OPEN
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
1. When you hear the word maturity, what comes to mind?
2. When have you been part of a group that felt genuinely united? What helped create that kind of environment?

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 does it mean to live a life worthy of our calling?

2. Paul describes unity as something believers already have through the Spirit. What difference might there be between creating unity and maintaining unity?

3. When have you had to work through tension or disagreement in order to preserve a relationship or team? What happened?

4. Describe a time you witnessed or experienced a bond of peace.

5. Who in your life may be giving you an opportunity to practice humility, gentleness or patience right now?

6. When conflict happens, are you more likely to:

a. Move toward the person
b. Avoid it and hope it goes away
c. Defend yourself
d. Need time to process before engaging
e. Something else

7. In your own words, what do verses 7-10 mean?

8. Where do you see God using your gifts right now?

9. What tends to bring out the best in you when you’re part of a team or community?

10. Where are you most tempted to compare your contribution to someone else’s? What’s a good solution for that?

11. When have you experienced a group becoming stronger because people brought different gifts to the table?

12. What images or pictures does Paul use to describe immaturity in verses 13-16? What do those images communicate?

13. What are ways we can prevent being tossed back and forth?

14. Make a list of things we are called to do in this passage.

15. Which of these do you think God is wanting to strengthen in you?

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
What prayer in this passage would you most like someone to pray for you this week? Share this 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:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

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.