OUR STUDY BEGINS IN
EPHESIANS 5:8-20
This study guide is designed to help you dig deeper into the weekend message over the next week. The
questions below are meant to encourage thoughtful discussion and prayer within your Life Group.
MAIN IDEAS
READ THIS SECTION ALOUD WITH YOUR GROUP:
This weekend we studied Ephesians 5:8-20 with Pastor Becky Fitch and learned what it means
to live in the light. As children, many of us are scared of darkness, but what was once a fear
of darkness can become a love of darkness as we get older. There is something in our human,
sinful nature that draws us into spiritual, moral darkness. Darkness and sin can be enticing.
That is the goal of sin - to draw us away from God and His light. Once we choose to follow
Christ and experience the freedom and joy of living in His light, we are no longer enticed by
the darkness of living in sin.
In these verses, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we were once in darkness but now we
are light. He doesn’t just tell us we have God’s light, He tells us we ARE light. When we allow
ourselves to be constantly exposed to the Light (Christ), we actually become light. Light and
darkness cannot coexist. Instead of living like one who is still in darkness, we will begin to
produce the fruit of someone who is a child of the light: goodness, righteousness, and truth.
We must identify every area of our lives that is still under the cloak of darkness and shed
light on it. Living in the light is not always convenient. When we choose to live in the light,
sometimes it means that we sacrifice convenience or comfort or pleasure. But sacrifice is
choosing to give up something we want for something we want more. We are willing to give
up these things because we want desperately to live in the light.
Being a light is not for our own personal benefit; the light we have is meant to be shared
with others. Light has two functions, it illuminates and transforms darkness. Like a flashlight
illuminates a dark room, when we are shining with the light of Christ, the darkness around
us will be exposed and illuminated. The light is not shone to embarrass or condemn but to
illuminate the darkness ruining people’s lives. Sometimes God’s children do this by speaking
and taking action, and sometimes we do it by merely showing up. Light doesn’t just illuminate
darkness, it also transforms it. Just like in our own lives, once light is shone in our hearts, we
are changed. God uses His light in our lives to transform the people around us.
Verses 15-20 give us the picture of how to live in the light. Paul tells us to be very careful about
how we live. We must make the most of every single opportunity in order to bring light to the
people around us and allow it to illuminate and transform them. Being filled with the Holy Spirit
is what makes all of this possible. We can’t do this on our own; it requires our full surrender to
the Spirit so that we are completely and continuously filled. Then we will experience a freedom
greater than anything we could have ever experienced when we were in the dark. We will
become more of who we were created and designed to be. Our lives have purpose, meaning
and significance because we have been made alive in Christ and He will use us to illuminate
and transform the darkness around us.
KEY SCRIPTURE
Read Ephesians 5:8-20 together as a group.
? DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What does living in the light look like? Share some
examples of what this looks like practically?
GOING DEEPER
Take some time this week to
consider the areas of your life that
need light. What can you do in each
area to shine God’s light into it? Who
can you be transparent with about
these things? Ask God to fill you and
shine His light on those things.
What areas of your life have been transformed by
God’s light? What areas of your life still need light?
How does transparency with others help us live in
the light? Who in your life are you fully transparent
with?
Where are you called to be light? What areas,
communities and groups of people are you meant
to be light to?
Read Ephesians 5:15-20 out loud. What stands out
to you in these verses about how you can live in
the light?
What does it look like to be filled with the Spirit?
How does this help us to live in the light?
BIBLE READING PLAN
As you read throughout the week,
take time to meditate and pray on
each section of Scripture. Consider
memorizing the verse or verses that
stand out to you.
[SIX DAY BIBLE READING PLAN]
Monday: Ephesians 5:8-20
Tuesday: John 3:19-20
Wednesday: 1 John 1:5-7
Thursday: Matthew 5:14-16
Friday: Ephesians 1:13
Saturday: Ephesians 5:8-20
MEMORY VERSE
Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV:
For you were once darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light (for the
fruit of the light consists in all
goodness, righteousness and
truth) and find out what pleases
the Lord.
05.17.2015