Study Guide for Sermon on Ephesians 2:19-22: “Built Together in Christ”

Opening Prayer

Begin with a prayer asking God to open your heart to understand what it means to be part of His holy temple. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life where He is shaping and refining you to fit into His Church.

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:19-22

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
(Ephesians 2:19-22, NIV)

Key Themes from the Sermon

• From Strangers to Family
  • Paul reminds the Ephesians that they are no longer outsiders but part of God’s household.
  • “You belong here. God has taken you from being an outsider and brought you into His family.”
• The Foundation of the Church
  • The Church is built on the teaching of the apostles and prophets.
  • “Without strong foundations, we lose sight of who we are and what God has done for us.”
• Jesus as the Cornerstone
  • A cornerstone keeps the entire building aligned.
  • “Jesus isn’t just part of the building—He holds everything together and keeps it true.”
• God Dwelling Among His People
  • Paul describes the Church as a holy temple where God’s Spirit lives.
  • “God doesn’t want to be far from you—He wants to be present with His people.”

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to be “fellow citizens” and “members of God’s household”?
• Why is Jesus called the “chief cornerstone,” and why is that important for the Church?
• What are some “walls” that can prevent unity in the Church today?

Application Prompts

• Strengthening Your Foundation
  • Spend time studying Scripture this week to deepen your understanding of who you are in Christ.
• Living as God’s Temple
  • Identify ways you can live in a way that reflects God’s presence in you.
• Allowing God to Shape You
  • Ask God to show you any areas of brokenness or sin that need His restoration.

Prayer Prompts

• Thank God for making you a citizen of His Kingdom and a member of His household.
• Pray that the Church would stand firm on its foundation in Christ.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to fill His Church with His presence.

Study Guide for Sermon on Ephesians 2:11-22: “United in Christ”

Opening Prayer

Begin by asking God to reveal His truth about unity, both in our relationship with Him and with others. Pray for open hearts to understand His desire for His people to be one in Christ.

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…”
(Ephesians 2:13-14, NIV)

Key Themes from the Sermon

• Unity with Christ (Vertical Relationship)
  • Before Christ, we were separated from God, without hope.
  • Jesus tore down the barrier of sin, reconciling us to God.
  • “Our unity with Christ is the foundation for our unity with others.”
• Unity in Christ (Horizontal Relationship)
  • Jesus didn’t just reconcile individuals to God but created a new people—His Church.
  • The body of Christ is strongest when we are united, just as in a rugby scrum.
  • “We are one body, not just individuals in the same place.”
• Breaking Down Barriers
  • Jesus tore down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, and He calls us to remove walls in our own hearts.
  • “Brick by brick, stone by stone, the wall is torn down.”
• Living as a Holy People
  • We are called to be the dwelling place of God, built together with Christ as our cornerstone.
  • “We become the very body of Christ on earth.”

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Passage

• Why does Paul emphasize remembering our past separation from God?
• What does it mean that Jesus “tore down the dividing wall of hostility”?

Applying the Message

• How can we practically live out unity in Christ in our daily relationships?
• What are some personal barriers that may be preventing unity with others?

Personal Reflection

• Are there any relationships in your life where reconciliation is needed?
• How does your unity with Christ impact the way you treat others?

Application Prompts

• Strengthening Your Vertical Relationship
  • Spend time in prayer this week, thanking God for bringing you near to Him.
  • Reflect on how Jesus has changed your life and identity.
• Living in Horizontal Unity
  • Consider reaching out to someone you may have drifted apart from.
  • Find ways to support and encourage fellow believers in your community.
• Breaking Down Barriers
  • Ask God to reveal any prejudices or unforgiveness in your heart and surrender them to Him.

Prayer Prompts

• Thanksgiving for Reconciliation
  • Thank God for making a way for you to be united with Him.
• Interceding for Unity
  • Pray for unity in your church, asking God to strengthen relationships among believers.
• Seeking to Live as One Body
  • Commit to being a peacemaker and encouraging unity in your relationships.

Study Guide for Sermon on Ephesians 1:15-23: “Knowing Him Better”

Opening Prayer

Begin with a prayer asking God to open the eyes of your heart to receive His wisdom and revelation. Ask for insight into the hope, power, and inheritance found in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
(Ephesians 1:15-18)

Key Themes from the Sermon

• The Power of Knowing God Better
  • Paul’s prayer centers on the Ephesian church knowing God deeply, transforming their relationship.
• The Hope We Have in Christ
  • Knowing God includes understanding the eternal hope He provides.
  • “If you do know God, then this hopeless world gets a little glimmer of hope.”
• Our Identity as His Inheritance
  • We are precious to God, His glorious inheritance, which changes how we see ourselves.
• The Power at Work Within Us
  • The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us, empowering us to partner with the Spirit.
  • “We cannot, we must not, do these things in our own strength. We must do it by His power, His might, and His Spirit.”

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Passage

• Why does Paul emphasize knowing God better in his prayer for the Ephesian church?
• What does it mean for the “eyes of your heart” to be enlightened?

Applying the Message

• How does knowing the hope God has called you to change the way you face life’s challenges?
• How can you remind yourself daily that you are part of God’s glorious inheritance?

Living in His Power

• How can you rely more on His strength rather than your own?
• Share a moment when you felt God’s power at work in your life. How did it change the situation?

Application Prompts

• Personal Reflection
  • Spend time this week reflecting on how well you know God.
• Encouragement to Others
  • Use Ephesians 1:15-23 to pray for someone specific and commit to praying for them daily.
• Walking in His Power
  • Identify an area in your life where you need God’s power. Take a step of faith this week, trusting in His strength.

Prayer Prompts

• Thanksgiving
  • Praise God for the hope He has given you and for calling you His inheritance.
• Confession
  • Acknowledge times when you’ve relied on your own strength rather than His power.
• Intercession
  • Pray Ephesians 1:15-23 over someone in your life, asking God to open their heart to His hope, power, and love.

In

Study Guide for Ephesians 1:1-14: “All Aboard the Train of Salvation”

Introduction

Ephesians 1:1-14 paints a breathtaking picture of God’s eternal plan for humanity—offering salvation, adoption, redemption, and the promise of an eternal inheritance in Christ. This guide explores key points from the sermon and includes discussion prompts, application questions, and prayer suggestions to deepen understanding and inspire action.

Key Points from the Sermon

1. The Train of Salvation

   “On the front of the train, it says, ‘All aboard for healing, salvation, the good life, adoption into God’s family, and escape from pain and suffering.’”

   God’s salvation plan is unstoppable and predetermined, but we have the choice to get on board.

2. Adoption into God’s Family

   “In God’s family, you are all sons… all of equal value, acceptance, and dignity.”

   Adoption means belonging fully and acting with the confidence of heirs in God’s kingdom.

3. Redemption through Christ

   Redemption is freedom from the past—sin, trauma, and suffering—into a new, God-destined future.

   “He was ripped apart so you could be put back together.”

4. Chosen for Glory

   God’s love is unwavering and faithful, likened to a train bound to its tracks.

5. Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ

   “We HAVE every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus—past tense, already ours.”

   This truth should transform how we live, pray, and act.

Discussion Points

Understanding the Bible Passage

• What does it mean to be “in Christ” according to Ephesians 1:3-14?
• Discuss the concept of adoption into God’s family. How is it both radical and life-changing?
• How do “redemption” and “inheritance” shape our understanding of salvation?

Reflecting on the Sermon

• How does the imagery of a train help us understand God’s plan of salvation?
• In what ways do we sometimes hesitate to “get on the train” or fully commit to Christ?
• How does knowing we have “every spiritual blessing” challenge our current mindset or behavior?

Practical Application

• What would it look like to live as though the city, creation, and people around us belong to our Heavenly Father?
• How can we “shake off feelings of inadequacy” and live with confidence in Christ?
• What steps can you take to actively invite others to “board the train”?

Application Questions

Personal

• Are there areas of your life where you feel “stuck on the platform”? What’s stopping you from stepping onto the train?
• How does knowing you are chosen and adopted into God’s family change the way you see yourself?

Group

• As a church, how can we live out our identity as adopted sons and daughters of God?
• How can we disrupt our city in a positive way, reflecting God’s kingdom?

Faith

• If you truly believed you have every spiritual blessing in Christ, how would that affect your prayer life, relationships, and generosity?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank God for His eternal plan of salvation and for inviting us to be part of His family.
• Pray for confidence to live as heirs of God’s kingdom, free from fear and inadequacy.
• Ask for opportunities to share the hope and blessings of being “in Christ” with others.
• Pray for God to disrupt your city positively, transforming it with His love and justice.