Reflection Questions

1. Equal before God, but distinct in their household roles. What stood out to you in the passage about the role of a Godly wife? 

2. What stood out to you about the role of a Godly husband? 

3. How does verse 18-21 and being Holy Spirit-filled change your perception of verses 22-24 and submission? 

4. Why is verse 23, Christ is the head of the Church, critical to understanding the roles of husbands and wives within a Godly marriage?

Reflection Questions

1. What does it look like to “make the best use of the time” in your current season of life (parenting, work, etc.) and how does the reality that “the days are evil” shape your urgency and intentionality? 

     Hint: What are some practical ways you can evaluate and realign your daily treadmill to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel?

2. The Apostle Paul contrasts foolishness with understanding the Lord’s will. What role does (or should) daily Bible intake and prayer play in shaping your understanding of God’s will? 

3.  Verses 19–21 describe the overflow of a Spirit-filled heart. Which of these traits—edifying speech, heartfelt worship, gratitude, or mutual submission—do you find most challenging? Why?

4. How does the biblical concept of “walking” challenge the idea of spiritual stagnation? Are there areas where you’ve been standing still—or even drifting backward?

Reflection Questions

1. In light of Ephesians 4:1 and 4:17… How is 5:1-2 an encouragement and also instructive to us? 

2. Why do you think Paul stops to list six specific sins in verses 3-4 after giving five examples of taking off and putting on in 4:25-32?

3. Which of the three reasons for being imitators of God resonated with you? Why?   (1) The Character of God’s Kingdom vs 5. 

  (2) The wrath of God vs 6-7. 

  (3) Being who we are called to be, the Light vs 8-14.

4. What does it mean to expose the works of darkness (Vs 11)? How might we do this today? How does the Holy Spirit provide wisdom and boldness for this task?

Reflection Questions

1. Based on this text… why is joy tied to putting on a new self clothed in righteousness and holiness?  

2. Why does Spiritual Warfare (vs 27) play a part in joylessness and struggling to putting off the old self and putting on the new self? How should that inform the way we react to this passage? 

3. Which of these 5 transformations stuck out to you the most? Why? 

4. How are these 5 characteristics seen in the life of Jesus? How is that motivating and encouraging to you?

Reflection Questions

1. The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of clothing to describe spiritual transformation. How does this imagery help us understand the change that happens when we follow Christ?

2. What does Paul mean when he says Gentiles walk in “the futility of their minds” and how does this contrast with the renewed mind of a believer? How can we intentionally renew our minds daily?

3. How does surrounding ourselves with strong Christian community help us put on the new self? In what ways does church fellowship and discipleship play a role?

4. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our identity is no longer tied to the world’s standards but to Christ. How does knowing your identity in Jesus reshape the way you live? Why is it important to understand that transformation comes through Christ rather than just behavior modification?

Reflection Questions

1. Why is it so important to understand “Grace” and “Gift” (vs 7) when thinking about our own spiritual gifts? 

2. Why is diversity of spiritual gifts within the church a good thing? What responsibilities do we have with our spiritual gifts in verse 12? 

3. Which spiritual growth characteristic stuck out to you in verses 13-16? Doctrinally stable (vs 14), speaking the truth in love (vs 15) or growing in Christ-likeness (vs 15)

4. How does viewing the church as a body (vs 16) help us to understand our role within the church and inspire us to live out verse 1, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we’ve been called?

Reflection Questions

1. What does “walking worthy” look like in practical ways? Are there specific areas in your life where this call challenges you to grow?

2. Which of the 5 characteristics of walking worthy in verses 2-3 stuck out to you and why? 

3. How does the idea of unity in verses 4-6, that there is “one” Holy Spirit, and “one” Jesus, and “one” God motivate and cause us to walk worthy? 

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?