Sermon Study Guide
Global Domination Part I (Sermon from 5/11/08)
Mission Submission (Sermon from 5/4/08)
Opening up:
Have you ever felt like you were warring against evil? If yes, how did you go about doing so?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 6:10-24
Paul indicates that while on earth Christians are in a war. Who is the enemy and what are his tactics? (See also John 8:44; John 10:10)
Consider each piece of armor and how it helps the Christian defend him or herself from the "devils schemes"?
How does one go about "taking up" his or her armor?
Doers of the word:
What has been your experience of the Devil and his schemes? In what ways have you been wounded?
In what ways could the armor spoken of in Ephesians chapter 6 have helped you in those situations?
What fire fights are you currently in with the enemy? What pieces of armor are you most in need of taking up? How can you go about taking up those pieces this week?
What are ways you could go on the offensive against the enemy and take back ground that rightly belongs to Christ?
Mission Submission (Sermon from 5/4/08)
Mission Submission part 2
Opening up:
What comes to mind when you think about the relationship between your mom and dad?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 5:21-33
What do you think it means to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ:? How does our relationship with Christ fuel our ability to submit to another?
After the foundational statement about submission in verse 21, Paul then mentions some of the opportunities that we have to live out the mission of submission. His first example is wives submitting to husbands. Describe in your own words how wives are to go about submitting to their husbands?
Paul then spends the majority of this section talking to the husbands. How are they to go about their role as "head of the wife"?
What is Paul offering as the model and motivation for husbands and wives who are seeking to live these roles?
What do you think are the joys and challenges of the submitting role?
What do you think are the joys and challenges of the leading role?
Doers of the word:
How does the picture of marriage that is painted in Ephesians 5:22-33 compare or contrast with your parent's marriage?
(If you are married) Spend time praying and asking God how you can better live out your role as husband or wife? Ask your spouse what he or she thinks as well. Try to do one thing that would move you closer toward God's vision for your marriage.
(If you are not married) What things could you be doing as a single to be growing toward the kind of character required to live these roles out? Also, how does knowing more about these roles affect the who and how of your dating life?
MISSION SUBMISSION PART 2
Opening up:
Give one example of a time when you rebelled against your parents? Why did you do it? What was the result?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 6:1-9
Paul continues to give examples where we have opportunities to willingly submit to others out of reverence for Christ (see Ephesians 5:21) How are children to go about submitting to their parents? What are the motivators for them to do so?
Again, Paul warns the person in authority to also seek to honor Christ in fulfilling their role. Why do you think he warns fathers not to "exasperate" their children?
How are slaves told to go about submitting to their masters? How are masters told to go about their oversight of slaves? What theological lessons is Paul teaching through this very practical situation?
Doers of the word:
What have been your own experiences with submitting to others? What have been the results of those experiences both within you and in your relationships with those who were/are in authority over you?
What have been your experiences with supervising others? What have been the results of those experiences both within you and in those that you have supervised?
How could adopting a more godly perspective on headship and submission change the way you are currently relating to those in authority over you or to those who are under your care?
What will you need to do this week to better bring those relationships in line with God's design for them?
Lit Up (sermon from 4/27/08)
Opening up:
What does holy mean to you?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 5:1-20
Paul continues this section by exhorting his readers to be "imitators of God". Based on the context (both the reading from last week and this week) how does one go about doing that?
In verses 3-7 Paul gives a very grave warning for those participating in sexual immorality and inappropriate speech. Why?
In verses 8-14, Paul uses the image of light to characterize both God and believers in Christ. What does this communicate about God and about our mission in the world? How does this tie into the sober warnings from the earlier verses?
In what ways do verses 17-20 give insight into how one is to obtain this light filled life?
Doers of the word:
How seriously do you take the exhortation to live a holy life?
How do the stern warnings from this chapter motivate you to live a holy life?
How does the possibility of being "light in the Lord" motivate you to live a holy life?
What actions do you need to take this week in order to seek the holy life that God intends for you to live?
What does holy mean to you?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 5:1-20
Paul continues this section by exhorting his readers to be "imitators of God". Based on the context (both the reading from last week and this week) how does one go about doing that?
In verses 3-7 Paul gives a very grave warning for those participating in sexual immorality and inappropriate speech. Why?
In verses 8-14, Paul uses the image of light to characterize both God and believers in Christ. What does this communicate about God and about our mission in the world? How does this tie into the sober warnings from the earlier verses?
In what ways do verses 17-20 give insight into how one is to obtain this light filled life?
Doers of the word:
How seriously do you take the exhortation to live a holy life?
How do the stern warnings from this chapter motivate you to live a holy life?
How does the possibility of being "light in the Lord" motivate you to live a holy life?
What actions do you need to take this week in order to seek the holy life that God intends for you to live?
Holy Eye for the Sinful Guy (Sermon from 04.20.08)
Opening up:
Describe one piece of clothing that you can't believe you really wore now that you are older (and much more stylish).
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 4:17-5:7
Paul is essentially describing the wardrobe change (putting off and on) that Christians make as they leave their old life behind and embrace the new. According to verses 20-24, what is at the core of such a change?
Paul then gets specific (verses 25-32) giving some examples of what you take off and what you put on. Make 2 columns. One for what you take off. The other for what you put on.
Doers of the word:
As you reflect on each of the put off/put on categories, consider which wardrobe pieces you most need to take off and put on.
Take some time to clean out your clothes closet--confess old sinful ways to God, ask his forgiveness and repent.
Take time to pray and ask God to give you the grace to put on the new wardrobe. Make you prayers specific to each of the categories.
Ask a trusted friend to also pray with you about these things and hold you accountable.
Family Building (Sermon from 04.13.08)
Opening up:
Describe an experience when you were being trained to do something.
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 4:7-16
Based on verses 7-10, what was one of the results of Jesus coming to earth and then ascending back to heaven?
What (or who) do you think each of the "gifts" in verse 11 are? You may want to refer to a Bible dictionary.
(See www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries)
What is the result of these gifts living out their intended function?
Doers of the word:
How have you seen these gifts lived out in your own church experience or the church at large? What has been the result?
How have you seen these gifts NOT lived out in your own church experience or in the church at large? What has been the result?
How could we as a church (and you as an individual) more accurately align ourselves with God's vision for a healthy body of Christ?
What is to be the function of these gifts?
Family Bonding (Sermon From 04.06.08)
Opening up:
What comes to mind when you think about experiences that bonded you with your biological family?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
List all the things Paul lists that Christian have in common? Then reflect on each one and write down why you think these would contribute to unity within the church.
Doers of the word:
What experiences have contributed to unity between you and other Christians?
What things have contributed to disunity between you and other Christians?
How could a deeper experience of what Paul is listing here help you strengthen the bonds that you currently share with other Christians?
What could you do as an individual (or we do as a group) this week to move toward greater unity.
What comes to mind when you think about experiences that bonded you with your biological family?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
List all the things Paul lists that Christian have in common? Then reflect on each one and write down why you think these would contribute to unity within the church.
Doers of the word:
What experiences have contributed to unity between you and other Christians?
What things have contributed to disunity between you and other Christians?
How could a deeper experience of what Paul is listing here help you strengthen the bonds that you currently share with other Christians?
What could you do as an individual (or we do as a group) this week to move toward greater unity.
Power Trip #2 (sermon 3/30/08)
Opening up:
Describe a time when God did something for you that was way beyond your expectations.
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
List off each of the things that Paul is asking for on behalf of the readers of his letter. Think on each one and try to get a better handle on what each request really means. Use a bible dictionary to clarify some of his language--(See www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries).
Doers of the word:
Pick a person (or a church or ministry) and write a prayer for that person in your own words using Paul's prayer as a guide.
What do you think will happen in that person (or church or ministry) when that prayer is answered?
How could you go about being more faithful to pray for a few others in the manner that you just did above? Make a plan and start this week.
Describe a time when God did something for you that was way beyond your expectations.
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
List off each of the things that Paul is asking for on behalf of the readers of his letter. Think on each one and try to get a better handle on what each request really means. Use a bible dictionary to clarify some of his language--(See www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries).
Doers of the word:
Pick a person (or a church or ministry) and write a prayer for that person in your own words using Paul's prayer as a guide.
What do you think will happen in that person (or church or ministry) when that prayer is answered?
How could you go about being more faithful to pray for a few others in the manner that you just did above? Make a plan and start this week.
Been There Done That (sermon 3/16/08)
Opening up:
What thing (other than God) are you most passionate about? Why?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 3:1-13
In this section, Paul gives us a glimpse of his calling. What does he seem most passionate about?
How did Paul get to be so impassioned about his calling?
How does Paul's life exemplify what He's already been describing in the first two chapters of Ephesians? (See also Acts 9:1-31)
Doers of the word:
One of the central reasons that the Apostle Paul was such a powerful evangelist for the gospel was that he had thoroughly experienced the power of that gospel himself. He had gone from being a leader in the Jewish religion who was persecuting Christians to being a church planter among Gentiles. This was a miraculous transformation which authenticated the gospel that he was inviting others to accept.
How has God used your personal experience of the grace of the Gospel to impact the lives of those around you (inside or outside the church)?
How have your experiences both before Christ and after helped to shape your own calling from God?
Take some time to pray about and reflect on how God might be calling you to make a difference in the lives of those around you. You may even want to ask a trusted friend to give you some feedback as to what kinds of things they could see you doing in service of Christ?
What thing (other than God) are you most passionate about? Why?
Hearers of the word:
Read: Ephesians 3:1-13
In this section, Paul gives us a glimpse of his calling. What does he seem most passionate about?
How did Paul get to be so impassioned about his calling?
How does Paul's life exemplify what He's already been describing in the first two chapters of Ephesians? (See also Acts 9:1-31)
Doers of the word:
One of the central reasons that the Apostle Paul was such a powerful evangelist for the gospel was that he had thoroughly experienced the power of that gospel himself. He had gone from being a leader in the Jewish religion who was persecuting Christians to being a church planter among Gentiles. This was a miraculous transformation which authenticated the gospel that he was inviting others to accept.
How has God used your personal experience of the grace of the Gospel to impact the lives of those around you (inside or outside the church)?
How have your experiences both before Christ and after helped to shape your own calling from God?
Take some time to pray about and reflect on how God might be calling you to make a difference in the lives of those around you. You may even want to ask a trusted friend to give you some feedback as to what kinds of things they could see you doing in service of Christ?
From Christian to Community (sermon 3/9/08)
Opening Up
Describe a time in your life when you felt like an outsider? What was that experience like? Were you eventually made to feel like an insider? If yes, how did that happen and how did it make you feel?
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 2:11-22
What predicament did the Gentiles find themselves in before Christ? Why were they in this predicament?
How did Christ solve the problem of separation between Jews and Gentiles?
What is the new community like that results from Christ's reconciliation? (vs. 19-22)
Doers of the Word
How has the work of Christ in you individually also resulted in an experience of new community in His church?
What process did you go through (or are you going through) that took you from being on the outside of the church to the inside?
Are there "dividing walls" (vs. 14) that you think are keeping people on the outside of MERCYhouse?
What could you do to participate more in Christ's ministry of reconciling people to himself and each other?
From Corpse to Christian (sermon from 3/2/08)
Opening Up
Have you ever known a person who was resuscitated after a cardiac arrest or stroke? How did it affect them afterwards?
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
How does Paul paint the picture of the person who has not yet converted to Christ? Be detailed in your answer.
What does God do for the spiritual corpse being described in these verses?
Why does God resuscitate the corpse?
How does God resuscitate the corpse?
What does God have planned for the newly resuscitated person?
Doers of the Word
How does the belief that you were once dead in sin and are now seated in the heavenly realms affect you in the here and now?
Power Trip #1 (sermon from 2/24/08)
Opening Up
When are times when you feel powerful? When are times when you feel weak?
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 1:15-22
Make a list of all the "prayer requests" that Paul makes for his readers?
What do the results of Paul's prayers do for his readers?
What do the results of Paul's prayers do for God?
Doers of the Word
Write down the last prayers that you prayed the best you can remember. If you write down your prayers in a journal, go back and look at the last entry.
How do your prayers compare/contrast with Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:15-22?
List some ways you think your prayers should change now that you have reflected on Paul's prayer.
Write a prayer for today incorporating some of what you have learned.
Opening Up
What's been the most reliable product you've ever owned?
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 1:11-14
According to these verses, how are Christians included in Christ? Explain. (See also John 1:12,13; and Romans 10:9-13)
What's the proof that a person has truly received Christ by faith and is a Christian?
If that "proof" is there, what will be the guaranteed result?
Doers of the Word
What is your own story of how you were included in Christ? If your not sure as to whether you have a story, write down where you think you are currently in your journey toward Christ. Also, you may want to talk to your house church leader or someone else you know who could discuss with you more about what it means to become a Christian.
What are some of the evidences that "the seal, the promised Holy Spirit" is in your life? (See also Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 8:5-17)
Take time to thank God for his nonrefundable guarantee of himself.
Opening Up
Are you a planner or do you do things on the fly? Do you ever wish you could do the opposite of whichever is your natural tendency? Explain.
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 1:1-12
Verses 4-12 give us a window into the big picture plans of God for the world, especially Christians. Take a moment to summarize that plan in your own words.
How does the plan work out for God?
How does the plan work out for Christians?
Doers of the Word
If you started to think like God does about yourself and about the future of the world, how would your thinking need to change?
How would this new way of thinking affect your outward actions?
Which of the identity truths in verses 4-12 do you most need to adopt this week? Print the verse on a card and put it some place you'll see it every day.
Opening Up
If you had to explain to someone in 2 minutes who you are, how would you do it?
Hearers of the Word
Read Ephesians 1:1-10 (this study is on verses 1-6)
List off all the positive things that Paul (the writer of Ephesians) writes about in verses 1-6 that characterize the Identity of Christians.
What do you think are the implications of each of these blessings from God?
How do these characteristics differ from the way you identified yourself in the "opening up" section of this week's lesson?
Doers of the Word
It is very natural for human beings to find their identity in what they do as opposed to who they are. The introduction to Ephesians is stating that the most important part of our identity as Christians has absolutely nothing to do with us. That the foundation of our lives was laid way before we were born. In fact, it was laid before the Universe itself was birthed into existence.
What is your response to such a truth?
Which of these "spiritual blessings" are you most grateful for right now?
Which of them do you have questions about and want to find out more?
