High School D-Group

Click here to watch the video for week 7: Ephesians 5:8-21




Ephesians 5:8-21 (ESV) for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Questions:

Why do you think J.D. made the point that life is war? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Why do you think Paul says we are light in verses 8–14? Is there something in our identity that has changed from darkness to light?

Paul also asks us to “live as children of light” (v. 8). What does that mean for the way you live your life?

Verse 9 also talks about the “fruit of the light.” That seems to be a strange mixing of metaphors. How does light have fruit? What does that mean to you?

Why do you think Paul used this hymn in verse 14? How did it help his case?

What sort of “sleep” do we need to “wake up” from?

What “opportunity” is Paul talking about in verse 16? How should we “make the most” of it?

What sort of “unwise” or “foolish” things might we do when faced with the opportunities Paul’s talking about? How can we avoid those foolish actions?

Back in verse 10, it said, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” Here in verse 17, it says almost the same thing (“understand what the Lord’s will is”). How can we do that?

Why would Paul compare God’s Spirit with wine in verse 18? What’s the connection?

Why does Paul suddenly get musical in verse 19? What do songs have to do with waking up and redeeming the time?

According to verse 19, we speak to one another in these songs. What effect on each other can we have when we address one another through our songs?

Do you think that gathering together in worship helps us to “find out what pleases the Lord”? If so, how?

Alert Prayer: Ask God to wake you up to the opportunities of each day. Then find a time during the day when you “walk and talk with God”—ten minutes of specifically tuning into His voice as you go through your normal activities.
Time Budget: How did you use your time last week? You had 168 hours—what did you do with them? Map it out, as best you remember. Then evaluate. How could you adjust your schedule to reflect your priorities? Set a new schedule/budget for this week
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Coping Check: When you’re stressed, where do you turn? To alcohol or something less damaging but just as wasteful? Can you begin to train yourself to seek the Lord’s strength in those times? For now, have Psalms 23, 42, and 103 at the ready, and then find other ways to connect with the Spirit in those critical moments.



Praise: Find some creative, lavish way to thank God. Write a song. Do a dance. Make a video. Create a rock garden. Fill your heart with praise and then offer it, as the Spirit leads.



Worship Together: Throw yourself fully into the church worship service. Prepare well. Participate enthusiastically. Review it afterward, perhaps talking with family or friends.