Prayer

Praise God for all that He has accomplished through the person and work of Christ, as revealed in Ephesians 1-3. Further, praise God who enables us to live lives that are pleasing to Him and to the benefit of others, as revealed in Ephesians 4-6. Ask that He would help you to not only recall what you have learned through the sermons, your personal study time, and your group interactions, but also to retain and apply it. Pray that He would take what you have learned and penetrate your heart with it so that your knowledge would lead to worship and action. Also, take some time to thank Him for your home group and to pray for each person in your group individually.

Key Scriptures:

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:4-5

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:18-21

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:20-21

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.

Application

1. Take some time to read through the book of Ephesians. List at least three truths or themes that are clearly taught throughout the book. What kind of impact have these truths had on your life?

2. Are there any truths that you are asking the Holy Spirit to help you fully understand or apply? If so, what do you hope to be the outcome of this request?

3. In what ways has our study led you to think differently about what God has accomplished in Christ (Ch. 1-3) or about how we live as children of God (Ch. 4-6)? How has it challenged you to think differently about the church and your responsibility towards God and the body of Christ?

4. What has your home group meant to you personally so far this year? How have you been challenged, stretched, or encouraged as a result of your home group involvement (be specific)?

5. Think about some of the specific things that your home group has prayed for so far this year. In what ways have you seen God answer those prayers? Take time to thank God for listening and responding to these prayers from your group. Spend a few minutes as a group reflecting upon how you have seen God work through prayer this year.

6. Reading Challenge: For this summer, we have selected a 3-book series that touches on the fear of God, sanctification, and the Church. We highly encourage you to purchase all three and work through them over the summer. They are sure to be spiritually nourishing and create good discussion in the home or among others at Living Grace. Below are the links to each book, along with their respective month. Simply click on the book title and author below to be directed to Amazon for purchasing.

June: Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves

July: Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund

August: The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church by Dustin Benge