Sermon Prep. for Sept. 21: Ephesians 2.14-18

Ephesians 2.14-18: A new person

Paul now lays out a vision of reconciliation between two hostile groups (Jews and Gentiles) who are now “one new person” in Christ. 

Getting to Know you: Think about your parents. List out some of the opposites the two of them embody [ex: He is quiet, she talks all the time; He is Buddhist, she is Jewish]. How do their opposites shape their relationship? Do their opposites create tension? Balance? Tragedy? Comedy?

Day 1:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Ephesians 2:14-18

One of the key purposes of the Jewish law was to set the Jewish people apart from non-Jewish people [Gentiles], signifying their belonging to the Lord. In verse 14, “both groups” refers to Jews and non-Jews. How might the Jewish law and history have developed hostility between these two groups?

What do you think it would have meant to the Jews for Christ to break down the dividing wall between them and non-Jews? What might it have meant to non-Jews?

How do I apply myself to this message?

Consider one person in particular with whom you experience hostility. If Christ has “created in Himself one new humanity in place of two, thus making peace,” how might this call you to think of, feel about, or treat this one person in a new way?

Day 2:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Isaiah 56:1-8

What strikes you?

What do these verses say about what God’s intentions towards non-Jewish people were before the time of Christ? How broad is God’s invitation of love?

What picture do these verses paint with regards to how reliable or constant God’s commitments are to people He brings near?

How do I apply myself to this message? Especially in the book of Isaiah, the instruction to “keep the Sabbath” has a lot to do with avoiding behavior/actions that are unjust. [see Isaiah 58] Consider verses 6-8. Could the description of “the foreigners” here apply to you? Do you feel “gathered”? How does this inform how you could live your life differently?

Day 3:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Galatians 3:27-29

What strikes you?

Recall the opposites you described about your parents. Consider other dividing lines in our culture [race, 1% or the 99%, male/female, etc.]. How significant is it that Christ could make “one out of two” in all of these instances?

How do I apply myself to this message? Do you belong to Christ? What do these verses mean for you?

Day 4:

Getting to know the Bible: Re-Read Ephesians 2:14-18

What might have been the effect of these groups’ mutual access “in one Spirit to the Father”?

Have you ever seen Jesus bring reconciliation between two hostile parties? [two people, two groups?] What did that look like? How did it make you feel to witness that?

How do I apply myself to this message? Do you have an opportunity to pursue reconciliation, empowered by the peace of Christ? What steps can you make this week to act of this opportunity? 

Sermon Prep. for September 14: Ephesians 2:11-13

Communities Under Development start next week! They will be using these sermon prep study guides for discussion, but all are welcome to make use of this resource. To sign up for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday group [meeting at 7:30] email zoefaithreyes@gmail.com. 

Ephesians 2.11-13: Brought near by Christ’s Blood 

Getting to Know you: Share about a memorable move you’ve made, were you moving to be closer to something or someone? Further from something or someone?

Day 1:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Ephesians 2:11-13

What are your initial impressions?

Vs. 12 says these Gentiles were strangers to the covenants of promise. God made many covenants with his people. To learn which covenant circumcision symbolized, read Genesis 17.

How do I apply myself to this message?

Day 2:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Exodus 12:1-27

What are your initial impressions?

Who would the Jews have considered their king in this time?

Vs. 19 says one consequence of disobeying these instructions is being "cut off" from the congregation of Israel. In your spiritual experience, have you ever or do you feel cut off from the people of God? How have you reacted to the feeling of being cut off?

How do I apply myself to this message?

Day 3:

Getting to know the Bible: Read John 19

Who would the Jews have considered their king in this time?

Who does Pilate say Jesus is? How many times?

Jesus seems to be wrapping up several final loose ends in this scene, then He cries out, “It is finished,” and only because it is so clear that He is already dead, He is pierced and His blood flows. If His death had not been so apparent, His blood would not have been spilt. What is the “it” that is finished here?

How do I apply myself to this message?

If Jesus asked you, "Who do you say that I am?" How would you answer?

Day 4:

Getting to know the Bible: Re-Read Ephesians 2:11-13

What does Christ say is the new covenant? (Hint: see Luke 22:20)

How does this fit with vs. 13?

How do these verses in Ephesians connect the passages in Exodus and John?

How do I apply myself to this message? In last week’s sermon, we learned that We were dead in our relationships to everything because we were living apart from God. BUT God made us alive together (with each other) with Christ. Who is it hard to accept as someone you’ve been made alive with? (perhaps someone at church, a relative, a prominent Christian who lives or speaks in ways that embarrass you?) Another way of asking this is, (Vs. 13) To whom has the blood of Christ brought you near? How does that make you feel? What are the implications for your life with that person (or those people)?  

Sermon Prep. for Sept. 7: Ephesians 2.1-10: Saved by Grace

This coming Sunday, we will re-enter our sermon series on Ephesians. If you would like to prepare for Sunday's sermon, you are welcome to use the below study guide as a resource. This guide will also instruct our community group discussions. To join a group, contact zoefaithreyes@gmail.com.

Ephesians 2.1-10: Saved by grace

Getting to know you: Recount a memorable walk or hike you’ve taken that involved following a guide. What was the setting like? What was your guide like? What made the walk memorable?

Pray that God would open "the eyes of your innermost self" (Eph. 1:17) to God's light.

Day 1:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Ephesians 2.1-10

Write down your initial impressions.

What one word sticks out to you most in this passage?

You and the Bible: From what do you need Christ to save you?

Try sketching a picture of you traveling on a road based on these verses.

Day 2:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Isaiah 30.18-22

Based on this passage, how do you think God feels about showing you grace and mercy?

You and the Bible: How does this passage make you feel about walking in God’s way?

Day 3:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Psalm 1

Express verse 3 in your own way [whatever suits you: write, draw, graph, sing . . .]

You and the Bible: How does this passage make you feel about the idea of walking in God’s way?

Day 4:

Getting to know the Bible: Read Luke 7.36-50

If Jesus says that in serving “the least of these,” we serve Him (Matt. 25:40), how might the woman in this story show us how to serve “the least of these?”

You and the Bible: How much have you been forgiven?

Day 5:

Getting to know the Bible: Re-Read Ephesians 2.1-10

Does a new one-word stick out to you in this passage after spending time in the others? What’s the difference between works-based-salvation and salvation-based-works?

You and the Bible: Why were you made alive? For what purpose(s)? (vs. 10)

Ramping up to re-enter the Ephesians Sermon Series

Starting in September, we will re-enter our Ephesians sermon series. You can catch up on Dan's sermons on Ephesians 1 here under "Letter to the Ephesians." And/or you can spend some time in Ephesians 1 for yourself using the following guide. 

Use as much or as little of this study guides as you find edifying. You might consider breaking up each of the following 4 sessions over 4 days of study.

Consider praying Ephesians 1:16-29 repeatedly for your community group as you anticipate (re)joining them this fall.

To learn more about our group offerings visit our Community Groups page. To sign up for a community group, please email Zoë Reyes, Community Development Director, at zoefaithreyes at gmail.com with the type of group you're interested in, the nights your available and/or a particular group leader you'd like to join. 

Session One: Ephesians

Read through the whole book of Ephesians to get an overview. Just read.

Session Two: The Wealth of His Grace

Read Ephesians 1:1-10

1) How do we form our identity in Christ? 

2) What has God delivered you from in particular? What would your life look like without the work He is doing in and for you now and throughout your life? [see vs. 4-10, esp. vs. 7] 

3) We aren't chosen for our own sake, but for the sake of what God wants to accomplish through us. In what ways might God want to bless (or how is he already blessing) others through you or your Christian community? ( N. T. Wright. Ephesians)

3b) For further study:
Read Genesis 12:1-8.  How do you see this passage relating to what Paul is talking about here in Ephesians? How do you see this passage relating to you personally?

4) What is God’s plan? (see vs. 10)

5) What do you learn in these verses about Jesus and our relationship to Him? 

Session Three: Inheritance and the Spirit

Read Ephesians 1:11-14

1) Is there a particular statement that you find particularly thought provoking or penetrating?

2) What is our promised inheritance (v. 11)? (N. T. Wright. Ephesians)

3) What do you learn in these verses about Jesus and our relationship to Him?

Session Four: Knowing the Power of the King

Read Ephesians 1:15-23

1) What do you learn in these verses about Jesus and our relationship to Him?

2) Paul doesn't imagine that all Christians will automatically be able to recognize the power of God. It will take, as he says in verse 17, a fresh gift of wisdom, of coming to see things people don't normally see. And this in turn will come about through knowing Jesus and having what Paul calls "the eyes of your innermost self" opened to God's light. What should and shouldn't using this power look like in our daily lives? How have you experienced this power in your life? (N. T. Wright. Ephesians)

3) What is the church?

4) What does it mean to be the fullness of the one who fills all in all?