DISCUSSION GUIDE
WEEK ONE
SPIRITUAL EYES KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“I pray that your hearts w ill be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope h e has given to those he ca lle d— his holy people who are his ri ch and glorious inheritance.” –Ephesians 1: 18 NLT
SEEING JESUS & LIFE DIFFERENTLY
As we grow in our knowledge of God, we discover the hope, power, and community available to us through Jesus.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK ONE video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) Pastor Nate explained that we all see life through “glasses” shaped by our families, traditions, education, and experiences. What are some of the “glasses” that have influenced how you see the world? 2) Read Ephesians 1:15-23. What does Paul ask God to help believers see and understand? 3) Why do you think Paul connects spiritual wisdom and insight with growing in our knowledge of God? 4) How does knowing that Jesus is above every ruler, authority, power, and leader change the way we view the challenges around us? 5) In what area of your life do you need God to give you fresh spiritual insight or help you see things from a new perspective?
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WEEK TWO
A NEW LIFE UNDER JESUS’ LEADERSHIP KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E “For we are God’s master piece. He has created us anew in Chr ist Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” –Ephesians 2: 10 NLT
DISCOVERING THE TREASURE TRE A SURE OF GOD’S FAMILY Together, we are God’s masterpiece and part of a s pi ri tu al family that displays His grace a nd kindness to the world.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK TWO video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) Pastor Grant compared the church to a gold mine. What is something valuable in your life that you may have taken for granted? 2) Read Ephesians 2:1-10. What do the words “But God” in verse 4 reveal about the difference Jesus makes in our lives? 3) Paul says, “We are God’s masterpiece.” What does this teach us about God’s work in us individually and together as the church? 4) Pastor Grant described the church as a family rather than an experience. What is the difference, and why does it matter? 5) Is your vision of the church too small or uninspiring? What could help you see and receive the church as God’s valuable gift?
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WEEK THREE
ONE PEOPLE IN UNITY KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” –Ephesians 2:14 NLT
TEARING TE ARING DOWN WALLS & BUILDING BRIDGES Through the cross, Jes us re moved the wall separating us from God and broke down the barr ie rs dividing us from one a noth er.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK THREE video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) What are some of the things that commonly create walls between people today? 2) Read Ephesians 2:11–22. What did Jesus do to reconcile us to God and unite us with one another? 3) Pastor Chynasie said, “Jesus didn’t die so we could keep living divided.” Why are we sometimes tempted to rebuild walls that Jesus has already torn down? 4) Is there a wall of busyness, shame, disappointment, or sin affecting your closeness with God? What is one step you can take to begin removing it? 5) Have you created a wall between yourself and someone else? If someone looked at your life, would they see someone who builds barriers or someone who builds bridges?
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WEEK FOUR LIFE TOGETHER IN GOD’S FAMILY KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” –Ephesians 4:12 NLT
EQUIPPED TO SERVE & GROW TOGETHER
Every member of God’s family has a part to play in serving others and building up the body of Christ. We become stronger together.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK FOUR video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) What was a responsibility or role you had in your family while growing up? 2) Read Ephesians 4:11–16. What is the responsibility of ministry leaders, and what is the responsibility of God’s people? 3) Why is spiritual growth more difficult in isolation? Has another believer helped you grow? If so, how? 4) What skills, experiences, or personality traits has God given you, and how could He use them to serve others and build up the church? 5) What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in your relationship with Jesus and your relationships with other believers?
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WEEK FIVE
THE WAY WE LIVE KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” -Ephesians 5:15 NLT
TAKING OFF THE OLD & LIVING IN THE LIGHT Following Jesus means taking off the attitudes and behaviors of our old life and allowing the Holy Spirit to form a new way of living in us.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK FIVE video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) Pastors Josiah and Micah used clothing to illustrate taking off the old self and putting on the new. What is an old habit, attitude, or behavior that Jesus has helped you leave behind? 2) Read Ephesians 4:17-5:20. What contrasts do you notice between the old life and the new life? 3) How do fellowship with other believers, worship, and gratitude help us continue growing spiritually? 4) Who in your life encourages you, challenges you, and holds you accountable in your relationship with Jesus? 5) What is one wise choice you need to begin making today that your future self will thank you for?
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WEEK SIX SPIRIT-GUIDED RELATIONSHIPS KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” –Ephesians 5:21 NLT
HONORING JESUS IN THE WAY WE TRE TREAT AT OTHERS The way we speak, forgive, serve, love, and honor others reveals what is happening in our hearts toward God.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK SIX video, then discuss the questions below in your group. 1) Have you ever realized during a disagreement that there was more happening beneath the surface than the words being spoken? What helped you recognize it? 2) Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9. Why is Ephesians 5:21 important for understanding the instructions Paul gives about relationships in the verses that follow? 3) Pastor Jeff said, “The way we treat people says a lot about our relationship with God.” In what ways can our response to others become an act of worship? 4) Why is it difficult to show love, forgiveness, humility, or honor when we feel the other person does not deserve it? 5) Think of a difficult relationship in your life. How can you choose kindness, forgiveness, humility, or honor anyway—not because the person always deserves it, but because Jesus is worthy?
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WEEK SEVEN WINNING SPIRITUAL BATTLES KEY K EY V VERSE E RS E
“P ut on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” –Ephesians 6:11 NLT
STANDING FIRM IN GOD’S STRENGTH
We can stand firm by depen di ng on God’s strength, putti ng on every piece of His armor, stay i ng alert, and praying contin u al l y.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Click here and watch the WEEK SEVEN video, then discuss the questions below in your group.
1) When you hear the phrase “spiritual battle,” what comes to mind? 2) Read Ephesians 6:10–12. Who is our real enemy, and what does Paul tell us to do? 3) How does knowing that the devil—not people—is your enemy help you respond differently in difficult circumstances? 4) Read Ephesians 6:13–17. What does each piece of God’s armor teach us about standing firm against the enemy? 5) Which piece of God’s armor do you find most useful or most needed in your life right now? How can you intentionally put it on this week?
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ABOUT THIS SERIES
We > Me: Vision for Life from Ephesians explores what life looks like when Jesus is at the center. Throughout this sevensession series, we will discover our new life in Christ, learn how to live in unity as God’s family, grow in our relationships, and stand firm in spiritual battles. Ephesians reminds us that life with Jesus and His people is always greater than life on our own.
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