BIBLE STUDY WORKSHEET
Passage: Eph. 4:17-32
4 Components of a Small Group: How will you include these each week?
Community – building relationships and getting people talking, food?
Scripture – main part of the small group; growing disciples through the
study of God’s Word.
Application – applying the lessons we learn in our study to our every day
lives in personal and creative ways.
Prayer – Encountering God’s spirit through prayer or worship should be
woven into each small group time.
I.
Creative ice-breaker question or community building activity:
Describe a favorite piece of clothing and why you like it/wear it.
II.
Pray
III.
Present background/intro passage:
Summarize what you learned about the background of Ephesians and
ask others to share any info they know.
Last week Paul taught us how to be unified/one as believers and yet use our
individual giftings God has given us. Both unity and diversity help build up
the Church. So does holy living. Now he transitions to things we need to put
of and put on so that we as individuals are built up and so that the whole
Christian community is benefitted.
IV.
Read passage out-loud together
V.
Individual Time to read text (5 min or so):
Hand out markers pens
Have them write down observations, questions, repetitions, themes,
anything interesting or anything you don’t understand.
VI.
Share Group Observations and Questions:
Make sure you bring up key points or questions if the group doesn’t.
Observations:
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Darkness vs. light
Old nature vs. new nature
Confused, minds of darkness, wander far from God b/c they closed their minds
and hardened their hearts. Then they lust for more and practice impurity…cycle
begins again.
Throw off vs. put on
Spirit renews thoughts and attitudes (mind and heart)
Created to be like God: righteous and holy
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VII.
Stop: telling lies, letting anger control you, stealing, use abusive/foul language.
Get rid of: bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander and evil behavior.
Start: telling the truth, let go of anger, work hard and give generously, use words
to encourage. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.
Why? B/c of what Christ has done for us. We are his, we are saved and he has
forgiven us a great debt. We should do the same for others.
Answer questions together:
Encourage group to answer questions from the text itself and not just
their own ideas.
1. What are the differences between darkness and light, the old nature and
the sinful nature?
2. Paul is talking about the transformation that needs to take place in us after
we come to salvation in Jesus. Why is it hard to live like we’re saved
sometimes? Do you see any of these cycles in your own life?
3. What is Paul saying in v. 23-24?
4. How does anger control you? What happens when you let it?
5. How have words harmed you in the past? Is there anyone you need to
forgive?
6. How have words encouraged you in the past? Is there anyone you need
to encourage this week?
7. What are the different ways that words can be used to harm others? How
have you used words to harm others? Do you need to repent or ask for
forgiveness?
8. What is the reason behind changing? Our attitudes, thoughts, actions?
9. Is there any behavior God is asking you to stop? Write them down on a
note card. What about a behavior he wants you to start this week? Write
them down on a different note card.
10. Is there any attitude that God is asking you to throw off? Any attitude he’s
wanting you to start putting on? Write them down on separate note cards.
VIII.
Summarize main point of the passage:
Ask group to put main point in their own words, but be ready to share
the main point to bring closure.
IX.
Application:
Pick one application you want the group to talk about and act on. Find
a creative way to do it as a group or in smaller pairs.
Spend some time talking to God about these things. Give the things you need to let
go of to him. If it helps you can take those note cards and rip them up or throw them
in the garbage as a sign that you are giving them to God.
Now, take some time to invite the Holy Spirit to help you receive the new behaviors
and new attitudes written on your other note cards. Let the Spirit renew your
thoughts and attitudes (v. 23) and ask him for help. Ask him to show you practical
ways to make these changes in your heart and in your life style.
Get into your small groups and share one thing you want to take off and one thing
you want to put on in it’s place. Then pray for each other.