A Prayer and the Power of God's Transformative Love

Small Group Questions

1. As you evaluate your own prayer life, what are the things that you tend to prioritize, and are there ways you'd like to see that changed?

2. I mentioned that Paul's prayer that Christ would dwell in our hearts means that Christ would "settle in" and begin to fashion us more into his image. Just as you might see your house change over ten years as you live in it, as you look at the least decade (or less if you're younger) of your life, how can you see that Christ has changed you?

3. What might prevent us from praying these requests (i.e. that Christ would transform us, that we'd be strengthened to comprehend the limitless dimensions of Christ's love for us, and that we'd mature and become all that God wants us to be) faithfully for one another as we pray? How might we fight against that? How might we nurture praying that looks like Paul's?

4. What are some things from the text or sermon that were particularly helpful for you, comforting to you, or challenging to you?

Pursuing God's Word

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Small Group Questions:

1. Our first duty is to listen to the Word of God. Is it possible to encounter the Word without really listening? How can we guard against that?

2. Are there any voices in our culture that we should stop listening to or learn how to listen to with better discernment? What are some wise practices in this area?

3. What are some examples other than this story in Scripture, history, or your own life where the Word of God has clearly prevailed?

4. Why do you think King Ahaziah was so hardened to the Word of God, and how can we guard against hardness in our own hearts?

5. Do you know the Bible well? If not, what concrete steps can you take to remedy that? What is stopping you from taking those steps?

Gracious Suffering for a Glorious Ministry

Small Group Questions:

1. How can we cultivate an attitude of gratefulness before God for the grace that he has shown us in opening our eyes to the truths of who Christ is and what he has done for us?

2. Like Paul, we have a mission to take the gospel to our neighbors and the nations. Maybe share an update with the group on how you're trying to play a role in this mission.

3. How can reflecting on the grace we've been shown by our God strengthen us to walk through suffering for Christ with greater joy?

4. Was there anything else from the sermon or the text (Eph. 3:1-13) that you found encouraging, challenging, or particularly helpful?

A New Society, Temple, and Family in Christ

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Small Group Questions

1. Paul began by reminding the Ephesians of where they were before Christ so that he might highlight the greatness of Christ's work in their lives to save them, reconcile them to God, and reconcile them to one another. Maybe it'd be good for some of us in the group to share about our lives before Christ and just how hopeless we were apart from him in order to highlight his work in our lives as well.

2. Are there any ways that you've seen individuals who had (or should have) great hostility with each other in the world become reconciled to God and one another through the work of Christ?

3. How have you seen the reality of God's children being members of the same kingdom, family, and temple lived out in your life? In other words, how might you testify to God's power in binding us to other believers?

4. Our society is so divided on a number of issues. How might we use these issues as a springboard to share the gospel with others in light of this text?

By Grace You Have Been Saved

Small Group Questions

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1. Paul really drives home man's desperate situation outside of Christ as he reminds the Ephesian believers who they were before Christ in vv. 1-3. What are some reasons why it is so important for us to remember who we once were (and who unbelievers are now)?

2. Why is it important for us to recognize that Satan is the prince of the power of the air (ruler over demons) and ruler over this age? How does this change how we live day-to-day?

3. How is it personally helpful to reflect on the realities that you've been raised with Christ and Satan, sin, and death can no longer exercise dominion over you?

4. We are trophies of God's grace. How does you life reflect on God's gracious work toward you?

A Prayer to Know God and His Blessings

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Small group questions - Ephesians 1:15-23

Why is God to Be Praised?

The Blessing of Confessing Our Sins

A Glorious Reminder that We Are Sons

Free and Empowered to Live Lives of Obedience