OPEN
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
1. When have you sought to be part of a new group: a new country, a circle of friends at school or work or a club? Describe your experience.
2. What’s something God has been showing you lately?

ABOUT EPHESIANS
Ephesians is Paul’s letter celebrating God’s grace in Christ and showing how the Gospel creates a new kind of people. Chapters 1-3 lift our eyes to the grace of God and what He’s done. Believers have been chosen, redeemed, and the Spirit has sealed them as His own. Salvation is not earned by good works; it is God’s gift, received by faith, so we may now walk worthy of our calling. Paul also explains that Christ has broken down the old wall between Jew and Gentile, making one united family, one temple, and one body under one Lord. Chapters 4-6, then, turn doctrine into daily life. Because Christians belong to Christ, they are called to humility, unity, truthfulness, purity, forgiveness, wise speech, thankful worship, faithful marriages, obedient households, honest work, and spiritual alertness. Ephesians closes by reminding believers that the Christian life is a real spiritual battle, but God provides armor through truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, His Word and prayer. In simple terms, Ephesians teaches us to know who we are in Christ, live worthy of that calling, and stand firm together in God’s strength as His church today.

PRAY
Invite someone to open your time in prayer.

GROUP TIPS
◾If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

◾Don’t worry if you don’t get to all the questions. Spend time reading and really thinking about what the Bible is saying and what God is revealing to you personally.

1. What words or ideas about separation do you notice in verses 11-12?

2. According to this passage, who created the barrier between the Jews and Gentiles? What leads you to believe that?

3. Why might the image of Christ tearing down a dividing wall have been especially powerful for Paul’s original audience?

4. Why do you think Paul tells these believers to remember their former condition rather than simply move on from it?

5. What different things does Paul say Christ has done in verses 13-18?

6. Which picture of what Christ does speaks to you most? Why that one?
A. Brings people near
B. Tears down walls
C. Makes peace

7. What challenges often come up when groups of people who used to be separate come together to form one group? What are some examples?

8. How did the blood of Christ (verse 13) and the cross (verse 16) reconcile Jews and Gentiles?

9. What do the images of citizenship, family and a building tell us about Christian belonging?

10. Sometimes we can have an us and them mentality. Where in your life might you be maintaining a dividing wall (or even keeping someone at a distance) that Christ is inviting you to reconsider?

11. What would it look like this week to live as someone who genuinely belongs in God’s household?

12. Where are you tempted to base your identity around nationality, background, politics, status, personality or another distinction more than your identity in Christ? What are ways you can learn to see yourself more like Jesus sees you?

13. Where does this passage feel comforting, challenging, or exposing?

14. What helps a church or small group become a place where people experience genuine belonging rather than simply attendance?

15. Who in your life could you pray for using the concepts of this passage?

ONE THING
What’s one thing you’ll take with you from this week’s study and discussion? Ask God what He wants to say to you, then spend a few minutes quietly listening for Him to speak. This could be a word or phrase from the passage that stands out to you, or a simple thought He brings to mind.

PRAY
Share what you sensed God saying to you and pray for each other.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture helps us carry the words of God with us all the time, wherever we go. His Word gives light and direction and ultimately has the power to change us and deepen our relationship with Him. Here’s a good verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.