Small Group Discussion Questions:1) If Paul has talked all about breaking down the wall of hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles, and that the mystery of God is that the Gospel has come to the Gentiles- why does he seem so down on the Gentiles in verses 17-19?How might Paul write this if he were writing to all of us at GrX? From what have we been called, and to what?2) Verses 17-25: Paul describes the shift from the old self to the new self as having "learned Christ." What do you think it means when he says: "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness?What are the practical implications of this for living? 3) Does this happen all at once, or do you bring an unhealthy dose of that old life with you into the new? Could it be that this both happens all at once, and it happens over time? Along these lines, there is the old saying to "Be what you already are!" How does that work out for us?4) In verses 25-32 there is a pattern. Can you detect it?5) Why can any of this, and what has any of this, transformation taken place anyway? (verse 32; 3:14-21))

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. Verses 14 and 15 appear to be saying something important about the relation of mankind as a whole to God... what should we take from this unusual description? How does this follow from everything Paul says in the first part of Chapter 3?2. Just hearing the Gospel, the Good News, may not be enough. We need "power" (verses 16 and 18) to grasp the love of God. Why is this so hard to get? What does this power do to help us "know this love"? (verse 19)3. What does the apostle mean by providing the dimensions of this love: "how wide and long and high and deep"? (verse 18) Does this resonate with you conceptually, personally, and emotionally?4. Can you begin to imagine what it means to "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"? (verse 19) What does it mean to you that God "is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine"? (verse 20)5. Picture the church that manifests this "power at work within us" and brings glory to God. (verse 21) How could you contribute to this?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. A "mystery" in the New Testament is an "open secret." If that's a good definition, what's the "open" part and what's the "secret" part?2. What is "the mystery" the apostle is referring to here? Why is it so important and what's so mysterious about it?3. What was the apostle's responsibility in relation to this mystery? What's yours?4. According to this passage, we can "approach God with freedom and confidence." Do you believe that and do you practice that? What inhibits you?5. What happense when Jew and Gentiles--- "insiders" and "outsiders" --- come together and become "one body"? Why is that so unusual and potentially so powerful? What sort of insider or outsider is most difficult for you to bond with? Why... and what should you (what will you!) do about it?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. How did Jews look at Gentiles in the First Century? Why? What's an equivalent for us today?2. How did Gentiles look at Jews then? Why? What would be the equivalent for us?3. Is this work of reconciliation and peacemaking:A. Part of the Gospel itself?B. An implication of the Gospel?C. Unrelated to the Gospel but always a good idea?D. Unrelated to the Gospel and an unnecessary distraction?4. How is Christ "our peace"? What responsibilities (and opportunities!) does that impose on this "new humanity"--- on us?5. Consider that "you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit." What does that mean to you at a personal level? What does this mean to GrX? What should we be about?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. How does knowing that you are "seated with Christ" inform your character when faced with life's stuggles or challenges?2. To what degree do you recognize your sinful history before restoration by God's mercy and grace?3. Are you genuinely appreciative for God's grace in your life? How is your appreciation manifested in your daily walk with Christ? In your relationship with others?4. Does God's grace of forgivness in your life motivate you to extend the same to others?

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. What kind of relationship does Paul have with the believers in Ephesus? How would you feel if someone was this devoted to you? Is there someone who keeps track of you and prays for you?2. Paul believes that ministry is powered by prayer? What does prayer do? Have you experienced its effectiveness?3. What is the source of this "incomparably great power" that Paul claims is available "for us who believe"? If you knew you could live in a way that manifests this kind of power--- what difference would it make, what would you do?4. What is the status of Christ today? What are the implications of this?5. The church is called the body of Christ at the end of this passage. Look specifically at verses 22 and 23 and describe the role of the church in light of the victory of Christ.

Small Group Discussion Questions:1. List all the gifts from God to you, according to this passage. Make sure you don't miss anything. What do you feel when you look at this complete list?2. How does someone "revel" in God's grace? Can you learn to do that? What is the effect of revelling?3. Why does revelling precede obedience?4. Why does God choose to bless someone---what is His ultimate purpose?5. What does it mean to live to the "praise of His glory" or to the "praise of His glorious grace"? Do you? Assuming that was your desire and nothing could stop you, what would that look like for you to live with such a goal in mind?