I once heard of a pastor preaching through Ephesians for 30 years. The book is so rich, that as I’ve studied it, I can see why it took so long! Of course, I am not planning on preaching through it for the next couple of years. In fact, I managed to preach the whole 1st chapter a few weeks ago. If I had the time, I think I’d make it a multi-week series, but I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity to do that in the future. I don’t have the mp3 right now, so I’ll post a link to the sermon later.

Since we’ve already started the class, here are the questions for Chapters 1 & 2 of Ephesians. Just reading the questions I hand out can be difficult. In class each question connects to the next through the dialogue. But, please give me some feedback or suggestions…

Chapter 1

1:1-14

If you were choosing players for a sports team, who would you choose?

Since Paul is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will (1)”, why do you think God chose Paul?

Why do you think God chose to save people?  What is the significance of God choosing us before “the foundation of the world (4)”?

How are we “holy and blameless in His sight”?

Who is the “agent” through which God adopts us (5)? How does this “agent” accomplish our adoption (7)?

What is the “down payment” that we have received?

With all that God has done for you, what do you think He expects in return?

1:15-23

What does Paul pray for the Ephesians? How would each benefit the Ephesians? Make a list.

If there is “great power for us who believe” (19) and everything is “under His feet” (22) and we are part of His body, the church, how should that affect our struggles?

If God answered Paul’s prayer completely in you, how would it change your life?

Chapter 2

2:1-10

What is the greatest gift you ever received?

How does Paul describe the Ephesians before knowing Christ? Who did they follow? What did they do? What background information that we discussed about Ephesus might give us insight into what the Ephesians might read this part of the letter?

How do people move from death to life? What do you think Paul wants people to understand about this? Why?

How do we express thanks to someone who gives us a great gift?

Notice the verb “walk” in v. 10. (Hint: the NIV translates the same word used in verse 10 as “live” in verse 2. Read the ESV version of verse 2.) Where else do we see that verb—in this book and in the rest of Bible? Describe the contrast between the first usage here and the second.

If you are a believer, how is your life different now than from before you became a Christian? What still needs to change?

2:11-22

Can you describe a people group that doesn’t get along with another group? What divides the group of people? What would it take for there to be peace between them?

How did Jesus tear down the “dividing wall of hostility” (14)?

Paul says Jesus abolished the “law with its commandments and regulations” (15). How does this relate to what Jesus says in Matthew 5:17? Romans 3:31 and 13:8-10?

How does the new Temple described in this chapter compare to the Temple in Jerusalem?