Ephesians Wrap Up: Go and Claim It!

Series: Ephesians

Questions for the Ephesians Wrap Up: 1.       What do you think the response was from the Ephesian believers when they heard Paul’s letter read to them? 2.       Remember some of the characteristics of Ephesus in the 1st century: major port city, business center, religious pluralism (i.e., lots of different religions / beliefs to choose from), Greek philosophy, etc. In what ways is the place and time that you live in similar or dissimilar to ancient Ephesus? How does Paul’s letter to the Ephesians apply specifically to where ...

More

Ephesians - 6:1-9

Series: Ephesians

Discussion Questions: As a son or daughter (child or adult), what does it mean for you to honor your father and mother?What does it mean to raise children “in the training and instruction of the Lord”? What are your biggest challenges / struggles as a parent? When and where are you under the authority of others? And the inverse: in a position of authority? How would your workplace be different if everyone took these words to heart?

More

Ephesians - 4:25-32

Crouching Lion, Uplifting Sayings

Series: Ephesians

Discussion Questions:Paul says, “In your anger do not sin,” which seems to imply that anger is not always bad. What is “good anger”?Do you struggle with anger? How does it show itself in your life?When have someone’s words been especially uplifting to you?Imagine out loud what your workplace or home or school would be like if people only spoke so as to “benefit the listener”.Where have you seen examples of kindness and compassion in others? How does that inspire you?

More

Ephesians - 4:7-16

Series: Ephesians

Discussion Questions: What does this passage tell us about spiritual leadership? A major metaphor for the church is the human body. Why do you think that is? What kinds of spiritual gifts are there? What spiritual gifts do you have? What is one area where you have sensed yourself growing and maturing since you’ve been a part of this body (your Life Together Church)? What does your life look like as you grow “into the fullness of Christ”? What kind of outlook does that give you for your life?

More

Ephesians - 3:14-21

Series: Ephesians

Discussion Questions:What does it mean for Christ to dwell in our hearts? What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to strengthen us?What do you picture when you hear words like boundless, fullness, surpassing measure or immeasurable, and magnitude? What does that tell you about how much Jesus loves us? About how much He loves you?What does it mean to live for God’s glory? How does that play out in day-to-day life?God is described as “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (verse 20). How would the Ephesians have been struck by this? (For example, think about the Jewish / Gentile context and the one family ...

More

Ephesians - 3:1-13

Series: Ephesians

Exegetical Outline This mystery was revealed by God to Paul: in Christ the Gentiles are fully included in God’s family. (1-7) The grace given to Paul was to proclaim Christ to the Gentiles and shed light on this mystery. (8-13) Application Outline God wants to reveal Himself to us. God reveals Himself to us so we can respond to His direction for our life. The Big Idea: God wants to reveal Himself to us so we can respond to Him in relationship. Questions: 1. In your own words, what is “the mystery of Christ” that Paul is referring to? 2. Have you ever felt ...

More

Ephesians - 2:11-22

Series: Ephesians

Discussion Questions:1.       Imagine your life far away from Christ, “without hope and without God” (verse 12). Describe what your life might look like or feel like in that scenario. Considering the reality that you are actually near to God in Christ, what kind of response does that create in you – both vertically (toward God) and horizontally (toward people)?2.       Where have you seen or experienced “dividing walls of hostility” in the world and/or in your own life?3.       Are there people ...

More

Spiritual Practices: Introduction

Series: Spiritual Disciplines

Richard Foster writes, “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” What do you think about his observation?  Reflect on the twelve spiritual disciplines.  Inward: meditation, prayer, fasting, and study Outward: simplicity, solitude, submission, and service Corporate: confession, worship, guidance, and celebration Any thoughts? Something you’re familiar with? Something completely new? Questions?  What do you think of the canoe trip metaphor? What might be another picture of how the spiritual ...

More

Teach Us To Pray - Forgive Us As We Forgive

Series: Teach Us To Pray

1. What kinds of images come to mind when you hear “release”? Or what other words or pictures do you associate with “forgiveness”?2. Lewis B. Smedes said, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." What do you think about these words?3. Consider these words. “When deep injury is done to us, we never fully recover until we forgive. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” What do you think the writer meant about the past and the future?4. How does forgiveness happen? Fast? Slow? All at once? Bit by bit?5. There’s a saying, ...

More

Teach Us To Pray - Thy Kingdom Come

Series: Teach Us To Pray

Discussion Questions1.  Can you identify with the child charging headlong into the pool, or similarly, the child on the overstuffed chair?2.  What have been your own Towers of Babel in your life, your own little kingdoms, your sand castles? 3.  Are there any areas of your life that are especially hard to align with God’s will? 4.  We never hear of the rich young ruler again in the Bible. Imagine a few scenarios of how his story might have continued – both negatively and positively. 5.  Reflect on the words of William Wallace, “Every man dies, not every man really lives.” How ...

More

Teach Us To Pray - Our Father in Heaven

Series: Teach Us To Pray

Teach Us to Pray – Our Father in Heaven: Discussion Questions1. What kinds of “father stories” do you bring into your relationship with God? How havethose stories affected your relationship with God?2. Imagine out loud together the Star Wars story if Yoda could have assured Luke, “TheForce loves you.”3. Describe the difference between the life of a slave and the life of a child heir– both inliteral and spiritual terms.4. Consider our two Bible passages: the story of the Running Father and the Galatianspassage about slavery and sonship. Was there a certain word, phrase, or idea that stoodout to you?5. ...

More

Teach Us To Pray - Introduction

Series: Teach Us To Pray

Teach Us to Pray – Intro: Discussion Questions 1. What images, memories, or thoughts come to mind when you hear the Lord’s Prayer? 2. What part of the Lord’s Prayer sticks out to you? Is there a part that especially resonates with you? 3. Is there any part of the Lord’s Prayer that you have questions about or that’s confusing to you? 4. If you feel comfortable sharing, what has been your experience with prayer (both as a child and as an adult)? What are the positive or negative markers along your life journey with regard to prayer? 5. N.T. Wright in The Lord and His Prayer says, “If we ...

More

Click Here For Message Archives