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.