Small Group Questions
Ephesians 2:8-10
Sermon Title: MORE THAN A MEMORY
Series: Scriptures that Changed My Life #2
Week of 26June 2016
Scripture Reference: ephesians 2: 1-10 (8-10 emphasized)
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are God’s handiwork/workmanship/masterpiece/poem, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
THEME/ CONCEPT:
Ephesians 2:8-9 is one of the most beloved passages of reformed Christianity. It was also one of the first verses I (Rev. Jeff Wagner) memorized on my own journey. This passage changed my life as a youth by introducing me to the grace of God. But God also continued to use this same Scripture to open my eyes. God has continued to use this passage to expand the depth of my understanding of God’s grace and both what we are saved from as well as what we are saved for. Application: God’s desire is for you to hear and see what you already know. The breadth of God’s Word gives the proper lens for moving from seeing a “serving” of grace to the wonder to the story of all that is!
Opening Question
A question similar to the following can help your small group start sharing and give everyone an opportunity to contribute. You might help your group members apply the scripture to their lives by sending them the question a few days before you meet to prepare for the discussion.
O1.This sermon series is all about passages that were formative or had a particularly strong impact on our pastors. Is there a scripture passage that you would preach about if it was your turn in the pulpit?
Understanding the Scripture
A question like one of the following may help your group understand the content of the passage.
U1.Who is the audience/intended reader for this passage? What is the author of the letter’s relationship with them?
U2.Review Ephesians 1, as Ephesians 2 opens with the word “And,” indicating it is meant to be read as part of the same thought/point as the preceding section.
(a)Summarize the main theme/point of Ephesians 1.
(b)How does Ephesians 2 continue that theme, and what new main points does it add?
U3.Ephesians 2:1-3 emphasizes a clear before and after our encounter with Christ; describe those differences (before/after). (Suggestion: Go through Ephesians 1&2 with a highlighter to circle or highlight the words “dead” and “alive”, and use the same color to hit the words associated with our pre-Christ state and a different color to hit the words associated with being alive in Christ.)
Applying the Scripture
Small groups provide sacred space for this life-changing transformation and are essential in building authentic community. We have found when all our small groups live by a set of core values; we can stay on our mission of making disciples as a church. The five values can be found in the Small Group Leader Resources.
Every small group is different; use the questions that will be the most useful to your group members' growth. If you cover one goal one week, try to use a different section the next week to cover all the values.
Upward (Connecting to God)
A1.Different translations or interpretations of this verse describe us as God’s “workmanship,” “masterpiece,” “handiwork,” or even “poem.” Have you ever considered yourself to be any of these? Which term are you most comfortable with—and which the least? How can you go about revising your own self-perspective as His “masterpiece” or “poem”?
A2.Compare and contrast the concepts of grace versus mercy. How do they differ, and how do they work together?
A3.We are reminded that after the Fall (Genesis 3, particularly 3:17-19,) creation itself became corrupted by sin, and also awaits full redemption. What are some aspects of this state of depravity that are particularly evident right now?
Inward (Connecting to each other)
A4.Ephesians 2:1-3 creates a dichotomy of differences in the lives of those alive in Christ, contrasted with those living in and of the world, according to the flesh. Yet, our lives do not always reflect such a stark contrast, so that those around us may not recognize any distinction.
(a)What is one way your life is different than it was prior to giving your life to Christ?
(b)What is one way you still are living more according to the flesh than under the power of the Spirit?
A5.We are reminded that we are not to boast about being saved, yet it seems like we encounter people who boast about other “blessings” from God, whether it be something innate (like a talent or gift) or something material (wealth, house, etc.) Is this something you find yourself doing—boasting about the blessing if not the actual salvation? How might you refocus your attitude in light of this passage? How might you respond to someone who has this attitude (still in a loving way)?
A6.If your group hasn't already done it, which of the next few weeks would be the best week to do a small group self-evaluation and goal-setting? [See trinityconnection.com/smallgroups for possible reflection questions.]
Outward (Serving through mission & outreach)
A7.It is tempting to see this particular scripture as creating an “us vs. them;” that we are blessed and others are not. How might we refocus our understanding of this Scripture to remove that division?
A8.Ephesians 2:5 reminds us that we were “dead” in our transgressions; how does that understanding of our natural state help us reach others who have not yet opened their hearts to Christ?
A9.Are there particular people groups or “types of sinners” that you may have previously felt reluctant to serve because you either felt they were “beyond saving” or “better than they are”? How does the reminder that it is only through the mercy of God and His grace help us remove that reluctance? Pray about any particular people group that comes up, and how this group might be exhorted to pray for and serve this group and their particular needs.
Forward (Equipping)
A10.One of the key themes of Pastor Jeff’s message is to help us move beyond an understanding of “saved from” to “saved for;” what are several ways you are “saved from” the life you were living before Christ, and what are several ways you are “saved for” in Christ?
A11.Being God’s “masterpiece” or “poem” implies uniqueness to each of us; just as no two works of art or literature are the same, neither are we. How does that understanding of yourself help you determine what you were “saved for”? What are some ways you can help to discern your unique “saved for” purpose?
A12.(Follow up to A10) If you are particularly struggling with determining where God might want to use you—what you were “saved for”—what are some ways to help gain a better insight? (Examples may be—trying out a different ministry area, serving at a new community ministry or mission, even doing Summer Choir or volunteering for VBS for the first time---perhaps even as a small group).
Onward (Discipling)
A13.Who do you know—friend, family member, neighbor—who might be blessed by a new understanding of the Gospel as Good News for now, beyond a “fire insurance/saved “from”” mentality, to a richer comprehension of what we are saved “for”? This person may be someone who does not know Christ, or may be someone who is new to the faith, or is struggling with their faith?
Closing Prayer
If your small group prays together, some of the following concepts might be helpful to invite the Holy Spirit to help each member of the group grow in areas that may have come up during the group's discussion.
Pray for someone who is not yet alive in Christ who came up during your discussion to come to know Him. Pray for boldness of tongue for each group member during the week, so that each may make the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel. Pray for continued inner change in each group member to put off the old ways of the flesh, particularly any struggles that came up during discussion. Pray for courage to step out in faith to become the hands and feet of Christ in service.