Made New: An Ephesians Book StudySample

Have you ever tried your hand at gardening? Maybe you have a green thumb, or maybe you are like me and couldn’t keep a plant alive if your life depended on it! But even with my limited skills, I know one thing you don’t want around your precious leafy greens is those pesky weeds! They threaten the health of a garden and suffocate thriving plants from future growth. Have you ever spent time pulling the weeds only to see them sprout back up in a few days? Chances are it’s because you didn’t pull out the root. If we attempt to only address what’s on the surface, you can bet that what’s under the surface will sprout once again.

Paul addresses this same principle in Ephesians 5:3-7. He lists multiple examples of the weeds in our lives and the reckless behavior we are to eliminate as followers of Christ. Unfortunately, in our society, coarse jokes, foolish talk, greed, impurity, and cheap imitations of sex are so common that we begin to think they are fine and normal. However, Paul reminds us there is no place for such sins in Christian life. Much like the weeds in our garden, they suffocate and keep us from thriving.

Instead, believers should be distinguished by their moral standards, contentment, and gratitude (v.4). Simply put, Christians should live a life of integrity.

It’s important to note that Paul is not simply instructing us to “do this” or “don’t do that.” He is not addressing topical behavior. He is trying to get to the root of the issue - our heart. He uses a specific word, ginomai, which means to “be” or to “follow” (vs. 1, 7, 17). He is emphasizing “being” over “doing.” He also uses the present tense of this verb, indicating that Paul is speaking of an ongoing journey of daily transformation. He is describing total heart formation, not external behavior modification. God desires us to live holy lives, not moral lives. Holy living only stems from a response to being truly loved and accepted by God.

Response
1. What is the difference between living a holy life and a moral life? If you are honest, which life do you tend to live out?

2. Paul encourages us to combat sinful conduct with thankfulness (v. 4). Why would living a life of gratitude lead to living a life that honors God?

3. Look back at the “weeds” listed in verses 3-5. Which are growing in your garden? Take some time to honestly admit to God and ask him to gently help you get to the root of these sin issues.

Weekly Memory Verse
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)."
Ephesians 5:8-9

Written by Derek Beauchamp