LET'S JOURNEY THROUGH EPHESIANS
The Bible is a grand story. Its 66 books span the course of human history while weaving eternal meaning into our right-here, right-now lives. It builds and breaks. It reveals and heals. It contextualizes our invitation to live within God’s infinite-but-intimate love. The enormity and faithfulness of that love is on full display in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The entire story of God’s work to redeem and renew His Creation hinges on Christ’s Resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-19).
We do not live within God’s story apart from an empty tomb.
More than almost any other letter, Ephesians is a condensed version of this life-altering biblical narrative. It begins “before the creation of the world” (1:4) and ends in eternity (1:10 and 6:24). Throughout this epic book, God takes the stage as the primary actor and author, accomplishing His desired purposes as He acts “in Christ” — a phrase that appears 28 times throughout the letter. Humans, however, are not left out of the action. Ephesians lays out a bold vision for God’s people to follow Jesus into the fullness of his Resurrection. It also emphasizes how a community of Jesus followers live together in unity and accomplish His plans in the world. The Apostle Paul, who wrote the letter, challenges his readers to live within God’s call on their lives — as Resurrection people.
Although this book bears the name of the Ephesian people, it was written to a much broader audience: to all of the First Century churches in Asia Minor and those of us today who have been adopted into the family of God. We are included in Paul’s encouragement to mature into the full stature of the Resurrected Christ (4:13), participating in His eternal purpose to heal, restore, and redeem all creation for all time.
Ephesians is a dense and beautiful letter. Words are stacked on top of words, creating long, winding sentences requiring repeated reading to access their rich truths. It only takes about thirty minutes to read the entire letter, but we’ve decided to go slow. We’ll meander through Ephesians over six weeks, reading a few verses daily as often as it takes to feel that we have connected meaningfully with that part of the story. Each day, we will answer the same questions of the text and journal our thoughts.
- What does this passage tell me about the story of God in our world?
- What does the passage tell me about my place in His story and how I can live out the transforming power of Jesus’ Resurrection in the world?
Below you’ll find five reading passages each week and a list of discussion prompts to use independently or in a group.
Take your time as you read the beautiful feast that is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Its truth has life-changing, purpose-defining potential and could launch you into the most epic adventure ever.
Ready? Let’s go!
With hope,
Bo Stern-Brady
Lead Pastor
"The Bible is a grand story. Its 66 books span the course of human history while weaving eternal meaning into our right-here, right-now lives. It builds and breaks. It reveals and heals."
RESURRECTION PEOPLE READING PLAN
DAY 1: Ephesians 1:1-6
DAY 2: Ephesians 1:7-12
DAY 3: Ephesians 1:13-14
DAY 4: Ephesians 1:15-19
DAY 5: Ephesians 1:15-23
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- In the introduction to his letter, Paul prays that the reader will be blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing.” Think about what this might look like in your life, then discuss it as a group or journal your thoughts.
- Verse 4 tells us that He has chosen us to be “holy and blameless.” That’s a strong term that we don’t use very often in real life. What things have happened in the news this week, or maybe in your life, that reveal humanity’s unholy condition?
- Understanding that we are frail and fallen, how is it possible for us to also be holy and blameless? Do you feel this describes your life, and why or why not?
- Read verses 1:17-19. In what areas of your life do you need greater clarity? How might a “greater understanding of the riches of His glorious inheritance and His incomparably great power for us who believe” help you see your situation more clearly?
- Verse 23 says the Church is the “body of Christ.” Discuss (or journal) how the church can or should function as Christ’s living, breathing, moving body in our world.
- What day from this week’s reading impacted you most and why?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER ONE
Genesis 1-3 and 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Psalm 110; Acts 9:1-19; Romans 5:1-5 and 8; 1 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 1:1-2; Galatians 1:1-17; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14
DAY 1: Ephesians 2 (Read the whole chapter for a good overview of the section)
DAY 2: Ephesians 2:1-4
DAY 3: Ephesians 2:4-10
DAY 4: Ephesians 2:11-16
DAY 5: Ephesians 2:17-22
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- The first four words of this section of Ephesians are not very encouraging. What does Paul mean when he says, “And you were dead”? Have you ever felt that you were breathing but not fully alive?
- Verses 4 -7 are some of the most encouraging in the New Testament. Read them out loud and discuss how easy or difficult it is to believe that you are greatly loved by God, alive together with Christ (that’s a lot of aliveness), and seated with Him in heavenly places. What keeps you from feeling that these amazing benefits belong to you?
- Verses 11-12 talk about being distanced from God and community. How should being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ impact our relationships with other believers? What are the benefits of living in unity with a healthy spiritual community?
- Read verses 14 -16 out loud and discuss how Jesus Christ made peace for us.
- In verses 19-22, Paul gives us a beautiful illustration of life in Christ as a household. Discuss the elements he includes in this picture. How would you describe the part you play in that structure?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER TWO
Ephesians 2:1-10: Psalm 1; Ezekiel 37; John 3:16; Romans 3:1-26; 6:1-14; 8:1-7; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Colossians 2:12-14; 1 Timothy 1:9-10
Ephesians 2:11-22: Genesis 1-3; 12:1-3; Isaiah 9:2-7; 52:7-10; Matthew 5:9; John 17; Acts 1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 3:9-17; Revelation 21-22
DAY 1: Ephesians 3:1-6
DAY 2: Ephesians 3:7-9
DAY 3: Ephesians 3:10-11
DAY 4: Ephesians 3:12-15
DAY 5: Ephesians 3:16-21
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is “the mystery” that Paul talks about?
- How do you think the Jewish people at this time received this new revelation, and what does this teach us about how we should receive others?
- Why does Paul refer to his calling to serve the Gentiles as a “gift of grace”?
- Why do you think God waited to reveal His intention to include the Gentiles?
- Paul encourages the Ephesians to approach God with freedom and confidence. Why do you think this was important for the Gentiles to hear?
- Chapter 3 concludes with a beautiful prayer. What does Paul emphasize in this prayer, and why is it important to us today? Which portion of this prayer challenges or encourages you the most?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER THREE
Job 11:5-9; John 15:1-12; Acts 9:40; 21:5; Romans 8:35-39; 11:36; 16:25-27; Colossians 1:9-12; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 24-25
DAY 1: Ephesians 4:1-6
DAY 2: Ephesians 4:7-13
DAY 3: Ephesians 4:14-16
DAY 4: Ephesians 4:17-24
DAY 5: Ephesians 4:25-32
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Why is it important to “make every effort” in regards to peacemaking among believers?
- What do you think gets in the way of this peace, and what are some practical ways we can overcome these obstacles?
- Paul says that we were called to “one hope” through salvation. What is this “one hope” and what are some other places we tend to place our hope in?
- What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts that are listed in verse 11?
- Paul makes a clear point that knowing Christ should change the way you live. What are some real-life examples of what it looks like for you to “put off your old self”?
- Chapter 4 ends with a heavy emphasis on how we speak to and interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why does Paul warn against these types of behavior?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER FOUR
Genesis 1-2; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 2:1-47; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Colossians 3:12-16; James 3:3-12
DAY 1: Ephesians 5:1-7
DAY 2: Ephesians 5:8-14
DAY 3: Ephesians 5:15-20
DAY 4: Ephesians 5:21-28
DAY 5: Ephesians 5:29-33
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Can you think of how you imitated God by recently showing love to someone?
- What does Paul mean by “You are the light in the world?” What does this say about our nature in Christ?
- How does the Holy Spirit equip us to live a life of love when we feel we cannot?
- Why do you think the husband and wife metaphor was used to describe Christ’s relationship with the church?
- In light of this chapter, how do we discern God’s will for our lives (Eph. 5:17)?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER FIVE
Exodus 32:5-6; Proverbs 1:7; 4:10-14; 13:20; Acts 2:1-21; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:20-24; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:2-3
DAY 1: Ephesians 6:1-4
DAY 2: Ephesians 6:5-9
DAY 3: Ephesians 6:10-12
DAY 4: Ephesians 6:13-17
DAY 5: Ephesians 6:18-24
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Since our enemy is invisible and spiritual, what does that say about the nature of this battle?
- Read verses 14-17. How do truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit matter in battle?
- We need all of the armor at all times. Looking at the battle you are in now, what specifically do you need to “put on?”
- Read Matthew 4: 1-11. Discuss how Jesus comes against this spiritual battle.
- In verse 18, we read prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. What obstacles do you face in your own life when it comes to prayer?
FURTHER READING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER SIX
Exodus 1-15 and 20:2-3; Leviticus 25:39-55; Mark 10:35-45; 1 Corinthians 7:21-24 and 12:13; Galatians 1:10 and 3:26-29; Colossians 3:22-4:1; Philemon; 1 Peter 2:18-21
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
“In Practice Resurrection Peterson brings the voice of Scripture — especially Paul’s letter to the Ephesians — and the voice of the contemporary Christian congregation together to unpack the crucial truth of what it means to fully grow up to the ‘stature of Christ.’”
We highly recommend this readable and encouraging book, which provided key insights to our team in the preparation of this series.
“For each book of the New Testament, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately.”
This resource will help you read and study Ephesians for yourself!
“This comprehensive theory and practice of Christian spiritual formation weaves together biblical and theological foundations with interdisciplinary scholarship, real-world examples, personal vignettes, and practical tools to assist readers in becoming whole persons in relationship with God and others.”