Made New: An Ephesians Book StudySample

What happens when a person becomes a Christian?

We learn in Ephesians 2:19-22 that it gives you a new family. Through Jesus, God has created a new family where each person is beautifully unique and has unity in their diversity. Paul writes, “You are members of God’s family.”

God gives you a new family. Your biological family doesn’t disappear or become insignificant, but you are now part of a new spiritual family of love, acceptance, and support. Unfortunately, the reality is that not all churches have lived this out. Perhaps you’ve been hurt by a church that was more about judgment and shame than love and support. If so, I’m sorry. That isn’t God’s heart for His children. While it might be hard at first, God still wants you to be a part of a healthy church family where you are loved and valued.

We also learn that you become part of a new temple. In the Old Testament, the temple was important because it was where God lived. If you wanted to be near God, to feel His presence, you went to the temple.

When Jesus was born, something shocking happened. The place where God lives moved from a building to a person. God’s presence on earth transferred to Jesus.

After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, He ascended to Heaven, and God’s presence moved again. This final time, it shifted from Jesus’ person into His people. We see this start to happen in Acts 2. In Romans 8:9, we read, “You have the [Holy] Spirit of God living in you.”

That’s what Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:22, “And in Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” How incredible is that? We are now the temple of God! God lives in us through His Holy Spirit. People get to experience God and feel His presence through us!

If you have become a Christian, you didn’t just “get saved.” You have a new family and have become the temple of God!

Response
1. What does it mean that Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” (v. 21) on which the temple of God is built? Why is it essential that He be the foundation?

2. Do you consider the church your family and treat it as such? Do you have that kind of commitment to it, or have you developed those kinds of relationships? What changes do you need to make to truly experience our church as your family?

3. Take time to reflect on the fact that God lives inside you. Thank Him for trusting you with His Holy Spirit. Talk to the Holy Spirit, telling Him of your commitment to walk with Him and follow His leadership in your life.

Weekly Memory Verse
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:8-10

Written by Vince Antonucci