Ephesians 5:1-20

Meditate again on the phrases "created to be like God" (4:24) and "be imitators of God" (5:1). What have you learned so far about what those phrases mean?

What have you learned from chapter 4 about "putting off the old self" and "putting on the new self"?

When you discuss the temptations we face toward sexual immorality, it may be good to split the men and women into two groups so that each can discuss the unique ways this temptation comes to us.

How do we allow a "hint" of sexual immorality into our lives (:3)? We can often justify baby-steps toward immorality and justify it because we are stopping short of fully giving into this sin. But there is to not even be a hint! Explore this idea.

How does greed become idolatry (:5)?

How do we "expose" the deeds of darkness?

Paul speaks of the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with which we are to "speak to another." Has coming to Christ changed the music you listen to and sing? Why do you think music is such a big deal?

Have everyone pick one verse that they are going to meditate on and memorize over this next week. These practical truths are to be lived out in tangible ways. Let's hold one another accountable to be doers of the Word and not simply hearers.

Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2

Now Paul gets very specific about what it means to "put off" the old self and to "put on" the new self. Remember from (:24) that we were "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Read through the passage together - perhaps more than once.

Make a list of those things that the Christian is to "put off" and then another list of that which is to be "put on" according to these verses.

One of the most powerful means by which Cornerstone can become a blatantly bold and undeniable church is for each of us to "speak truthfully to his neighbor" (:25).

Do you believe that we, as a culture, have a difficult time being truth-speakers? How so?

How do YOU specifically struggle with being a truth-speaker? (Let each person answer this one).

Do you find yourself losing your temper? When? What does that look like?

Do you hold grudges? Ever? Against whom?

What does stealing (or petty pilfering) look like at your workplace? Where else do you see such ongoing stealing?

When you find yourself using "unwholesome talk" against someone, what typically instigates it?

Look again at 4:32 through 5:2. How do these verses motivate you to treat others well?

Ephesians 4:17-24

1. Read our passage, Ephesians 4:17-24. Paul says that Gentiles (non-Christians) live with futile thinking - thinking that is incapable of producing any meaningful result; pointless. Describe some futile thinking that is prevalent in our day and age among those who don't know Christ.
2. Walk through the downward spiral of sin Paul describes in vv. 18-19. Give some real life examples of how people descend down that path of mental and moral compromise?
3. Here's where the rubber meets the road. Paul wrote this to Christians because we are prone to put on the old "clothes" of sin and head back into old behaviors. How have you headed back into the old way of living?
4. Reread 4:20-24. What is God clearly calling us to do?
5. Throughout this passage, Paul emphasizes right thinking alongside of right living. How can believing lies lead to godless behavior? Conversely, how can believing truth lead to godly living?
6. What specific lies does the devil whisper in your ear? As a CG, when someone shares a lie, allow others to share truths from the Scripture to combat those destructive lies.
7. Before praying for each other, try and summarize 4:17-24 in a single sentence.

Ephesians 4:7-16

1. We know that Salvation is a "grace gift" of God (2:8-9). How isthis "grace gift" in verse 7 different than that? Who has this gift?
2. Verse 11 describes certain men who are "gifts" to the church.What are the specific gifts these men have and how do they function?
3. What is the primary role of these gifts? (vs. 12-13)
4. When these men are doing their jobs and gods people are prepared,what does that look like? (14-16)
5. What does it mean to "speak the truth in love"? Why is this sucha difficult thing for people to do?

Ephesians 4:1-6

A Little Background…
For thousands of years, the Jews and Gentiles had known tremendous religious and social separation. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul said the Gentiles were “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Because of Jesus, everything had changed for the Gentiles. Now, they were beginning to understand that they too were the object of God’s eternal affection, love, and grace. With that background and context, reread Eph. 4:1-6.

1. What might the Gentiles (and Jews) have heard in Eph. 4:2 as Paul begins his exhortation with, “Be completely humble and gentle”?
2. How does God want you to be humble, putting others above yourself? (See Ph.2:3-4). How can you grown in gentleness towards others, remembering that gentleness means to have your strength under control?
3. God calls us to bear with one another or put up with one another in love (4:2). How might the Jews and Gentiles have been challenged with that command? Who, specifically, do you need to learn to put up with in love? What will that look like once you leave this connection group?
4. God calls us in verse 3 to, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Yet many are too proud to say, “I was wrong will you please forgive me?” while others are too cowardice or politically correct to say, “You were wrong when you did or said that to me.” As a result there is much disunity in God’s family. Is there currently brokenness between you and anyone else and how will you make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit?
5. Go around the group and have each person complete the following sentence: “As a result of these verses, I am asking God to help me _______________ . “ (Talking about verses is easy. Stepping out in faith and obedience is hard, but tremendously rewarding!)
6. Reread verses 4-6. It is clear that God wants unity in His family. This thought seems to dominate Jesus’ prayer time in the garden of Gethsemane the night before His execution (Jn. 17:20-23). This would be a great time for your connection group to celebrate communion together. Perhaps you could first have some time as a group to confess any sin the Lord has brought to mind through this passage. Next, you could share communion, celebrating the sacrifice of Christ that made our unity with both Him and others possible. Lastly, close in prayer, asking Him for strength to live out the life giving commands the Apostle Paul shared in this passage.