Primary Text:
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead”
Ephesians 2:4-5.

For Personal Reflection/Small Group Discussion

Take a moment to think of a favorite moment from your time in high school. Why was it your favorite? If you’re in a small group, share and discuss.

Take a moment to think of a least favorite moment from your time in high school. Why was it such a challenge? What did you learn from it? How did you grow through it? If you’re in a small group, share and discuss.

Throughout much of the Bible, we see language of remembrance. God’s people are consistently challenged to discipline themselves to remember what God had done for them. Why is this?

Read Ephesians 2. Why might Paul be reminding the people of who they were, before their encounter with Jesus?

Read Galatians 5:16-26. Paul is listing the works of the flesh and comparing them to the fruit of the Spirit. Take time to see how each of the fruits of the Spirit counter the works of the flesh. Why is this?

Sometimes it seems that Christians have a difficult time remembering “who they were” prior to encountering Christ. Why might this be? Also, are there ways to talk about our past without celebrating it? How might we talk about our prior “dead selves” while pointing to Christ?