it make him stronger.” Jesus says that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. Often this is not easy, for it may require us to face our fears and possibly even persecution as represented by the cross.
   

C
HAPTER
18

1. One choice is Mark 9:23. (Rest of the answer based on personal experience.)
   
2. Second Corinthians 10:1–6.
   
3. The words of the Prince draw Kendrick to realize that he can forgive Landor. This symbolizes the importance of rooting God’s Word deep in our hearts, because the Word will lead us down the right path. Forgiveness is so important because it is the very heart of God—“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV).
   
4. Kendrick’s testimony for the Prince through his words and his life finally convinces Landor to believe in Him. We should live our lives as though every moment we are witnessing to others for Jesus (because we are!). Inviting someone to believe in the real Prince, Jesus Christ, and to receive salvation through Him is simple. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” John 3:16 is also an excellent verse to help lead someone to Jesus.