2. What do you think Paul is talking about when he talks about Spiritual blessings?

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1 Ephesians Chapter 1 1. Tell us some of the blessings in your life. 2. What do you think Paul is talking about when he talks about Spiritual blessings? 3. How do blessings relate to praising God? 4. What activities and descriptive words relate to the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (vv.3-14)? 5. What does this show you about the Triune God? (Trinity) 6. How does it make you feel to know that you are chosen by God? 7. Do you know anyone who is adopted or anyone who adopted a child? 8. How do self-reliance and individualism make it difficult for us to accept God's free gift of salvation? 9. What can you do to demonstrate your gratitude to God for his gift of eternal life? 10. Out of gratitude for what Christ has done for you, how can you serve him this week? 11. Think of something that you have never done before (take a walk in the woods to pray, share your faith with a close friend, help with worship at your church) that can creatively express your thankfulness. PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIAN BELIEVERS / 1: Let s try praying these verses for each other every day for the next week. 13. What do we inherit through Christ (1:18)? (What is our inheritance? 14. What does it mean to say that the church is the body of Christ? See Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:

2 THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD ARE MADE ALIVE / 2: In this first passage, Paul divides a Christian s life into 2 periods. What are they? Who controlled you in the first period? What was the result? 2. What does it mean to be dead and "doomed forever" because of your sins (2:1)? How are we made alive? 3. What three characteristics mark the condition of a person without Christ? (2:2-3) 4. What does it mean that we were "born with an evil nature" (2:3)? What evidence of sin can you see in the world? in your life? 5. What is Satan like, and how does he influence us? In what ways are Christians affected by Satan? What can we do to oppose the devil? How can we withstand his attacks? 6. Why did God give life to those who were dead in their sins? (2:4-5) 7. Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 8. Where does salvation come from? (2:8) 9. Why can no one boast in his own salvation? (2:8-9) 10. How is the believer God's work of art? (2:10) What is the purpose of God's masterpiece? (2:10) 11. What is the relationship between good works and grace (God s special favor)? CHRIST IS THE WAY TO PEACE/ 2: What did Paul command the Ephesians to remember? (2:11) 13. Before Jesus came, what problems did the Gentiles face? 14. How do you think the practicing Jews felt when the Gentiles started coming to their church, but didn t want to adopt the Jewish custom of circumcision? 2

3 15. How has Christ destroyed hostility and made peace possible for all people? 16. Prejudices/ barriers/ dividing walls 17. What dividing wall in our world would you like to see come down? 18. Who needs to know the grace of God? The Salvation of Jesus? 19. How is the work of Christ in our lives like new citizenship? Like a new family? Like a new house/temple? 3

4 Ephesians Chapter 3 EPHESIANS 2:11-3:21 1 What kinds of barriers separate people in our society? How can social barriers be removed? 2 Given God's willingness to accept us into his family, how should this affect our relationships with other believers? with unbelievers? Although no one wants to admit it, all of us harbor prejudices - we find it difficult to accept certain kinds of people. So we cut ourselves off from them. But Christ came to reconcile us to God and to each other. The church isn't a social club where only those of similar interests, personality, and social standing are found. It is God's one, united family. Through Christ, God has torn down every wall that might separate us from him or from each other. 3 In what ways can it be costly to try to bring people together? 3 What benefits and privileges come with being reconciled to God? Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles - Ephesians 3: If you found buried treasure in your backyard, what would you do? 6 Why did Paul go to prison? (3:1) 7. To what mystery did Paul refer? (3:2-3) 8. How was Paul enabled to be a servant? (3:7) What was Paul's attitude to his call? (3:8) What was Paul called to disclose? (3:9) 9. How did God accomplish His plan? (3:11) 10. Why does Paul refer to God's plan as a secret (3:2 13)? To whom is God's plan still a secret? Who needs to know what this secret is all about? How can you tell them? 11. In light of God's work, how may believers approach Him? (3:11-12) What gives you confidence and freedom in approaching God? 4

5 12. How is sharing the gospel with someone like discovering priceless treasure? 13 How could Paul's suffering encourage the Ephesian believers (3:13)? How can our suffering help others? How can it glorify Christ? 14. What can you do this week to develop a patient spirit so that you will not become discouraged by suffering? A Prayer for the Ephesians - Ephesians 3: What did Paul request of the Father? (3:16) Why did Paul want the Ephesians to be rooted and established in love? (3:17-19) What did Paul want the Ephesians to grasp? (3:18) What does the love of Christ surpass? (3:19) 16. How did Paul close his prayer? (3:20-21) 17 If a person knew only rejection and pain in their relationships, how can this person come to understand the love of God in a personal way? 5

6 Ephesians chapter 4 EPHESIANS 4:1 16 1) What one quality would you like to develop in your character? 2) What skill or talent would you like to master? 3) What "calling" (4:1) have believers received? What does it mean to live a life "worthy" of this calling (4:1)? 4) Why is unity important for God s people? Why is diversity important for God s people? In what ways can diversity conflict with unity? How should these two work together? 5) What actions and attitudes undermine unity among Believers? 6) What are some signs of spiritual immaturity? How does it cause division and disunity in the body of Christ? 7) Why do so many believers seem disinterested in attaining spiritual maturity? 8) Ephesians 4:11 13 focuses on leadership gifts. What other spiritual gifts have been given to believers? EPHESIANS 4:17-4:30 9) In what way does God want Christians to change? (4:22-24) 10) What does it mean to "throw off your old evil nature" and "display a new nature" (4:22 24)? 11) Since becoming a Christian, what old habits have you discarded? 12) What does it mean to be "created in God's likeness" (4:24)? 13) How can a person be angry and not sin? What makes you angry? 6

7 14) How should believers speak to one another? (4:29) 15) What does it mean to "bring sorrow" to the Holy Spirit (4:30)? How do we keep from doing this? 16) Of what five vices are believers to rid themselves? (4:31) 17) What positive commands did Paul give the Ephesians? (4:32) 7

8 Ephesians Chapter 5 1. List all the sources of light you can recall. 2. What are some of the uses we have for light? 3. List all of the examples that you see in 4:17-5:20 of living in darkness. 4. How does life in darkness contrast with life in the light? (5:9-20) 5. Sum up what it means to live in the light. 6. What does it mean to "follow God's example" (5:1)? 7. Ideally, how should we respond when we become aware of sin in our lives? 8. What can individual believers do to better shine as Christ's light in the world? 9. How are Christians to imitate God? (5:1-2) 10. From what practices should Christians abstain? (5:3-6) 11. Whom do we need to avoid? Why? (5:5-7) 12. What evidence do you see that your life is controlled by the Holy Spirit? 13. In what way should you be submissive to other Christians? Wives and Husbands - Ephesians 5: In your view, what one quality or ability sustains a marriage relationship? 8

9 15. In sum, what are the responsibilities of the husband and wife toward each other? (5:33) 16. How should both husband and wife model themselves on Christ? 17. Why would unselfishness be an essential part of a Christian marriage? 18. How can you treat your spouse with more respect and love this week? 9

10 Ephesians Chapter 6 Relationships - continued Ephesians 6: What are some of the enjoyable aspects of being a parent? How do you treat your children differently from the way your parents treated you? 2. Why should children obey parents? (6:1) Why is submission so important in parent-child relationships? How does a parent teach a child to submit? When is a person free from submitting to his or her parents? 3. What does it mean to "honor your father and mother"? (6:2-3) What is the difference between honoring your parents and submitting to them? 4. What advice does God give fathers? (6:4) 5. If you were a slave, what would be the worst part of being someone's property? 6. With what attitude should the slave serve his master? (6:7) What directives did Paul give slave owners? (6:9) Why did Paul warn slave owners against abusing their slaves? (6:9) 7. What role does mutual submission play in these relationships (5:21)? husband/wife, child/parent, slave/master, church/jesus) 8. How does God view rank or social status? 9. (6:9) How does God want us to treat people who are subordinate to us? How does God want us to treat people who are in authority over us? How does God want us to treat all people with whom we work? 10. How can you remember to serve all people wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord? 11. How does the Bible's view of submission in relationships run counter to the world's view? 10

11 READY FOR BATTLE EPHESIANS 6: In what way is the Christian life like a battle? Why do Christians need the armor of God? 13.Review the chart "God's Armor for Us." In what ways can each piece be helpful to you in your struggle against sin? 14.Why is prayer important? How satisfied are you with your prayer life? 15.How can you pray on all occasions? 16. What was Paul s prayer request? 11

12 Belt of truth Body armor of God's righteousness Shoes of peace (gospel) Shield of faith Helmet of salvation Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) Parallel to my life How can I use it? 12

13 CHART: GOD'S ARMOR FOR US We are engaged in a spiritual battle all believers find themselves subject to Satan's attacks because they are no longer on Satan's side. Thus, Paul tells us to use every piece of God's armor to resist Satan's attacks and to stand true to God in the midst of those attacks. Piece of Armor Use Application Belt Truth Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers have God's truth, which can defeat Satan's lies. Breastplate Righteousness Satan often attacks our heart the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God's righteousness is the breastplate that protects our heart and ensures his approval. He approves of us because he loves us and sent his Son to die for us. Shoes Readiness to spread the Good News Satan wants us to think that telling others the Good News is a worthless and hopeless task the size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too much to handle. But the footgear God gives us enables us to proclaim the true peace that is available in God news everyone needs to hear. Shield Faith What we see are Satan's attacks in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. But the shield of faith protects us from Satan's flaming arrows. With God's perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours. Helmet Salvation Satan wants to make us doubt God, Jesus, and our salvation. The helmet protects our mind from doubting God's saving work for us. Sword The Spirit, the Word of God The sword is the only weapon of offense in this list of armor. There are times when we need to take the offensive against Satan. When we are tempted, we need to live in the Spirit of God's Word. Life Application Bible Commentary 13