Reflection Question 1. What are characteristics of Job that we see in Job 1:1-5, and why are they important for us to know about him and to consider about our own spiritual lives? 2. What can we learn from Job’s response to sudden and intense suffering? What does his posture of worship reveal about his view of God? 3. How would you describe God’s role and Satan’s role in Job’s suffering? In light of Ephesians 6, what does Job 1 teach us about the nature of spiritual warfare and God’s so...
Reflection Questions 1. What do verses 23-24 reveal about the Apostle Paul’s heart (aka his desire) towards the church? How is that impactful to you? 2. Which of the 4 desires/words stuck out to you the most, and why? Peace? Love? Faith? Grace? 3. What was more impactful to you from verses 21 and 22: The power of sharing your testimony or the power of being a faithful friend and servant of the Lord like Tychicus? Why? 4. How does Tychicus model or emulate Paul’s desires in v...
Reflection Questions 1. How alert and persevering is your prayer life? Where do you tend to drift or disengage? 2. What role does prayer play in your spiritual warfare? (Preparation, defense, or both?) How did today’s passage possibly change your viewpoint? 3. How do you currently pray for “all the saints”? What new routines might help you intercede for others beyond your immediate circle? 4. What does it mean to “pray at all times in the Spirit”? How does this differ from routine...
Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean to “take up the whole armor of God”? Why is it necessary for standing firm? 2. Knowing that the whole armor is meant to be worn altogether, not just in pieces. In your walk with Christ, which part of the armor is strongest and which needs attention? 3. What rhythms currently help you (or could help you) “put on” the armor daily… especially in light of your marriage, parenting, church, or work where the enemy is seeking to attack us?
Reflection Questions 1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says our struggle is “not against flesh and blood”? How does that change the way we view conflict in our lives? 2. The Apostle Paul describes Satan as organized, powerful, and cunning. Where have you underestimated the enemy’s influence in your life? 3. The Apostle Paul commands us to “be strong in the Lord.” What does that look like practically in your daily rhythms? Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength? 4. How doe...
Reflection Questions Which of the four commands to employees/slaves resonated with you? And how does this passage challenge our cultural view of work, authority, and leadership? Respect (Vs 5), Sincere heart (vs 5), considerate (6), and pleasant (vs 7-8). What does it look like to work “as unto the Lord” in your current job or role?How does this passage connect to the broader theme of walking in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1)?In what ways can our work relationships become...
Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean for children to obey “in the Lord”? How does this shape our understanding of obedience as an act of worship, not just compliance? 2. Why do you think Paul addresses fathers specifically in verse 4? What does this say about spiritual leadership and responsibility in the home? 3. What does “discipline and instruction of the Lord” look like practically? How can parents disciple their children in everyday rhythms? 4. If you’re not currently parenting, how...
Reflection Questions 1. Which of the five ways husbands are to love their wives stood out to you? (Sacrifically vs 25, Sanctifying vs 26-27, sensitive vs 28-29, satisfying vs 29-30, and specific vs 31-32) 2. How does Paul’s command for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church challenge our cultural view of love? 3. In what ways does your marriage relationship serve as a witness to the gospel in your home, church, and community? 4. Verse 33 summarizes the call: husbands love, wi...
Reflection Questions 1. Equal before God, but distinct in their household roles. What stood out to you in the passage about the role of a Godly wife? 2. What stood out to you about the role of a Godly husband? 3. How does verse 18-21 and being Holy Spirit-filled change your perception of verses 22-24 and submission? 4. Why is verse 23, Christ is the head of the Church, critical to understanding the roles of husbands and wives within a Godly marriage?
Reflection Questions 1. What does it look like to “make the best use of the time” in your current season of life (parenting, work, etc.) and how does the reality that “the days are evil” shape your urgency and intentionality? Hint: What are some practical ways you can evaluate and realign your daily treadmill to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel? 2. The Apostle Paul contrasts foolishness with understanding the Lord’s will. What role does (or should) daily Bible i...
Reflection Questions 1. In light of Ephesians 4:1 and 4:17… How is 5:1-2 an encouragement and also instructive to us? 2. Why do you think Paul stops to list six specific sins in verses 3-4 after giving five examples of taking off and putting on in 4:25-32? 3. Which of the three reasons for being imitators of God resonated with you? Why? (1) The Character of God’s Kingdom vs 5. (2) The wrath of God vs 6-7. (3) Being who we are called to be, the Light vs 8...
Reflection Questions 1. Based on this text… why is joy tied to putting on a new self clothed in righteousness and holiness? 2. Why does Spiritual Warfare (vs 27) play a part in joylessness and struggling to putting off the old self and putting on the new self? How should that inform the way we react to this passage? 3. Which of these 5 transformations stuck out to you the most? Why? 4. How are these 5 characteristics seen in the life of Jesus? How is that motivating and enc...
Reflection Questions 1. The Apostle Paul uses the analogy of clothing to describe spiritual transformation. How does this imagery help us understand the change that happens when we follow Christ? 2. What does Paul mean when he says Gentiles walk in “the futility of their minds” and how does this contrast with the renewed mind of a believer? How can we intentionally renew our minds daily? 3. How does surrounding ourselves with strong Christian community help us put on the new self? In what way...
Reflection Questions 1. Why is it so important to understand “Grace” and “Gift” (vs 7) when thinking about our own spiritual gifts? 2. Why is diversity of spiritual gifts within the church a good thing? What responsibilities do we have with our spiritual gifts in verse 12? 3. Which spiritual growth characteristic stuck out to you in verses 13-16? Doctrinally stable (vs 14), speaking the truth in love (vs 15) or growing in Christ-likeness (vs 15) 4. How does viewing the church as a...
Reflection Questions 1. What does “walking worthy” look like in practical ways? Are there specific areas in your life where this call challenges you to grow? 2. Which of the 5 characteristics of walking worthy in verses 2-3 stuck out to you and why? 3. How does the idea of unity in verses 4-6, that there is “one” Holy Spirit, and “one” Jesus, and “one” God motivate and cause us to walk worthy?
Reflection Questions 1. What does the phrase “According to the riches of his glory” (Vs 16) tell us about God's capacity and willingness to respond to our prayers? How does knowing God has "riches of His glory" impact the way you pray and what you ask for? 2. Which of the three requests that Paul prayed for the church in verses 17-19 stuck out to you? Why? 3. Why is it significant that God’s glory is to be displayed “in the church” (vs 21)? How does the church and being with other belie...
Reflection Questions 1. Why is it so important to remember that we, the church, were once far off from God? That we were like Gentiles. 2. How is Jesus our peace with other relationships (Jews vs Gentiles), and how does that change how we view our church family? 3. How does this passage challenge or change your perception of the importance of the church in your growth as a believer? 4. Given that the church is a body, what is your role in contributing to its health, holiness...
Reflection Questions 1. What stood out or resonated with you about the Apostle Paul’s depiction of our pre-Christian state in verses 1-3? 2. Why is the phrase "But God" in verse 4 such a powerful and sweet transition in light of verses 1-3 and Paul’s description in verses 4-10? 3. According to verses 7-10, why did God make us alive? What impact should that have on your life? 4. Why should understanding salvation (Ephesians 1:1-14, 2:1-10) humble us?
Reflection Questions 1. What are the reasons that bring you to God in prayer? How does this passage challenge you to approach prayer differently? 2. Which reason for Paul's prayer for these saints stuck out to you the most? Their faith in Jesus or their love for others? Why? 3. What struck you about what Paul prayed for these believers in vs 17 (and then repeated and expanded in verses 18-23)? 4. Why is hope (vs 18) and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is (vs 19-23) so importan...
Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean to you personally to be "sealed with the Holy Spirit"? How does this provide you with assurance? 2. Why would/should this passage challenge you to share the gospel with others? 3. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Helper” in John 14-16. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a helper help you understand verses 13-14 and the role of the Holy Spirit? 4. How does the concept of the Holy Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance shape your persp...