God's Power for Us--Read Ephesians 1:15-23
1. Explain why it is important for us to know that "Whatever powers exist--real or imaginary, human or nonhuman--that they are all subject to Christ."
2. Paul's prayer points to God's power to bring life from death. Why do we need to be confident that this power is at work here and now?
The Power to Know Love--Read Ephesians 3:1-21.
3. Make a list of everything Paul says about strength or power in 3:14-21. Strength from where? Strength to do what?
4. Why is it so important for us to know the vastness of Christ's love for us?
5. Why do you suppose Paul focuses on praying for waht happens inside us rather than around us?
6. Are you more interested in power to change things around you, ot ro change you? Talk about why.
7. Paul prayes for you not just to know about Christ's love, but to know his love. To know it by experiece. You talked in session 4 about what helps or hinders you from knowint that love. Where are you now on that?
The Power to Stand Firm--Read Ephesians 6:10-20
8. What are some of "the devil's schemes" that Paul might be talking about here?
9. Christ has already triumphed over the spiritual forces of evil (1:20-22). Why then does Paul tell us here that we're engaged in a struggle in which we have to stand firm against them?
10. The armor strengthens you to stand against evil schemes and do what God wants done. Which aspect of the armor is hardest for you to wear consistently? What would wearing it involve for you?
11. What will you take away from this study on Ephesians?
Use Bible Gateway if you are away from your Bible.
Please click on the image above to go to Bible Gateway to read the scripture passages we are studying this week.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Session 5--November 8-15
In, To, And For The Lord--Ephesians 4:1-16; 5:15-6:9
LIVING FOR THE LORD
1. Paul says we Christan have "one Lord" and one God and Parent of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (4:5-6). He says Christ is the head of the body we belong to, and that everything is under his feet (1:22-23: 4:15-16). How do you respond to this kind of hierarchical language? To what extend do you embrace it, and to what extent does it seem foreign or uncomfortable?
SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER--Read Ephesians 5:15-21
2. What attitides toward other Christians will we have if we are submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21)?
3. What are some things we might do--or do differently--if we are submitting to each other?
4. What if we subordinate our own interests to another Christian's interests, but that person isn't interested in mutual submission? What if that person takes advantage of our commitment to mutual submission? How should we respond?
5. How will reverence for Christ affect the way we treat other people?
SUBMISSION IN THE HOUSEHOLD Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9
6. Imagine a man in Paul's day who has been brought up to believe women are inferior, less intelligent, and more prome to immorality than men. What in 5:25-32 do you think would surprise him and why?
7. Paul says slaves should work "as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart" (6:6). He also says that masters need to remember that they and their workers have the same Master, who values the worker as much as the boss (6:9). What would mutual submission look like for employers and workers?
8. Is is possible to live in mutual submission and still lead with confidence? Explain.
9. What do you think God wants you to do--or do differently--in, to, or for the Lord in your family or workplace?
Note from Rev. Carol--We may think that talk about submission is no longer applicable--let's enlarge the discussion and think about submitting to one another in relationships of all kinds. What would that look like? If you heard my sermon on "uncommon compassion"--can you think of some ways this passage relates?
LIVING FOR THE LORD
1. Paul says we Christan have "one Lord" and one God and Parent of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (4:5-6). He says Christ is the head of the body we belong to, and that everything is under his feet (1:22-23: 4:15-16). How do you respond to this kind of hierarchical language? To what extend do you embrace it, and to what extent does it seem foreign or uncomfortable?
SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER--Read Ephesians 5:15-21
2. What attitides toward other Christians will we have if we are submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21)?
3. What are some things we might do--or do differently--if we are submitting to each other?
4. What if we subordinate our own interests to another Christian's interests, but that person isn't interested in mutual submission? What if that person takes advantage of our commitment to mutual submission? How should we respond?
5. How will reverence for Christ affect the way we treat other people?
SUBMISSION IN THE HOUSEHOLD Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9
6. Imagine a man in Paul's day who has been brought up to believe women are inferior, less intelligent, and more prome to immorality than men. What in 5:25-32 do you think would surprise him and why?
7. Paul says slaves should work "as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart" (6:6). He also says that masters need to remember that they and their workers have the same Master, who values the worker as much as the boss (6:9). What would mutual submission look like for employers and workers?
8. Is is possible to live in mutual submission and still lead with confidence? Explain.
9. What do you think God wants you to do--or do differently--in, to, or for the Lord in your family or workplace?
Note from Rev. Carol--We may think that talk about submission is no longer applicable--let's enlarge the discussion and think about submitting to one another in relationships of all kinds. What would that look like? If you heard my sermon on "uncommon compassion"--can you think of some ways this passage relates?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Session 5--October 24-31--Continuation of Week 4
We will continue in the Bible Study from last time. Please refer to the previous post. Thanks and looking forward to seeing you there. Rev. Carol and Terri
Monday, October 5, 2009
SESSION 4--Week of October 11-17
RESPONDING TO GRACE--Ephesians 4:1-16, 4: 25-5:2
A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALL--Read Ephesians 4:1-16
1. Ephesians 4:1 summarizes Paul's ethical teaching: "live a life worth of the calling you have received." How has Paul described your calling in 1:1-14 and 2:1-22?
2. Why do you think Paul wants awareness of what God has done for us in Christ to motivate our ethical behavior? Why isn't he content simply to tell us what the rules are?
3. a. Humility (4:2) is the oppotisite of ego and self centeredness. Why is self-centeredness unworthy of the calling we've received?
b. Gentleness (4:2) is the opposite of harshness, careless treatment of others, and violence. Why are these unworthy of our calling to be in Christ?
c. Patience (4:2) is willingness to set aside one's own agenda, giving others time and space to fail and learn. Why is that worthy of those who follow Christ?
4. What is your reaction to the idea that following Christ involves discipline and effort? Does that sound appealing or unappealing? Is it consistent with grace or opposed to grace? Explain.
5. How does Paul describe what unity is supposed to look like in 4:2-16?
FOLLOW GOD'S EXAMPLE--Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
6. What motivations does Paul give for each of these instructions?
--Put off falsehood and speck truthfully (4:25), because...
--In your anger do not sin (4:26), because...
--Work instead of stealing (4:28), because...
--Don't say things that tear people down (4:29), because...
--Be kind and forgiving instead of bitter, quarreling, or malicious (4:31-32), because...
--Walk in the way of love (5:2), because...
7. Which of those motivations have to do with responding to what God has done for us?
8. Love is the sphere in which Christians are to live and walk (5:2). In 3:17-18, Paul prays that his readers will comprehend just how much God loves them. Deeply knowing we're loved is essential if we are to love others. What helps you know you're loved? Or what hinders you from fully believing it?
9. Paul keeps going back to the idea that we do what we do because we are Christ's body (4:4, 12-13,15-16,25). How easy is it for you to think of yourself as so connected to other Christians that you suffer or thrive, succeed or fail, grow to maturity or not, with them? What helps or hinders you in seeing your life this way?
10. If a person has trouble getting over anger (and thus goes to bed still mad, 4:26), struggles with bitterness, tends to get into arguments, or makes hostile jokes or comments (4:29-31), how can he or she overcome those habits?
11. How do you think other Christians should deal with a person like this? What would Paul say?
12. Does all this ethical teaching sound to you like legalistic rule-making cloaked in theological language? Why or why not?
A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALL--Read Ephesians 4:1-16
1. Ephesians 4:1 summarizes Paul's ethical teaching: "live a life worth of the calling you have received." How has Paul described your calling in 1:1-14 and 2:1-22?
2. Why do you think Paul wants awareness of what God has done for us in Christ to motivate our ethical behavior? Why isn't he content simply to tell us what the rules are?
3. a. Humility (4:2) is the oppotisite of ego and self centeredness. Why is self-centeredness unworthy of the calling we've received?
b. Gentleness (4:2) is the opposite of harshness, careless treatment of others, and violence. Why are these unworthy of our calling to be in Christ?
c. Patience (4:2) is willingness to set aside one's own agenda, giving others time and space to fail and learn. Why is that worthy of those who follow Christ?
4. What is your reaction to the idea that following Christ involves discipline and effort? Does that sound appealing or unappealing? Is it consistent with grace or opposed to grace? Explain.
5. How does Paul describe what unity is supposed to look like in 4:2-16?
FOLLOW GOD'S EXAMPLE--Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
6. What motivations does Paul give for each of these instructions?
--Put off falsehood and speck truthfully (4:25), because...
--In your anger do not sin (4:26), because...
--Work instead of stealing (4:28), because...
--Don't say things that tear people down (4:29), because...
--Be kind and forgiving instead of bitter, quarreling, or malicious (4:31-32), because...
--Walk in the way of love (5:2), because...
7. Which of those motivations have to do with responding to what God has done for us?
8. Love is the sphere in which Christians are to live and walk (5:2). In 3:17-18, Paul prays that his readers will comprehend just how much God loves them. Deeply knowing we're loved is essential if we are to love others. What helps you know you're loved? Or what hinders you from fully believing it?
9. Paul keeps going back to the idea that we do what we do because we are Christ's body (4:4, 12-13,15-16,25). How easy is it for you to think of yourself as so connected to other Christians that you suffer or thrive, succeed or fail, grow to maturity or not, with them? What helps or hinders you in seeing your life this way?
10. If a person has trouble getting over anger (and thus goes to bed still mad, 4:26), struggles with bitterness, tends to get into arguments, or makes hostile jokes or comments (4:29-31), how can he or she overcome those habits?
11. How do you think other Christians should deal with a person like this? What would Paul say?
12. Does all this ethical teaching sound to you like legalistic rule-making cloaked in theological language? Why or why not?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Session 3--Week of September 20-26
Session 3: Living Faith
Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:15, 25,29; 5:8-14
SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
(read Ephesians 2:8-10)
1. Why is it crucial for Christians to know that we're saved by grace?
2. How is relying on someone different from mentally accepting certain ideas?
Going Deeper:Faith is relational, describing reliance on a reliable God. Fiath is a covenant word, expressing the commitment and trust that bind two parties together.
3. What has God done to deserve our reliance? What has God done to deserve our being faithful?
4. It is impossible to be saved by "works" (2:9), our own accomplishments. But Paul says we are saved for works (2:10). What's the difference between being saved by works and being saved for works (2:9-10)?
5. How would you answer this question: "How did anyone read the New Teatament and conclude we do not have to do anything?"
6. Does Paul mean that we "saved people" need to be constantly working, working, working to make God happy? Explain your view.
LIVE AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
(Read Ephesians 5:8-14)
7. What life habits does a child of light have (5:8-14)?
8. Why is light a fitting word picture to describe a person who lives his or her faith in the world?
DOING THE TRUTH IN LOVE
(Read Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29)
9. Why is love impossible without truthgulness/honesty/faithfulness?
10. If we tell each other the "truth" harshly or arrogantly, are we saying what is really true in God's eyes? Explain.
11. Why are Christian often afraid to tell each other the truth about their sin or their pain?
12. What do you think of the idea that honest doubt about the validity of our faith can be healthy? How might it be healthy or not healthy? What are the risks or benefits of honestly doubting our faith?
From the cowardice that shrinks from new truths,
From the laziness that is content with half-truths,
And from the arrogance that thinks it knows all trugh,
O God of Truth, deliver us. --Henlee H. Barnett
Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:15, 25,29; 5:8-14
SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
(read Ephesians 2:8-10)
1. Why is it crucial for Christians to know that we're saved by grace?
2. How is relying on someone different from mentally accepting certain ideas?
Going Deeper:Faith is relational, describing reliance on a reliable God. Fiath is a covenant word, expressing the commitment and trust that bind two parties together.
3. What has God done to deserve our reliance? What has God done to deserve our being faithful?
4. It is impossible to be saved by "works" (2:9), our own accomplishments. But Paul says we are saved for works (2:10). What's the difference between being saved by works and being saved for works (2:9-10)?
5. How would you answer this question: "How did anyone read the New Teatament and conclude we do not have to do anything?"
6. Does Paul mean that we "saved people" need to be constantly working, working, working to make God happy? Explain your view.
LIVE AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
(Read Ephesians 5:8-14)
7. What life habits does a child of light have (5:8-14)?
8. Why is light a fitting word picture to describe a person who lives his or her faith in the world?
DOING THE TRUTH IN LOVE
(Read Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29)
9. Why is love impossible without truthgulness/honesty/faithfulness?
10. If we tell each other the "truth" harshly or arrogantly, are we saying what is really true in God's eyes? Explain.
11. Why are Christian often afraid to tell each other the truth about their sin or their pain?
12. What do you think of the idea that honest doubt about the validity of our faith can be healthy? How might it be healthy or not healthy? What are the risks or benefits of honestly doubting our faith?
From the cowardice that shrinks from new truths,
From the laziness that is content with half-truths,
And from the arrogance that thinks it knows all trugh,
O God of Truth, deliver us. --Henlee H. Barnett
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
BIble Study Questions and Thoughts--Session 2 Week of September 6-12
OLD LIFE, NEW LIFE
Passages--Ephesians 2:1-22; 4:17-24
This week we take a second, deeper look at Ephesians 2 and then a look at the corresponding passages in Ephesians 4.
Dead or Alive
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
1. Is existence without Christ as bad as Paul portrays it in 2:1-3? What evidence do you see for or against this view?
2. Can a person agree with Paul about this world and still enjoy nature, the arts, and people--even unbelievers? Can such a person be involved in politics and society? Why or why not?
3. Paul thinks we should be extraordinarily grateful to be freed from living death. He thinks we should be even more grateful as we contimplate what we have in Christ. What significant features of life in Christ doe he hightlight in 2:4-10?
4. What could hinder a Christian from overflowing with gratitude and joy over this change of curcumstances?
At War or At Peace
Read Ephesians 2:11-22
5. If Christ had never come to earth, non-Jesw would be "separate...excluded...foreigners...without hope...without God..." (2:12). How easy or difficult is it for you to imagine this being the story of your life? Why is that?
6. Picture in your mind a wall with you on one side, and God and other people on the other side. As Christ dies, the wall crumbles. How easy is it for you to see yourself as a person without walls between you and God? Why is that? How easy is it for you to see yourself as a person without walls between you and other Christians? Why is that?
7. The only command in all of Ephesians chapters 1-3 is "remember" (2:11). Why do you suppose Paul thinks it's so important for us to remember who we used to be and who we are now? Why is it so easy for us to forget who we are in Christ?
Off with the Old, On with the New
Read Ephesians 4:17-24
8. Where do you see meaninglessness, lack of light and guidance, denial (refusal to know what's true), or insensitivity played out in our culture?
9. Paul says sensuality--preoccupation with sex, food, entertainment, and other material pleasures--takes over when an insenitive (numb) person gets desperate to feel something (4:19). How is that explanation different from the way people often justify sensual indulgence?
10. In contrast, we need to be made new in the attitude of our minds (4:23-24). How is Christ-centered thinking the opposite of what we've just described?
11. How does a Christ-centered person relate to physical pleasures (food, sex, entertainment, possessions)?
12. How do you respond to the idea that conversion involves the Holy Spirit restructuring your thinking about everything, not just your beliefs about Jesus? What are the implications for your life?
13. Any other question you would like to discuss with the group...
Passages--Ephesians 2:1-22; 4:17-24
This week we take a second, deeper look at Ephesians 2 and then a look at the corresponding passages in Ephesians 4.
Dead or Alive
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
1. Is existence without Christ as bad as Paul portrays it in 2:1-3? What evidence do you see for or against this view?
2. Can a person agree with Paul about this world and still enjoy nature, the arts, and people--even unbelievers? Can such a person be involved in politics and society? Why or why not?
3. Paul thinks we should be extraordinarily grateful to be freed from living death. He thinks we should be even more grateful as we contimplate what we have in Christ. What significant features of life in Christ doe he hightlight in 2:4-10?
4. What could hinder a Christian from overflowing with gratitude and joy over this change of curcumstances?
At War or At Peace
Read Ephesians 2:11-22
5. If Christ had never come to earth, non-Jesw would be "separate...excluded...foreigners...without hope...without God..." (2:12). How easy or difficult is it for you to imagine this being the story of your life? Why is that?
6. Picture in your mind a wall with you on one side, and God and other people on the other side. As Christ dies, the wall crumbles. How easy is it for you to see yourself as a person without walls between you and God? Why is that? How easy is it for you to see yourself as a person without walls between you and other Christians? Why is that?
7. The only command in all of Ephesians chapters 1-3 is "remember" (2:11). Why do you suppose Paul thinks it's so important for us to remember who we used to be and who we are now? Why is it so easy for us to forget who we are in Christ?
Off with the Old, On with the New
Read Ephesians 4:17-24
8. Where do you see meaninglessness, lack of light and guidance, denial (refusal to know what's true), or insensitivity played out in our culture?
9. Paul says sensuality--preoccupation with sex, food, entertainment, and other material pleasures--takes over when an insenitive (numb) person gets desperate to feel something (4:19). How is that explanation different from the way people often justify sensual indulgence?
10. In contrast, we need to be made new in the attitude of our minds (4:23-24). How is Christ-centered thinking the opposite of what we've just described?
11. How does a Christ-centered person relate to physical pleasures (food, sex, entertainment, possessions)?
12. How do you respond to the idea that conversion involves the Holy Spirit restructuring your thinking about everything, not just your beliefs about Jesus? What are the implications for your life?
13. Any other question you would like to discuss with the group...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bible Study Questions and Thoughts--Session 1--Week of August 23-30
Passages--Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:1-22
Questions for Study--
Paul wants us to think about not only where we live physically, but also where we live spirituality...
Blessings in Christ--Read Ephesians 1:1-14.
1. Make a list of everything Paul says here this is true of us because we are "in Christ")or "in him," etc).
2. How does a person come to be "in Christ" (1:13)?
3. How is your physical identity influenced by the physical place where you live, or where you come from?
4. What difference does it make to your life that you live in two locales: a physical place and in Christ?
5. What does it mean "to be holy and blameless in his sight" (1:4)?
2. How does a person come to be "in Christ" (1:13)?
3. How is your physical identity influenced by the physical place where you live, or where you come from?
4. What difference does it make to your life that you live in two locales: a physical place and in Christ?
5. What does it mean "to be holy and blameless in his sight" (1:4)?
In Sin or In Christ--Read Ephesians 2:1-10
6. Before we lived in Christ, we lived somewhere very different. What key elements of that environment influenced our identity then (2:1-3)?
7. When we changed realms from being "in sin" to "in Christ," we were included in some important things that had happened to Christ: his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into the heavenly realms (2:4-6). What do you think it means to say that "in Christ" we are seated right now with him in the heavenly realms?
Invited with God's People in Christ--Read Ephesians 2:11-22
8. How easy is it for you to think of yourself as part of Christ, intimately connected to him and to others who are in him (2:19-22)? What helps or hinders you from thinking of yourself that way?
9. How should being in Christ affect the way we relate to believers from different ethnic groups, social classes, educational levels, etc?
10. If Paul is right, why do churches seem to have so much trouble with segregation along ethnic and social lines?
11. What makes you feel that you belong, or don't belong in the church or community of believers?
12. What aspect of being "in Christ" is most significant for the way you see yourself currently?
13. Any other question that you would like to discuss with the group...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Join us for a study of Ephesians and learn about community-building!
The Book of Ephesians has been chosen for the first Bible Study because of it's emphasis on building community or "the body of Christ". These early followers of Jesus have much to teach us. Questions for the first study will be posted by Sunday.
Getting Started!
The Women's Ministry and Christian Education and Formation Ministry of Joy MCC are happy to announce the start of a new Bible Study and Prayer Group meeting in the home of Rev. Carol and Terri. This Bibile Study is open to all women of Joy or women interested in becoming more involved in the Women's Ministry of Joy. It is our prayer that this group, called "Eve", will be the first of many such home groups to begin here at Joy. Our focus will be on Bible Study and prayer and we are already praying that God will bless us as we grow in Christian discipleship and community. We will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Please email Rev. Carol at revcarol@joymcc.com or call 407-704-2394 for directions and more information. We look forward to what God wants to do in our midst
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
