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Week 1

Lavished and Forgiven

Ephesians 1:1-14

Alternative Video site: https://vimeo.com/288993682

Opening: The first half of the book of Ephesians details what our true identity is, as we are “in Christ.” Before we dive into the Scripture, share one or two things with the group that are unique about yourself. Be creative in what you share.

Examine the Passage: Read Ephesians 1:1-14

  • What can you observe in this passage and learn about each member of the Trinity.
    • God the Father (vs. 3-6)
    • the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 7-10)
    • the Holy Spirit (vs. 13-14)
  • What have we been chosen for (vs. 4-6)? Grab a pen and circle or highlight those words.
  • What have we received being found in Christ (vs. 7-8)? Again, circle and highlight those corresponding words.
  • We have been “lavished” with blessings by God (vs. 8). Does this word describe your understanding of your relationship with God? How?
  • What does it look like or feel like to live “forgiven” (vs. 7)?
  • What is the “will” or plan of God? (vs. 9-10)

Explore the Theme: Unity in Christ. “How very good and pleasant it is when God’s People live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

  • Describe how you see “unity” (Eph 1:10) as being different from “uniformity”?
  • What unites us? (Dig deeper than an easy answer and spend time discussing this.)
  • Later on, in the book of Ephesians in Chapter 4, you will discover we are each equipped differently to serve, and yet, our differences do not need to lead us to divisiveness. How have you experienced unity within diversity in your life? In our church?
  • How does competition between churches affect unity? How can we foster unity with Christians in other churches?

Engage Your Life: Practice Scripture memory and community. Over the next ten weeks, as a part of our study of the book of Ephesians we will be looking at different themes in Scripture that train us on how to be with one another. Read several of the “one another” verses in the Bible and choose one to commit to memory. Share it with the group now and then practically attempt to live it out over the coming week. Come ready next week to share how you practiced this Scripture.

  • In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5)
  • Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24
  • Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 13:1)
  • Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
  • Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11)
  • Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)
  • Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
  • Brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another. (2 Corinthians 13:11
  • Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)
  • Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray… Pray for each other. (James 5:13-16)

Praying Grace and Peace: The book of Ephesians is bookended by a prayer for “Grace” and “Peace” for all (1:2 and 6:23-24). Grace is kindness shown to those that have not earned it. Especially in the Scriptures, grace refers to the kindness God has shown humanity to redeem us through the work of God in Christ on the cross. Peace is a common Jewish blessing which refers to wholeness. Peace refers to the gift of God to set right one’s spiritual, physical, relational, familial, economic and political aspects of their life.

  • Offer up to the group a prayer request you have. (Each week you will have an opportunity to do this.)
  • Then spend the first couple of minutes together in your corporate prayer time in individual quiet prayer. Use this time silently to confess divisive thoughts that do not honor God and that you have had towards others.
  • Finish your prayer time praying out loud specifically for any prayer requests mentioned and then for grace and peace to come to their fullness in the lives of each member in the group, as well as for others not present in the group. (If you are willing, commit to praying daily for grace and peace to reign in the Church everywhere, and at Lake Avenue Church specifically, from now until the end of the Ephesians sermon series. You may want to set an alarm to go off at 6:23 (am or pm) to commitment to this prayer, linking it to Ephesians 6:23.)