When sin entered the world, it infiltrated everything. No person could escape sin's grasp. Sin brought about death. From that moment on, sin and death ruled like masters. It seemed like there was no hope for humanity. But God had a plan. He would send His Son, Jesus, to rescue humanity from sin and death's grip. And when Jesus came, He changed everything and brought life.
What evidence of sin and death do you see in our world today? What evidence of hope do you have amidst the sin and death in our world?
1. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. What was life like before Christ?
Ephesians 2:1-3
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the Spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
2. Read Ephesians 2:4-7. How did God rescue us from sin and death?
Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
3. What is the result of Jesus’ resurrection, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. How does Paul describe salvation? What makes salvation a gift of grace?
Ephesians 2:8-10
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
1. In light of what Christ has done, how are we to live as followers of Christ?
2 Why were followers of Christ “created anew?”
3. What are some of the “good things” we can be a part of as followers of Christ?
The good news that Jesus rescues us from sin and death must be shared with everyone in need of His hope. As a group, watch the Bridge Diagram video. Next, have two or three people in the group volunteer to practice sharing the Bridge Diagram (group leaders, offer to go first so that your members will feel more comfortable sharing). As a group, commit to continue practicing the Bridge Diagram over the next week so you will be prepared when the opportunities come to share your faith with the people around you.
In Ephesians 2:10, we read that God "created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." There are many "good things" that God created us anew in Christ to do that we can be a part of. In fact, Scripture teaches us at least three ways followers of Christ can do good by honoring Him and pointing others to Him.
The first thing we, as followers of Christ, have been created to do is love God and the people around us. When we live this way, we honor God by demonstrating love for Him and the people He created. We also point others to Christ.
1. Read Mark 12:28-31.
Mark 12:28-31
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
2. How was Jesus' response that the two most important commandments are to love God and people the perfect response to the religious leaders' question?
3. What does it look like today to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
4. What does it look like today to love our neighbors as ourselves?
5. What is the result of obeying this commandment?
One of the most essential callings we have as followers of Christ is to make Christ known in the world around us. After all, there is a lost and hurting world that needs the hope that He offers. That is why Jesus instructed His disciples to keep His ministry going right before He returned to Heaven.
1. Read Matthew 28:16-20.
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2. Summarize Jesus’ instruction in this passage of Scripture.
3. What promise did Jesus give along with the instruction He gave in this passage of Scripture?
4. Who do you know who needs the hope of Christ? If no one comes to mind, where can you start going to form intentional relationships with those who are far from Christ?
The final calling that we will look at today that Christ followers have is to serve the church. In fact, Scripture uses the metaphor of a body to refer to the church. Just like all parts of the body are important, every member of the church, the body of Christ, is vital to helping strengthen the church.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
2. How are members of the church vital to the body of Christ?
3. What is the result of all followers of Christ serving in the body of Christ?
4. How has God specifically gifted you to serve the church?
After reading each passage of Scripture in this Going Deeper section, answer the following questions:
1. After looking at the different things God has called His people to do, which comes most naturally? Which would you like to grow in?
2. What is one step you can take today to grow in the area you would like to grow?
When you are finished sharing, pray together. Pray that God would give each one of you the boldness to take the steps that you shared to grow and that He would be honored as a result.
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