Opening Discussion:
Is there a faith community which you used to belong to, that you now keep track of through newsletters, etc? (Churches, summer camps, college fellowships…)
What aspects of friendships and fellowships have you missed during the pandemic? Are there any aspects which have surprised you or been strengthened?
Homework Discussion Questions:
Pg 9 # 17:
Read Acts 20:17-37
List the elements of Paul’s ministry among the Ephesians that he describes in this section:
[Use Whiteboard to record everyone’s answers]
[Verses 17-21 // 22-24 // 25-30 // 32-35 // 36-37]
Pg 10 # 19:
What was Paul’s purpose in life?
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Pg 20 # 20:
How has the Lord asked you to share the gospel, in words, actions, and attitudes?
Pg 7 # 4:
What do the greeting and farewell of the letter tell us about the nature of relationships between believers?
Opening
Ephesians 1:1-2
1-2 I, Paul, am under God’s plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
Final Greetings
Ephesians 6:21-24
21-22 Tychicus, my good friend here, will tell you what I’m doing and how things are going with me. He is certainly a dependable servant of the Master! I’ve sent him not only to tell you about us but to cheer you on in your faith.
23-24 Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.
Pg 7 # 5:
Have you thought about your Christian friendships this week? Is there anything in particular you are grateful for, or which God might be nudging you to invest in?
Pg 7 # 5:
Is there a brother or sister in Christ whom God is nudging you to encourage, even in a “simple” way?
Action Items:
- Find a way to reach out to a sister in Christ you have missed during the past “pandemic year”.
- Be on the lookout for “Attributes of God” throughout Ephesians, which we will combine into a Word-Art Image.
Closing Scripture:
Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.
Breathe in: Jesus, in love you died for me
Breathe out: Give me undying love for you
Closing Music:
Benediction:
Go now as a light to the nations. Honor the Lord; preach what you know of the risen Christ, and fulfill all righteousness.
And may God strengthen you and bless you with peace; May Christ Jesus bring forth justice for you and among you; And may the Holy Spirit alight on you and affirm you as God’s beloved ones.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer