DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Becoming Who We Are
Passage: Ephesians 4:17-24
Main Idea: Right Thinking

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GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

1. Are you the type of person who holds onto everything (hoarder) or are you quick to toss out (put off) the old and embrace the new?

Look Down

As a group, read Ephesians 4:17-24 together.

This week, we continue the second half of the book of Ephesians. This part of Ephesians is all about instructions for Christian living—how correct thinking affects our behavior as you lay aside the old self and put on the new self.

2. Looking at Ephesians 4:17-19, what does Paul say about the life of those without Jesus? List everything that you can find.

3. Now look at Ephesians 4:20-24. In light of what Christ has done, what does Paul say Christ has done to you, and what is the response to which Paul calls believers?

4a. Now read all of Ephesians 4:17-24 again. This time, observe the number of times Paul mentions something related to the mind. What does this passage tell us is the importance of the way we think in the Christian life?

4b. What is the connection between how you are thinking and your behavior (vv. 17-19)?

Look Out

5. How are mind, heart, and behavior (body) all connected, as laid out by Paul in this passage?

6a. When it comes to changing our behavior, would you agree that the mind is the place to begin rather than the body? Why or why not? (Question taken from NT Wright, Ephesians Bible Study.)

6b. Of the three aspects listed in question 4, where do you think behavior change begins?

7a. Considering this discussion, do you think there might be any impact of regularly watching negative behavior (violent, graphic, sensual or crude TV shows and movies) on how we behave?

7b. How could these things actually shape us?

Look In

8. Describe a time when wrong thinking in your life led to wrong action. What did you learn from that experience?

9. Paul tells us the importance of being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23). How can we do this?

10. What is a specific way of thinking and behaving that you need to “put off?” What can you replace it with? (Question adapted from NT Wright, Ephesians Bible Study.)

Live It Out

11. One of the tactics of the enemy since the beginning of time is to get us to question God’s Word. “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) is a question that Satan still asks us today.

As you examine your life, what lies are you prone to believe about God and His word? (Examples include, “God is always disappointed in me”; “I need a boyfriend/girlfriend in my life to be happy”; “I’ll never be able to overcome anxiety / this addiction”; “I’m worthless to God and others.”)

If you’re willing to be vulnerable, share that lie with the group.

After each person shares, allow others in the group to speak positive encouragement from God’s truth into their life, and pray for one another.

Close by praying that God would help us all see ourselves the way that He sees us. (For a refresher on how God sees us, read Ephesians 1:3-14 again.)

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get everyone talking.

1. Are you the type of person who holds onto everything (hoarder) or are you quick to toss out (put off) the old and embrace the new?

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

Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

As a group, read Ephesians 4:17-24 together.

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

This week, we continue the second half of the book of Ephesians. This part of Ephesians is all about instructions for Christian living—how correct thinking affects our behavior as you lay aside the old self and put on the new self.

2. Looking at Ephesians 4:17-19, what does Paul say about the life of those without Jesus? List everything that you can find.

Some examples might be futility of thinking, darkened in understanding, hard hearts, excluded from the life of God, sensuality, greed, etc.

3. Now look at Ephesians 4:20-24. In light of what Christ has done, what does Paul say Christ has done to you, and what is the response to which Paul calls believers?

We are now part of the new creation in Christ:
– Made new in the attitude of our minds, our understanding
– Correct thinking

Steps that need to be taken to become new:
– Put off your old self
– As Christians seek to do this, God makes it a reality
– First understanding who we become, then living it out

4a. Now read all of Ephesians 4:17-24 again. This time, observe the number of times Paul mentions something related to the mind. What does this passage tell us is the importance of the way we think in the Christian life?

The important part is that the hardening of the heart has a role in the way we are thinking.

4b. What is the connection between how you are thinking and your behavior (vv. 17-19)?

Darkened thinking will lead to certain behavior. How do you see that right thinking affects your heart? How does right thinking affect your body?

Look Out

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

5. How are mind, heart, and behavior (body) all connected, as laid out by Paul in this passage?

6a. When it comes to changing our behavior, would you agree that the mind is the place to begin rather than the body? Why or why not? (Question taken from NT Wright, Ephesians Bible Study.)

6b. Of the three aspects listed in question 4, where do you think behavior change begins?

There isn’t one correct answer. We may each experience this differently. Refer to Romans 12:2

7a. Considering this discussion, do you think there might be any impact of regularly watching negative behavior (violent, graphic, sensual or crude TV shows and movies) on how we behave?

7b. How could these things actually shape us?

Leaders: Think about how some of the earlier verses in Ephesians can line up with this question.

Look In

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

8. Describe a time when wrong thinking in your life led to wrong action. What did you learn from that experience?

9. Paul tells us the importance of being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23). How can we do this?

Consider the things that we read or watch on a regular basis. What could we pay more attention to or do differently?

10. What is a specific way of thinking and behaving that you need to “put off?” What can you replace it with? (Question adapted from NT Wright, Ephesians Bible Study.)

Live It Out

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

11. One of the tactics of the enemy since the beginning of time is to get us to question God’s Word. “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) is a question that Satan still asks us today.

As you examine your life, what lies are you prone to believe about God and His word? (Examples include, “God is always disappointed in me”; “I need a boyfriend/girlfriend in my life to be happy”; “I’ll never be able to overcome anxiety / this addiction”; “I’m worthless to God and others.”)

Leaders: point to the truths found in Ephesians to combat the lies. Look up the verses together.

Lies:
– “I am worthless.”
– “God is always disappointed in me.”
– “I need a boyfriend/girlfriend (or some material possession, or a certain appearance) in my life to be happy.”

Truths:
– In Christ I have been adopted into God’s family; I belong to Him (Eph. 1:4).
– In Christ I have an inheritance, one that is incorruptible (Eph. 1:13-14).
– In Christ I will find the immeasurable riches of God’s grace and kindness (Eph. 2:7).

Lies:
– “I can’t forgive myself.”
– “I’ll never be able to overcome anxiety / this addiction.”

Truths:
– In Christ I have been redeemed; my sins have been forgiven (Eph. 1:7).
– In Christ I have the immeasurable power of the greatness of God (Eph. 1:19).

Lie:
– “I don’t belong. I don’t fit in. Nobody wants me here.”

Truth:
– In Christ I am brought near, the dividing wall has been broken down, and I am no longer a stranger, but am a fellow citizen with God’s people (Eph. 2:17-19).

If you’re willing to be vulnerable, share that lie with the group.

After each person shares, allow others in the group to speak positive encouragement from God’s truth into their life, and pray for one another.

Close by praying that God would help us all see ourselves the way that He sees us. (For a refresher on how God sees us, read Ephesians 1:3-14 again.)