"According to His Will" Sermon Questions
1. God has always had a plan to rescue his people from sin and misery. Read Genesis 3:15; 6:13-14, 8:1, 21; Exodus 6:1, 13:17, 21; Ezra 1:2-3 and discuss how God rescued the people in each passage.

2. In what ways does ‘religion’ try to deal with life’s big question?

3. The Bible claims that we need rescuing from our own sin and rebellion. Where do we see that idea in the Bible and in our own lives?

4. How do we see God the Father working in this passage to rescue us?

5. How do we see God the Son (Jesus) working in this passage to rescue us?

6. How do we see God the Spirit working in this passage to rescue us?

“Freedom’s Wholeness” Sermon Questions
1. Our society defines freedom as “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” This view is called “negative freedom” and has become the chief moral good in our country. What philosophical and practical problems does this approach create?

2. How or where do you see the impact of this view of freedom on your own heart and practice?

3. What fraudulent promises have idols made to your heart? Read Gal. 4:8, Titus 3:3, Ezekiel 14:1-5. What idols shaped your heart before you came to know God? Read 1 John 5:21. To whom is the author writing? Why would he give that command to them and what does it tell us about the experience of the Christian life? What idols are your heart drawn to since you came to know God?

4. Paul reminds us in verse 7 that God lavished grace on us “in all wisdom and insight”. What was Paul referring to with that phrase? How should knowing that impact the Christian’s sense of assurance? When is your sense of grace’s assurance rattled most?

5. Read Mt 24:37-42. Who was taken in the days of Noah? What was left? Read Romans 8:18-25. Along with God’s people, what else will be set free (i.e., redeemed)? Read Rev. 21:1-4. Whose dwelling place changes according to this passage? How would you connect these three passages with Eph 1:10?

6. If our mission as Christians is to live out our Father’s plan (Eph 1:10), what are some practical things (a) you are doing and (b) what could you start doing to reflect Jesus’ aim to unify?

"I've Got You!" Sermon Questions
1. Paul begins this section of his letter by highlighting reasons God’s people have to bless (e.g., to praise) God. When do you find it easy and natural to praise God? When do you find it more difficult and challenging to give God praise?

2. God is zealous about making his people “holy and blameless” (v. 4,) Read Col 1:22 and Phil 2:14-15. In what situational context does God want his people to be holy and blameless? What does this have to do with evangelism and outreach?

3. Why do you think that many Christians are more concerned about the world not being holy and blameless than they are about becoming more holy and blameless themselves?

4. What does this quote stir up in you: “Predestination was never meant to be a doctrinal club used to batter people into acknowledgments of God’s sovereignty. Rather, the message of God’s love preceding our accomplishments and outlasting our failures was meant to give us a profound sense of confidence and security in God’s love so that we will not despair in situations of great difficulty, pain, and shame.” ~Bryan Chapell

5. How does verse 4 differ from the teaching that God’s election or predestination is based on him looking down the tunnel of time to see who would choose him? (see also Mk 13:20, John 1:12-13, 6:44, 70, 15:16, Rom 9:11).

6. Read the following verses and note how they refer to Jesus: Eph 1:6, Mt 4:17, Lk 9:35, Mk 1:24. Read Col 3:12. What do you notice? How does this relate to the doctrine of “union with Christ”?

7. How many times does Paul use plural first-person pronouns in Eph 1:3-6? What does that teach us about how God intends for us to become holy and blameless? What hinders us from living that out?