1.  Read Ephesians 4:14-16 (we didn’t cover this section on Sunday).  These three verses speak about our spiritual growth. Discuss how our lives will change as we live in God’s design for us.  What will be different?  How will we change?  Do you agree that involvement in service is essential to spiritual growth? (Ephesians 4:12) Why or why not?

2.  Last weekend we talked a lot about spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:11).  Take a look at these other important Scriptures that address spiritual gifts–1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 28; Romans 12:6-8; and 1 Peter 4:10.  How many total gifts did you find in all these passages? Do these passages include all the spiritual gifts?  If not, what are some others?  What spiritual gift(s) do you have?  How did you identify your gift(s)?  How are you using your gift(s) in the body of Christ?  How is the body of Christ and the world affected if you don’t know and/or don’t use your spiritual gift(s)?

3.  Ephesians 4:11 mentions the gifts of “pastors and teachers.”  How do they work to build up the body of Christ? Do you know anyone in our church who has a pastoral or teaching ministry who is not an ordained minister or church staff member?  What effect do they have upon the body of Christ?  What do small group leaders, Sunday School teachers and Adult Bible Fellowship leaders do to build the body of Christ?

4.  Ephesians 4:11-12 says that pastors and teachers were given by God “for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ . . .” Why is it vital for pastors and teachers to focus on the “training or equipping” of the saints rather than on serving as “paid chaplains” to the flock?  What actions might this training or equipping involve?

We live in a world that is divided by walls. There are walls that separate us according to ethnicity, race and gender. There are walls between progressives and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, those for and those against the present health care reform legislation.  Many times, there are even walls separating us from those we love the most.   Jesus came to break down walls–the wall of sin that separated us from an intimate relationship with God; and the walls of prejudice and selfishness that separate us from each other; God has called us as His people to be a church without walls.  Let’s explore that theme in these passages a little bit:

1.  In the early church, there were significant walls between Jews and Gentiles.  What were those walls?  Why does Paul regard these divisions as so significant?

2.  What did Jesus do to tear down the walls between Jews and Gentiles and to make peace between these two communities? Why did He do this instead of having a summit and peace negotiations?

3.  Pastor Greg said that peace in Christ should bring unity to all those who are “in Christ.”  That happens because we have a new identity centered in Jesus Christ. How does our new identity in Christ affect our relationship with others? How does our new identity in Christ help to break down walls?

4.  Our church here at First B. has a growing diversity among our members. What are some potential walls that could divide us? Are there any potential walls that could divide your small group (if you have one–if not, you should get one on April 17 at our “small group launch.” details coming)?  Why is unity within diversity so important in the church?

5.  Let me challenge you:  Spend some time this week praying about your attitudes toward those in the church with whom you are different. Ask God to show you if you need an “attitude adjustment” to help you deal with prejudice or racism or any other wall that you might have built. Ask God to help you tear down the walls that separate you from others both in the church and outside of the church.

1.  In the first 3 verses, Paul goes to great lengths to describe our lives prior to receiving God’s grace. What words does he use to do this? According to Paul, how did each of these affect our lives prior to accepting God’s grace?  What are some of the other biblical descriptions of our lives prior to receiving God’s grace?

2.  In verses 4-6,  Paul describes how we are changed by God’s grace. What images does he use to describe the changes? What are some other biblical descriptions of our lives after we’ve been changed by God’s grace?

3.  When Paul says that our salvation is not from ourselves (verses 8-9), is he saying that we play no role in our salvation? Explain.   Does verse 10 contradict verses 8-9?

4.  Ephesians seems to make it pretty clear that we can do nothing to earn God’s favor and love–it’s simply a gift we are offered to receive.  But we humans tend to slip back into thinking we can earn God’s love.  When do you most often do this?  In what area of your life? When has God reminded you that He loves you unconditionally, and that you can’t (nor do you need to try to) earn His love?

5.  Take a few moments to consider how God’s grace is compelling you to “do good works”  this week.  How are you going to carry out these good works?

1.  Reflect a little on your own salvation experience as you look at Ephesians 1:13.  When did you first “hear the word of truth?”  And realize it was for your salvation? How many times did you hear the word before you “believed”?

2.  One of the questions people often ask is, can I lose my salvation?  How does Ephesians 1:13-14 address this question? Do these verses answer the question–and if so, do you agree with the answer?

3.  What is God’s main purpose for: the Father choosing, adopting and accepting us? (Ephesians 1: 4-5); the Son redeeming, forgiving and revealing God’s will to us? (Ephesians 1: 7-9); the Holy Spirit sealing and guaranteeing our future blessing? (Ephesians 1:13-14)  Hint–Pay special attention to Ephesians 1:6, 12.

Week 2, 02/21/10, Personalized II, Ephesians 1:7-12

1) What is accomplished through redemption? In these passages, what do you see as the significance to this progression of “redemption,” “forgiveness,” “enlightenment,” and “inheritance”?

2) In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:30) he mentions that in Christ we have righteousness, holiness and redemption. How does redemption work in connection with holiness and righteousness? And how are they different?

3) What is the significance of being “let in” (as God’s people) on the mystery of His plan?

4) Verse 10 says that God’s plan is “to bring everything together in the Messiah;” and the verses we read in Colossians 1:20 says that God plans, “through Him (Jesus Christ) to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross—whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Many people read these passages and believe they imply that eventually everyone will be “reconciled to God,” and go to heaven. What do you think?

5) Why is it significant that God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will? What if God didn’t do that?

6) What impact might vs. 12 have on how we approach worship on Sunday morning and the rest of the week?

Thanks for taking the time to “dive in” a little deeper during the week. Hopefully these questions will give you a little more to think about and talk about from the Word of God and the letter of Ephesians. You might want to discuss them in your small group, with a prayer partner or with family and friends. And if you can’t find someone to share it with this week, you can always meditate upon God’s Word and listen as He speaks to you personally. Dive deep, and I’ll see you Sunday.

Pastor Greg

Week 1, 02/14/10, Personalized, Ephesians 1:1-6

1. In chapter 1, verse 1, Paul refers to himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, what is the significance of being an apostle? In what way(s) does that qualify him to write a Book in the Bible?

2. Ephesians is not a “book” in the typical way we think of books; rather it is a personal letter, written from the Apostle Paul To the saints and believers in Christ Jesus at Ephesus (vs.1). How is it different and/or significant that this is a personal letter? How does it being a personal letter change the way you read it and hear it?

3. In verse 3, “blessed” or “blessing” is used multiple times. What does the word blessing mean? Through whom have blessings come? The significance of a blessing is in the giver of the blessing. How is it different when God blesses you from when someone else blesses you?

4. In verse 4, God makes a choice. What is significant about the timing of that choice?

5. This first section in Ephesians focuses on our blessings in Christ (vs, 3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ) As you go through this week, reflect upon the “when” the “how” and the “why” of these spiritual blessings. Be blessed . . . and share God’s blessings with someone this week.

I guess my question is; how many times do we feel like this about worship? Once, twice, every month, whenever we feel like we are right with God? I don’t know. For some people this is more often than for others. Honestly, there are times I find it hard to engage in worship. May be I’ve had a bad week, or I’m worried about what the future is going to bring, or life has simply taken it’s toll on me. Often this affects my level of engagement in worship.

I have discovered that it helps to be honest with God about our feelings, emotions, fears, and insecurities and worship him in our brokenness. God understands every intricate detail of our lives and nothing takes him off guard. As we start to tell God about our attitude towards worship that morning, we realize that he is right there with us. As we start reflecting on him we know that he is “Emmanuel” – God with us. He does not leave us nor forsake us. Our role is to exercise our faith and believe that though we might not “feel Him”, God is with us and he wants to purge our hearts, fellowship with us, and most importantly, be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth because of who he is, regardless of how we feel.

Here’s a quick recap at what’s been happening in the senior high youth ministry at FBC….

LIFE- In 2009 we had over 20 student’s commitment or recommit their lives to following Christ. We consistently averaged 40 students at our Sunday night youth service. And our goal for 2010 is to have every student being discipled by at least one individual who is older and more spiritually mature than themselves. Currently more than half of the students are already involved in this process.

COMMUNITY- In the fall we began hosting monthly Youth Parties where 15-30 students gathered in a home on a Saturday night. This is an attempt to build a bridge between students who are un-churched and the students who have grown up within the church. This will also allow them to invite their friends to a more relaxed environment, thus making it easier to extend an invitation to a Sunday night youth service. Students are also finding community in Life Groups, which are being led by Joey Rodriguez at Tim Gilbert’s house every other week. At these meetings students are being held accountable and discipled alongside a community of student and adult believers. Lastly, the students are discovering and discussing the gray areas of their faith in Sunday School which is taught by Mike Rivera and has been averaging a consistent attendance of 18-22 students a week.

SERVICE- In 2009 we served and discovered what it meant to be the hands and feet of Christ in a broken and hurting world. A few highlights are: 11 students and 2 adults attended the Chicago Mission Trip, 12 Students volunteered as servers and host at the ECDC Benefit Dinner and 8 Students volunteered to rake an elderly congregation member’s yard. And one of the most beneficial aspects of the high school ministry is that over 70% of the students currently serve in a role on Sunday night. Anywhere from vacuuming and cleaning the youth center to teaching a lesson or leading worship.

FREEDOM- This year I have been preaching that we need to lay down our fleshly desires and stand out from the people of the world. This has resulted in over 30 students making a commitment to stay abstinent until marriage. This has given me the opportunity to have conversations with students who have gone too far sexually and wanted to make a commitment to remain pure and allow God to heal them of there wounds or addictions to sex. I was also deeply moved when one of our student found support and forgiveness after stealing and doing community service hours in which students from IMPACT have worked alongside her in this process.

Finally…..Thank you to all who have committed to praying for the youth ministry at First Baptist it has made 2009 our best year yet. It could not have been made possible without your service, faithfulness, financial support, and prayers. I really believe for Gods best in our church this year! So let’s live more, serve more, invite more and most of all LOVE more…it’s what Christ has called us to do.

Making an IMPACT on this generation,
Josh Lee