Ephesians 6:10-24

Key Points:
1. Depend on God to face spiritual warfare.
2. Stand and persevere with fellow believers to advance the gospel

Key themes:
o Paul exhorts the Ephesians to depend on the Lord(10)
o Paul instructs the Ephesians to arm themselves with God's might to stand against the Enemy(11,13)
o Paul reminds Christians that we are in a spiritual war and our true enemies are not people, so be prepared(12-13)
o The weapons of a believer are truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, our salvation, and the Word of God. (14-17)
o Paul reminds believers to stay in constant communication with the Lord(18)
o Paul ask believers to pray for all believers to stand against the enemy and have boldness to present the gospel(18-20)
o Paul sends Tychicus to encourage the Ephesians(21-22)
o Paul reminds the Ephesians to continue trusting God and to let His peace remain in the body as they love one another. (23-24)

Reflective Discussion Questions:
1. Who does Paul tell the Ephesians to be strengthened by in vs 10?
a. Why does Paul remind the Ephesians of God's great strength?
b. How does knowing that God is immensely strong affect how you face difficulty?
c. What keeps you from being strengthened by the Lord?
2. Why does Paul tell us to put on the armor of God?(11,13)
a. How would the understanding that you are in a spiritual war change the way you live? Priorities? How you handle issues?
b. How does Paul's assertion in vs 12 affect how you view relationships with people? How you view politics local/global?
c. What are some practices a person can cultivate to be ready to fight in spiritual battles?
3. Why does Paul associate the tools God gives us to fight spiritual warfare with specific parts of Roman Armor? (14-17)
a. How does the image of a belt help us understand the role of truth in our lives?
b. Breastplate and righteousness?
c. Shoes and the gospel of peace?
d. Shield and Faith?
e. Helmet and Salvation?
f. Sword and the Spirit?
4. What do we understand about offensive spiritual warfare from vs 17 and the sword of the Spirit?
a. Who does the actual attacking in spiritual warfare?
b. What is the responsibility of the believer in spiritual warfare according to vs 14-17?
5. Why does Paul emphasize the need to be in constant communication with God?(18)
a. How does our constant communication with God affect the way we view our role in spiritual warfare?
b. What is the relationship between individual believers in spiritual warfare according to vs 18-19?
c. How can this knowledge change the way you relate to other believers and face difficulty?
6. Why does Paul send Tychicus to the Ephesians?
a. How does Paul's intent in sending Tychicus relate to everything else in Ephesians?
b. How does vs 23 serve as a synopsis for the book of Ephesians?


Individual Challenge:
Would you commit to contacting two Christian friends and asking how you can pray for them this week? Would you commit to praying for them everyday? How would your priorities and attitude to life change if you interceded for someone else everyday? How would your relationships with Christian people change? What would the impact be on your relationships with the lost?

Community Challenge:
How would our community change if everyone in our group regularly contacted each other and prayed for each other? How would this affect the way visitors feel coming into our group? What would the testimony of our group be to the lost in our community?

Ephesians 6:1-9

Key Points
1. Honor the authority God places in your life
2. We honor God by honoring the people He places in authority over us
3. The way we live as Christians bears testimony to God's sovereignty and grace

Key Themes
o Children submit to your parents as because you respect and fear the Lord(1)
o God promises that children that revere their parents will have prosperous and long life (2)
o Parents don't provoke your children to anger, guide them to follow the Lord(4)
o Workers/Employees submit to your masters to show honor for Christ(5)
o Work wholeheartedly with integrity as for the Lord(5-8)
o Work for the reward of the Lord by working heartily in everything you do(6)
o Masters treat the people that work for you with respect and grace(9)
o Masters remember that Christ is a generous and good master, imitate him(9)

Reflective Discussion Questions
1. Why does Paul tell children to obey their parents?(1)
a. What is the promise God gives to children that honor their parents?
b. Why would an obedient child receive the promise God talks about?
c. How does this theme of submission in familial relationships relate to what Paul talked about in the previous chapter?
2. What does Paul tell Father's not to do in vs 4?
a. Is this a command that only applies to fathers or does it extend to other people?
b. What are the ways a parent stirs up anger in their child?
c. How is the command not to incite children to anger related to the command to bring up children in the instruction of the Lord?
e. What is the successful family dynamic contingent that Paul talks about in the previous chapter? (5:21)
3. How does Paul instruct servants to serve their Masters?(5-8)
a. How does Paul instruct Masters to treat their servants?(9)
b. What prevents Christian Bosses from treating the people they supervise the way Paul instructs?
c. What prevents employees from treating their master's with respect?
d. Should a Christian treat or work for their employer differently if they don't follow the guidelines listed in Ephesians 6?
4. How does the way people treat each other in these relationships glorify/honor God?

Individual Challenge
How would your attitude change towards people in positions of authority if you knew that honoring them meant you honored God? How would this perspective affect the way you treat people in authority over you? How would this affect your relationships with co-workers and family?

Community Challenge
How would our church change if people honored the leaders God has placed in positions of authority in the church? How would this affect our testimony in the community? How would our changed attitude and behavior impact our secular community?

Ephesians 5:15-33

Key Points
1. Live a Spirit led life.
2. Submit to the Spirit and allow Him to lead you into righteousness
3. Christians are of one body and are one with Christ.

Key Themes
o Be sober and intentional in how you live(15)
o Walking as a Child of God takes deliberate and intentional action(15)
o Live your life on purpose knowing there is not time to waste because life is short(16)
o Don't be ignorant of God's plan and purpose, live life on mission(17)
o Don't be guided by your passions and lust, allow God's Spirit to fill you and guide you(18)
o A life guided by the Spirit produces a life characterized by thanksgiving, humility, and worship(18-21)
o Husbands and Wives submit to each other in reverence/fear for the Lord(20-28)
o Wives show respect and give honor to your husband as the church shows respect and gives honor to Christ(22-24)
o Husbands exhibit selfless love for your wife the way Christ did for the church(25-30)
o Husbands bear patiently with your wives putting their welfare above your own(25-28)
o Just as a Husband and Wife are of one flesh so we the church are One, what affects one affects all(29-33)
o Christ gave himself up so that the Church would exist and be sanctified, this is why the Church honors Christ and brings Him glory(24-33)

Reflective Discussion Questions:
1. How does Paul tell the Ephesians to walk? (15)
a. Why does Paul stress this theme of how a person walks so often in chapter 5?
b. What is the reasons Paul gives for the Ephesians to be wise?(16)
2. How does Paul characterize someone that is foolish? (17-18)
a. How do Christians act foolishly?
b. Can people that engage in ministry activity be living foolishly?
c. How do we deter ourselves from living foolishly and filling our schedule with reckless and fruitless ministry?
3. What does Paul tell us to be filled with instead of wine? (18)
a. How does the comparison of being filled with the Spirit and being filled with wine affect our view of the way the Holy Spirit works in our life? (18)
b. What are the behaviors that flow from a Spirit filled life? (19-21)
c. What is a characteristic attitude or perspective of someone that is led by the Spirit? (19-21)
d. How can these characteristics become more dominant in your life?
e. What are the factors that contribute to you not living a Spirit filled life?
4. How does the Spirit filled life affect interpersonal relationships between believers?(21)
5. What is Paul comparing the image of husband and wife to Christ and the Church? (21-33)
a. How does this image affect interpersonal relationships between believers? (21)
6. Does Paul's instruction in vs 2 mean that women are to yield and submit to every man?
a. How is a married woman to submit to her husband? (22)
b. How does this passage affect a single woman? Who is she supposed to submit to? (22)
7. How are husbands supposed to treat their wives? (25, 28)
a. What is Paul's standard for how a husband expresses his love for his wife?
b. How do these passages on husband and wife relationships become distorted in secular and Christian culture?
c. What element of the husband and wife dynamic is Paul emphasizing to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the Church?
8. What are the implications of vs 24-28?
a. How does the analogy Paul uses in vs 22-30 relate to being led by the Holy Spirit?

Individual Challenge
What are the things that keep you from Trusting God and being led by the Spirit? How would your life change if you had the confidence to Walk in the Spirit? How would submission in your life look in your relationship with God? With your spouse? With people in spiritual authority over you?

Community Challenge
How would our community change if we recognized that mutual submission to one another builds the body and honors Christ? How would the relationships in our church change? How would this affect visitors perception of our church?

Ephesians 5:7-14

Key Points:
1. Expose secret sin to the Truth of Jesus Christ.
2. The Truth of Jesus Christ allows us to experience grace and live life as a child of God.

Key Themes:
o Don't participate in doing evil(7)
o Don't yoke yourself to people disobedient to God(7)
o You are called to be witness to those in the dark(8)
o Walking as a child of the light produces good fruit(8-9)
o Children of Light have lifestyles that bring pleasure to God(9-10)
o Children of God can discern what is pleasing to God and what is evil through the life of Jesus and the testimony of the Holy Spirit(10)
o Participating in sin and turning a blind eye to it produce guilt and shame(11-12)
o The Word of God helps God's Children know the Truth(13)
o Don't hide sin, expose it to the light(11-14)
o Wake up to the life God intends for you to live, life apart from God is death(14)

Reflective Discussion Questions:
1. Why and What does Paul instruct the Ephesians not to become partners with? (7-8)
a. What does Paul say will be the fruit of walking as a child of light?(9-10)

2. Why does Paul instruct the Ephesians not to participate in the fruitless works of darkness? (11)

a. What does Paul exhort the Ephesians to do instead of participating in the deeds of darkness?(11)

3. What does Paul mean when he says it is shameful to mention the sinful practices done in secret? (12)

a. How does Paul's command to expose the deeds of darkness relate to what Paul says in verse 12 and 13?

b. Is the command to expose the deeds of darkness something meant as a personal or communal imperative?

c. If this command is carried out in community what instructions has Paul given to govern how sin is exposed?(4:25-32, 5:1-2)

4. How does exposing sin to the light make things clear?

5. What does verse 14 mean?
a. How does the Messiah shine on you?
b. How does the Messiah bring someone dead to life? Or wake someone that is asleep?

Individual Challenge:
How would your life change if you were willing to expose the deepest darkest sins of your life to the Truth and find help to overcome it? Would you pray and ask God to give you the courage to seek help and to confess your shameful sin to a trusted and mature follower of Christ this week? How would letting the cat out of the bag free you from the burden of guilt and free you to begin walking in grace?

Community Challenge:
How would our community change if we were a people that could be trusted with the deepest darkest sins of others because we were up front and honest about ours? How would letting go of the facade that things are all good affect the relationships in our church? How do you think this openness allow the church to be more effective in doing ministry? How would this affect the world's view of Christians being hypocrites?

Ephesians 5:7-14 Leaders Guide

Key Points:
1. Expose secret sin to the Truth of Jesus Christ.
2. The Truth of Jesus Christ allows us to experience grace and live life as a child of God.

Key Themes:
o Don't participate in doing evil(7)
o Don't yoke yourself to people disobedient to God(7)
o You are called to be witness to those in the dark(8)
o Walking as a child of the light produces good fruit(8-9)
o Children of Light have lifestyles that bring pleasure to God(9-10)
o Children of God can discern what is pleasing to God and what is evil through the life of Jesus and the testimony of the Holy Spirit(10)
o Participating in sin and turning a blind eye to it produce guilt and shame(11-12)
o The Word of God helps God's Children know the Truth(13)
o Don't hide sin, expose it to the light(11-14)
o Wake up to the life God intends for you to live, life apart from God is death(14)

Reflective Discussion Questions:
1. Why and What does Paul instruct the Ephesians not to become partners with? (7-8)
o Paul instructs the Ephesians not to become partners with people that are disobedient and people that engage in sinful practices. Paul tells the Ephesians not to engage in sinful practices because of what he says earlier in chapters 2 and 4. Christ has died and has allowed us to put off our identity as enemies with God and become Children of God. Because of this we should no longer work as Children of the darkness and now as Children of the Light. This is what Paul explains in the following verse and expounds on the result or fruit of living out an identity of child of light.

a. What does Paul say will be the fruit of walking as a child of light?(9-10)
o Paul tells us that the fruit of walking as a child of light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. He goes on to say that it produces discernment about knowing howto do what pleases the Lord.

2. Why does Paul instruct the Ephesians not to participate in the fruitless works of darkness? (11)
o Paul tells the Ephesians not to participate in the the deeds of darkness because they are fruitless and produce things that only set us in opposition to God. It is also a reference to what he says earlier in vs 5 when he says that people that walk as children of darkness have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. The pursuit of sinful desires and practices only produce distance between God and the rest of the family of God and will result in fruitless/pointless suffering.

a. What does Paul exhort the Ephesians to do instead of participating in the deeds of darkness?(11)
o Paul exhorts the Ephesians to expose the deeds of darkness rather than participate in them.

3. What does Paul mean when he says it is shameful to mention the sinful practices done in secret? (12)
o People that are wrapped up in sin don't want people to find out about their deepest darkest sins. They know what they are doing is wrong and would rather keep sinful behavior secret. If people were to find out about their vice they'd be put to shame and feel embarrassed.

a. How does Paul's command to expose the deeds of darkness relate to what Paul says in verse 12 and 13?
o Paul instructs the Ephesians to expose shameful sin to the light because as long as it remains a secret the sinner remains enslaved to sin and can't experience the freedom and joy found in Christ. We only experience God's grace when the truth of our depravity drives us to our knees and we recognize our need for Jesus. This command is something that needs be done regularly so that sin is never allowed a foothold in our life. When we allow sin to pervade our life we allow sin to rob us of joy found in the grace of God. 

b. Is the command to expose the deeds of darkness something meant as a personal or communal imperative?
o The command to expose sin to the light is both a personal and communal imperative. This command follows on the heals of Paul's teachings of how individual followers of Christ are joined together and one body. If one part of the body is affected with sin then it affects the rest of the body. However the body doesn't cut out and discard the body part that is affected, it works together as a unit to fight off the infection so that the body can work together in harmony. So the command carries both individual and communal implications. The individual needs to seek reconciliation through the power Jesus Christ and the support and encouragement given through the body. The community needs to be ready to support and encourage individuals to seek repentance.

c. If this command is carried out in community what instructions has Paul given to govern how sin is exposed?(4:25-32, 5:1-2)
o Paul begins the chapter by instructing the Ephesians to imitate God and to walk in love as Jesus did. He qualifies the way Jesus walked in love by citing his unselfish sacrifice. This should clue us in on how the community is to expose sin. The Church must remember that all Christians are part of the same body so restoration and reconciliation is something we should always seek. When we begin thinking about how we can leverage the exposure of someone's sin to our benefit this becomes sinful and no longer helps build the body. Moreover, the instructions Paul gives in chapter 4 apply to how we expose sin. He clearly says that we are to stop lying and to speak the truth. This relates to the shameful sin we keep from each other that also separates and divides the fellowship of believers. The speech we use when exposing sin isn't malicious but good for building up others in need. We are to be kind and compassionate when someone's sin becomes exposed to the light because we are aware of the sin that is in our lives and that Christ forgave us for. If we are the grieved party then we should also forgive and be reconciled because Christ forgave us, but also because there should be no division in the body. 

4. How does exposing sin to the light make things clear?
o Exposing sin to the light helps us face the reality of our depravity. When a person is in the throes of sin shame drives us to denial and justification. We begin to lie to ourselves about the reality of our situation and become more and more entangled by our sin. Once we start down this road it becomes more and more difficult for a person to break free of the lies he tells himself. Jesus tells us that if His Word remains in us then we will know the Truth and the Truth will set us free(Jn 8:31-32) This applies in the how we interpret Ephesians. Like a surgeon doing exploratory surgery the true roots of our ailment and issues are only seen when we expose ourselves to the sword of the Spirit and allow the light of Christ to free us from sin.

5. What does verse 14 mean?
a. How does the Messiah shine on you?
b. How does the Messiah bring someone dead to life? Or wake someone that is asleep?
o The Messiah helps us recognize that apart from Him we are dead in our trespasses but that through Jesus Christ we can awaken from the darkness and begin living true and fruitful life in the Spirit.
Individual Challenge:
How would your life change if you were willing to expose the deepest darkest sins of your life to the Truth and find help to overcome it? Would you pray and ask God to give you the courage to seek help and to confess your shameful sin to a trusted and mature follower of Christ this week? How would letting the cat out of the bag free you from the burden of guilt and free you to begin walking in grace?

Community Challenge:
How would our community change if we were a people that could be trusted with the deepest darkest sins of others because we were up front and honest about ours? How would letting go of the facade that things are all good affect the relationships in our church? How do you think this openness allow the church to be more effective in doing ministry? How would this affect the world's view of Christians being hypocrites?

Ephesians 5:1-6

Key Points:
1. The Wrath of God is coming for those that are disobedient.
2. Walk in love following the example of the Messiah.
3. Confirm your identity in Christ by producing fruits of the Spirit.

Key Themes:
o Live a lifestyle consistent with the behavior of God's children(1)
o Jesus shows us how to act like God's children, follow Him(2)
o Children of God must abide in love(2)
o God children surrender their will to God(2)
o A lifestyle of sin reveals bad fruit and confirms we have no inheritance in God (3-5)
o Don't be ignorant of God's coming judgement on those who disobey Him(6)

Reflective Questions
1. How does Paul say we should imitate God?(v1)
a. What makes it difficult for people in our generation to relate to the image of a child imitating their parent?

o The image of a child imitating their parent can be difficult for people to relate to in this generation because of the rise of children growing up in broken homes. Many children today don't have parents that would be good to imitate. Many children today grow up in homes where their parents are enslaved to addictions or so driven and selfishly only focus on themselves neglecting their parental duties. Children in many homes don't feel loved by their parents.
b. How do you think parents influence their children's behaviors?
2. Who does Paul give as a specific example to follow? (2)
a. What are some of the things Paul lists as behaviors and characteristics of the person we are supposed to imitate?(2)
b. How does the example of the Messiah affect the way we think about how to treat others?
3. Why does Paul tell us not to engage in the activities listed in v3-4? (5)
a. What are the assumptions we make about people that that display the behaviors in v3-4?
b. How do church people use vs 3-5 to treat other people, especially other Christians? Does this list give Christians the task or authority to condemn people?
c. What would be an appropriate way this list can be used to build up the family of God?
4. Why does Paul warn the Ephesians to not be deceived by empty arguments?(6)
a. What are the ways people try to minimize the impending wrath of God?
b. How do people justify sinful behavior?

Individual Challenge
Would you commit to asking God what areas of your life need to be changed so that you walk in the footsteps of Jesus? How would your life change if you were to eliminate one specific behavior you know doesn't honor God? Who would notice the change? How would it affect your witness?

Community Challenge
How would our community change if everyone committed to walking as Children of God? How would the way we relate to each other change? How would it affect the way people perceive the Church?

Ephesians 5:1-6 Leaders Guide

Key Points:
1. The Wrath of God is coming for those that are disobedient.
2. Walk in love following the example of the Messiah.
3. Confirm your idenitity in Christ by producing fruits of the Spirit.

Key Themes:
o Live a lifestyle consistent with the behavior of God's children(1)
o Jesus shows us how to act like God's children, follow Him(2)
o Children of God must abide in love(2)
o God children surrender their will to God(2)
o A lifestyle of sin reveals bad fruit and confirms we have no inheritance in God (3-5)
o Don't be ignorant of God's coming judgement on those who disobey Him(6)

Reflective Questions
1. How does Paul say we should imitate God?(v1)
o Paul insructs us to imitate God as dearly loved Children.

a. What makes it difficult for people in our generation to relate to the image of a child imitating their parent?
o The image of a child imitating their parent can be difficult for people to relate to in this generation because of the rise of children growing up in broken homes. Many children today don't have parents that would be good to imitate. Many children today grow up in homes where their parents are enslaved to addictions or so driven and selfishly only focus on themselves neglecting their parental duties. Children in many homes don't feel loved by their parents.

b. How do you think parents influence their children's behaviors?
o Whether or not a parent is a good or bad one, parents have a dramatic influence on their children. When parents are good parents they leave an example that their children want to emulate. When a Parent is absent or abusive, they leave an example children don't want to follow. Bad parent modeling can provide the impetus for children to want to change and not follow in their parents footsteps. However, the norm is that children take on some of the behaviors and traits displayed by their parents. This is clearly seen in families that experience divorce, teen pregnancy, substance and domestic abuse. These patterns take hold and are not easy to break, this is sometimes referre to as generational sin. Its something God talks about in Exodus 20 in the 10 commandments. It's by God's grace and mercy that children are able to break free from the pattern and set the course of their family on a different trajectory.

2. Who does Paul give as a specific example to follow? (2)
o Paul specifically exhorts us to follow the example of the Messiah.

a. What are some of the things Paul lists as behaviors and characteristics of the person we are supposed to imitate?(2)
o Paul tells us that we should follow the Messiah in walking in love. He qualifies this by giving us an example of how the Messiah demonstrated His love. The Messiah demonstrated His love by loving us and giving Himself up as a sacrifice on our behalf demonstrating his obedience/love for God.

b. How does the example of the Messiah affect the way we think about how to treat others?
o Hopefully the Messiah's example pushes us to demonstrate sacrificial love for both the lost and believers as a sign of obedience and gratitude toward Jesus.

3. Why does Paul tell us not to engage in the activities listed in v3-4? (5)
o Paul tells us not to engage in the activities listed in vs 3-4 because the people that do won't have an inheritance in the kingdom of God. 

a. What are the assumptions we make about people that that display the behaviors in v3-4?
o People that do participate regularly in the activities listed in vs3-4 are not walking in love and the pursuit of their selfish desires leads them to not demonstrate a love or reverence for the Messiah. This is an important theme to pick up on in both Ephesians and in other parts of scripture that speak of producing fruit of the Spirit and fruit of the flesh. A person that produces fruit of the flesh is a person that has no true knowledge of God and demonstrates open rebellion towards God by refusing to obey/love Him. 

b. How do church people use vs 3-5 to treat other people, especially other Christians? Does this list give Christians the task or authority to condemn people?
o Many Christians may take vs 3-5 as a license to tell people that their going to hell. While this may be true because the person confronted might not be producing fruit of the flesh it doesn't mean that we have the ability to "judge" someone and send them to hell. If we do think someone is producing fruit of the flesh this gives us the opportunity to love that person by providing the mirror/sounding board to recognize the sin that is in their life then to be supportive and encouraging family that leads them out of sin and into life with Christ. This passage can also serve as a personal reminder and exhortation to produce fruit of the Spirit by abiding in love.

c. What would be an appropriate way this list can be used to build up the family of God?
o Rather than being self righteous and pious we can choose to love brothers/sisters in Christ that have fallen or the lost. We can choose to demonstrate a sacrificial love Christ demonstrated for us and point them to the unconditional acceptance and forgiveness Christ provides for those that repent. However, True Repentance necessitates the genuine admonition of sin and a brokenness that leads us to accept the grace of God because of the debt He pays on our behalf. 

4. Why does Paul warn the Ephesians to not be deceived by empty arguments?(6)
o Paul warns the Ephesians not to be deceived by empty arguments because he doesn't want them to be ignorant of the impending wrath of God held back by God's grace and patience. There is a consequence for sin and the punishment will come. 

a. What are the ways people try to minimize the impending wrath of God?
o People try to minimize the impending wrath of God by choosing to only view God as a God of forgiveness and love and to diminish his other attributes. People over emphasize God's forgiveness and love to the point that it diminishes the reality of the consequences of sin and ignore the entire reason for which Christ came to earth in the first place. The only reason why Christ had to come to earth is because of the sin of man and the consequence of eternal separation from God, death. Without the covering of Christ's shed blood for our sins we are still subject to the consequence of eternal separation/death. There is no other way. 

b. How do people justify sinful behavior?
o People justify sinful behavior by grading the level of sin into lesser and greater sins. The problem with this is that God is Holy and the standard God sets is a complete absence of sin. This is not possible without the atonement of Jesus Christ we receive by living a lifestyle of love/obedience for Christ. People also justify sinful behavior by renaming it and comparing the way they behave to the way lost people behave. The only problem is that followers of Christ are called to have a totally separate and different identity than the lost an their behaviors should look nothing like the behaviors of the lost.

Individual Challenge
Would you commit to asking God what areas of your life need to be changed so that you walk in the footsteps of Jesus?  How would your life change if you were to eliminate one specific behavior you know doesn't honor God?  Who would notice the change?  How would it affect your witness?

Community Challenge
How would our community change if everyone committed to walking as Children of God?  How would the way we relate to each other change? How would it affect the way people perceive the Church?

Ephesians 4:7-16

Key Points:
1.  God distributes grace to every member of the Church
2.  God's gift of grace allows the church to be built through every individual's fulfillment of their role in unison with the rest of the Body.
3.  God's people need each other to grow in maturity and confidence in Christ.

Key Themes:
o God dispenses grace the way He sees fit(7)
o Christ's triumphal resurrection from the dead allowed him to take captives (8)
o God equips his people to do the work of ministry and build up the body of Christ(8, 12)
o Christ came to Earth to redeem Earth so that God's glory would be established in heaven and on Earth(9-10)
o God assigns tasks to His people(11)
o God appointed some people to serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up , train, and equip the people of God to participate in the work of ministry building up the Church. (11-12)
o All of God's people work to be unified in their faith and knowledge of Jesus so that every member is mature and stable and so that Christ might become more complete in His body (12-14)
o The "gifts" God gives protect the people of God from deception by giving them confidence in Christ. (11-14)
o Paul exhorts believers to communicate in such a way as to allow every member of the body to grow in Christ-likeness (15)
o Every part of the body is necessary for the Body of Christ to grow. (16)

Reflective Questions:
1.  What are the gifts given as a result of the Messiah?(7-11)
2.  What does Paul say is given to every member or the Church?(7)
3.  What is the purpose of the gifts God's given?(11-13)
4.  What is the product of all the gifts working as one? (14-16)
5.  How does Paul instruct the Church to do so that it grows? (15)
a.  What does it mean to speak the truth in love?
b.  What are obstacles you face in speaking the truth in love?
6.  What does Paul's description of the body in vs 16 imply about members of the Church?
a.  What kind of talk in churches devalues the need for every member?
b.  What are some church practices that may devalue the need for every member?
c.  How can we inspire and encourage people to participate in the work of the body?
7.  How does the church derail people from fulfilling their purpose in the church in regard to the roles mentioned in vs 11?
8.  How does vs 12 affect your view of pastors, teachers, and prophets?
a.  How can we help the church and the people mentioned in vs 11 do what they were designed to do?

Individual Challenge:
How would your life change if you knew what your role in your church was?  How would confidence in your role affect your relationships and activities at your church?  Would you commit to asking God to reveal your place at your church this week?

Specifics:
o Commit to praying everyday this week to ask God to reveal where you fit and should be serving in your church
o Consult church leaders about opportunities of service you can explore
o Ask 2 church friends to commit to praying that God help you find your place of service at church

Community Challenge:
How would our church change if every member was actively serving where God called them?  How would the attitude and energy of the church change if people took ownership and responsibility of ministries in the church?  How would it allow the church to grow and be more effective in reaching it's community? 

Ephesians 4:1-6

Key themes:
o Paul urges the Ephesians to walk faithfully with the Lord in light of Christ's sacrifice and God's grace (1)
o Paul exhorts the Ephesians to display humility, gentleness and patience  in the their relationships with other believers so they are a body of believers characterized by love (2-3)
o Paul reminds the Ephesians to be one and not let any division in the body(4-6)

Reflective Questions
1.  Why does Paul call himself a prisoner of the Lord?(1)
a.  What does Paul's identification as prisoner of the Lord tell us about our relationship with God?
b.  Why is prisoner of the Lord non palatable to most people?
c.  What actions/speech in your life tell other people that you are are not comfortable with being God's prisoner?
2.  How does someone walk worthy of the calling God gives to His children?(1-2)
a.  Why would anyone want to be found worthy?
b.  What specific directions does Paul give to 'walk worthy'?
3.  What does Paul instruct the Ephesians to work hard at? (3)
a.  Why is unity within the body of Christ such a big deal?
b.  How does unity/disunity affect the testimony of the Church?
c.  How does unity/disunity affect individual believer's testimony?
d.  What are somethings you say or do that communicate a lack of unity with your local church?
4.  What does Paul say to encourage people to be one?(4-6)
a.  How does Paul's exhortation in vs 4-6 affect your attitude toward working at being one?
b.  What attitudes or behaviors need to be surrendered to God so that you become an agent of peace and unity instead of an agent of destruction and division?

Individual Challenge:
How your life change if you became a more intentional agent of unity and peace at your church? How would your participation in church change? How would this affect your relationships with people at church? How would this affect your relationship with non believing friends?

Community Challenge:
How would you small group and church change if everyone in the group actively pursued unity and peace?  What would the impact be on the witness of the church?  How would people become 

Ephesians 3:13-21

Key Points:

1.

Key Themes:

o Paul exhorts the Ephesians not be discouraged at his suffering (13)

o Paul reminds the Ephesians that he suffers because he proclaims the gospel (13)

o Paul reminds the Ephesians of God's Sovereignty (14-16)

o Paul asks God to supply the Ephesians with the power of the Holy Spirit (16-17)

o Paul reminds the Ephesians that growth in love for others and confidence in God's grace comes from the foundation of faith in Christ.(17-19)

o Paul reminds the Ephesians that God's love demonstrated through the Messiah's sacrifice bring glory to Himself through the Church and Jesus Christ. (20-21)

Reflective Questions:

1.  Why does Paul tell the Ephesians not to be discouraged at his suffering? (13)

a.  How does Paul's suffering bring glory to the Ephesians? (13)

b.  How does Paul's statement about suffering shape your perspective on suffering you might endure as a Christian?

c.  How do you determine if you are suffering as a Christian or just suffering because you make poor decisions?  

2.  What is Paul communicating about God in vs 14-16?

Individual Challenge:

Community Challenge:

Ephesians 3:1-13

Key Points:
1.  The Spirit of God reveals the mysteries of His grace through Jesus Christ
2.  The Lord charges every member of the body to share the gospel.
3.  God enables & empowers individuals through Jesus Christ to share the gospel so the body will be built.

Key Themes:
o God has charged Paul with sharing the mysteries of God's grace (1-2)
o God has revealed the mysteries of His grace through Jesus Christ (1-3)
o The mysteries of God's grace are revealed by the Spirit through the apostles and prophets (3-5)
o Non-Jews and Jews that have received the gospel of Jesus Christ are of one body(6)
o God's power enables Paul to proclaim the gospel (7)

o God extended grace to Paul to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles (8)

o God gifted Paul to teach and instruct everyone on the riches of God's grace (8-9)

o God will glorify Himself through the Church (10)

o The Church glorifies the Father by proclaiming Jesus as Lord (11)

o Believers confidence and boldness in the gospel lies in believing in Jesus (12-13)

o Paul assures the Ephesians that his suffering results in the glory of the Church, the Bride of Christ.(13)

Reflective Questions:
1.  Why has Paul been charged with sharing the gospel with Gentiles? (2:11-3:2)
2.  How was the mystery of God's grace demystified? (3)
a.  Why was the gospel/God's grace a mystery? (2:13, 3:4-5)
3.  Why does Paul instruct the Ephesians to read this letter? (4)
a.  What does Paul's admonishment to the Ephesians imply for us?
b.  How can we contextualize Paul's command?
4.  How does Paul say God reveals Himself today? (5)
a.  Does this statement negate or supersede the things God's already revealed through other means?
5.  What do the apostles and prophets reveal? (6)
a.  Why do people miss out on the point of vs 5-6?
6.  Who empowers Paul to be a servant of the gospel?(7)
a.  What are the means by which Paul is made a servant of the gospel?
b. What does vs. 7 imply about the type of relationship the recipients of grace have with God?

7.  Why did God extend grace to Paul?

a.  What does this imply about God's purpose in extending grace to us?

b.  What were Paul's outlets of ministry?

c.  What are your outlets of ministry? 

8.  What does the text say about why God kept the administration of His grace a mystery?(9-11)

a.  How does knowing that God has given you such a big part in His plan affect your outlook on life?

b.  How does this affect the way you view God?  How does it make you feel?

9.  What does the passage say that changes our perspective when we feel overwhelmed by the task?

a.  Why do people tend to become overwhelmed or legalistic when it comes to sharing?

b.  How do you guard against the anxiety and legalism?

Individual Challenge
How would your attitude toward sharing the gospel change if you knew you were demystifying the gospel?  Would you be more eager to share if you knew you were helping people?  Would you feel more confident knowing the Spirit is empowering you to speak?

Community Challenge
How would our community change if we were all confident and eager to demystify the gospel by sharing the truth?  How would this change the way our church interacts with our community?  Would people have a better understanding of God than if they hadn't met us?

Ephesians 2:11-22

Key Points:

1.  We submit to the authority of Christ by allowing the Spirit to shape us and use us to build the Church.

2.  We surrender ourselves to God because Christ died for us to give us peace.

3.  We were enemies of God destined for destruction.  

Key Themes:

o  All non Jews were without hope excluded from the promise of hope in God's Messiah(11-12)

o People have been brought into the family of God through Jesus sacrificial death(13)

o Christ makes peace before men and God and between the Chosen People of Israel and the Gentile believers (12-16)

o Christ reconciles us to God gives us access to the Father.  (16)

o Everyone that is in Christ is in the same family regardless of past or background(19)

o God shapes and places individual members of the body to build the Church. (21)

o The Spirit of God dwells among His people (22)

Reflective Questions:

1.  What does Paul tell us to remember in vs 11? (1-10)

a.  Why would Paul command believers to remember their sin and Christ's sacrifice?

2.  What does Paul contrast in vs 12 and 13?

a.  How does the contrast make vs 13 good news?

b.  What does this teach us about sharing the gospel with both believers and the lost?

3.  Why would Jesus have to make peace for us? (14)

a.  Who make up the two groups that Christ joins together? (14)

b.  How does the knowledge of Christ dying to 'make the two groups one' affect your understanding of unity in the  Church?

c.  What are some things that cause disunity in the Church?

d.  What causes individual people to be out of fellowship with the Church?

e.  What's the effect of Church disunity with an individual believer's relationship with God?

4.  How does Christ's sacrifice abolish the law?

a.  How does Christ's sacrifice re-frame the way a believer perceive the law? 

b.  What keeps people from having peace with God and His law? 

c.  According to vs 14-16 what is the key to maintaining the peace Christ has created through His sacrifice?

5.  What does vs 17 say Jesus did when he came?

a.  What is the 'good news of peace'?  

b.  How does the good news of Christ affect your perspective on life and priorities?

c.  Is the 'good news' of Christ something worth sharing with others?

d.  How do you share the 'good news of Christ' and what do you share?

6.  What do we learn about how we tell the good news from Christ's example of proclaiming to those both far and near? (17)

7.  How does vs 18 shape our understanding of how a person receives salvation?

a.  How does it affect the way we respond to other people's claims of how to receive salvation?

b.  How is the body of Christ built? (19-22)

c.  Who is responsible for building up the body?

d.  How does this affect our view of leadership in the church?

Individual Challenge:

How would your life change if you shared the good news of Christ's salvation?  How would it affect the tone of your conversations with believers?  How would it affect your unbelieving friends perception of God?

Community Challenge:

How would our community's perception of God change if we all talked more about the good news of Christ's salvation?

Ephesians 2:1-10

Key Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10
Key Points
1.  Mankind is inherently evil and deserves death
2.  God chooses to display His glory by saving mankind through Jesus Christ, His agent of grace
3.  Man glorifies God by placing his faith in Jesus and walking in good works

Key Themes:
o  All have sinned(1)
o All who have sinned were dead when they lived to satisfy their fleshly desires(1-2)
o Satan has been given authority to influence the disobedient (2)
o The disobedient live to satisfy themselves (3)
o Mankind is inherently evil and corrupt(3)
o God chose to show mercy to man in spite of his corrupted nature(4)
o God chose to show mercy to man because He loves man(4-5)
o God gave life to man through Jesus (4-7)
-w/out Christ there is no life
o Mankind is saved by the grace of God shown in Christ Jesus (6-7)
o Through Christ man is given salvation and glorification (6-7)
o Christ is glorified in the lives of all who accept God's grace (7)
o Man's faith in the grace of God, trust in God saves (8)
o Man can't do anything to earn salvation(8-9)
o The only work that saves is Christ's death on the cross so that only He could be glorified(9)
o The redeemed are a work of God created in Jesus to glorify Jesus(10)

Reflective Discussion Questions:
1.  What does vs 1-3 tell us about human nature?
a.  Why do people have  problem admitting they are inherently evil?
b.  How does man's inability to confess he is evil related to his relationship w/God?
c.  How do we overcome the problem of sin and enter into relationship w/God?
2.  What are some markers that help us understand when we aren't in fellowship w/God?(3)
a.  What does v2 tell us about who has influence over the "disobedient?"
b.  What does the "spirit" in v2 lead people to do?
3.  Why does God choose to show mankind mercy? (4)
a. How does God demonstrate His love for man?(5-6)
b.  How are we saved?(5, 8)
c.  What does it mean to be saved by grace?(8)
4.  How does knowing we are saved by grace affect the way we view God?
a.  How does the knowledge of being saved by grace affect the way you treat God?
b.  What obstacles keep people from living under grace?
c.  Why do people try to earn God's gift of grace?  How do they try?
5.  Why does God raise us up and seat us with Christ?(6-7)
a.  How is God's glory displayed in our glorification?(4-7)
6.  What does vs 10 tell us about God's plan for our salvation?
a.  Why do people depart from walking in the "good works" God's created the saved to do?
b.  What does it mean to walk in the "good works" God created?  What are they?
c.  How does a person continue to walk in the works God created for us?
d.  Why would anyone want to live this way?

Individual Challenge
How would your relationship with God change if you thanked God for His grace daily?  How would reflecting on God's love for you change the way you did "church?"  How would knowing God's purpose for your life affect your priorities?

Community Challenge
What would the impact on this fellowship be if everyone here grew in their appreciation of God's grace? How would reshaped personal priorities affect our church?  How would it affect the way our church views our place in the community?

Ephesians 1:20-23

Key Passage: Ephesians 1:20-23
Key Points:
1.  God glorifies Himself and demonstrates His power by giving His Son preeminence over all things by resurrecting the Messiah from the dead.
2.  Christ's authority over the Church is absolute.
3.  The Church is made full in Christ by submitting to His authority.

Key Themes:
o God demonstrates His power and strength through His Son(v20)
o God's power is demonstrated in the resurrection of His Son(20)
o God glorifies His Son by giving Him authority and power over everyone(20-21)
o Jesus is boss of the church(22)
o The Church does what Jesus wants and commands(22-23)
-individual believers do what Jesus wants and commands
o The fullness of Christ's God's glory is displayed in Christ's authority over the Church and the Church's submission to His headship(20-23)

Reflective Questions:
1.  How is God's power demonstrated in the resurrection of His Son?
2.  How does the resurrection of Jesus place Him above every other ruler and authority?
3.  Why is it necessary for Jesus to die and be raised from the death to have primacy over the Church?
4.  What is the relationship between Jesus and His body?
a.  How does Jesus headship affect the way you think about how the church approaches ministry?
b.  How does Christ's headship affect the way you see how you fit in the body of Christ?
c.  How is the fullness of God demonstrated in the relationship the Church has with Christ?(22-23)
d.  Why do people rebel against Christ's absolute headship over the Church?
di.  How do people rebel against Christ's absolute headship over the Church?
5. How is God's glory displayed in making the body full through the One?(v23)
6.  What do we learn about ourselves in Paul praying that we be made full through the power and authority of the Messiah?(17-23)
7.  What are the individual implications and application to v22-23?
a.  What makes up the body of Christ?
b.  Why is there an individual application to v22-23?
c.  Is it wrong to bring out a individual application from v22-23? why?

Individual Challenge:
How would your life change if you discovered how you fit in the body of Christ?  How would the way you view satisfaction and joy in your church change? What type of attitude would you have when anticipating how you can be involved in your church?

Community Challenge:
What would the impact be on the Church's effectiveness if every individual played their part in the body? Would this change the way ministries we're run and the priorities of the church?  How would this affect the way the Church defines worship?

Ephesians 1:15-19

Key Passage: Ephesians 1:15-19

Key Points: 1.  Faith in Jesus produces a changed character that produces love. 2.  Paul acknowledges God's sovereignty through prayerful dependence 3.  Growing knowledge of God's grace changes the way we live and produces a life of thanksgiving and praise

Key Themes: o Paul hears about the faith of the Ephesians -This faith is demonstrated in their love for believers(15) o Paul prays regularly for other believers -Paul thanks God for genuine family in Christ (16) o Paul intercedes for other believers regularly -Paul asks that other believers grow in their intimacy with God(17) - Paul prays that believers minds would be transformed and renewed to have a kingdom perspective(18) o Paul asks that believers will remember God's grace so that they might grow in their understanding of God's greatness and glory (19)

Reflective Questions: 1.  Why would Paul thank God for other believers? a.  How does the bible say followers of Jesus will be recognized?  Specific passages? b.  What is the connection between faith in Jesus and a "love for all the saints?" c.  What passages of scripture help connect "faith in Jesus" and "love for all the saints?" 2.  How does vs 16 describe the way Paul prays for the saints? a.  How does your prayer life compare with the example given by Paul in vs 16-19? 3.  What does Paul pray for in vs. 17? a.  How does what Paul pray for contrast with the kind of prayers you typically hear in church gatherings? b.  Why does Paul ask that believers gow in their knowledge of God? 4.  How is our perception of the world affected by our knowledge of God? a.  How does the way we perceive the world affect the way we treat other people? b.  How does your knowledge of God affect the way you prioritize your life? c.  How does your knowledge of God affect the way you approach relationships with believers and unsaved people? 5.  What is the hope of His calling Paul talks about in vs. 18? 6.  What kind of inheritance can the saints look forward to receiving from God?(v19) 7.  Why does Paul ask that believers grow in their understanding of God's power and strength? a.  How does your knowledge of God's power and strength affect the way you pray to God? b.  How does your knowledge of God's greatness affect the way you live as a child of God?

Individual Challenge: How can your prayer life change to be more like Paul's this week?  How would a change in what and how you pray affect the way you treat God? How would it affect the way you treat others?

Community Challenge: How would our fellowship be impacted if everyone prayed for each other the way Paul does in Ephesians 1?  Would the change be something that would make an impact on the way our community views us?

Ephesians 1:9-14

Key Passage: Ephesians 1:9-14

Key Points: 1.  God's method and purpose of salvation don't change. 2.  God's work is purposeful, focused and consistent in all aspects of who He is in everything He does.

Key Themes: o God chose to reveal His plan to redeem His creation through Jesus(9) o God knew from the beginning He would redeem all of creation, things in heaven and on earth through Jesus (9-10) o The riches of God's love are found in Jesus Christ.(10) o God intended to bring Himself glory through His Son and placed Him in the position of preeminence(11) o God is One, there is no division in the God-head and everything works together to glorify God(11) o God's plan of salvation has always been through faith(12) o The Spirit of God seals believers the moment they place their trust in Jesus(13) o The Holy Spirit is an assurance of our coming reunion with God the completion of our salvation(13) o Both the Spirit and the  Son work together to bring praise and glory to God(9-14)

Reflective Questions: 1.  What does vs 9-10 tell us about God's character? a.  What does it reveal about His Sovereignty? b.  What circumstances and events cause us to doubt God's Sovereignty? c.  What does the evidence of a plan tell us about God? 2.  What does vs 11 tell us about finding fulfillment in the Christian life? a. What do we learn about the Holy Spirit and the Son's relationship to the Father in vs. 11-13? b.  How does our knowledge of how God operates within Himself affect the way we think about Him? c.  How does this knowledge affect the way we think about how we operate as the church? d.  What things need to change so that we live out the single-minded focus and purpose shown in the God-head? In your life? In corporate gatherings? 3.  What do we learn about the assurance of salvation in vs 13-14? a.  What do we learn about the way God provides salvation in vs. 12? b.  Did God change His method of salvation after Christ? c.  What passages of scripture help us understand God's method of salvation before and after Christ? 4.  What does the consistency in the method of salvation before and after Christ, tell us about God's character?

Individual Challenge: What areas of your life are in opposition or out of sync with the purposes of God? What single change can you make this week that would bring you more alignment with God's purposes and will?

Community Challenge: How would like-mindedness and focus change the way our fellowship operates?  How would a singleness of purpose affect the way we reach our our community and target demographic?

Ephesians 1:1-8

Key Passage: Ephesians 1:1-8

Key Points 1.  God in His sovereignty chose to show His grace to us by forgiving our sin debt with the blood of His Son Jesus. 2.  Jesus is the instrument of our redemption because He brings glory to the Father and so that He is pre-eminent over all creation

Key themes: Paul is chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus(1) Grace and peace come from God through Jesus(2) God blesses His children through His Son Jesus Christ(3) We are given every spiritual blessing through Jesus(3) God chose His children before the foundations of the world(4) God chose and purposed His children to be holy and blameless(4) God chose His children because He loves them(4-5) God's adopted Children have been chosen and paid for through Jesus (5) God chose to adopt His family through Jesus so that He would be glorified and Jesus would be glorified(5-6) God's children were bought with the blood of Jesus to forgive the debt of sin(7) God paid for our sin debt because of His grace and love.

Reflective Discussion Questions: 1.  Who is Paul an apostle of? a.  What is an apostle? b.  Who makes it possible for Paul to be an apostle? c.  How do you remind yourself that you are only  in this bible study/church/Christian because of the will of God? d.  How does the recognition of God's will affect your perspective on Church and Christian fellowship? 2.  What are two things we know God desires to give to His people?(2) a.  Why are the grace and peace of God important things to receive from God? b.  How does the knowledge of what God desires to give to you affect your prayer life? c.  How does the knowledge of what God desires you to have affect the way you approach your relationship with God? 3.  Why does Paul praise God? (3) a.  How often do you thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ? b.  How do we stay fresh in our thankfulness of God's gift of Jesus? 4.  What do you learn about God in vs 4? a.  How does your knowledge of who God is affect the way you treat Him? b.  Why did God chose His children according to vs 4? c. How do people misinterpret vs 4 and twist God's words to take advantage of His grace? d.  Why would anyone care about being holy and blameless in the sight of God?(4) 5.  What do you learn about God's sovereignty in v5? a.  Why are we adopted through Jesus Christ? b. How are we adopted through Jesus? c.  Why is Jesus part of the process of adoption? d.  What are other scriptures that help us understand why Jesus is central to our adoption/the gospel? 6.  Who is the beloved?(6) a.  What is the role between the beloved and followers of Jesus? 7.  What does redemption mean? a.  What are some modern examples of redemption? b.  Why do things need to be redeemed? c.  What redeems followers of Jesus? d.  Why do we need to be redeemed? e. How do people demonstrate an unthankfulness for redemption? f.  How does a person's view of redemption and God affect the way they treat God? 8.  Why does God choose to forgive sins at such a high cost? a.  What does it mean to lavish?(8) b.  Why would God lavish his children with wisdom and understanding? c.  What's the difference between wisdom and understanding? d.  How do wisdom and understanding work together.

Individual Challenge: How can you stay fresh in your thankfulness for God's grace this week?  How would keeping Jesus central in your life change the way you interact with Jesus this week?  How would it affect your relationships with other people?

Community Challenge: How would our fellowship be changed if Jesus and His shed blood were at the forefront of our minds?  Would it change the reason why we gathered?  Would it change who would come to our group?  What would our group do differently if we continually celbrated Jesus sacrifice and the beauty of our redemption?