Arise and Abide

Reading from Ephesians 5:1-20 (NLT) ~Living in the Light, Living by the Spirit’s Power~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at imitating God and being reflections of His light. We all want to be part of a community of people who treat each other as Jesus would treat them. Sexual immorality, impurity, and greed are all motivated out of selfishness and not trusting God. Living in Gratitude.

Reading from Ephesians 4:17-32 (NLT) ~Living as Children of the Light~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at living a life changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. The hardening of people’s hearts happens as we cannot see the way, and do not have the light of God to show the way. The marks of a changed life.

Reading from Ephesians 4:1-16 (NLT) ~Unity in the Body~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at leading a life worthy of your calling, the evidence of a changed life, sharing in the calling to spread the good news. Making allowances for one another. The gifts God gives to the Church, Pastor, Teacher, Prophet, Apostle, Evangelist are all people. Knowing who you are and how God wired you helps you know your function in the Body.

Reading from Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT) ~Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at God’s presence and ability to strengthen us to fully lay our lives down for Christ.

Reading from Ephesians 3:1-13 (NLT) ~God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at God’s plan for all to be saved and made right with God. The workers who got an equal wage, God’s character of wanting to invite everybody in. The parable of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Boldly approaching the throne.

Reading from Ephesians 2:11-22 (NLT) ~Oneness and Peace in Christ, A Temple for the Lord~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the tension between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. Being made into a house of which Christ is our Cornerstone.

Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT) ~Made Alive with Christ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Our nature is to act in a way that creates and expands a divide between us and God, Christ reconciled that divide. Sin nature is evident even in children. Living for self is living in the spirit of the anti-Christ. As we died with Christ on the Cross, we were raised to life with Him in His resurrection.

Reading from Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT) ~Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at spiritual wisdom, a spirit of wisdom, and The Holy Spirit bringing true wisdom and knowledge.

Reading from Ephesians 1:1-14 (NLT) ~Greetings From Paul, Spiritual Blessings~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at how it gave God pleasure to bring us into His family and how Jesus wept tears of blood the night before the cross. Do all dogs go to heaven? Sally gets mad at the enemy.

Reading from Colossians 3:18-4:18 (NLT) ~Instructions for Christian Households, An Encouragement for Prayer, Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the how to interact with each other in a Christian household. How to work/do all things unto the Lord. Setting our eyes on heaven, slaves to the budget living paycheck to paycheck.