CONNECT: How could we help each other grow in knowing the hope and power of God?

WARM-UP

1. How is the Christian life like coming alive from the dead? Has there been a time in your life in which you have particularly known this to be true?  

READ Ephesians 2:1-3

1. What does it mean to be ‘dead’ in our transgressions? If that’s our condition, what’s the cause and consequence?
2. What does Paul mean by following ‘the ways of the world’ and the ‘ruler of the kingdom of the air’? Are you ever in danger of this? When might you be most susceptible and in what way?

READ Ephesians 2:4-10

1. If we were ‘dead in our transgressions’, what new condition can we be in Christ?
2. What is the cause of the life offered by Jesus? What is the full consequence of what Jesus has done?
3. When you follow Jesus, how does your life get ‘caught up’ in his resurrection?
4. Has there been any point in your life in which you have known the rich mercy of God more intently?
5. What does Paul mean by the ‘kindness' of God in Christ? How have you - and how do you daily - experience the kindness of God?
6. What role and opportunity do you have to demonstrate the kindness of God on your frontlines?
7. Why is it so important to understand that salvation is a gift from God? What happens when we confuse salvation as reward instead of grace? When are you most likely to slip into a ‘rewards’ type of thinking?
8. How should remembering that salvation is a gift help us not to boast in our own goodness or effort? What are the rhythms and communities that help you to remember that salvation is God’s gift?
9. Therefore - with all of that in mind (!) - what purpose have we been crafted by God?
10. What does it mean to know that you are God’s handiwork? How about knowing that each person in your life is God’s handiwork?
11. What do you think are ‘works’ that God has prepared for you to do on your frontlines?
12. How have you recently experienced God ‘at work’ through other people in your life?
13. How are our works/efforts an expression of being saved rather than the means to be saved?

APPLY:  What good work/s do you think God has prepared for you in the coming days? How about in the year ahead?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Is there someone you can invite into your everyday life? Could be as simple as gardening, exercising or eating together?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Why Australians need Christ more than ever” by Simon Manchester
• AUDIO: “God to the Rescue” by Dick Lucas
• AUDIO: “The Cause and Consequence of God’s Wrath” by William Taylor
• AUDIO: “Diagnosis and Cure” by Alistair Begg:
• Part 1 // Part 2

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Ephesians Series:

• St Bart’s Ephesians Guide and Weekly Overview
• VIDEO: The Bible Project Ephesians Overview
• COMMENTARY: “Paul for Everyone, the Prison Letters” by Tom Wright
• COMMENTARY: “The Story of God Bible Commentary, Ephesians” by Mark Roberts
• RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Ephesian Courses
• COURSE (PAID): “Paul and his Letter to the Ephesians” by Tom Wright

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