Reflection Questions

1. What does the phrase “According to the riches of his glory” (Vs 16) tell us about God's capacity and willingness to respond to our prayers? How does knowing God has "riches of His glory" impact the way you pray and what you ask for?

2. Which of the three requests that Paul prayed for the church in verses 17-19 stuck out to you? Why? 

3. Why is it significant that God’s glory is to be displayed “in the church” (vs 21)? How does the church and being with other believers contribute to bringing God glory? How does this challenge your current view of the church?

Reflection Questions

1. Why is it so important to remember that we, the church, were once far off from God? That we were like Gentiles. 
2. How is Jesus our peace with other relationships (Jews vs Gentiles), and how does that change how we view our church family? 
3. How does this passage challenge or change your perception of the importance of the church in your growth as a believer? 
4. Given that the church is a body, what is your role in contributing to its health, holiness, and mission? 

Reflection Questions

1.  What stood out or resonated with you about the Apostle Paul’s depiction of our pre-Christian state in verses 1-3?
2. Why is the phrase "But God" in verse 4 such a powerful and sweet transition in light of verses 1-3 and Paul’s description in verses 4-10?
3. According to verses 7-10, why did God make us alive? What impact should that have on your life?
4. Why should understanding salvation (Ephesians 1:1-14, 2:1-10) humble us?

Reflection Questions

1. What are the reasons that bring you to God in prayer? How does this passage challenge you to approach prayer differently? 
2. Which reason for Paul's prayer for these saints stuck out to you the most? Their faith in Jesus or their love for others? Why? 
3. What struck you about what Paul prayed for these believers in vs 17 (and then repeated and expanded in verses 18-23)?
4. Why is hope (vs 18) and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is (vs 19-23) so important to Paul? How can that help to stoke the fire of our spiritual walk? 

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to you personally to be "sealed with the Holy Spirit"? How does this provide you with assurance?
2. Why would/should this passage challenge you to share the gospel with others?
3. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Helper” in John 14-16. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a helper help you understand verses 13-14 and the role of the Holy Spirit?
4. How does the concept of the Holy Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance shape your perspective on the future?

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach you about Jesus? 
2. What does this passage teach you about sin/mankind? 
3. What does this passage teach you about God? 
4. What did God reveal to you from today’s passage? 
5. How can you apply today’s passage?

Reflection Questions

1. (vs 2) How are grace and peace related? Why are they central to the gospel?
2. (vs 3-6) What does this passage teach us about God the Father?
3. Why should the doctrine of election lead us to praise?
4. What is an application for you from today’s passage?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 8:5-14? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

TAKE HOME or, if time allows
3. (vs 5) What "wilderness" experiences (challenges, trials, difficult seasons) have you faced together in your marriage journey? How have you learned (or how can you learn better) to "lean on" each other for support and strength during those times?
4. (vs 6) How does viewing your marriage vow as an unbreakable "seal" influence how you handle disagreements or temptations?
5. (vs 6-7) How can you cultivate appropriate passion and protective jealousy (guarding the relationship) within your marriage, reflecting the depth God intended?
6. (vs 8-10) How does the principle of being a "wall" (guarding yourselves) apply within marriage today?
7. (vs 11-12) In what ways can you give yourselves more freely and joyfully to one another, resisting any temptation to be transactional or compare your relationship to worldly standards?
8. (vs 13-14) How intentionally do you make time to simply listen to your spouse's voice and share your lives amidst busyness? What hinders this, and how can you overcome it?

Reflection  Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 6:11-8:4? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

TAKE HOME or, if time allows
3. How can husbands cultivate a listening ear and responsiveness to their wives' needs and desires?
4. How does Solomon's poetic description of his wife's beauty contribute to her sense of security and value? How can a husband learn to see his wife as a treasure?
5. How does this passage portray the beauty and holiness of marital intimacy? How can couples keep the flame of desire alive in their marriage?
6. How can you prioritize spending quality time together? How can you cultivate a mutually satisfying sexual relationship?
7. How does the concept of the wife being a garden, relate to her care of her marriage?
8. How does viewing marriage through the lens of the gospel change how we interact with our spouse?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 5:9-6:10? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

TAKE HOME or if time allows
3. How has God used friends in your marriage? (5:9)
4. What "word pictures" could you use to describe your spouse? (Think metaphors, similes, analogies – be creative!) How does seeing your spouse through the eyes of love change your perspective on everyday life? (5:10-16)
5. How does the phrase "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" reflect God's design for marriage? How does this mutual possession differ from unhealthy possessiveness? (6:1-3)
6. How does your spouse "overcome" you – in a positive sense? How do they inspire, challenge, and encourage you? (6:4-7)
7. How do you guard your marriage against distractions and competing priorities that could threaten this exclusivity? (6:8-9)
8. In light of the quote in 6:10... Husbands: How can this mindset be applied to daily marriage? Wives: How does it make you feel to be held in high esteem?