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1. The reality of the problem

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:11-12

2. The root of the problem

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. Ephesians 2:13-15

3. The reversal of the problem

In Christ we have…
One

His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. v. 16

One

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. v. 17,18

One

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people… v. 19a

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…and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives in which God lives by his Spirit. v. 19b-22

This is our beautiful difference:
Our biggest witness to the world is

. (John 17:20-21)

The Big Question: How do I sometimes rebuild the barriers Jesus came to tear down?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS
For reflection and discussion

1. Read Eph. 2:11-22. What impacted you the most about this last weekend’s message? How can you apply what you learned to your life this week?
   

2. Focus on verses 11- 12. How have you experienced “exclusion” from others? How might you have excluded others?
   

3. Read Ephesians 2:13-15. What do these verses say is the ultimate solution to division?
   

4. Read Ephesians 16-22. List all the metaphors Paul uses to describe our unity in Christ. Which has the most impact on you?
   

5. Ask yourself hard questions about whether or not you are promoting unity: Will my words or social-media post be more or less likely to draw others to the peace and unity we share in Jesus? Repent of being a divider; commit to becoming a peacemaker.
   

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