DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Becoming Who We Are
Topic: Ephesians 2:1-10
Main Idea: We have been made alive in Christ, not by our own doing, but by his grace and great love for us.

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GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

What is the greatest or most memorable gift you have received?

Look Down

A. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. What does Paul say about who we were before we put our faith in Jesus?

B. Read Ephesians 2:4-10. What does Paul say God did for us? Why did God do this for us?

Look Out

A. Paul talks much about the state of the human condition apart from God. Where do you see people following the ways of the world?

B. Some people are willing to say that the world “out there” is full of sinful people, but aren’t as willing to recognize their own inherent sinfulness. Why do you think that is?

Look In

A. How do Paul’s words about the human condition apart from God strike you, personally?
Why do you think it’s necessary to understand what the Bible says about our fallen nature apart from God?

B. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:4-10 that all of our salvation is a result of God’s gracious act in our lives – nothing in our salvation is from ourselves. Where might you be tempted to believe that your salvation is in some way dependent on you? How do Paul’s words give you relief? How do they challenge you?

C. Though salvation is entirely by grace, Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:10 that someone who has been saved will evidence good works (works that ultimately come from God Himself). Where has God made you alive in an area where you previously felt dead – what changes have you seen because of God working in you? (Allow other people to speak into what they have seen, as well.)

Live It Out

We see in this passage that God gets all of the credit for our good deeds. As you close your time, read Ephesians 2:4-10 again and pay attention to all that is said about God. Close your time by praising God for His grace in your life. Even consider turning on a worship song and ending your time together by worshiping God in your group!

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get everyone talking.

What is the greatest and/or the most memorable gift you have received?

This is a “lighter” question intended to get the conversation going.

Look Down

As a group read Ephesians 2:1-10 together.

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, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Read Ephesians 2:1-3. What does Paul say about who we were before we put our faith in Jesus?

In verses 1-3, Paul reminds the church in Ephesus and us today of who we were before Christ and the condition from which Jesus saved us. As you step into discussion, it could be helpful to lead your group phrase by phrase allowing for discussion on each of Paul’s statements (“dead in your trespasses and sins,” “walked according to the ways of this world,” etc…).

Read Ephesians 2:4-10. What does Paul say God did for us? Why did God do this for us?

Once again, take the approach of going phrase by phrase discussing as you go. By sharing who we were before Christ, Paul is leading up to the “But God” statement beginning in verse 4. Paul’s focus is to emphasize that God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against him, and enslaved to our sin, but he did not. God’s reason for saving us was entirely His own. As you answer and discuss why God did this for us, it is important to understand that we did not merit His mercy or earn our salvation. Being rich in mercy and in his great love for us, God saved us.

Lastly in verse 10, Paul emphasizes that we are not merely saved for our own benefit but to serve Christ as “His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works….”

Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

A. Paul talks much about the state of the human condition apart from God. Where do you see people following the ways of the world?

Before your group responds to this question it’s probably a good idea to mention that this question is not meant to spark gossip but rather reflect on the imprints of the broken world around us. Try to steer your group toward a general discussion of examples most commonly seen by others such as reality TV, media and culture.

B. Some people are willing to say that the world “out there” is full of sinful people, but aren’t as willing to recognize their own inherent sinfulness. Why do you think that is?

When leading your group through this question, have them reflect on general ways in which people aren’t willing to recognize their own inherent sinfulness. This question is meant to lead into the more personal examination of self that’s found in the next question. Examples of answers might be: fear of being vulnerable, being perceived as weak, pride, shame or failure.

Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

A. How do Paul’s words about the human condition apart from God strike you, personally?
Why do you think it’s necessary to understand what the Bible says about our fallen nature apart from God?

B. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:4-10 that all of our salvation is a result of God’s gracious act in our life – nothing in our salvation is from ourselves. Where might you be tempted to believe that your salvation is in some way dependent on you? How do Paul’s words give you relief? How do they challenge you?

C. Though salvation is entirely by grace, Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 2:10 that someone who has been saved will evidence good works (works that ultimately come from God Himself). Where has God made you alive in an area where you previously felt dead – what changes have you seen because of God working in you? (Allow other people to speak into what they have seen as well.)

For part A, lead your group to reflect back to verses 1-3 where Paul describes our brokenness and our ultimate need for Christ’s redemptive grace.

For parts A, B and C: these questions are intended to be more personal and do require more vulnerability. Encourage your group to share honestly and openly.

Live It Out

Purpose: Imagine what your world would look like if the truths from the passage were lived out.

We see in this passage that God gets all of the credit for our good deeds. As you close your time, read Ephesians 2:4-10 again and pay attention to all that is said about God. Close your time by praising God for His grace in your life. Even consider turning on a worship song and ending your time together by worshiping God in your group!

For this final section prepare to spend about fifteen minutes in prayer and reflection. To begin your time of prayer, take 1 minute to reflect on something you’re good at, desire to do, and/or are passionate about. After reflecting for 1 minute, spend another 2 minutes asking God, “What is a good work you have prepared in advance for me to do this week?” Have one individual close the time of prayer by praising God for His grace. After the prayer time, open up discussion for people to share “a good work” they feel God has placed before them. Encourage those who did not receive clarity or direction that they should continue to pray in this coming week.