Ephesians 2:1-10

• 1. What picture does Paul paint when he says that we were “dead in [our] transgressions and sins”? (verse 1)

• Dead means dead• 2. The idea of death is not to be carried

too far. We were certainly dead to God. But there was quite a bit of activity going on within us. Describe that activity. (verses 2,3)

• We actively gratified the craving of oru sinful nature

• 3. God loved us, but it was not because he saw anything lovable in us. Why did God love us and shower his grace on us?

• Because he is rich in mercy

• 4. Our salvation is clearly by grace alone and through faith alone, but what has God created us to do?

• Good works

• 5. These ten verses give us the four basic teaching a Christian needs to know in order to teach someone the way to heaven. List the four key teachings.

• Sin v.1-3

• Grace v.4-5

• Faith v.8-9

• Good Works v.10

Ephesians 2:11-22

• What hostility existed between the Jews and Gentiles?

• Jews felt superior, Gentiles were excluded, foreigners to the covenant, without hope, without the true God

• How does God bring both Jews and Gentiles near to Christ?

• Through the blood of Christ

• 3. Paul says that Christ did three things.

• Christ brought Israel to God by

• V. 15 He abolished the law by fulfilling it

• Christ brought the Gentiles to God by

• He reconciled all to himself

• Christ joined Jews and Gentiles by

• Faith given by the Holy Spirit

1. What is the foundation on which God’s household is built? What does this teach us about the inspiration of the Bible?

• The Prophets and Apostles

• God worked through the Prophets and Apostles to bring both to God

Ephesians 3:1-13

• 1. What is Paul’s role in God’s plan of salvation?

• God used Paul to reveal His mystery to the Gentiles

• 2. How did the administration of God’s grace to Paul benefit the Ephesians? What does verse 5 teach us about the inspiration of Scripture?

• They heard the Word from him and believed• These things were revealed by the Holy Spirit to

the Prophets and Apostles

• 3. Why did Paul consider his ministry a special gift of God’s grace? (verses 7,8)

• He was less than the least of all the Apostles, because he was not a believer at first.

• 4. Who is watching as the message of the gospel is proclaimed and as God builds his church?

• Rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms – 1 Peter 1:12 = Angels

• 5. Why weren’t the Ephesians to be discouraged by Paul’s suffering? (verse 13)

• His suffering was for the sake of the Gospel

• 6. Do you approach God in freedom and confidence? Why or why not? Is there anything that can keep us from doing that?

• Answers will vary

• 7. How can suffering be said to work out for glory?

• God promises to work all thing for our good. Romans 8:28