Village Green Community Church
Men's Bible Study - Ephesians Week 5 of 10
The Book of Ephesians is a survival manual—it equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle writes to encourage believers to live well—we've been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world. Join us for this 4th session of a 9 part study of the book of Ephesians. We will watch a brief 15 minute video by Pastor and author J.D. Greear then have an open time of discussion and sharing. Finally we will pray for and encourage each other and those in our community, nation and around the world. Please feel free to join this welcoming community of men from various churches and faiths here in London.
Locations & Times
Village Green Community Church
505 Village Green Avenue, London, ON N6J 4G4, Canada
Tuesday 9:30 AM
Lesson 5 - Ephesians 3:13
If you need access to RightNowMedia please contact the office or speak with your group leader.
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/1304In Ephesians 3, Paul writes that the Gentiles now share in God’s promise of salvation along with the Jewish people. Why might this message be so shocking to the Jewish community of that day?
What are some other things we accept as truth but do not fully understand?
Paul calls salvation in Ephesians 3:3 a mystery. Explain how it is or is not possible to fully understand God’s plan of salvation. Why do we believe in this mystery?
How would you explain the grace and love of God to someone who has had no knowledge of the God of the Bible? Where would you start? What would you include as the bare essentials?
In Ephesians 3:7, Paul describes this grace at work in his life through God’s power. How is God’s power working in you? When was the last time you recognized God’s grace shown to you? How do you see God’s grace and power in the Church?
In Ephesians 3:17, Paul says he hopes that Christ may “dwell in your hearts.” What does this mean? What does it look like for Christ to abide in your heart? How can we foster Christ’s dwelling in us?
At the end of Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we might experience God’s power and know the love of Christ. How can we be sure we are encountering these things on a regular basis? Are there practical ways we can allow these things to infiltrate and permeate our lives?
Paul closes this chapter with a benediction. How does Ephesians 3:20–21 speak to you?
OTHER WORDS
Read the following statements and circle your favorites. Explain why they speak to you.
“When we understand the outside of things, we think we have them. Yet the Lord puts His things in subdefined, suggestive shapes, yielding no satisfactory meaning to the mere intellect, but unfolding themselves to the conscience and heart.” –George MacDonald
“The real mystery of life is not a problem to be solved–it is a reality to be experienced.” –J.J. Van der Leeuw
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.” –Neil Armstrong
“Some people believe that holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go — and then do it.” –Ann Landers
“There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God’s finger on man’s shoulder.” –Charles Morgan
“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.” – Author Unknown
Read the following statements and circle your favorites. Explain why they speak to you.
“When we understand the outside of things, we think we have them. Yet the Lord puts His things in subdefined, suggestive shapes, yielding no satisfactory meaning to the mere intellect, but unfolding themselves to the conscience and heart.” –George MacDonald
“The real mystery of life is not a problem to be solved–it is a reality to be experienced.” –J.J. Van der Leeuw
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.” –Neil Armstrong
“Some people believe that holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go — and then do it.” –Ann Landers
“There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God’s finger on man’s shoulder.” –Charles Morgan
“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.” – Author Unknown
LIVE IT OUT
Prayer: Ask God to show you how you can reach out to someone on the other side of a social “wall.” Begin praying specifically for individuals in your life who might not share your culture, circumstances, or beliefs.
Invite: All too often we assume that people know they can come to any church service they like. Maybe they don’t know this. And maybe
they’re waiting for an invitation.
Listen: Have a conversation with someone of another religion, or no religion at all. Ask them what they think about God, or faith, or forgiveness, or death, or morality. And listen. Do not use this as a trick to tell them what you think. If they ask, be ready. And feel free to ask follow-up questions, but the main point here is to listen to them.
Connect: Talk with your church leaders about setting up a joint worship service or Bible study with another church—preferably a church with people of another culture.
Draw: Re-read Ephesians 2:14–18 from a visual perspective. How would you draw the picture described in the verses? Be as literal or symbolic as you like, as you sketch out this powerful text.
Prayer: Ask God to show you how you can reach out to someone on the other side of a social “wall.” Begin praying specifically for individuals in your life who might not share your culture, circumstances, or beliefs.
Invite: All too often we assume that people know they can come to any church service they like. Maybe they don’t know this. And maybe
they’re waiting for an invitation.
Listen: Have a conversation with someone of another religion, or no religion at all. Ask them what they think about God, or faith, or forgiveness, or death, or morality. And listen. Do not use this as a trick to tell them what you think. If they ask, be ready. And feel free to ask follow-up questions, but the main point here is to listen to them.
Connect: Talk with your church leaders about setting up a joint worship service or Bible study with another church—preferably a church with people of another culture.
Draw: Re-read Ephesians 2:14–18 from a visual perspective. How would you draw the picture described in the verses? Be as literal or symbolic as you like, as you sketch out this powerful text.
Prayer & Praise